How do you know you're any good at pistol shooting?

You ask any guy about shooting and he's "pretty good - not great" - but can you meet objective standards of skill? We cover two tests of skill you can do at most indoor ranges to know how you stack up.
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Software: Final Cut Pro
0:00 Start
0:03 BDE
0:18 Overview
0:58 Equipment needed
1:34 10/10/10
3:28 The Test
5:40 How to improve
7:03 Avoid doing this
The opinions expressed through this video are the opinions of the individual author.
Fair Use: In the rare instance I include someone else’s footage it is covered in Fair Use for Documentary and Educational purposes with the intention of driving commentary and allowing freedom of speech.
IMPORTANT: All shooting is done on state-approved firing ranges by trained professionals. Our videos are produced in a safe environment by highly trained professionals with decades of experience. These videos are strictly for educational and entertainment purposes only. Imitation or the use of anything demonstrated in my videos is done AT YOUR OWN RISK. Do not attempt to replicate the actions featured in our videos without the proper training, licensing, and without medical professionals present.
We are not attempting to sell you the items featured in this video. We are not instructing our viewers on how to modify firearms, accessories or otherwise change their basic legal function. All firearms and accessories are legal products commonly available in stores all across the United States. Our videos are for entertainment purposes only. We are not a gun shop and DO NOT sell or deal in Firearms. Such a practice is heavily regulated and subject to applicable laws. I DO NOT sell parts, magazines, or firearms.

[@nick3d155]

That plate is also compatible with Elite Combat, EC Executive, TP9SFX (and obviously Rival).

[@davidhudson2527]

I recently qualified at a indoor range for holster draws and rapid fire. Almost choked out when the R.O. put me on the shot timer for the 10 yd rapid fire. 😰😂

[@snoopergnar3719]

My wife and I shoot indoors and we are limited and the range. This video is very helpful.

[@jonathanwilliams7161]

Good video! ❤️ Love how you said "it's not the gun, it's nut behind the gun is loose" ... Lol

[@traillesstravelled7901]

Swear to God, even with the equipment flex, this is one of the only channels with advise I can go to the range and do right away.

[@chrisowen7209]

Love the drill videos, definitely gonna test myself with this next time at the range!

[@scottlazar9731]

Great advice. Will incorporate it in my training this week!

[@JacksonWalter735]

man I found you through your firearm reviews, but these tips or learning videos are my favorites. Keep up the good work!

[@jrod3151]

Really appreciate this! Thanks 😊

[@John-uo1qf]

Helpful test!

[@Quality_Guru]

Thanks for helping to tighten us nuts. We all need to ratchet up our skills. Looking forward to performing this drill as appose to putting holes on paper.

[@jameshealy4594]

Everyone knows you warm the glass up with your hand first, what a great dad providing the real lessons.

[@ILicence]

Good timing on the video. Winter is coming and a lot of shooters in colder states get pushed indoors this time of year.

[@v.german11b]

Excellence. Appreciated! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thanks, David.

[@nick3d155]

Nice work switching between irons and the dot and still getting good results. I'm not worth a crap at irons anymore and should get back into my backups for drills.

[@johnmoorefield76]

Great video Dave! Didn't quite understand a lot of what you were saying, but I don't competition shoot! At least I Have got the gist of what you were saying! Have a great rest of your weekend Brother!!

[@upnorthFPVandEUC]

Great info and video

[@jonn8163]

Love it. I can consistently shoot 295 with the radiant ramjet so was thinking of removing the comp next time

[@sps3172]

Very helpful....thanks!

[@michaelmoreno4968]

Nice video. This will be a good, structured way to work on SHO/WHO for me. Might have to lower the bar at first, especially for weak hand, but time will tell.

[@jasestrong]

Great video , I am going to use it, thank you from a brother Dad!

[@LarrySealeArcheryCoach]

Good drills!

[@keithholcomb8808]

More great work 👊

[@shawnperry4661]

Lol love that part about the nut behind the gun so true 😅

[@Andy-hl7gh]

The hardest part is to find a range where they don't get nervous ticks if you just breathe too fast.

[@Stettenbauer]

Good info. Will do, I only have access to an indoor range at this point.

[@RonnieBravo_]

Good video!

[@ms.hotshot2232]

This is great 😊

[@nathanmitchell7961]

King Humble Marksman

[@fmkeylock1]

Awesome Thanks

[@brianshuler6951]

It is good having benchmark times and scores for comparison. My private indoor range has a max effective distance of 9 yards. I use reduced sized targets, 67%/50%/25% of full size, to simulate longer distances. Keep in mind that this is not exactly like actually shooting longer shots. Your brain is very good at knowing you are still just shooting at 10 yards using a smaller target. Everybody has a distance where their brain says, "Wow! That's along shot" and you tense up. I don't get the same stress shooting smaller targets as I do shooting longer ranges. Thanks for the informative video.

