At What Distance?

[jblank37]

Let's say on an average, do you guys and gals practice at an indoor range with your M&P Shields?

Just trying to find out what most everyone else is doing. I myself practice at around 8 to 10 feet. I have to say that I am not satisfied as to how well I am doing. Yesterday seemed to be a little better than 2 weeks ago. I know that I need to get to the range more often. Hopefully I can do just that with cooler weather coming on.

Friends, John

 

[329]

Mel Gibson from "The Patriot"...."aim small hit small". I find I always shot better if I shoot at longer distances. It helps me to focus in the mechanics and follow through. That is just me, and I am by no means a great shot...but I am getting better shooting at 25 yards makes 10 seem easy c

 

[Turkey61]

We don't have an indoor range anywhere near where we live, so we shoot in our gravel pit. Distances are "guess-timated", but for paper targets, 10 paces, which is probably between 25-30 feet. For tin cans, we start off at about the same distance, which then increases as the cans are hit and get driven back. We shoot a relatively small number of 9mm and 38 rounds before switching over to the 22's.

 

[Danno_man]

Years ago it was ~7 yards, now 7yards is the warm-up and usually shoot at 15 yards, and some 25 yards.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 4

 

[KKECK5]

My club has an indoor range where the minimum distance is 25 feet, you can shoot up to 50 if you want to. 25 feet seems like a good practice distance for my shield 40. Very accurate. They also have an outdoor range with distances of 100 yards and 300 yards, but you need to walk down closer to the back stops if you want to shoot say at 5-15 feet.

 

[offduty]

7 to 8 yards is what most of the guys I shoot with start out at. But at times we keep moving back just to increase the challenge and keep it interesting and expand the lesson to see what is the max than someone can still hit accurately.

 

[bionic218]

More is better.

Unless your mechanics are bad, if you're good at 15 you'll be great at 10, etc.

(This is just what I do, and I'm not saying it's right, just how I do it.)

For me, any gun I plan to carry must put a full magazine on a 9" paper plate at 25 yards within the first 100 rounds. (A large piece of cardboard behind the plate helps a bunch.) If you try this method, you need to be realistic with what you expect from yourself and at what distance. Unless you shoot a lot (100+ per week), don't expect tight groups at 25 yards. As long as they're all on the plate, that's a good start. At 12 yards, you should begin to see a solid group defined. At 7 yards, you should be punching ragged holes or at least have clover leafs near the center.

I practice a lot at 25 yards with hand gun, but if I'm shooting for groups or for sighting purposes, I shoot at 10 yards.

Again, all of this is not to say 'this is the correct method' or whatever. I'm just explaining how I do it.

 

[OKFC05]

Here's a suggetion:
Use a paper plate as the bullseye on your backer (like an IDPA target). Shoot at whatever distance you can hit the plate, if that's 5 feet, then start there.
Concentrate on fundamentals, and when it is too easy, back up.

IMHO, too many beginners start out trying to shoot "groups" or bullseyes, and start trying to snatch at the trigger when the sights look "just right".....and miss by a foot.

 

[Don 73]

I always believed that you should train at a farther distance than you will expect to shoot. It magnifies your mistakes ... makes then easier to diagnose and correct and like bionic218 said "If you're good at 15, you'll be great at 10 etc."

So my theory is to occasionally practice at 50' to get the mechanics right, and if you get consistent there, you'll be an ace when it comes to actual shooting distances.

 

[Donmc01]

Coyotes, Jacks, P-dogs with a Python or .22 WRM 6" Smith 50 - 75 yards. My Shield 9, 7 yards. When you get 1 ragged hole you are good to go....

 

[RussC]

My eye sight has never been great and as I approach 50 I struggle beyond 15 yards using iron sights. Frustrating when the sights and target are fuzzy.

Russ

Russ

 

[Rastoff]

Mel Gibson from "The Patriot"...."aim small hit small".

Misquoted. The correct quote is, "Aim small, miss small." The idea is that you should always shoot for the largest target first.

I know that I need to get to the range more often.

Nothing is a substitute for live fire, but don't discount the value of dry practice.
Practicing your sight alignment, sight picture and trigger control without ammo at home is free and valuable. This is where you'll see great improvements in your group size.

Are you practicing for self defense or just fun?

 

[lhump1961]

When you can shoot a .38 revolver DAO at your chosen distance to your satisfaction then you will be thrilled with how well you'll shoot your autos.

 

[Ransom]

I generally practice at an indoor range. I shoot my Shield at 7-10 yards with a mag or two at 15 yards.

 

[Rpg]

I hate indoor ranges. They are miserable places.

Your initial goal is 1 1/2 seconds from the leather to a center of mass hit at 7 yards.

Start at shorter range. When you get your shots in a 5" group (averaging one second per shot) then move back until you get to 7 yards

Work toward a goal of one second from a surrender position and from the holster to center of mass at 7 yards for sd.

Center of mass means inside an 8' circle with a major caliber: 45

With smaller caliber, it should be a 5' circle: 40, 357, 9mm.

380, 32 and 22 need much more precise placement!

My opinion of course!


M

You may never achieve it, but it is doable from concealed carry.

 

[10xatten]

I think an 8' circle is a little large, even with a .45. Perhaps an 8" circle would be more effective .
Richard

 

[jss4uva]

Did you mean yards? You said 8-10 feet in your post. If you are not satisfied with the results at 10 feet something is up. I'm no expert hand gun marksman, in fact I just started shooting last week, but something is amiss if you cannot get an accurate AND precise group at 10 feet. That's only 3.3 yards.

 

[Gyrene6891]

My gun club is totally outdoors. Ranges are 12 1/2 yards, 25 yards, 50 yards 100 yards and 200 yards.

 

[329]

Misquoted. The correct quote is, "Aim small, miss small." The idea is that you should always shoot for the largest target first.

QUOTE]

I stand corrected...

 

[Big Cholla]

When you are beginning to shoot handguns, start at a distance no greater than you can spit or "p" on the target. As you develop proper stance, grip, sight picture and trigger press, move back and/or shoot quicker. Maximum distance depends on your abilities, handgun sights and handgun weight. For purely self-defense purposes, I suggest 10 yards is sufficient to finish up at for accuracy. For speed purposes, 7 yards seems to be just right. I too like the use of pie plates on a human silhouette target. Accuracy with speed is vital in self-defense. Try to develop both to the best of your ability. ......... Big Cholla