The Test / 10-10-10

Ten rounds, ten yards, ten seconds

Ken Hackathorn’s RECOIL presentation starts from ready. Ernest Langdon’s Pistol Skills episode describes a holstered start as “advanced mode.” Both use the familiar ten-ten-ten format. [1] [2]

RECOIL also describes low-capacity adaptations that change the round count, start and required score while retaining a ten-second limit. [1]

Published scoring methods

Hackathorn’s RECOIL presentation requires ninety points for the ten-round form. KR Training’s compilation includes an eighty-percent version. [1] [3]

KR also records a Vickers-style time-penalty version: one second for a hit outside the black but on the paper, and three seconds for a hit off the paper. This differs from totaling ring values. [3]

Accuracy under a time limit

The target records accuracy within a ten-second window. The result depends on the start position and whether the chosen version uses ring points or time penalties. [1] [3]

KR documents a Half Test at five yards with a five-second limit. That shorter-distance version is named separately. [3]

Hackathorn and Vickers

KR associates the exercise with Ken Hackathorn. RECOIL presents Hackathorn’s explanation and credits Larry Vickers with popularizing it. [3] [1]