The Bill Drill: How This Training Exercise Improves your Pistol Shooting Speed

The bill drill is a fundamental pistol training exercise created by Bill Wilson that tests multiple skills simultaneously. In this drill, you draw your pistol and fire six rounds at a target’s threat zone from 7 yards away, challenging your draw speed, recoil control, and accuracy under pressure. It’s equally valuable for competition shooters and those who carry for self-defense.

Key Benefits of the Bill Drill:

1. Develops speed with control – Helps you find the perfect balance between shooting quickly and maintaining accuracy, teaching you to deliver follow-up shots that actually hit their mark.
2. Improves sight tracking – Forces you to manage your sight picture under time pressure, enhancing your ability to track your front sight or red dot through recoil.
3. Strengthens grip fundamentals – Exposes weaknesses in your technique and builds the muscle memory needed for effective recoil management between shots.
4. Provides measurable feedback – Gives concrete data on your performance through timing and accuracy, allowing you to track improvement and identify specific areas needing work.

What is the bill drill?

The bill drill is one of my favorite training exercises, and I think every serious shooter should try it. Named after Bill Wilson (yep, the same guy who founded Wilson Combat), this classic bill drill was invented to help shooters develop crucial skills under pressure.

When I run the bill drill, I draw my pistol and fire six rounds at a threat zone from 7 yards away. It sounds simple, but this drill tests multiple skills at once. Every time I practice it, I’m working on my draw speed, my ability to control recoil, and my accuracy while shooting quickly.

What I love about the bill drill is that it’s useful for everyone. If you compete in shooting sports like USPSA or IDPA, this drill helps build the skills you need for matches. But it’s equally valuable if you carry for self-defense.

The bill drill is one of those rare exercises that bridges the gap between competition and real-world defensive skills. Whether you’re new to shooting or have years of experience, this six-round drill gives you clear feedback on your performance and shows you exactly where you need to improve.

I’ve been running this drill for years, and it still challenges me every time. That’s why it’s stood the test of time and remains a staple in firearms training.

Bill drill gear checklist

To run the bill drill effectively, I need a few key pieces of equipment. Nothing fancy is required, but having the right gear makes a big difference in what I learn from each session.

Pistol and holster

I always use my everyday carry pistol for this drill. Whether you prefer a Glock, SIG, or any other reliable handgun, what matters most is that it’s the firearm you actually carry. I pair mine with my regular carry holster—the one that rides on my belt daily. This way, I’m building muscle memory with my real-world setup instead of practicing with gear I’ll never use outside the range.

Target and timer

For targets, I use either an IPSC or USPSA target with clearly marked scoring zones. These standardized targets have specific areas that represent vital zones on a human threat. A shot timer is absolutely essential—without one, I’m just guessing at my performance. My timer gives me objective feedback on my draw speed and the time between shots (split times).

Ammunition and optics

I load at least six rounds of my practice ammo for each run of the bill drill. If you’re using a red dot sight on your pistol, this drill will highlight any issues with dot acquisition. While iron sights work perfectly fine, a red dot can speed up your sight picture once you’re proficient with it.

I also recommend bringing a small notebook or using an app like Shooter Metrics to track your progress over time. The data doesn’t lie!

How to shoot the bill drill

Let me walk you through exactly how I set up and shoot the bill drill. With a little practice, you’ll be running this drill smoothly and seeing improvements in your pistol handling skills.

Setup and position

I always start by placing my threat target at exactly 7 yards from my shooting position. This distance is perfect—not so close that it’s too easy, but not so far that precision becomes the only focus. I make sure my shot timer is ready to go, either held by a training partner or set on a nearby table.

For my starting position, I stand facing the target with my hands in surrender position (raised to about shoulder height, palms forward). My firearm is holstered and concealed if I’m practicing my everyday carry setup. This position simulates a defensive scenario and forces me to work through a complete draw stroke.

