Interesting Averages for shots fired in a Self-Defense

[Harv 24]

One does not "Rise to the occasion" but defaults to there level of training. If all you ever do is carry a small pistol in you pocket and shoot occasionally at short range targets...Then that is what you will default too if the moment arises.

The odds are in your favor as to never having to do it...but I'm more concerned with the stakes then the odds.
Everyone decides what there willing to lose.

 

[BB57]

Thank you for this comment.
My uninstructed opinion is that the cops we see on YT videos who "spray and pray" are essentially using muscle memory. They are not using flash sight picture or front sight or any other form of aiming.
Kind Regards!
BrianD

I’ll argue that anyone who sprays and prays is using neither muscle memory or any kind of sight picture.

Call the sight picture what ever you want, the reality is that a well trained, experienced and well practiced shooter will bring the front blade up into their line of sight on target note that it is there (primarily or secondarily, consciously or otherwise) confirm the need to shoot and press the trigger to release the shot.

“Muscle memory”, as the simplified term, comes into play in three ways:

1) bringing the gun from the holster to the eye line smoothly and quickly;

2) ensuring the grip is both automatic and consistent enough to ensure the rear sight is sufficiently aligned with the front blade to ensure the round will impact near the front blade; and

3) ensuring the grip and trigger control are consistent enough to ensure the sights remain aligned and on target until the round fires.

All three are automatic and do not require conscious thought.

The only conscious action is verifying the front blade is on target and that the target still needs to be shot. It’s the split second where the shooter notes the target is already going down, or has dropped the weapon and is raising their hands in surrender or that he is actually came out of the vehicle with a wallet containing the VDL you asked him to retrieve, rather than a handgun.

Those examples are why it matters. If your entire bandwidth is consumed with the draw and getting the service pistol more or less pointed in the direction of the threat so you can start jerking the trigger (all representing the lowest level of fully mastered training for the vast majority of police officers that they *will* default to under extreme stress), they will shoot as they lack the mental bandwidth and awareness to pick up on those details.

Spray and pray is the result of lack of muscle memory, or at least useful muscle memory from proper training and mastery,

 

[Brian Parrish]

I liked the article and thanks chief for showing us.
We had a thread awhile back about the number of rounds, and discussion fell apart over the word typical. We will do the same with the word average.
Distance is dependent on how your assailant launches his attack.
He is pretending that he is harmless just passing you by when he suddenly cuts 90 degrees in on you.
He engages at close distance because he cannot miss.
He engages at close distance because you let him get that close.
He engages at close distance because he is trying to make you do something, like give him your money, or rape you, which requires that proximity.
"Average" and "Typical" in this context apply, like all subjects under sociology, to those things that are mostly true.