I used to think revolvers were past their prime — inefficient compared to modern firearms. Then I started shooting them more seriously, and when the S&W 432 UC came out, it completely rocked my world.
As I started shooting revolvers more, and even carrying one, I began following instructors who specialize in them, and that’s how I came across the 5-Yard Roundup, a drill designed specifically for revolvers.
Justified Defensive Concepts introduced me to the drill, created by firearms instructor Justin Dyal. While Mr. Dyal is known for more than just revolvers, his revolver work is particularly impressive. I’ve followed his work on social media, and it’s clear he’s a true expert in the field.
The 5-Yard Roundup is designed for snub nose revolvers. As a man who now carries a revolver in his pocket with a Safariland Model 25 holster, I wanted to give it a spin and share it so everyone can get a little training in.
The 5-Yard Roundup: The Logistics
Logistics win wars, and luckily, the logistics of this drill aren’t heavy. The 5-Yard Roundup only requires 10 rounds per run. That’s not too difficult, and it’s accommodating to five-shot revolvers. You’ll need a holster of some type, and this drill is very pocket-carry-friendly. As mentioned, I use a Safariland Model 25.
The course requires a classic B8 target, which is easy to find and even available for free printing. The B8, a classic bullseye target with a straightforward scoring system, has made a strong comeback in the firearms world. The target features numbered rings that get smaller as the numbers increase. It’s very simple and very effective.
Don’t forget your eye and ear protection, and bring a shot timer. As the name implies, the drill takes place at 5 yards.
Shooting the Drill
The drill is divided into three short phases. Each phase has a 2.5-second par time.
Phase 1 begins with the gun holstered. If you are pocket-carrying the gun, you can start with your hand on the gun in your pocket. At the beep, draw and fire one shot from the holster.
Phase 2 starts from the ready, and at the beep, you’ll fire four rounds from the ready position.
Phase 3 starts with the strong hand only. At the beep, you’ll fire three rounds. In the final phase, fire two rounds from the support hand only.
That’s it. You’ve fired 10 rounds, and it’s time to score. Scoring is easy. Just add up the numbers on the target. You have a potential of 100 points. You’re doing pretty well if you can score at least 90 points.
I shot the drill several times, and I did my best when I slowed down a bit. Admittedly, five yards isn’t far, but it looks a lot further when you’re aiming for the 10-ring, but 2.5 seconds is a long time. I scored a 94 on my best run and almost dropped a shot due to riding the clock a little too long.
My Thoughts on the 5-Yard Roundup
What I love about this drill is that it doesn’t require a ton of ammo. Revolver ammo is expensive, and when you’re shooting obscure calibers like .32 H&R Magnum, it gets pricey quickly. It’s also a drill you can shoot quickly and doesn’t waste any of your time. Plus, it just uses a B8 target.
It also exercises fundamental yet essential skills with a snubnose revolver. The range is very short, but the target is very small — especially if you’re trying to hit the X or 10-ring. If you can consistently hit a small target at close range, those skills will translate to hitting larger targets at greater distances.
The 2.5-second par time doesn’t seem generous, but that par time beep seems to take forever once you start shooting. My best advice is to start pulling the trigger as fast as you hear the beep. I had to shoot several phases more than once because my MagTech ammo didn’t ignite consistently.
The drill demands an excellent grip overall. If you slack with your grip, your target will let you know. This is especially true in the single-hand stages. I suck with my support hand and need to keep improving, and this is the drill to work it. I didn’t score a single X or 10-ring shot when shooting the support hand only portion of the drill.
Going Fast
The 5-yard Roundup is an enjoyable, skill-building drill that allows you to self-diagnose your snub nose handling skills. The limited need for ammo, time, and targets makes it easy to conduct the drills multiple times. If you’re having a hard time breaking 90, then you might need to seek out training with an instructor like Justin Dyal or the fellas at Justified Defensive Concepts.
The 5-Yard Roundup is a great way to exercise your snub nose skills. It allows you to practice a variety of skills in a short period of time. And, it’s fun. Snub nose revolvers aren’t the most user-friendly guns, so you must be adequately trained. Drills like the 5-Yard Roundup sharpen those skills and make sure you stay fast, accurate, and capable.