Firing sequence

When the timer beeps, I draw my pistol and fire six shots as quickly as I can while keeping all shots in the A-zone of the target. The key here isn’t just to shoot 6 shots randomly—it’s to deliver controlled pairs (or a string of single, controlled shots) with proper sight alignment between each one.

Remember, one shot hitting the target is better than six misses! I focus on smooth, not jerky movements, and try to track my sights through the recoil.

Par time goals

For beginning shooters, completing the drill with all zone hits in under 5 seconds is a solid start. As your skills improve, aim for under 4 seconds, then 3. Advanced shooters often complete the bill drill in under 2 seconds with all shots in the A-zone.

Don’t get discouraged by fast times you see online—focus on your personal improvement. A clean drill at 4 seconds is better than a sloppy one at 2.5!

Why the bill drill is an essential pistol drill

I consider the bill drill one of the most valuable exercises in my training routine. What makes it so effective is how it works multiple skills simultaneously. Every time I run this drill, I’m not just practicing one technique—I’m building a complete package of defensive shooting skills.

Speed and control

What I love about this drill is the balance it forces between speed and precision. When I first started, I’d either shoot too slowly (getting perfect hits but terrible times) or too quickly (missing the scoring zones). The bill drill taught me that true skill comes from finding that sweet spot where speed and accuracy meet. Now I can deliver follow-up shots that actually hit where they need to.

Sight picture focus

The bill drill forces me to manage my sight picture under time pressure. I’ve learned that I don’t need a perfect sight alignment for every shot—just “good enough” to hit the zone. When shooting multiple rounds quickly, my focus stays on tracking my front sight or red dot through recoil, which has dramatically improved my performance in both practice and competition.

Grip and recoil handling

Nothing exposes a weak grip like this drill! I’ve discovered that proper grip pressure makes a huge difference in controlling recoil between shots. With the right grip, my pistol settles back on target faster, allowing for quicker accurate shots. Many shooters struggle with their follow-up shots, but consistent practice with the bill drill has helped me develop the muscle memory needed for effective recoil control.

Variations of the bill drill

Once you’ve got the basic bill drill down, I love to spice things up with variations that challenge different aspects of my skills. These modified drills keep my practice sessions fresh and address specific areas where I need improvement.

Add reloads

One of my favorite variations is adding a reload. I’ll shoot 3 rounds, perform a quick reload, then shoot 3 more. This modified bill drill forces me to maintain my grip while manipulating the magazine, a skill that’s crucial in both competition and defensive scenarios. I had to slow down when I first added reloads, but with practice, my times have improved significantly.

Change distances

Don’t get stuck at just 7 yards! I regularly run the yard bill drill at both closer ranges (3-5 yards) and longer ranges (10-15 yards). At closer distances, I focus on draw speed and rapid shots. At longer ranges, I might give myself more time but demand tighter groups. Sometimes I’ll start at 3 yards, then back up to 10 yards in the same practice session to feel the difference in required precision.

Add concealment

The basic bill drill starts from an open carry position, but I often practice from concealment since that’s how I carry daily. Adding a cover garment adds complexity and time to your draw stroke. I’ve found that clearing my cover garment smoothly is where most people (including me!) lose precious time. The triple six drill (6 shots, 6 seconds, 6 yards) from concealment is a great standard to work toward for everyday carriers.

Common mistakes to avoid

When I first started practicing the bill drill, I made plenty of mistakes that slowed my progress. Let me share what I’ve learned so you can avoid these common pitfalls and improve faster.

Trigger control errors

The most frequent issue I see is what I call “trigger freeze” – where shooters either anticipate recoil or hesitate between shots. I used to jerk the trigger on my first shot, causing a miss low and left. Then I’d over-correct and pause too long before the next trigger pull. Remember, you want a smooth, consistent press each time. I’ve found that focusing on feeling the trigger reset during recoil helps maintain rhythm without sacrificing accuracy.

