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  #1  
Old 12-06-2010, 02:40 AM
147_Grain 147_Grain is offline
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Lightbulb Raising Your Sights During SD Range Practice

When you go to the range and put that human silhouette out there for target practice, are you aiming for the upper Thoracic Triangle area or just center mass where the stomach is?

FYI:

The upper Thoracic Triangle is the area you should aim for because it has a greater concentration of arteries and major organs (heart & lungs) than any other part of the body. This area is generally located between the armpits (nipples) and the bottom of the neck.

Draw a line horizontally between both armpits and then (from each side) draw two more lines inwards at 45* angles towards the base of the throat. This is the vulnerable Thoracic Triangle area, where blood pressure usually drops the quickest and results in unconsciousness faster than lower center mass hits will.

(Some range targets still have the center 10-ring about 3" lower than ideal, so adjust accordingly. Others have raised the small CENTER RING up a bit over the years, but still not quite high enough - about 1 1/2" to 2" too low.)

Besides a spine or Central Nervous System (CNS) shot, this Thoracic Triangle region is the most advantageous area for multiple hits in order to immediately stop a threat. Well-placed multiple shots from any caliber into the central upper Thoracic Triangle Area is more likely to incapacitate the BG than elsewhere.

Self defense shots typically have to penetrate deeper than we typically imagine. About 2/3'rds of the time, projectiles have to travel at odd angles and it is common for a bullet to go through a hand, arm, leg, shoulder, ribs, bones, and etc... before reaching the chest cavity that houses the vitals. Because of these factors, selecting a bullet that comes close to meeting or exceeding the FBI protocol of 12" minimum penetration is preferred in order to ensure full penetration. If your favorite handgun load typically struggles to reach 10" - 12" of penetration into Gel, 4-Ply Denim, or Heavy Cloth, consider upgrading to a bonded HP, hardcast wadcutter, or use FMJ.

All handguns are somewhat underpowered in immediately stopping threats. Unfortunately, the human body is tough / well-built and an attacker can still function / cause harm for up to 45 +/- seconds with a hit into the UPPER chest region (not shoulder); so multiple well-placed hits into the upper Thoracic Triangle area are likely needed in order to stop the threat more quickly!

Raising your sights (when practicing at the range) for self-defense situations is more apt to save your life than lower center mass shots into the upper stomach (where the 10-ring is on many human silhouette targets). Getting into the habit of aiming higher than normal during range time will put more odds in your corner should the need arise during preservation of life situations!
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Old 12-06-2010, 10:58 AM
APS APS is offline
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Yes, there is an importance to realistic targets. If one practices on a PPC silhouette target then they are practicing to put their rounds into the stomach. IDPA targets are a little closer. Understanding of human anatomy and a tac-man target might be even better.
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Old 12-06-2010, 07:50 PM
Capt Steve Capt Steve is offline
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Red face

Massad Ayoob advocates aiming at the groin for the same reasons the OP made about the triangle. Lots of vital organs rich in arteries not to mention the psychological factor of having a weapon pointed in your direction at that level. Aiming there often ends a confrontation without gunfire, according to Ayoob. I know it work on me. (o;
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Old 12-06-2010, 10:43 PM
Rule 303 Rule 303 is offline
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I aim for Center Mass were the Heart and Lungs, among other things are.
I believe in the Quell Zone.

Rule 303
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Old 12-06-2010, 11:11 PM
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There is little inside a human body you can hit with a bullet (or multiple bullets) that will reliably cause rapid incapacitation. For the most part, everything that counts (while still providing you with an adequate size target), is inside this red box. I would recommend MULTIPLE shots to this area (ie: as many as it takes for the aggression to end):



When the attacker is quartering away, quartering towards, or at any angle other than straight on, determining proper shot placement becomes even more of a challenge. Some study into human anatomy is a good idea for anyone who wants to be prepared to use a gun to defend him/herself.
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Old 12-06-2010, 11:29 PM
sgtvilla sgtvilla is offline
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thats a very cool graphic. I may steal it this is true, center of mass provide the best chance to incapacitate an opponent fast. A head shot would produce similar results but headshots are way harder than center of mass shot, especially on a moving opponent thats trying to fire back.
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Old 12-06-2010, 11:54 PM
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At close range I aim for the upper lip.
In the past one school of teaching was start at the groin and with additional rounds work up to the neck/chest.
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Old 12-07-2010, 12:04 AM
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One thing I learned is that "bad guys" seldom stand straight up facing you with their arms at their sides without moving.

Knowing anatomy really is very important. I bet there are a good number of people who know the anatomy of a deer better than that of a human. If a deer is walking to the left, to the right, coming at you, walking away etc... I know plenty of hunters who would know exactly where to aim.

You can think about it the same way with a human target...

The truth is, sometimes you have to be satisfied with simply making contact.
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Old 12-07-2010, 12:55 AM
147_Grain 147_Grain is offline
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The best priorities for shot placement that stops the threat, are:

1. Center mass in the upper chest region: Thoracic or Sniper's Triangle.
2. Facial area just at or below the tip of the nose.
3. Pelvic area.

For those who prefer the pelvic area, check this link out: Shots to the Pelvis - M4Carbine.net Forums
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Old 12-07-2010, 05:25 AM
Dusty Miller Dusty Miller is offline
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What Dr. Fackler does not seem to comprehend is that a shot to the pelvic area is also a shot at the penis and the average American criminal is flat out scared schittlus at the thought of having his pecker shot off!!
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Old 12-07-2010, 11:03 AM
38-44HD45 38-44HD45 is offline
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I started using Riposte-1 targets from Law Enforcement Targets as my practice targets several years ago. A quick search leads me to believe that the Riposte-1 is not available there anymore, but the Riposte-3 looks even better. Here's a link: Law Enforcement Targets, Inc.: KY NATIONAL GUARD CLOSE QUARTER TARGET

The basic theory behind the low A-zones in B-27s, IPSC and IDPA targets is that a hit anywhere is better than a miss, and it is easy to shoot past the neck and above the shoulders when aiming for the (usually) best high-value stopping shot, high center chest. I tend to subscribe to the theory that the best solution to that problem is practice.
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