[@angelgomez7917]

Nice!

[@finkdizzle]

Thanks

[@jalermaling8736]

"Avoid this:...The problem is not the gun, the problem is the nut behind the gun." Ouch! Brutal, but comically honest too. Thanks.

[@philrincon]

I'm glad Google's algos brought me to this video. I was actually thinking about this last weekend.

[@Glonk_Respecter]

I thought I was good, then I went to a uspsa match.

[@stevenkennedy4130]

Say hey to the G Knight for me! Thanks for the share!!

[@22leggedsasquatch]

I have the Rival.. excellent quality, very accurate, very fast, Mec-Gar mags with 20 rounders available.. fantastic trigger too. No reason why this can't be carried.

[@ryanweiss1721]

Another good drill to do to get an idea of competence at an indoor range is the IDPA 5x5 classifer.

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

Drawing can be a problem at a lot of ranges

[@ryanweiss1721]

@@TheHumbleMarksman True. I would say a low ready would be a suitable substitute. However, if someone was looking to measure themselves against the actual IDPA standards, I think adding 2 seconds would be fairly close.

[@darkpassenger65]

"Turn money into noise", too funny.

[@k04s4]

BDE going wild!

[@donh1572]

Do you think the irons would have performed better if you had fiber optic competition sights, like Vogel dynamics or Dawson Precision?

[@pogeegitz]

I'd never actually scored myself before, other than when I qualified expert in the Air Force 20 years ago (pretty meaningless, I know). I ran the full test tonight twice with my Springfield hellcat, because I felt like I'm not as good with it as I am with a full size 1911. My average was 190.5, which was higher than I expected but it took me basically the full par time. Maybe my expectations for pistol accuracy are higher than they should be and I could trade for more speed.

[@aribpm]

Just when I think I am getting better I go shoot a large match and get “humbled”. No matter how fast I run and get prepped the weakness get exposed. Eventually the old slow 70 year old turtle 🐢 catches up to me and shoots better. I had to stop comparing myself to others and work on personal goals. It hard being a sore loser. Thanks for the videos sir.

[@F15Bluto]

Good stuff. Just wanted to say if your video production was television technology, you’ve gone from late 80’s cabinet tv’s to flush mount 4k HDR in no time. Hopefully folks realize the work that goes into that. (Doesn’t make things like your pliable grip vid less valuable, but a kudos on the effort.)

[@controlfreak1963]

Unfortunately most of the ranges around my house don't like quick shooting.

[@Gaziz85]

Thank you for the video! Can you recommend a good app for timer?

[@TacticalToolbox]

I'm only here for the BDE

[@luvdacurvyones]

How do you know you're any good at pistol shooting? 1. When you can leap forward into the air and fire 3 shots before landing AND hitting the bullseye or just outside the bullseye. 2. When you can roll sideways on the ground and hit the bullseye or just outside the bullseye. 3. When you can somersault forward 5 times, land in a crouched position, and still hit the bullseye or just outside the bullseye.🤠👉

[@jonathanwilliams7161]

Hahahahahaha 😂 you're not just "good" you're like a pistol "superman"....

[@pranc236]

Im still working on grips you suggested how to adjust and change. I shoot one of my EDC’s every time i go to the range but not as much as my range queen. EDC will do 7-15yrds mostly and the queen is more like 10-25yrds. Also i get target with multi targets on it so i can switch targets after each shot or double tap. I just feel like 5yrds is a waste of ammo. 🤷‍♂️

[@jagpilotohio]

Unfortunately the nearest outdoor range for me is far enough to be quite inconvenient. I’ve become exceptionally good at red dot indoor bullseye shooting but admittedly it’s getting a bit old. This 10/10/10 test would actually not be challenging to me in the least. I’d have to move it out farther or shoot it faster and unfortunately my range doesn’t allow any rapid fire other than triple taps. As long as I have a slight noticeable pause every three rounds they let me slide on speed because they know me.

[@HansBelphegor]

2:30 mantis x is also a good shot timer, unless you shoot faster than a m3a1

[@HansBelphegor]

In layman's terms thats 7 rounds per second

[@mikenagy938]

I'm just not into seeing who can shoot the fastest or competing with other shooters. All I want is to be able to get a good shot off at the bad guy coming at me or breaking in. My groups are tight around center and that's good enough. Much more important is being mentally tough enough to pull the trigger and not hesitate when the time comes.