Accuracy vs. speed

I see many shooters (myself included) fall into the trap of over-prioritizing speed before they’ve mastered accuracy. A fast draw means nothing if you miss the vital zone! When I started, I’d rush my presentation from holstered and mess up my sight alignment, resulting in scattered shots. Now I focus on precision first, then gradually increase speed. The timer doesn’t lie – clean hits matter more than shaving off a tenth of a second.

Grip and stance issues

Your grip is your foundation. I struggled with inconsistent grip pressure when I began – sometimes gripping too tight (causing hand fatigue) and other times too loose (allowing excessive muzzle flip). Finding that sweet spot of firm but not white-knuckle tension made a huge difference in my shot-to-shot recovery. Also, check your stance – I find many shooters lean back slightly when they should be leaning forward to better absorb recoil.

How to improve bill drill times

Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to focus on getting faster while maintaining accuracy. I’ve found three key strategies that have helped me shave seconds off my bill drill times without sacrificing precision.

Dry fire reps

Dry fire practice has been absolutely game-changing for my performance. I spend 10-15 minutes most evenings working on my draw and trigger press without live ammunition. When dry firing, I focus on a smooth draw, quick sight alignment, and proper trigger manipulation—all skills that directly transfer to running this drill with live ammo. I use a shot timer app that detects the click of my firing pin, giving me realistic feedback on my splits and overall time.

Track with a timer

A shot timer doesn’t lie! During each practice session, I carefully track my times and split seconds between shots. I’ve found that identifying my slowest split (usually between my first and second shot) gives me a clear area to improve. I’ll run the drill five times in a row, recording all my times, then focus specifically on those problem areas. This data-driven approach has helped me improve speed systematically rather than just hoping I’ll get faster.

Use video data

Recording myself in slow motion has been eye-opening. I prop up my phone to record my sessions, then review the footage afterward. Watching in slow motion reveals issues I can’t feel in real-time—like a slight hesitation in my draw or unnecessary movement during recoil management. These subtle inefficiencies add up! Video doesn’t just show what went wrong; it shows exactly how to fix it, which has accelerated my improvement dramatically.

Using the bill drill for real-world carry

When I practice the bill drill, I’m not just working on a competition skill—I’m building abilities that could save my life. As someone who carries daily, I’ve modified this classic drill to better prepare for actual defensive scenarios.

Draw from concealment

Shooting from concealment changes everything. While an open-carry draw might take half a second, adding a cover garment can double that time. I practice clearing my shirt or jacket with a smooth, deliberate motion before establishing my grip. The key is consistency—I use the exact same concealment method at the range that I use in daily life. This holster draw integration has become second nature through repetition, and I can now access my defensive pistol reliably even under pressure.

Realistic time benchmarks

For concealed carry, forget about those blazing sub-one second draws you see in competitions. In real defensive situations, a 1.5-2 second draw-to-first-shot is actually excellent. I track my times but focus more on consistency than raw speed. Can I reliably draw and get an accurate first shot in under 2.5 seconds? That’s my realistic benchmark. Remember, consistency beats occasional speed every time.

Defensive skill crossover

The bill drill creates stress inoculation through timer pressure—my heart rate increases, adrenaline flows, and I experience a small taste of the physiological changes that occur during actual threats. This drill forces me to perform under mild stress, building neural pathways that help me function when startled or afraid. The skills transfer directly to defensive scenarios: quick threat recognition, efficient movement, and accurate shots under pressure.

Measuring your progress

Measuring progress is where I see most shooters fall short. Without data, you can’t truly know if you’re improving. I’ve developed a system to track my performance that’s made a huge difference in how I approach my training.

Data-driven goals

I start by setting clear, measurable goals based on the bill drill tests. Rather than a vague “get better,” I aim for specific targets like “all six shots in the A-zone under 3 seconds” or “reduce my slowest split time by 0.1 seconds.” The drill gives me concrete data points to work with: draw time, individual splits between shots, and total time. By tracking these numbers over weeks and months, I can see trends that simple observation might miss.

