38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
There's some good advice above, some not that great. Here are some very basic tips: There is no magic distance or group size at which you should practice or seek to achieve. Two or three good hits in 2 seconds is better than two or three perfect hits in 4 seconds.
Recently, my younger son took his Texas CHL renewal class from me. Since the time limits are generous, the ranges are short and he is a skilled shooter, he basically shot a ragged one-hole group, with maybe 2 or 3 shots outside the 47 others. He was beaming when he finished, and I said, "Son, that sucks." "Why, Dad?" he asked. "Because, son, you obviously shot too damn slow." I'd rather see three separate holes bleeding in 1.5 seconds than one tiny 3-shot group in one hole, bleeding in 3 seconds.
Statistics (I know, lies, damn lies and statistics) tell us that most gunfights happen at zero to 3 yards, in 2.3 seconds or so, and that almost all take place in seven yards or less. I'd rather take on all contingencies, and be sure I could hit a head shot at 15 yards, and several hits to the torso in 2 seconds or less at seven yards.
To me, the very most important practice factors for self-defense shooting are these: 1) Focus; do not just plink or shoot groups, but rather practice as though the targets would shoot back, and 2)Practice variety, including shooting while moving, 2,3 and 4 shot multiples, and multiple targets. Do not get in a rut.
Reality is diverse, and while we can train for multiple scenarios, we can't predict that with which we will presented when we actually have to shoot for blood. I practice at ranges from contact to about 50 yards, with emphasis on ranges from 3 yards to 10, but I want to be able to shoot much farther accurately, given enough time.
Recently, my younger son took his Texas CHL renewal class from me. Since the time limits are generous, the ranges are short and he is a skilled shooter, he basically shot a ragged one-hole group, with maybe 2 or 3 shots outside the 47 others. He was beaming when he finished, and I said, "Son, that sucks." "Why, Dad?" he asked. "Because, son, you obviously shot too damn slow." I'd rather see three separate holes bleeding in 1.5 seconds than one tiny 3-shot group in one hole, bleeding in 3 seconds.
Statistics (I know, lies, damn lies and statistics) tell us that most gunfights happen at zero to 3 yards, in 2.3 seconds or so, and that almost all take place in seven yards or less. I'd rather take on all contingencies, and be sure I could hit a head shot at 15 yards, and several hits to the torso in 2 seconds or less at seven yards.
To me, the very most important practice factors for self-defense shooting are these: 1) Focus; do not just plink or shoot groups, but rather practice as though the targets would shoot back, and 2)Practice variety, including shooting while moving, 2,3 and 4 shot multiples, and multiple targets. Do not get in a rut.
Reality is diverse, and while we can train for multiple scenarios, we can't predict that with which we will presented when we actually have to shoot for blood. I practice at ranges from contact to about 50 yards, with emphasis on ranges from 3 yards to 10, but I want to be able to shoot much farther accurately, given enough time.
I hope that is not a bad thing.
