Speed vs. Accuracy: Which Matters More?

Speed vs. Accuracy: Which Matters More?

When it comes to concealed carry and defensive shooting, there’s an ongoing debate: should you focus on speed or accuracy? The answer is simple—speed is useless if you can’t hit your target. In a self-defense situation, the goal is not to fire the fastest shot but to land an effective shot that stops the threat. Accuracy must come first, and once you’ve built a solid foundation, speed will naturally follow.

Here are a few key ways to improve both your accuracy and your draw speed without sacrificing precision:

• Perfect your draw—get your sights on target with as few unnecessary motions as possible.

• Use a shot timer to track progress and ensure you’re firing accurately under time pressure.

• Only fire with your sights on target—don’t sacrifice accuracy just to shoot faster.

• Film yourself in slow motion to analyze inefficiencies and make small but crucial adjustments.

Now, let’s break this down into actionable steps you can take to develop both accuracy and speed in your draw and shooting.

Steps to a Proper Draw in the Fewest Motions Possible

A smooth, efficient draw is key to getting on target quickly while maintaining accuracy. The fewer unnecessary movements, the faster and more reliable your draw will be. Follow these steps:

1️⃣ Grip the gun properly—From the moment your hand makes contact with the firearm, establish a solid grip. This prevents the need for grip adjustments after the draw.

2️⃣ Draw straight up—Pull the firearm directly up from the holster while keeping your elbow close to your body.

3️⃣ Rotate the gun forward—As soon as the muzzle clears the holster, rotate the gun toward the target.

4️⃣ Meet with your support hand—Your non-dominant hand should meet the gun at the center of your body to form a full grip.

5️⃣ Extend toward the target—Push the gun forward, align your sights, and press the trigger when ready.

Avoid unnecessary movements like “bowling” (swinging the gun upward in an arc) or “fishing” (dipping the gun down before aiming). A direct, controlled draw will always be faster than a rushed, sloppy one.

How to Practice When Dry Firing

Dry fire practice is one of the most effective ways to improve your speed and accuracy—without the distraction of recoil or ammo costs. Here’s how to do it properly:

• Start slow and smooth. Speed comes with consistency. If your draw is choppy, work on smoothing it out first.

• Use a shot timer. Set a par time and gradually reduce it as you improve.

• Focus on sight alignment. Your sights should be on target before you “fire” your dry shot.

• Film yourself. Slow-motion video will help you identify wasted movement and inefficiencies.

• Incorporate movement. Defensive encounters rarely happen while standing still. Practice drawing while stepping off the “X” (moving to the side).

Dry fire should be a daily habit, even if just for 5-10 minutes. It builds muscle memory, making your draw and first shot automatic under stress.

How to Practice When Live Firing

Once your dry fire mechanics are solid, it’s time to test them at the range. Here’s how to make the most of your live fire training:

• Start with one controlled shot. Focus on drawing and landing your first shot accurately before worrying about follow-ups.

• Use a shot timer. Measure the time from your draw to your first shot.

• Work from concealment. Practice the way you actually carry—lifting a cover garment, clearing your holster, and getting on target.

• Only increase speed when accuracy is maintained. If your shots aren’t hitting where they should, slow down.

Live fire training reinforces what you’ve developed in dry fire, allowing you to adjust for recoil and refine your grip under real conditions.

How to Time Your Draw to First Shot: Dry Fire vs. Live Fire

Your draw-to-first-shot time is a critical metric. With proper training, you should be able to draw and fire an accurate shot in under 1.5 seconds—and ideally under 1 second with practice.

Dry Fire Timing:

• Start with a par time of 2.0 seconds.

• Reduce by 0.1-second increments until you consistently get on target in around 1 second.

• Always prioritize sight alignment and trigger control over pure speed.

Live Fire Timing:

• Your first live fire shot may be 0.2-0.5 seconds slower than dry fire due to recoil management.

• Adjust grip if your shot placement suffers. A strong, high grip minimizes movement between shots.

• Once you’re consistently hitting A-zone shots, work on speeding up draw-to-shot time.

Final Thoughts

Speed without accuracy is wasted effort. Your goal should always be to refine accuracy first, then build speed. A well-placed shot in 1.5 seconds is far more effective than a wild shot in 0.8 seconds. Train smart, track your progress, and remember—the smoothest shooters are often the fastest.

What’s your current draw-to-first-shot time? Let me know in the comments!