[@hopewilliams6705]

I have asked myself this alot.

[@garretdozier9596]

Great video. If you need another Tee shirt for future videos, lemme know!🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@pogeegitz]

How about for those that aren't looking for competition shooting skills but rather self defense? Smaller guns/shorter barrels and closer targets. By these sorts of tests I'm "decent" with a full size, but past 10 yards with a micro compact is both a challenge and not as representative of expected real world scenarios.

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

This is that test.

[@mhedden033]

when I have the chance I take my carry pistol (365xl) out to 50yds on man sized targets. And my pocket pistol (p238) out to 30yds. I practice how fast I can shoot and still get accurate hits at the different ranges. Bay I was on today I could only work to 25yds, so I used a b-8 instead of an idpa sized target, had a few misses past 20 that I need to clean up.

[@mrgoodbar216]

Most indoor ranges dont allow rapid fire unless they know you

[@johnmaresca69]

I had ordered the #2 plate to install my holosun red dot but then lost my rear sight in order to mount. Are there any plate systems that I can have both my rear iron and my holosun red dot?

[@ikefleetwood4053]

I never subscribed to group shooting at short range (3-7 yards). Trying for 1 ragged hole- suppose the argument is valid but why not go for 1 ragged hole at longer distances? Thats better. I generally find the people are shooting at shorter distances cause they are incapable of shooting at longer distances… unless doing some close quarters/real world type concealed carry training but thats not happening at a typical range.

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

You aren’t wrong. The 3/3/3 fallacy is the biggest stumbling block to improvement I can think of

[@BabaYaga-yh3yi]

When I first started shooting, I thought I was pretty good because my shots were all on the target with 10 inch groupings all over the place. 😅

[@paulc3880]

The biggest BDE wouldve been if you just showed an Atlas or some decked out open gun and ended the video lol

[@MrBert1]

I shoot only at an indoor range. Does a shot timer work accurately with other nearby gunfire going on? Also, as you stated that shot timers are pricey, are there any apps that actually work? Keep up the BDE!

[@sleepynats]

It will not unfortunately. My buddy's brother will pop off a shot just to mess with his times 😂

[@stovepipe8966]

I use a Shotmaxx wrist timer when I’m indoors- the accelerometer reads the shock wave in your wrist rather than the sound of the shot. Works really well. But $$

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

if you turn sensitivity way down you can have it work at an indoor range. On my old Pocket Pro 2 - I would have a default sensitivity of 13 - if I put it on 4 - I could use it in my lane when people were in other lanes. if some homeboy is mag dumping with a rifle though you're pretty much screwed.

[@umami0247]

I’m good enough to defend what I have. As far as uspsa I shoot for fun don’t care what my score is. At 62 I’m certainly not going to be a GM or anything higher than a U and that is ok.

[@claytondennis8034]

Would you recommend shooting different guns (iron vs red dot) or shoot irons through a red dot that is off? Constantly removing and installing your red dot is a pain.

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

Shooting irons is irons - I tend just to shoot dots tho

[@claytondennis8034]

About the only guns I shoot regularly without dots, are my revolvers. Since it's a perishable skill, I guess I'll stick with revolvers to work trigger control and iron sights while I continue to work my dots for proficiency with the dot. It's a harder transition than I imagined.

[@WaterZer0]

Without watching the video but commenting for the algorithm: Easy, I know I'm not.

[@olegvorkunov5400]

Should you use a gun you are going to carry? Canik has a very soft/light trigger and long barrel and will not give you a full experience when you start shooting, for example, MAX-9 or LCP Max.

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

You can use whatever gun you want

[@reynoldcindrich4851]

Except that most indoor (and outdoor) ranges will not let you rapid fire, ever. If you are lucky enougb to have a friend that owns some land, then you can rapid fire.

[@jeffsmith4872]

Good vide, now tell me how I beat Open shooters with my Limited gun when the targets are at 25 yards.

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

Buy an open gun

[@desmondhumebrotha3522]

What kind of sight picture are your non RDO pistols set up for? Combat hold or center hold? I feel like most are the former nowadays out for the box.

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

I prefer POA/POI

[@arbelico2]

Greetings from Spain . A question from the unknown. Would it be worth having a trigger system that combines the striker fired and single action systems for 1911 pistols that de facto act as a double action trigger and can be used as service or everyday weapons for civilians? . Thanks .

