The 1–5 Drill, sometimes referred to as the iHack Drill, was developed by Ken Hackathorn to challenge shooters with changing shot cadences, target transitions, and recoil management. It’s a deceptively simple drill that punishes sloppy technique and rewards smooth, controlled execution.
Materials Needed:
- Pistol and holster
- 15 rounds of ammunition per run
- Three 8” circle targets (or scaled equivalents)
- Shot timer
- Eye and ear protection
Setup Instructions:
- Set up three targets side by side, spaced about 1 yard apart from edge to edge.
- Stand 10 yards from the target line.
- Shooter begins from ready or concealed carry position.
Drill Instructions:
- On the timer beep:
- Fire 1 shot into left target
- Fire 2 shots into center target
- Fire 3 shots into right target
- Fire 4 shots into center target
- Fire 5 shots into left target
- Total: 15 rounds
- Movement is lateral: left ➝ center ➝ right ➝ center ➝ left
Scoring / Pass Criteria:
- Hits must be inside the 8” circles.
- Record total time; add +0.5 seconds per miss.
- Goal time:
- Advanced: Under 7.0 seconds
- Intermediate: 7.0–10.0 seconds
- Beginner: Complete clean, regardless of time
Coaching Tips / Variations (Optional):
- Switch direction (start with right target instead of left)
- Add concealment draw to increase complexity
- Run from a compressed ready for speed work
- Try strong-hand or weak-hand only for skill isolation
- Use numbered targets for verbal command drills
Recommended Target Download – Use a 3-circle row target with 8” bullseyes spaced evenly across a standard 8.5×11” or 11×17” sheet. Find free downloadable targets at midatlanticmunition.com/free-targets or create your own using standard printable bullseyes.
Clean runs under pressure? Post your 1–5 Drill results, tag us @midatlanticmunition. That’s how you build real-world skill. Check out more drills here, and if you need to restock the ammo, check out our handgun ammo collection.