LAPD SWAT is fairly famous. Thanks to Hondo and a painted bread truck, the term SWAT became a household term. LAPD SWAT is part of one of the biggest departments in the world and seems to be fairly serious about their training. The LAPD has a Perishable Skills Program for SWAT officers, and that is where I found this fairly intensive and long handgun qualification. The SWAT handgun qual is a very involved course of fire and not for beginners.
SWAT Handgun Qual — What You’ll Need
This is a long course of fire and will involve a lot of ammunition, specifically 118 rounds. That’s not a lot in the grand scheme of things, buts it’s the most I’ve seen in a handgun qual. Alongside that ammunition, you’ll need a handgun. I used my Arex Delta Gen.2 Tactical model with a Primary Arms Red Dot mounted. You’ll need a holster, as well as a spare magazine and a magazine pouch to carry it in.
You’ll also need two silhouette targets. The PDF of the Perishable Skills Program doesn’t list a specific target just mentions a silhouette target. The BT-5 target seems to be the choice of the LAPD. You will need a timer, as well as your eyes and ears.
Scoring
Scoring the qual is easy. There doesn’t seem to be a passing or failing score. It’s not listed in the PDF and the qual seems to focus more on training. Maybe calling this a qual is a bit far, but they do call it a Qualification Course in the manual. The best way to score it is only to count hits in the BT-5 ten and nine rings and the headshots. You’ll know if you can shoot or not just by that evaluation.
Heading to the Range
The LAPD SWAT handgun qual is not for everyone, and you should probably do a walk-through before conducting the qualification shoot. This is broken into two phases, the Low Ready and Draw From The Holster portions. Reloads are on the shooters unless instructed. This qual works best with a friend to give commands, but I shot it solo without much issue.
Low Ready Phase
Stage One: Three Yards – Six Rounds
From the low ready, you’ll fire a double tap on target. You have 1.5 seconds, and you’ll conduct this drill a total of three times.
Stage Two: Five Yards – Six Rounds
On the beep, you’ll conduct a failure drill (two to the chest, one to the head.) with only your support hand. You have five seconds, and you’ll conduct this drill twice.
Stage Three: Seven Yards – Six Rounds
On the beep, you’ll fire a standard failure drill with both hands. You have three seconds total.
Now conduct a tactical reload and retain your magazine in your support hand. If you have a partner, have them yell threat. If not, hit the timer. Engage the target with a failure drill while holding the spare magazine with the support hand. You have three seconds to conduct the failure drill.
Stage Four: Seven Yards – Three Rounds
From the low ready, engage the target with a single headshot in 1.5 seconds. Conduct this drill three times.
Stage Five: 10 Yards – Six Rounds
If you have a Caldwell Target Turner, you can use it here. If not, you’ll have an easy stationary target.
- Phase One: Assume a kneeling position and fire a failure drill into the target in five seconds.
- Phase Two: Assume a supported kneeling position and fire a failure drill in five seconds.
Stage Six: 15 Yards – Eight Rounds
- Phase One: Engage the target with two rounds to the torso in three seconds. Conduct this drill twice.
- Phase Two: Ensure the magazine in the weapon is loaded with two rounds and you have a spare with at least two rounds. Fire two rounds into the target, then speed reload and fire an additional two rounds. You have eight seconds.
Stage Seven: 25 Yards – Six Rounds
Fire two shots to the torso in five seconds. Conduct this drill three times.
SWAT Handgun Qual Shooting On the Move Portion
Stage Eight: Seven to Three Yards – Six Rounds
Start facing the start, take one step to the left, and on the beep, move to the three-yard line firing two rounds as you move in four seconds. Conduct this drill three times.
Stage Nine: Seven to Three Yards – Six Rounds
At the beep, move forward while firing a failure drill in four seconds. Conduct this drill twice
Stage 10: Seven to Three Yards – Three Rounds
Take a step to the right, then on the beep, move forward while firing a failure drill in four seconds.
SWAT Handgun Qual Holster Phase
From now on, every drill will begin with your weapon holstered, and you will draw before every engagement.
Stage 11: Five Yards – Nine Rounds
At the beep, draw and engage the target with a failure drill in three seconds. Conduct this drill three times.
Stage 12: Seven-Yard Line – Six Rounds
At the beep, draw and engage only with your strong hand only and fire a failure drill in six seconds. Conduct this drill twice.
Stage 13: 10-Yard Line – Six Rounds
- Phase One: Draw, assume a quick kneeling position, and fire a failure drill in six seconds.
- Phase Two: Remain kneeling and assume a supported kneeling position. From here, fire another failure drill in 3.5 seconds and then conduct a tactical reload.
Stage 14: 15-Yard Line – Six Rounds
- Phase One: Draw and fire two rounds in four seconds.
- Phase Two: Draw and fire four rounds in 10 seconds.
At the beep, draw and fire two rounds into the torso of the target in seven seconds. Conduct this drill three times.
Close Contact Drills
For this portion of the SWAT Handgun Qual, you’ll start from the holster and fire from close retention. If you have a partner during any of the three drills, the partner can yell fire after you complete the drill and force you to fire one round to the brain.
Stage 16: Two-Yard Line – Six Rounds
Draw and assume a close retention position and fire two rounds to the torso in 4 seconds. Conduct this drill three times.
Stage 17: Two-Yard Line – Six Rounds
Draw and assume a close retention position and fire two rounds to the torso as you shuffle backward in four seconds.
Stage 18: Two-Yard Line – Six Rounds
This is the same drill as above. Draw and assume a close retention position, and fire two rounds to the torso as you shuffle backward in four seconds. If you do not have a partner, add an untimed headshot to the end of this drill.
Multiple Targets Drill
Finally, you’ll need two targets for the SWAT Handgun qual. It might be a great time to swap targets, as your primary target is probably shot the hell up. You’ll start positioned between each target for the two drills. For the last drill, your partner will say left or right to designate which target you’ll shoot.
Drill 19: Five-Yard Line – Eight Rounds
Draw your weapon and fire two rounds into the torso of each target in four seconds. Conduct this drill twice.
Drill 20: Five-Yard Line – Two Rounds
There is no time limit, but don’t be slow just to be slow. Draw and shoot one target in the head. Conduct this drill twice. If you don’t have a partner shoot one target in the head and then the other.
All Done
Man, that was a long, involved course of fire. I’m exhausted. Not really, but it’s the most robust and thorough qualification I’ve ever shot. It’s a good training exercise but sadly, it’s a bit tough to find a range that will allow you to conduct this type of training. If you can’t shoot this qual locally with live ammo, maybe consider an airsoft or C02-powered BB gun.
I wouldn’t change anything. The times are tight, and the accuracy standard exists. It’s not an easy qual by any means. Sure an experienced USPSA shooter will likely breeze through it, but for most of us, it’s a good bit of fun and a good piece of training.
Try it out and let us know what you think below.
