The Quick Six Shooting Drill: A Fun Test of Memory and Accuracy

The Quick Six Shooting Drill is a straightforward yet challenging way to sharpen both your memory and accuracy under pressure. It’s designed to test not only how well you can hit your targets, but also how effectively you can remember shooting sequences while staying focused. Whether you’re at the range or running a dry fire session at home, this drill is a great addition to your training routine.

How to Shoot the Drill

You can start the drill from either your holster or a low ready position, depending on your comfort and experience level. Using a numbered target, the drill breaks down into three simple strings:

• String 1: Draw and fire two shots on targets 1, 2, and 3.

• String 2: Draw and fire two shots on targets 4, 5, and 6.

• String 3: Draw and fire one shot on each target, 1 through 6 in sequence.

To get the best results, get the target here.

Why the Quick Six Works

What makes this drill unique is its combination of accuracy and memory. Many shooting drills focus purely on marksmanship, but the Quick Six forces you to stay mentally sharp while executing a series of shots. This type of “mental stacking” simulates the stress of remembering multiple steps under time pressure.

Each string also has its own purpose:

• Strings 1 and 2 build control and rhythm as you fire two shots per target.

• String 3 tests your ability to smoothly transition across all six targets without breaking focus.

By the end, you’ll have practiced both tight shot groups and quick transitions — two essential skills for any shooter.

Safety First

As with any training exercise, safety should always come first. If you’re performing the Quick Six during a dry fire practice session, make sure your firearm is unloaded and free of live ammunition. Double check your chamber, remove all loaded magazines, and keep any live rounds in a separate room.

For live fire training, always confirm your backstop is safe and be mindful of range rules. Don’t forget reliable eye and ear protection to keep yourself protected while running the drill.

Building Accuracy and Memory

The Quick Six is as much a mental drill as it is a physical one. You need to remember your string sequence while maintaining sight alignment, trigger control, and breathing discipline. This dual challenge helps reinforce skills under pressure — similar to what you might experience in competition or defensive scenarios.

Beginners can take their time, focusing on one clean shot at a time. More advanced shooters can add a timer to push for faster strings while keeping their hits accurate. Over time, you’ll notice smoother transitions, tighter shot groups, and quicker recall of each sequence.

Making the Drill Your Own

One of the strengths of the Quick Six is its flexibility. You can modify it based on your goals and skill level:

• Add distance: Step back to increase difficulty.

• Reverse the order: Shoot strings 3–1 instead of 1–3 to test adaptability.

• Add pressure: Use a shot timer to simulate competition stress.

• Combine with reload practice: Pair it with magazine change drills to work multiple skills in a single session.

These small adjustments keep the drill fresh and continue challenging both your body and mind.