Whether you're preparing for duty, staying sharp between military deployments, or fine-tuning skills for competition or defense, preparation matters. For seasoned shooters, range time isn’t for recreation — it's tactical. It’s about efficiency, precision, and performance when under pressure. So while the basics are automatic at this point, raising the bar on your range routine starts with smart, up-to-date gear and a preparation process that will get you the most out of the time spent on the range.
Today we’ll talk about how to walk onto the range ready to go — and walk off better than when you arrived.
Preparation is Key: Be Efficient, Tactical, & Purposeful
Experienced shooters know: the mission starts long before your boots hit the ground.
1. Gear: Update Your Equipment
By now, you have your preferences pretty well dialed in. Still, a structured pre-range check will help eliminate distractions and ensure your focus stays where it’s supposed to— on your performance.
Weapons & Ammo:
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Primary and secondary weapons are zeroed and properly cleaned.
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Ammo: type, quantity, and purpose-aligned (training vs duty-grade).
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Mags are preloaded and lined up according to your drill plan (especially for timed drills).
Safety Gear:
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Quality eye protection (preferably ANSI Z87.1+ or MIL-PRF ballistic rated).
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Dual hearing protection — electronic muffs over filtered foam plugs are best for comfort and clarity.
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Gloves for brass ejection, weapon handling, and burn protection.
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Chest rig or belt set up to align with your training goals (CQB, patrol, or low-vis).
Sustainment Tools:
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First aid/trauma specific to range practice, available and stocked.
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Bore snake, lube, multitool, and backup batteries.
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Snacks, hydration, notebook (if needed).
2. Train with Purpose: Don’t Just Waste Rounds
You’re not there to make noise — you’re trying to build capability.
Before you go:
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Define your objective for your time. Is it draw speed? Reload efficiency? Shot group consistency?
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Choose 2-3 drills per session and keep yourself on track.
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Warm up dry. Whether you’re in the squad bay or your local range, reinforce body mechanics before you hit the line.
During the session:
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Time, score, and log your results. Use a shot timer or an app that will track splits, transitions, and failure points.
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Vary your targets to reflect realistic engagement zones — not just bullseyes. This is where Qualification Targets Inc. can help most.
3. Target Selection: Make It Count
Generic targets might be fine for beginners — but if you’re looking to track measurable progress or concentrating on mission-ready skills, your target choice makes a difference. That’s why law enforcement agencies, shooting academies, and advanced instructors trust Qualification Targets Inc. for their supplies.
Popular Target Options:
🔸 Tactical Qualification Silhouette
Widely used in LE training, this silhouette supports both timed and scored qualifications with defined scoring zones.
🔸Full-Torso with Scoring Grid
For shooters dialing in accuracy under pressure, this full-torso target supports measurable progress at a distance.
🔸 (Figure 14 & Figure 12 Variants)
Great for military-style marksmanship and close-quarters drills, these designs simulate combatant silhouettes and immediate threat response.
🔸 Modular Training Targets
Designed for room clearing, force-on-force, and decision-based shooting — perfect for advanced courses or agency in-service training.
When choosing targets, match your target choice to your practice session’s purpose: Accuracy? Go for a grid-based target. Movement drills? Choose life-size silhouettes. Low-light or stress? Use reduced-contrast or multi-threat targets.
Check out the full target collection here.
4. Logistics & Etiquette Still Matter
Even among professionals, being squared away requires respect — and poor range etiquette can result in a loss of credibility.
Logistics:
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Verify the range rules — even at familiar facilities, sometimes changes and updates are made.
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Bring your own stapler, tape, and backup targets.
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Confirm your ammo is compliant (especially at LE/military facilities with caliber or casing restrictions).
Range Professionalism:
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Clean up after yourself — brass, targets, tape.
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Respect line calls, transitions, and RSO authority.
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Offer guidance only when asked — no one likes unsolicited advice or critiques.
5. Stay Ready
If your session is in preparation for an official assignment, work backward from your course of fire. Rehearse each stage under the same conditions: time, posture, mag count, lighting.
Tip: Use a scaled-down version of official targets from Qualification Targets Inc. to replicate distance when limited to a smaller range.
Build your rhythm, but don’t sacrifice fundamentals for speed. Qualification is about consistency under pressure — and that starts with being prepared.
How Qualification Targets Inc. Supports Your Mission
At Qualification Targets Inc., we’ve supported law enforcement, government agencies, and professional shooters for decades. Our targets are built for mission-critical practice, institutional requirements, and results that hold up under scrutiny. We offer:
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Custom printing options for training stages
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Rapid shipping — because downtime isn’t an option
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Products trusted by DHS, DOJ, and local agencies nationwide
Let us help you improve your range practice. From targets to training tools, we’ve got the gear that makes every round count.
Whether you’re training for duty, defense, or discipline, Qualification Targets Inc. ensures your gear, your targets, and your mindset are dialed in from the first shot.
Stay sharp. Shoot with purpose. And train like it counts — because it does.