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

The manual safety makes hammer fired single action guns drop safe - most striker fired guns have this baked into their action. A manual safety on a striker gun is a redundant safety (usually). Hammer fired guns usually have very short trigger throws. Strikers have usually 2-3x throws. Risk of inadvertently trigger a striker is lower (somewhat) than an unlocked single action hammer gun

[@arbelico2]

@@TheHumbleMarksman Thanks . But my question was more oriented to being able to count on 1911 models that can be carried without the need to be cocked or be cocked all the time and that de facto work as a double action system that at the same time is more "smooth" than a double action system , I hope I have explained myself better . Thanks for your time .

[@nathanjohnson6341]

Do you have any recommendations for shot timer apps for those of us that don’t want to spend the $$ on a actual shot timer. What to spend it on ammo…

[@mhedden033]

I forgot to check my timer's battery last night and showed up to the range with a $130 paperweight so I used the 'IPSC shot timer' app on android to set up par times. It was detecting shots from the next bay so I just used it for drills with a par time, there is a configuration in that app for how sensitive it is but I didn't bother to take the time to calibrate it.

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

the one I showed in this video is called "Shot Timer" - it's functional. Good not great.

[@rahmbo5473]

👍🔥👊

[@yngzaklynch]

Your top 5 pistols for EDC?

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

End of year type video

[@drfrankenstein4127]

What company sells the optic plate w rear sight attached ? I can’t quite make out the company’s name. Thx

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

Patnik Solutions

[@lakecityripper]

Dave is that a run cam on your hat?

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

I haven’t used a run cam in years. My hat cam has been an Insta 360 go2

[@lakecityripper]

Haha that’s what I was thinking about but run cam kept piping in my head. I listened to the episode of the paracast you was on today. Going back in time, I haven’t shot a match in a long time but Tom Robert Steve and Kenny are friends of mine it was good to hear you on there with them. I’m making a come back soon. Your content has always been great man.

[@shaunn7778]

I know I'm nice at gunfighting because I've won every imaginary gunfight I've ever been in.

[@kn9155]

What's your favorite red dot on the bul sas tac 2 4.25?

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

comes with an RMR footprint plate - so I used an RMR.

[@kn9155]

@@TheHumbleMarksman thanks Dad!

[@Nag.Nag.]

🙋 🙋

[@moalal95]

How did you score your shots?

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

Total up the rings you shot.

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

9- 10s and 1 - 9 would be a 99

[@littlemac844]

Indoor ranges are terrible, been once and they are chaotic

[@digitalpunk5365]

Hard video to click. In my head “how to know you’re not good at shooting”

[@mongo5564]

I like to think I’m good at shooting, then I see a GM shoot and remember how much I actually need to improve….

[@billbee235]

This video hits the spot. I’m pistol curious so slowly building my skills when I’m not competing in precision rifle stuff. Been trying to convince a few buddies that their 7yd groups are cute but useless, so I sent them this video. Chances are they are the dislikes 😂

[@Qpoueoor]

It’s much easier when you know you suck. Bottom 1/3rd at every competition! 😂.

[@carlb86]

"How do you know you're any good at pistol shooting?" Obviously if you get a stage win at your local level I.

[@alabamatrout6985]

Good iPhone shot timer app for us poor’s?

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

the free one I have is literally called "shot timer"

[@emersonmsd]

Never shot indoors.

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

Don’t if you can help it

[@johnmuir8305]

Most indoor ranges are completely useless if you actually want to improve your shooting skill beyond 25 yard bullseye shooting.

[@indianOutlaw87.5]

I thought I was decent then I started practicing casino drills put my ego right in check lol

[@zen-Tii]

Argh! The problem is always the gun. That’s why I have so many.

[@shawnh2590]

Am I just an asshole? For some reason I just don’t like chanic or Glock. I don’t know if it’s a Chevy Ford thing or just the little experience that I have with either a gun. Maybe I need more experience with them to form a valid opinion.

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

we all have preferences - usually it's better to inform them with experience though

[@stovepipe8966]

The cool reality of quality reliable modern semi auto full sized polymer 9 mm pistols is that a well trained competition or defensive/tactical shooter can use them all with a very similar level of proficiency. Reviews like Humble’s display the ability to hit fast and accurately with most any pistol in this category. . Brand or model choice is really just a matter of subtle differences in end user preference like personal ergos, mission required features, modularity, aftermarket and price. Quality proven name brands like Glock, Canik, Sig , Walther, HK , S&W , CZ etc all have pistols that are capable of performing at the same level IMO.

