You would not know it from my less than spectacular performance at the 1999 IDPA National Championships but my shooting has improved this year by leaps and bounds. Professional training has a lot to do with it but my dry firing practice has been a major contributor as well. Here are my dry fire practice tips which are variations of those given to me by IPSC historian and reloading guru Guy Neil.
Be sure the gun is unloaded. Place all live ammo in a marked container and place it in another room. Dry fire against a suitable backstop. (like a masonry wall) I like to use snap caps in my gun to protect the firing pin and return spring. Remember that you are ultimately responsible for any negligent discharges. Ignore this warning at your own risk.
I set up an IDPA target on two furring strips. The furring strips extend above the top of the target. At the top of the strips I have a 1/2" hole drilled. On the ceiling joists in my basement I have driven nails to accept the holes. I can hang three targets in my basement this way. This gives the convenience of a target array without the mess of stands. Stands can be easily made of wood or PVC pipe, or you can just tack the targets to the wall. I have also made barricades that hang in a similar manner.
I try to complete this entire routine, but in all honesty, I often abbreviate it or spread it out over two or more days. I practice at three and seven yards, seven being the limit of my basement. I use a timer to start my draws. Those of you with advanced timers can set par times that will beep for a second time to tell you when your time is up.
1.) From the holster, draw the pistol and let go a perfect dry fire shot freestyle (two hands) Repeat 30 times.
2.) From the holster, draw the pistol and let go a perfect dry fire shot strong hand only. Repeat 15 times
3.) From low ready, raise the pistol and let go a perfect dry fire shot weak hand only. Repeat 15 times. If you have been trained in drawing with the strong hand and transferring the gun to the weak hand, then by all means do this instead.
You can try such variations as moving off the line while drawing,drawing from concealment turns, low light engagement, or use multiple targets and have someone mark one as a threat leaving the others as no shoots. This can be done by making mock guns or knives out of construction paper and have a helper tape the weapon to one of the targets while your back is turned. If you put up three targets and you have a double action only auto or revolver you can practice El Presidente and its variations pretty easily. **I do this with a traditional double action pistol. Some people believe that too much Double action only dryfire practice will screw you up when you transition to that single action shot. Consider this before shooting Double Action in your TDA auto.**
I am currently shooting a traditional double action pistol so I take extra time to practice single action shots from the low ready position.
I use three magazines full of orange safety trainer snap caps. For the slide lock reloads you will need to empty one magazine. I use the timer as a start signal. With a high end timer you can set par times for the exercises. I also cover my thumb with medical tape to prevent blisters.
Speed reload drills help develop the muscle memory to find your spare magazines and the mag opening. They are not used in IDPA (and some feel the street) but they are useful for shooting USPSA or for general gun knowledge. I know people who do as many as 100 dry reloads a night.
Start with a magazine in the gun and two (or more) on your belt. Have the gun on the target, arms extended, eyes on front sight. At the beep eject the magazine, grab a fresh magazine, and insert. Get your front sight back on target. Some people incorporate a dry fire shot after the reload. This guarantees that you don't cheat on the drill. If you chose to do this, thumb cock the gun before each start.
The slide lock or "emergency" reload is what you will need most at IDPA matches or in the real world. Nowadays, I spend more time with this than I do the speed or tactical load. Have two (or more) magazines loaded with safety trainers on your belt. Have one empty magazine in the pistol with the slide locked back.
Start with arms extended, eyes on front sight. At the beep, eject the magazine, draw and insert the fresh magazine, drop the slide, and place that front sight back on the target for a perfect dry fire hit.
Secure the gun (place on table) and pick up the dropped magazine. Eject the mag loaded with trainers and replace in magazine pouch. Insert the empty magazine back into the pistol. There will be one dummy in the chamber. Pull the slide back, the dummy round will eject and the slide will lock back ready for the next repetition. When I do this magazine exchange I do it as a tactical reload, thus doubling the value of the exercise.
When you run out of safety trainers pick them up and reload the magazines. Repeat the slide lock drill as you see fit. I try to run four to six magazines worth per session.
Tactical reloads are a skill required for IDPA shooting. On the street the idea is that a tactical reload will be used at the end of a gunfight or during the lull in the shooting. Some people argue that it is an inefficient method of saving a few cartridges, but this will be an ongoing debate that won't be discussed here. Tactical load or speed load, never leave cover without your gun fully loaded. (this too is debated)
I feel the best way to develop the basic tactical reloading motor skills is to learn the magazine shuffle first. That is, the method of removing the partially full magazine while holding a fresh magazine in the same hand, then loading the fresh magazine. I found the best way to learn this skill was to sit in front of the TV with an unloaded pistol and two magazines loaded with safety trainers. Over and over I repeated the switch until it felt natural. Then I integrated drawing from a magazine pouch and returning the partially full magazine to a pocket.
Tip: Most IDPA scenarios (and I suppose also in the real world) will find you tac reloading behind cover that is low, like an automobile. It is therefore a good idea to practice this skill while crouched behind a barricade, kneeling and squatting.
Author's Philosophical Note: Many shooters interested in IDPA refuse to learn or practical the tactical reload as they feel it an unpractical skill. While this may or may not be true it is the law of the land as far as IDPA is concerned. Your times will suffer if you cannot do this well.
This is the end of my tips for dry fire. It is pretty extensive but by no means is it all inclusive or complete. Please email me with any additions,tips, criticism, or comments. Thank you.