The True Distance of a Typical Gunfight

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Good reading for those who carry a handgun.

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/the-true-distance-of-a-typical-gunfight/#:~:text=Claude%20has%20also%20been%20studying,three%20shots%2C%20three%20seconds%20generalization.

From Tom Givens of Rangemaster Firearms Training:
67 incidents with shots fired involving his former students. Three of those students were killed because they were unarmed at the time of the attack. The other 64 fought back and survived. Only three had minor injuries and none of them were convicted of any wrongdoing.

 

[Rustyt1953]

That's why I always carry a tape measure.

 

[smoothshooter]

I am curious how many of Given’s students went bankrupt defending themselves in court from criminal and civil charges.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I am curious how many of Given’s students went bankrupt defending themselves in court from criminal and civil charges.

Good shoot or bad shoot? You know that is a world of difference there. Your right, your right. You wrong and you will pay on many levels.

That is why I suggest Professional Training for the tenderfoots here.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

That's why I always carry a tape measure.

... and a reload?

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Having lunch can be a shootout. (as I recall one of the 23 victims had a pistol in his truck's glovebox)

 

[Muss Muggins]

I think it’s silly to compare officer involved shootings to civilian involved self defense shootings. And how many of Givern’s students were also LEO? No relevance . . .

 

[fatcat3]

I am curious how many of Given’s students went bankrupt defending themselves in court from criminal and civil charges.

Even if it is 100% it's better than being dead.

 

[Rustyt1953]

... and a reload?

I have never carried a reload. In fact I find myself self carrying less often these days as I just don't fantasize about being the next centerfold in "The Armed Citizen".

I remain unassailed and unpunctured.

 

[rockquarry]

I think it’s silly to compare officer involved shootings to civilian involved self defense shootings. No relevance . . .

True, but the aspiring Internet make believe gunfighting faction regrettably will never see the difference as it takes some of the exhilaration out of their dreams.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Stay out of trouble, Don’t hang around in rough areas. Don’t let anyone know that you are armed.
If someone has a gun pointed towards you, Do not reach for yours.
If someone has a gun pointed to someone else… Make sure they are NOT the good guy Before drawing yours??
These are my first thoughts, Nothing absolutely nothing about self defense strategies and having never carried, and I assume are probably anyone else’s first thoughts who are completely unexperienced.

Now I shall read what the guy says..

 

[Bullet Bob]

Would someone please tell me the "true distance" mentioned in the thread title, so I don't have to follow a link? Many thanks.

 

[ladder13]

Excellent. Just saved $125 not buying new sights for my point and shoot Bodyguard 2.0

 

[alwslate]

I've had a CC license since the mid 60s. I used to only carry when I thought there might be a threat where I was going but I came to my senses and now I never leave home unarmed. I have never fired any of my SD guns at anyone but I have drawn one several times over the years. I have found that having a gun pointed at a potential threat has an immediate and dramatic effect on someone and they very quickly change their mind about harming me. Danger can happen very quickly, without warning and is usually very close for a non LEO. My experiences ranged from just beyond arms length to about 3 yds so I tend to believe the rule of 3s.

 

[Alk8944]

Anyone who has commented without reading the article first needs to go back and read it! It well supports the general belief that most encounters occur at quite short range. It also supports what I have said before that ability to shoot groups, or worrying about your gun shooting precisely to point-of-aim are not necessary! If you can point-shoot with your EDC to a one foot size target at 10 feet that is all that is necessary.

The various states that require CCW applicants to shoot minimum scores on targets to qualify for the permit have no comprehension of the reality of self-defense and what is really needed. The only requirements should be demonstration of knowledge of gun safety, safe gun handling, and the states laws regarding self-defense and deadly force. These can all be done one-on-one while sitting in an office! Anything more is worthless window dressing. Those states requiring re-qualification for CCW Permit renewal are even more ridiculous!

Even many states that have "shall issue" laws try to make obtaining a CCW Permit so ridiculously expensive, difficult or inconvenient that many who wish to obtain a permit won't. Hooray for those states which have finally understood the "Shall not be infringed" portion of the Second amendment of the Bill of Rights and have adopted Constitutional Carry laws.

 

[petepeterson]

The two times I pointed a firearm at someone, it was at roughly 2 feet and 5 feet respectively. Probably hesitated too long, but I got three feet better the 2nd time!
I'm fairly confident I would've made hits, and the sights weren't even a consideration.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

I think it’s silly to compare officer involved shootings to civilian involved self defense shootings. And how many of Givern’s students were also LEO? No relevance . . .

In the two Givens classes I've taken, there were zero LEOs. I've taken numerous classes from other trainers and it was unusual to see a cop there.

 

[Bald1]

Of course most attacks that require you to draw a gun are close up. Someone cannot rob, assault, rape you etc from 30 yds. I would suggest the only time the distance is substantial is when a person is responding to someone else being assaulted or attacked. The Indiana Mall shootings are an example of that.

 

[MSD2343]

In the two Givens classes I've taken, there were zero LEOs. I've taken numerous classes from other trainers and it was unusual to see a cop there.

Some departments actually forbid their officers from attending outside training. I know that such is the case with the Chicago Police Department.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I use a 9'' paper pie plate at 7 yards for a test using my EDC. If I can't consistently keep my shots on that pie plate I either need more practice or a different EDC. That's my assessment of the skill level I might need in a SD shooting. Many will disagree with that. It was also the minimum standard proficiency test to use our private pistol range. 20 shots slow fire with 15 on the plate. I'm not sure who dreamed that up because I've never seen it before, but I think it was a range officer/trainer. Surprisingly a few members couldn't pass that test. A concealed pistol permit is required to be a range member. There is no live fire test in this state.