[@jp92382]

wow... if you think "low ready" is having your arms all the way extended with your pistol only a few inches off line, you are NOT a "good" shooter. hahaha i cant believe someone would even show that on video. "low ready" is with your hands touching your chest, barrel pointed down at the ground

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

Internet firearms expert here lads. Because that’s how low ready starts in every pistol sport that calls for low ready right?

[@jp92382]

​@@TheHumbleMarksman hahahahaha a few things here that are just too funny to pass up first, the guy making videos about how to tell if you are a good shooter is calling me out for being the "internet firearms expert". guess you don't see the irony there second, sport pistol shooting? really? the term low ready exists to describe a situation where you need to have your pistol in hand, but you are around other people in a compressed environment, and you need to prevent yourself from flagging somebody. imagine walking around with your arms fully extended, with your gun a few degrees off horizontal, and then tell the person you just flagged that you're in "low ready" good job man, you are a serious internet firearms expert. you are the real deal internet firearms expert. you are like the final form of the internet firearms expert.

[@michaelarlov3463]

@@jp92382 he's not an internet firearms expert, he's a keyboard warrior. anybody who thinks low ready is with the gun pointing forward is an idiot who does not know firearms or gun safety. low ready - it describes itself. the gun must be held low, not 3 feet out in front of you and most importantly, the barrel must be pointed at the ground because pointing it anywhere else is dangerous and unacceptable to anyone that happens to be standing near this internet firearms expert. but that's why he's an internet firearms expert and not a firearms expert, because on the internet anyone with a video camera can proclaim himself an expert.

[@jp92382]

@@michaelarlov3463 lol well said. i dont know whats happened to people anymore. where the hell did all the common sense go? i see stuff like this and all i can do is laugh. how much you wanna bet his "low ready" includes his finger on the trigger? i just hope people who are new to shooting dont see this video and believe "low ready" is what he is showing. dangerous stuff. one day, this guy is gonna bump or flag the wrong person with his "low ready" and hes gonna learn the hard way i guess

[@michaelarlov3463]

@@jp92382 At my range if you aren't squared away you will be escorted out immediately. If you're by yourself and you want to cheat your split times by having your low ready be arms fully extended and your gun already up, ok fine whatever. But that's not indicative of someone who is training seriously. That's someone who has no idea what they are doing and thinks they are impressing someone by showing fast split times. This same person typically spends thousands of dollars on a customized race gun, yet cannot outshoot a stock glock in the hands of an experienced shooter or vet. Every range has at least one guy like that. Don't be like that guy.

[@ben_shoots_]

Weelllllll, I only have girls, so no. But I do have some BDE!!!

[@HansBelphegor]

0:18 um im guessing you have sons or a son lol

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

A pack of them

[@HansBelphegor]

@@TheHumbleMarksman serious Big Dad Energy then. I just have dogs and horses, im sure half of what i tell my animals is almost verbatim: "what are you eating, where did you get that, etc"

[@stovepipe8966]

Copy - measured practice good … just making noise with your money bad

[@joshmajor8662]

Indoor range bro's Hahaha Poor guys Lol

[@jcnikoley]

Off topic cringe Peen question doesn’t work for you. Leave that to Garand thumb.

[@turdferguson2863]

Salty cringe comment, leave that for the trolls.

[@jcnikoley]

@@turdferguson2863 It’s just honest feedback. I watch certain channels for their straight forward honest and professional viewpoints. I’m not tuning in here for dick jokes.

[@seanwhite304]

LAV Test is pretty awesome . I have not done it in a good while . Definitely going go try it next time at my local range .. I know over the past 18 months or so since I got back into 2Gun . I've improved a good bit but I'm basing that off if my score. I really need to do basic tests like this to see how much I really improved. VTAC 1 to 5 is probably one of my all time favorite drills . It incorporates a lot just in one drill . Definitely isnt a beginner drill but it can be . Theres endless amounts if variations that can be done.. Nice video bro . Also I try not to stick my dick in toaster..

[@flinch9748]

Pffff….shooting with a dot at 5, 10 and 15 yards…. Please, cut the crap and learn to shoot at 25 and 50 yards with iron sights.

[@TheHumbleMarksman]

You don’t understand how to use red dots - it’s cute.

[@flinch9748]

@@TheHumbleMarksman no I don’t. That’s why i’ve been shooting open division IPSC since 1994. Learn the old fashioned iron sights first. You know what’s cute? When a dot shooter can’t hit an elephant with iron sights. First the basics.

[@donh1572]

@@flinch9748 if the humble marksman was a woman and she was testing your strength, you would have failed miserably!…learn how to be a man