5-Day Dry Fire Practice Routine: A Weekly Handgun Training Plan for Better Shooting

From Sig Sauer Academy

You don’t need live ammo to sharpen your shooting skills. This 5-day dry fire program builds consistency, speed, and accuracy in the comfort of your own home — no range fees, no ammo cost. All you need is your firearm (cleared and safe), a safe practice area, and a little discipline.

Materials Needed

  • Unloaded handgun (triple-check clear)
  • Inert/dummy rounds or snap caps
  • Holster you actually carry or train with 4” and 8” targets (paper, printed, or improvised)
  • Empty magazines (at least two)
  • Open floor space for movement drills
  • Tape or markers for target placement

Setup Instructions

  • Pick a safe, uncluttered practice space with no live ammo present.
  • Hang or tape 4” and 8” targets on walls at chest height, spaced to simulate realistic shooting lanes.
  • Wear your normal carry gear for holster work.
  • Use dummy rounds for reload and malfunction drills.

Drill Instructions

Day 1 – Fundamentals & Single/Double Action Control

  • 10x – Draw, focusing on each count (access, withdraw, drive), single trigger press to 4” target, cycle for reset, scan, reholster.
  • 10x – Draw + double trigger press to 4” target.
  • 10x – From ready, double action press to 4” target.
  • 10x – From ready, single action press to 4” target.
  • 10x – Draw, strong hand only, single shot to 4” target.
  • 10x – From ready, support hand only, single shot to 4” target.

Day 2 – Reloads & Malfunction Clearing

  • 10x – Draw, double trigger press to 8” target.
  • 15x – Primary malfunction clearance, two-handed.
  • 15x – Tactical reloads (retain mag, access new mag) + single trigger press.
  • 15x – Emergency reloads (empty mag, slide locked) — one trigger press, reload, one trigger press.

Day 3 – Movement & Pivot Drills

  • 10x – Pivot 90° each direction, double trigger press.
  • 10x – Turn 180° each direction, double trigger press.
  • 10x – Sidestep each direction, double trigger press to 8” target.
  • 10x – Forward & reverse movement — multiple shots on 8” target.

Day 4 – Target Transitions

  • 10x – Transition between two targets, single shot each, 4” targets.
  • 10x – Transition between two targets, double trigger press each, 8” targets.
  • 10x – Transition between two targets, three trigger presses each, mixing 4” and 8”.
  • 10x – Transition between two targets, 3–6 trigger presses each.

Day 5 – Draw Speed & Timed Work

  • 10x – Draw focusing on each count, single trigger press to 8” target.
  • 10x – Timed draws, reducing par time as you improve, single trigger press to 8” target.
  • 10x – Repeat draws focusing on each count, single trigger press to 8” target.

Scoring / Pass Criteria

Since this is dry fire, “scoring” is based on consistency, smoothness, and clean trigger presses without sight disruption. If your sights move off target during the press, slow down until you can maintain alignment.

Coaching Tips / Variations

  • Video yourself to catch bad habits.
  • Use a shot timer in par mode to push speed once accuracy is consistent.
  • Incorporate movement from cover positions.

Recommended Target Download – Try a 4” or 8” circular target. Check out our free targets at MidAtlanticMunition’s free target library.

Training time is an investment — make it count. Pick up the snap caps/dummy rounds, holster, and targets you need from MidAtlanticMunition today and keep your skills sharp between range trips.