Dry Fire Par Time Timer

A par time timer signals the start of each repetition with a beep, then signals the end of the allowed time window with a second beep — you must complete the prescribed movement (draw, presentation, trigger press) before the second tone. This timer defaults to a 3-second par time with 7 seconds rest for reholstering and resetting — a standard beginner-to-intermediate dry fire draw drill. Par time should be set to slightly exceed your current best time, then compressed incrementally as speed improves.

Par time training is one of the most effective methods for developing draw speed and presentation consistency. Unlike open-ended practice, working to a fixed time window creates productive urgency and exposes the specific phase (holster grip, clearing the garment, establishing the firing grip) that is limiting overall speed. Research on skill acquisition shows that time-pressured practice accelerates motor learning faster than unpressured repetition.

Choosing the number is the whole skill

A par you always make trains nothing, because nothing is being asked. A par you never make rehearses failure and, worse, rehearses the compensations that come with rushing. The productive setting is the narrow band where you succeed most times but not all.

Eight or nine successes in ten is the usual target. That means running enough repetitions to actually know the rate — five attempts do not distinguish an eighty percent par from a fifty percent one.

Tighten in small steps and only when earned

The progression that works is holding a par until ten out of ten twice, then cutting five to ten percent. Cutting because a session felt good is how people end up with a par they meet twice a month.

Writing the par and the success rate down is what makes this possible. Without a record there is no way to tell a good day from actual progress, and those feel identical from inside.

Safety is the protocol

No ammunition in the room, verify the firearm is clear every time you pick it up, and use a direction that would remain safe if the check were wrong. The repetition of the check is the point — accidents involve a live round entering a room already verified.

This page describes how to set a timer. It is not firearms instruction and does not replace it.

The number should come from your own measured rate, not from someone else's par.

Setting and progressing a par
Stage	Success rate	Action
Finding the par	—	Run 10, note how many made it
Too easy	10/10 first try	Cut 10%
Correct	8-9 / 10	Stay here and accumulate reps
Too hard	≤ 5 / 10	Add 10%
Ready to tighten	10/10 twice	Cut 5-10%
Record	Every session	Par, date, rate

Five attempts cannot distinguish an 80% par from a 50% one. Run ten before deciding anything.
Cutting the par because a session felt good produces a par you meet twice a month.

Source: Par time progression is practical shooting training convention; this page covers timing and is not firearms safety instruction

Sources

Par time progression is practical shooting training convention; this page covers timing and is not firearms safety instruction , TheTimerLab — accessed 2026-07-29

🔗 Related Timers

USPSA Par Time Timer

Shot Timer

Air Pistol Training Timer

Boxing Round Timer

Custom Interval Timer

Dry Fire Par Time Ladder Timer

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is a par time in shooting?

A par time is a fixed time window within which you must complete a prescribed shooting task — typically a draw and first shot, or a draw and two shots. The timer signals the start and end of the window.

What par time should I start with for draw practice?

Beginners typically start at 3–4 seconds for a draw to first shot from concealment, or 2–2.5 seconds from an open holster. Work at a par time that is slightly challenging — you should succeed about 70% of the time at your current par.

How do I change the par time?

Use the Custom Interval Timer to set any work interval. Set the work time to your desired par (e.g., 2 seconds), rest to your reset time (e.g., 8 seconds), and rounds to your desired repetition count.

What is dry fire practice?

Dry fire is practicing shooting techniques with an unloaded firearm (or snap caps). It builds trigger control, draw speed, and presentation consistency without ammunition cost. Always verify the firearm is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction.

How many dry fire reps should I do per session?

Quality matters more than quantity. Most instructors recommend 15–25 deliberate repetitions per session (about 10–15 minutes). Mental focus degrades after this point and bad habits can be reinforced by tired, sloppy reps.

Can I use this timer for live fire practice?

Yes — par time timers are used for both dry fire and live fire. For live fire, ensure you are at a range with appropriate rules for timed drawing and rapid fire before using a par time format.

What skills benefit most from par time training?

Draw to first shot, draw to two shots (split time), strong-hand only draw, reload speed, and target transition times all respond well to par time training.

How often should I do dry fire practice?

Most competitive shooters dry fire daily, even for just 10–15 minutes. Frequency of correct repetition is more important than session length. Daily short sessions outperform weekly long sessions for building motor programs.