The Delorean Drill: Building Speed the Right Way
“Slow is smooth, smooth is fast” is a phrase most pistol shooters have heard, but very few actually apply correctly. Early on, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to go as fast as possible on the draw before the fundamentals are truly there. The result is usually the same: excess movement, inconsistent grip, hunting for sights, and a draw that looks fast but isn’t efficient fast as it could be.
That’s where the Delorean Drill comes in.
Originally developed by Haley Strategic, the Delorean Drill is one of the most effective ways to build a solid handgun foundation while keeping your ego in check. It’s not just about drawing a pistol. It’s about discipline, accountability, and learning how to control both your body and your mind under a clearly defined standard.
Why the Delorean Drill Matters
Most shooters want speed first. The problem is that speed without structure just reinforces bad habits. When shooters rush the draw, they tend to tense up, rush certain phases, and compensate with unnecessary movement. Over time, those inefficiencies get baked into muscle memory.
The Delorean Drill flips that approach. Instead of chasing raw speed, it forces you to earn it. By starting slow and progressively working down in time, you build a clean, repeatable draw that stays consistent as the pace increases. The drill also adds a mental component that’s often overlooked. You’re not just trying to beat the buzzer. You’re holding yourself to a standard you agreed to before the timer ever went off.
How this Pistol Drill Works
The Delorean Drill isn’t just about speed...it’s about control, consistency, and building a solid foundation. Using a shot timer the drill helps you break down your draw into manageable steps, teaching your mind and body how to move efficiently. Here’s how to run it:
Step 1: Set Your Shot Timer
Use a shot timer with par times, such as the Pact Club Timer. Begin with a five-second interval. The timer will beep to mark the start time, and again at the end of the par time, helping you gauge precision and timing.
Step 2: Start Slow and Controlled
At the beep, begin your draw slowly and deliberately. Keep your hands moving the entire time, avoid rushing or pausing at any point. Drawing your pistol is an art, so keeping this motion smooth is the key.
This is about building fluid, repeatable motion.
Step 3: Maintain Accuracy and Technique
Focus on proper grip, stance, and sight alignment throughout each draw. The goal is to break the shot within ±0.1 seconds of the par time. To push yourself further, try to keep it within ±.05 seconds. Any uneven movement or rushing will show up immediately on your target.
Step 4: Estimate Your Time
Before looking at your time, be sure to estimate how far you were from the goal time. This allows you to start to truly understand the length of time.
When you estimate your time, you’re forced to confront the gap between felt speed and actual speed. Most shooters believe they were “close” when they weren’t, or that they were “slow” when they were efficient. This will help calibrate your internal clock.
Step 5: Pause and Assess
After each shot, pause to evaluate your technique. Did your grip or stance falter? This reflection, helps you internalize the feel of a precise draw at every interval.
Step 6: Gradually Reduce the Time (Safety Always Applies)
Once five seconds feels consistent, begin lowering your par time to 4, 3, 2, 1.5, and finally 1 second. At each interval, repeat every step above and only move faster when your mechanics stay clean. As speed increases, safety becomes even more critical. If your grip breaks down, the draw gets sloppy, or something feels off, abort the rep and reset.
NEVER try to catch a falling firearm, and never force a run just to beat the timer. Less time, same control, because speed without discipline isn’t progress.
By following these six steps, you turn the Delorean Drill into a methodical practice that builds speed, accuracy, and discipline over time.
Targets, Standards, and Feedback
The Delorean Drill pairs well with our cardboard shooting targets because they give honest feedback. A clear scoring zone, such as a six‑inch circle, seen on our C-Zone Cardboard Target, sets a realistic standard for accuracy while still allowing you to track consistency. As the time decreases, any breakdown in grip, press‑out, or trigger control shows up immediately on paper.
This is where the drill really shines. You’re able to identify your baseline, see where performance starts to fall apart, and set clear training goals to close that gap. Speed becomes a byproduct of good fundamentals, not the other way around.
A Simple DIY Target Base Option
For shooters looking to keep training accessible, a simple DIY cardboard base made from 2x4s can be a solid option. It’s inexpensive, easy to build, and works well for drills like this where repetition matters more than complexity. It’s a practical way to get quality reps in without overcomplicating your setup.
Make It Part of Your Training
The Delorean Drill is one of the best ways to start a range session. It reinforces grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control, and just as importantly...mindset. Whether you’re running live fire or dry fire, it sets the tone for disciplined, intentional practice.
Build the foundation first. Let speed come naturally. That’s how you get faster, safer, and more consistent over time.
The Delorean Pistol Drill: Disrupting 'Slow is smooth, smooth is fast'