Shot Timer on a Budget: Pact Club III

For the serious shooter, there comes a point when plinking at the range isn’t enough. Accuracy is only half the battle, speed and consistency matter just as much. That’s where a good shot timer becomes invaluable. After running the Pact Club Timer III for over two years, through countless range trips and dry-fire sessions. We can confidently say this little device has earned its keep. It’s been dropped, rained on, stuffed into range bags, and subjected to multiple hundreds of beeps, and yet, it just keeps working. For being a “budget” timer it really punches above it’s class in durability.

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If you’re looking to push your shooting skills beyond casual target practice, this is one of the best training tools you can own. Paired with some good targets, this can really elevate range sessions into more than just mag dumping into piles of trash. (The favorite American past time we know. We should probably clean up this local spot.)

Shot timer Built for the Shooter

When first unboxing the Pact Club Shot Timer III, the immediate impression was that it’s built with function over form. It’s not sleek, flashy, or loaded with gimmicks. It’s a no-nonsense timer. The large LCD screen, oversized buttons, and rugged housing make it clear that this thing was designed for real shooters who don’t want to fumble around with tiny buttons while wearing gloves.  

It runs on a single 9V battery, which, impressively, lasts for months before needing a swap. The controls are straightforward:  

• A simple start button that can be set for instant or delayed beeps.  
• A review function to check splits and total time.  
• A PAR mode, which allows setting a second beep to push through time-restricted drills.  

No fancy Bluetooth connections, no unnecessary touchscreens, just reliable, essential features that help track progress. This simpleness is what keeps it affordable and within most budgets for range gadgets.

Performance at the Range: Timing Doesn’t Lie

The first real test came during a standard draw-to-first-shot drill. A rough 1.5 second draw quickly showed where time was being wasted, hesitation in clearing the cover garment and an inefficient grip. Over the following months, the Pact Timer became a ruthless coach, exposing slow transitions, sluggish reloads, and inconsistent splits between shots.  

One of the standout moments happened during a Bill Drill (six shots, seven yards, from the holster). Before using a shot timer, it always *felt* fast. But the Pact doesn’t care about feelings. The raw data showed a 3.8-second run with splits around 0.50 seconds—respectable, but with room for improvement. Expert shooters tend to shoot Bill Drills in 2 seconds or less. Over time, focusing on reducing unnecessary movement and refining recoil control, those splits dropped to 0.30-0.40 seconds, shaving a full second off the total time. That kind of measurable improvement wouldn’t have been possible without the timer keeping us honest.  

Another favorite drill is the 2x2x2 drill (two shots on three targets, spaced apart). With the Pact timer running, the difference between a 3.9-second clean run and a 5.5-second sloppy one became obvious. The timer forced the focus onto transition speed, a factor often overlooked until it’s put on the clock.  

Using Shot timers for Dry Fire Training

One of the biggest advantages of the Pact Club Timer III is its usefulness outside the range. A lot of shooters neglect dry fire, but the timer makes it engaging and measurable. Using the PAR time function, we ran drills like:  

• 1.5 second draw to first shot  – still a WIP as proficient shooters often do sub second
• 2 second reload drills  – working to improve this even further
• 0.8-second target transitions  

After a few months of consistent dry fire, the results carried over to live fire. There were noticeable improvements in draw efficiency, reload speed, and split times.  

Another thing this timer proved? What feels fast, often isn’t. Without hard numbers, bad habits can creep in, like rushing a draw and botching grip or moving too fast between targets and hitting a Delta. The Pact Timer provided objective feedback, forcing us to balance speed with control.  

For more about Dry Fire training and drills, check out or article on Laser Dry Fire.

Durability: To outlast other shot timers

After two years of use, this thing has been through hell. It’s been:  

• – Dropped onto concrete (more than once).  
• – Left in a range bag in the sun in 100+ degree heat.  
• – Used in the rain, with no issues.  
• – Tossed around in the back of vehicles.  

Despite the abuse, it still works like day one. The only real sign of wear? Some scratches on the plastic housing which is only cosmetic, nothing that affects function. The buttons still respond crisply, the screen is still clear, and the beeper is just as loud as ever.  

Final Verdict: Worth Every Penny

The Pact Club Timer III isn’t the cheapest shot timer on the market, nor is it packed with modern features like Bluetooth or app integration. But for those who actually want to improve their shooting, it’s one of the best investments you can make.  

Pros:  

• ✔ Durable and reliable – Takes a beating and keeps working.  
• ✔ Simple, no-nonsense controls – No need to fumble around.  
• ✔ Loud, clear beep – Easy to hear, even with ear pro.  
• ✔ Accurate and consistent timing – Trustworthy results every time.  
• ✔ Excellent for dry fire and live fire – Versatile and effective.  

Cons:  

• ✘ Bulky compared to newer models – But still comfortable to use.  
• ✘ No Bluetooth/App Connectivity – But do you really need that?  

For serious shooters, competitors, and prepared citizens, the Pact Club Timer III is a proven tool that will push your skills further than any amount of guesswork ever could. The numbers don’t lie—and neither should you.