So far, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has steadily impressed me with its law enforcement qualifications. Their shotgun and handgun quals are great, and I was pleasantly surprised by how demanding they were. With that in mind, I sought out the MPOETC patrol rifle qual and was not disappointed. In fact, it turns out they have two quals: low light and daylight. Today we will be focusing solely on the daylight qual.
The MPOETC Patrol rifle qualification does work best with two shooters, but it can be run all by yourself. Just know that the qual really benefits from having an extra shooter.
Supplies for the MPOETC Patrol Rifle Qual
The MPOETC patrol rifle qual requires a modern semi-auto rifle. There are no notes on optics or slings, so come as you are. We’ll need 50 rounds of ammo in total, which isn’t a terrible amount. It’s enough for good skills development but not enough to create undue financial burden. You’ll need two magazines, and I’ll be using my favorite, Lancers. Check them out if you need a few top-quality spare mags.
You’ll also need a mag pouch to carry your spare mag, so don’t forget that. We’ll be using cover as well, so have something that can act as cover.
We’ll need a single target. The target used in the MPOETC Patrol rifle qual is the TQ 21 target. The TQ 21 is a pretty simple design that has a somewhat amorphous torso and head. It has an internal area and an external area. We also need our eyes, ears, and a shot timer. That’s all we need to let it rip, ladies and gentlemen.
Scoring
Scoring is easy. You have to hit the target. The MPOETC Patrol rifle qual has two phases, and if you fail one, you fail the entire qual. The target has an internal and external marker. The internal section is smaller but worth five points per hit. The external zone is worth three points. Anything outside of the torso is a zero. With 50 rounds fired, there are potentially 250 points. The minimum acceptable qualification is 75% or 188 points.
Shooting the MPOETC Patrol Rifle Qual
It’s time to move and groove and get shooting. Start each drill in the high-ready position. This orients your rifle upward and not pointing at anything you shouldn’t point your rifle at. With that said, let’s kick it off.
Stage One: 100 Yard Line
I like starting at 100 yards. It allows you to stretch the legs of your rifle, and that’s the point of a rifle. You’ll need both magazines for this drill. Load each magazine with four rounds. Start in the standing position and at the beep, you’ll automatically assume a good prone position.
In the prone, you will fire four rounds center mass, execute a speed reload, and fire four more rounds center mass. You have 60 seconds to make it happen. There is no reason to rush this course of fire. Take your time and make your shots count. Rifles are meant to be accurate.
Stage Two: 75 Yards
At 75 yards we’re still within that urban rifle range. If you have distance, you should be able to use it as a tool and not face it as a disadvantage. Load each of your magazines with three rounds.
You’ll begin in the standing position. Transition to the sitting position and fire three rounds center mass. Now commit a tactical reload. Tactical means you’ll retain the magazine. After your reload, fire another three rounds center mass. You have 60 seconds, so again, take your time and make your shots count.
Stage Three: 50 Yards
Fifty yards keep us a good distance from the threat still and allow for that advantage only a rifleman has. Load one magazine with five rounds. At this range, assume a high-ready position. At the beep, you’ll fire one round center mass. You have four seconds to complete this drill.
Repeat this drill four more times for a total of five rounds fired. Four seconds seems like a lot of time, but man, does it pass quickly when it comes time to take that shot at fifty yards.
Sage Four: 50 Yards
Alright, we are still at 50 yards and armed with a rifle. We need one magazine loaded with six rounds. Now, with the rifle in hand, assume a high-ready position. At the beep of a shot timer, you’ll need to assume a kneeling position and fire two rounds center mass. You have eight seconds to assume a kneeling position and fire those two rounds.
Now you’ll repeat this drill two more times for a total of six rounds fired. Eight seconds will go by quickly, so aim and get those rounds downrange quickly. With stage four, we are ending Phase One of the MPOETC Patrol Rifle Qual.
Phase Two Short-Range Fun
Stage Five: 25 Yards
Let’s start things simple. Load your magazine with six rounds and assume a high-ready position at 25 yards. We are quite close, and at this range, speed matters. At the beep, you’ll aim and fire two rounds in four seconds center mass.
Repeat this drill two more times for a total of six rounds fired. This isn’t too tough, but you’ll need to make sure of good aim to land those shots in the upper chest area.
Stage Six: 10 Yards
From 100 to 10 yards in six stages means we are moving right along. At 10 yards, the accuracy part is fairly easy, but speed is a bit more important at this range. However, the MPOETC Patrol Rifle Qual isn’t easy, and at 10 yards, it’s all about headshots.
Assume a high-ready position. At the beep, you’ll snap in and make an accurate headshot on your target. You have two seconds to do so. You’ll repeat this drill one more time for a total of two rounds fired.
Stage Seven: Seven Yards
We are going seven for seven now. This time it’s about speed to the center mass of the target. Assume a high-ready position. Ensure you have at least one mag loaded to six rounds. At the beep, you’ll snap in and fire two rounds in two seconds. Move fast, shoot straight, and party hard.
You’ll do this two more times for a total of six rounds fired.
Stage Eight: Five Yards
At the five-yard line, it helps to have a partner, but if you’re shooting solo and feeling lonesome, we can make it work. Ensure you have a magazine loaded with seven rounds. At the beep, you will step left while firing two rounds to the body. Next, you’ll step right while firing two rounds to the body. You’ll need to complete these steps and fire in three seconds.
The partner portion comes from the ability of a partner to yell “body armor” after either portion of this drill. When the partner yells “body armor,” the shooter takes a headshot.
If you are shooting solo, program your shot timer with a par time of four seconds. On the par time beep, take that headshot. The headshot is untimed, but be snappy with it.
Stage Nine: Three Yards
At three yards, assume a high-ready position with a magazine loaded to four rounds. You are pretty close to your target, so you’ll execute a high tuck technique. With the stock placed under your arm, fire two rounds center mass. You have two seconds to do so.
Repeat this drill one more time to round off the entire Patrol rifle qual.
What do I think?
Like most MPOETC quals, this one is exceptional. It mixes in a lot of skills and covers you from 100 to three yards. That’s impressive. Some sections call for speed, others for accuracy, and it is a test of rifle skills as they are typically employed in the field. Times are pretty tight, and you don’t have a ton of time to slack off. It’s fun to shoot and plenty of challenging.
Give it a spin, and let us know what you think below!
