Tips & Techniques: “Right & Wrong” Drill

by
posted on January 11, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
pistol with target

A simple 15-shot learning exercise, the aptly named Right & Wrong Drill consists of two strings of fire focused on technically correct execution of the fundamentals for maximum accuracy and two that encourage the shooter to explore how much he or she can get away with technique-wise and still get an acceptable hit.

The target is a standard 8.5"x11" piece of paper folded in half and then halved again for a roughly 4"x5" rectangle. The shooter places the target 3 yards away for the first few strings. To begin, the shooter fires—as nearly as possible—a perfectly centered shot, focusing on feeling the trigger move straight rearward and the sear release. The next two shots are now placed as nearly as possible into the first shot’s bullet hole, keeping in mind that the point of aim will have to compensate for the height of the sights or optic over the bore. 

Now the hard toggle to “wrong,” staying at the same distance. Fire four individual shots while aimed for the center of the target but “whacking” the trigger hard. The object is to see if your firing grasp is sufficiently placed and firm to resist the crashing of the trigger and keep the impacts in the small target. It will feel as if you are breaking the rules, but you may be surprised at the results.

The next three shots explore poor sight alignment. Intentionally misalign the front sight so that it is barely inside the rear notch to the left, high and right while pointing toward the center of the target. With an optic, place the red dot just outside the window where it is no longer visible to the same vectors. Break each of these shots with a correct press to isolate the variables. Surprisingly, impacts will typically be well within the target.

With the knowledge of how much one can get away with, place the target at 12 yards. Finish by doing things “right”—fire a careful five-shot group with diligent application of sight alignment/picture, trigger control and follow-through. The goal is to keep all hits on the paper.

Latest

Barrel
Barrel

Multi-Caliber MK24 to Replace SCAR-H For SOCOM

U.S. Special Forces will soon be replacing their 7.62-NATO-chambered SCAR-Hs with a new, barrel-swapping MK24 Mid-Range Gas Gun-Assault (MRGGA) gun capable of running either 7.62 NATO or 6.5 Creedmoor.

Rifle Renaissance 2026: Exploring Rifle Skills Beyond Marksmanship

Being able to shoot in contextual situations, shoot from unusual positions, manipulate the rifle quickly and rapidly adjust one’s position based on distance are all essential skills for a well-trained rifleman. To train these abilities, The Complete Combatant hosted the first annual Rifle Renaissance event in March 2026.

New Guns For 2026: A Full Guide

While it’s claimed the firearms industry is experiencing a slowdown, that hasn’t meant a stall to innovation. It means gunmakers are working harder than ever to earn your business.

Rifleman Review: Tikka T3x Ace Target

Tikka's T3x line of rifles has long been a popular option for many hunters and shooters, and recently, the Finnish company has expanded this line with its T3x Ace Target model, which is specifically designed for competition use.

New For 2026: Bersa BP9 FS

Bersa USA has expanded into many corners of the firearm market in recent years, and new for 2026, the company has now launched its BP9 FS, a new design intended for duty, self-defense and competition use.

Surprising Concealed Carry Statistics

A survey conducted by the Crime Prevention Research Center studied how many likely voters regularly carry concealed handguns, and the results defy expectations.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.