Scorecard templates

I use a simple scorecard to record my performance each session. For each run of the bill drill, I note the date, time of day, the firearm used, and then record:

• Total time for all six shots
• Draw-to-first-shot time
• Location of each round on the target (which zone)
• Notes about what went well or poorly

This doesn’t have to be complicated—I started with a small notebook before moving to a digital system. What matters is consistency in recording your data after each drill.

Analyze with video

Video has transformed how I train. I set up my phone to record my sessions, then analyze the footage afterward. Looking at video lets me see things I can’t feel—like subtle flinching before a shot or unnecessary movement between rounds. I often watch in slow motion to catch the small inefficiencies that add up. The combination of timer data and video analysis gives me a complete picture of where I need to focus my practice.

Where the bill drill fits in training

I view the bill drill as the cornerstone of my firearms training regimen. It’s not just another exercise—it’s a versatile tool that serves multiple purposes throughout my development as a shooter.

Start with fundamentals

Before diving into the bill drill, I make sure I’ve mastered the basic fundamentals. I need to be comfortable with proper grip, sight alignment, and trigger control on a single target before adding speed into the mix. In my practice sessions, I often start with slow, deliberate shooting drills to warm up, then transition to the bill drill once I’m in the groove. This progression ensures I don’t develop bad habits by rushing into speed work too soon.

Build to complex drills

Once I’m consistently running the bill drill with good times and hits, I use it as a launching pad for more advanced shooting drills. The skills developed in the basic bill drill—draw speed, sight tracking, recoil management—directly transfer to more complex scenarios involving movement, multiple threats, or decision-making elements. It’s like learning to walk before you run; master this drill first, and the harder stuff becomes much more manageable.

Track fatigue effects

One of my favorite ways to use this drill is as a benchmark at both the beginning and end of my training. I’ll run the bill drill fresh, then do 20-30 minutes of other intensive drills, and finish with another bill drill. Comparing my performance shows me how fatigue affects my shooting. If my fundamentals break down when I’m tired, that’s valuable information about what needs work. This simple test has highlighted weaknesses in my training that I might otherwise have missed.

FAQs about the bill drill

I get a lot of questions about the bill drill from my students, so I’ve compiled answers to the most common ones here.

What is a good time for the bill drill?

When people ask me “what is a good time” for the bill drill, I tell them it depends on their experience level. For new shooters, completing the drill with all hits in the A-zone in under 4 seconds is a solid start. Intermediate shooters should aim for 3-3.5 seconds with good hits. Advanced shooters often complete it in under two seconds. Remember, though—clean hits matter more than raw speed. I’d rather see a 3-second run with all A-zone hits than a 2-second run with misses.

How do I shoot the bill drill from concealment?

Running this drill from concealment adds complexity, but it’s more realistic for everyday carriers. I start with my hands at my sides or in the surrender position, then clear my cover garment before my draw. This naturally adds time—expect to add 0.5-1 second to your normal time. Practice the garment clearing motion separately until it’s smooth and consistent before adding it to the full drill.

What if I miss the A-zone?

If you miss the A-zone on an IPSC target or USPSA standard target, it’s a clear signal to slow down. I count hits outside the A-zone as misses when running this drill. Why? Because in a defensive situation, those would be less effective hits. If you’re missing, reduce your speed by 10-15% until you can consistently hit the A-zone, then gradually speed up.

Should I run this drill with a red dot?

I’ve found that a red dot can eventually make the bill drill faster, but there’s a learning curve. New red dot users might actually be slower at first as they learn to find the dot quickly on the draw. Once you’re comfortable with your red dot, it can help with tracking the sight picture between shots. Both iron sights and red dots work well—stick with what you carry daily.

Is this drill useful for new shooters?

Absolutely! New shooters can benefit tremendously from the bill drill, but I recommend modifying it initially. Start without time pressure, focusing just on the six shots. Once you can consistently place all rounds in the A-zone, introduce the timer. This gradual approach builds confidence while developing proper technique. Every shooter has to start somewhere, and this drill scales beautifully from beginner to expert.