At What Distance?

[BobbyBJr]

Usually 5, 7 and 10 yards. Sometimes I'll send the target out further just to play, but serious drills are usually at 7 yards with the Shields.


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[kmoze2001]

It's important to remember that using a Shield in the real world against actual humans means, if you are to be in compliance with the law, that you must be in fear of death or grave bodily harm. It's hard to make that argument from more than 7-10 yards unless your opponent is armed with a firearm as well.

 

[Don 73]

It's important to remember that using a Shield in the real world against actual humans means, if you are to be in compliance with the law, that you must be in fear of death or grave bodily harm. It's hard to make that argument from more than 7-10 yards unless your opponent is armed with a firearm as well.

A knife has been proven just as deadly from 21+ feet also.

 

[flintsghost]

If you are working from 8 feet as was originally stated, then you are way too close to start with and in an adversarial situation, you may never get your gun drawn. You might want to invest in a self defense shooting class that includes some tactics and scenarios.

 

[patsfan1281]

If your gun is for self defense..i wouldn't see a need to practice 20+ yards away. But to see how accurate you are ect...why not do 20-25? I did the first time and it showed how much practice i need

 

[kmoze2001]

A knife has been proven just as deadly from 21+ feet also.

7 yards is 21 feet. My only point is that, as fun and challenging as it is to make a tight group at 100 yards, it's hard to argue that someone that far away poses any kind of threat of death or great bodily harm unless they are pointing a gun at you.

Fists, knives, shanks, feet, hell even a bow... At that distance, making a case that you were in fear for your life is difficult.

 

[redsox617]

you know what they say about opinions! I have only my own experience. I carry CCW and have for many years, same pistol, load and holster. Most altercations occur within 20/25' use a 'body mass' target If this is just fun thats one thing - if it's defense- do it rite your life will depend on it. The object of CCW is to NOT let the assailant get close- But anything beyond 25' and the court will say you had time to run, even with" no duty to retreat". "SA and MM"

 

[BennyS]

I shoot my carry pistol, 9 mm shield, at 7 yards for serious practice. I feel as others most encounters happen somewhere in this distance or less.
All others it how I feel that day.

 

[Rastoff]

The object of CCW is to NOT let the assailant get close-

Absolutely!

Self defense is largely about proximity. If I'm a mile away from the bad guy, I'm safe (unless he has artillery). If I'm 50 yards away, I can usually move to safety. 25 yards is still safe, but my awareness must be higher. 7 yards is time to be prepared to fight.

But anything beyond 25' and the court will say you had time to run, even with" no duty to retreat". "SA and MM"

I'm not so sure about that. It will depend on the threat. Change that to 50 yards, instead of 25', and I'll agree with you.

There are some that are saying 7 yards is too close now. They've increased that distance to 10 yards. While 10 yards is certainly safer, it is getting into that distance where a court might say you had time to get away.

Regardless of what the law says, getting away is always preferable.

 

[MSG Glenn]

Although it seems that 21' is the standard for SD pistol practice (especially smaller pistols) I feel a man with a club or knife can cover that distance real fast even if bobbing & weaving but you have a much better chance of neutralizing him given the adrenalin factor. It also gives the attacker a better chance of seeing that you have a gun aimed at him & he might decide to drop his weapon & go the other way. At far distances it might be asked if you were really in danger. Lawyers will surely muck things up. I like to practice at 21' (or 25'), 50' & 75' Anything further is just for bragging rights. That's me, lol.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I am not sure if this is accurate, but this is supposedly the new FBI qualification course, if it gives you an idea of what is reasonably expected in self-defense use of hand guns.

FBI Pistol Qualification Course (revised January 2013)
Target: QIT-99 silhouette
Ammunition: 60 rounds
Scoring: 1 point per hit
Qualification: 48/60 (80%) for agents; 54/60 (90%) for instructors
All fired from concealed carry (you will draw from your concealed holster).
Stage 1 is the only stage involving one-handed shooting. All other stages are shot two-handed.
STAGE I
Starting Point: 3 yards
Total Rounds: 12
1. 3 rounds, 3 seconds, SHO
2. 3 rounds, 3 seconds, SHO
3. 3 rounds SHO, switch hands, 3 rounds WHO, 8 seconds
STAGE II
Starting Point: 5 yards
Total Rounds: 12
1. 3 rounds, 3 seconds
2. 3 rounds, 3 seconds
3. 3 rounds, 3 seconds
4. 3 rounds, 3 seconds
STAGE III
Starting Point: 7 yards
Total Rounds: 16
1. 4 rounds, 4 seconds
2. 4 rounds, 4 seconds
3. Start with only 4 rounds in the gun (1 in the chamber, 3 in the magazine). 4 rounds; empty gun (emergency) reload; 4 more rounds; 8 seconds
STAGE IV
Starting Point: 15 yards
Total Rounds: 10
1. 3 rounds, 6 seconds
2. 3 rounds, 6 seconds
3. 4 rounds, 8 seconds
STAGE V
Starting Point: 25 yards
Total Rounds: 10
1. Move to cover; 3 rounds standing; kneel, 2 rounds; 15 seconds

2. again

 

[Rastoff]

Thanks for that Shawn.

This is the target they use:

I wonder what counts as a hit? Anything inside the silhouette or does it have to be in the small boxes?

 

[Chevy4240]

When I go to our outdoor range I warm up to four 12 inch paper targets at 10yards with 8 full mags then set up a steel challenge course which could be five to go or accelerator and time myself for practice for about 300 rounds and then finish off with a set of steel targets set from 20 to 60 yards .. Thats my practice day and fun one .. Love this sport !!

 

[redsox617]

I remember my first CCW class- the NRA instructer said- pull the weapon into your stomache and keep sqeezing the trigger until it clicks! that and" leave no witnesess" sounds good to me!

 

[forrestinmathews]

I remember my first CCW class- the NRA instructer said- pull the weapon into your stomache and keep sqeezing the trigger until it clicks! that and" leave no witnesess" sounds good to me!

Well not to be picky here, but there are a few problems with this theory. First, putting the weapon slide to the body is often a recipe for malfunctions if you're using a semiauto. Second there is not a great deal of accuracy to be found shooting from the hip and fast accurate shots help you win the fight. Third, you can't keep shooting until the gun goes click, that's use of excessive force in a lot of places. Finally, you'd better carry a lot of ammunition if you're not leaving any witnesses; there could be a whole bunch of innocent people around. You cannot declare that you're going to kill people or keep shooting until they're dead. That's premeditation and you'll swing for it. Thanks for the self defense tips Cody, "Top of the world Ma!"

What might not get you forever incarcerated would be: Focus on weapons retention while delivering accurate fire and vital hits until the threat is neutralized.

 

[Rastoff]

I remember my first CCW class- the NRA instructer...

If you had an NRA Certified Instructor teaching that class, and he said he was teaching it as an NRA instructor, he was violating NRA policy.

The NRA does not certify instructors to teach CCW classes. There is no NRA sanctioned CCW class. The rules vary too much from county to county.

An NRA instructor can only use his credentials to teach NRA classes. So, if he was using his credentials to teach that class, he was wrong to do so. Not to mention that his advice was suspect.

 

[forrestinmathews]

Not to mention that his advice was suspect.

Truth and simplicity.

Seriously though, how do you resist making comments like, "leave the gun; take the cannoli" to stuff like that?