Real Skills, Real Drills: Police Qualification with Black Steel Advanced

Modern law enforcement qualification standards go well beyond basic marksmanship. Officers are expected to demonstrate weapon handling across time pressure, positional shifts, multiple distances, and hand transitions - all under stress.

You do not need a full range to train for that. Black Steel Advanced, when paired with an HD LaserHIT cartridge, allows for structured, feedback-driven practice in the office, locker room, or even at home.

This article walks through how to recreate high-value segments of professional standards using tools already built into the app.

Core Skills Found in Law Enforcement Qualification Drills

Across military and LE training manuals, including the LEWTAQ (Law Enforcement Weapons Training and Qualification), DPS LTC, and Rangemaster Advanced, we see consistent training expectations:

  • Draw and shoot from concealment or duty holster

  • First-shot timing pressure, often under 2 seconds

  • One-handed and weak-hand drills

  • Standing, kneeling, prone, and seated fire

  • Multi-target engagement, with transitions

  • Timed strings of fire (e.g., 3 shots in 3 seconds)

  • Group size and zone scoring expectations

Black Steel Advanced supports these elements through custom settings that focus on speed, control, and scoring feedback.

Quick Setup for Holster and Timed Response Drills

This configuration works well for one-shot or two-shot timed drills, including from concealed carry or duty holsters.

Equipment

  • HD LaserHIT cartridge

  • One scaled B3-type paper target (or 2 same scaled targets for flexibility)

  • LaserHIT Black Steel Advanced mode

  • 3–5 yards of distance

App Settings

Firing Distance: Enter actual distance muzzle-to-target (e.g., 4 yards)

Units: inch

On-Screen Results:

  • Hit zone

  • Target index (if multiple shots)

  • Elapsed time

  • Split time (if miltiple shots)

  • Group size (single target, multiple shots)

Common Settings:

  • Set 1 to 3 shots per session

  • Hit hole size: Small

  • Timing pressure: Start with 10 seconds

Virtual Spotter:  Off (can be enabled later for audio feedback)

Session Results (announcement):

  • Total time

  • Grouping

  • Hits on target

  • Range replication

This gives you timed reaction training with visual confirmation of shot placement and zone accuracy. For example, practice a draw from appendix carry, get one clean shot on target in under 2 seconds, and log the hit zone.

Apply Real-World Techniques to Dry Fire

LaserHIT’s configuration flexibility lets you adopt many real-world draw techniques within your session:

  • Straight Draw from OWB holsters

  • Appendix Carry with garment clearance

  • Cross-Draw from alternate side

  • Scoop Draw, Snatch Draw, and Four-Count Draw

  • Seated or Low Draw (from chair, couch, or cover simulation)

The draw mechanics are real. The timing is enforced. And the zone results are recorded shot by shot.

For best results, focus on:

  • One clean shot under time

  • Controlled two-shot sequence

  • Support-hand only drills

  • Grip transitions under pressure

Sample Drill: Dominant and Support Hand Focus

You can use a single target for controlled one-handed drills:

Drill:

  • 3 shots with dominant hand only

  • 3 shots with support hand only

  • Compare zone results and timing

Settings Tip:
Use split time to evaluate consistency between hands. Keep session timer at 10 seconds total.

Sample Drill: Timed Multi-Target Control

Set up two scaled B3 targets at 1:4 scale (Reload mark placed between the targets), spaced for transition:

Drill:

  • 2 shots to Target A, 1 shot to Target B

  • Under 6 seconds

Objective:
Track your time and zones under pressure. Train both transition control and draw speed.

Before You Go

Black Steel Advanced provides a structured way to practice professional draw and control drills - inside your home or station. You can set timing limits, enforce shot counts, isolate hand control, and evaluate hit placement all within a few feet of space.

This is not about replacing live fire. It is about mastering fundamentals that live fire cannot afford to teach over and over again. The draw stroke, the sight alignment, the first second of the encounter - these are built in dry fire, not on the line.

If you oversee a department training room or want to sharpen your own standards, set this up next to your gear bench. One target, one cartridge, one routine. Repetition makes reliability.

Ivette DossComment