Most Advantageous 1911 practice distance?

[Narragansett]

I have been away from bullet shooting for several decades, and am now back into it. My reflexes are slower, and my eyes a bit more tired ( need new glasses), but I can pretty much keep most of my rounds well within a 10 inch pie plate at 50' with a commander length barrel.

What practice range is best, or most commonly used? I see a lot of 7 yard targets in postings. Is that the new normal?

I am not interested in tactical shooting or combat shooting. I shot combat years ago. Today, I want confidence, and familiarity with my weapon

 

[Tom Kent]

I think like you do and I limit my shots to fifteen yards. I no longer have to protect a large part of the population, only myself.

 

[murphydog]

I would do lots of dry firing and heavily weight live fire to between 5 and 15 yards as noted above. But if you have a 25 or even 50 yard range, would practice at longer distances also, as you noted for confidence reasons.

 

[Narragansett]

I would do lots of dry firing and heavily weight live fire to between 5 and 15 yards as noted above. But if you have a 25 or even 50 yard range, would practice at longer distances also, as you noted for confidence reasons.

I have pretty much any yardage that I want. Isn't 50 yards a bit long for a commander length 1911? I have plenty of other length barrels that would do fine at those distances.

 

[Frailer]

I conduct most of my practice at about 10 yards, and I’ll periodically stretch this out to 25. I will occasionally take a few shots out to 50 yards or so, but this is more for practicing trigger control (and general fun) than anything else.

In short, I think most practice time should be spent at “self defense distance,” but stretching things out a bit is an excellent way to develop a realistic view of one’s capabilities—as well as the limitations of the handgun in question.

 

[AJ]

Pete,

I taught a Combat Pistol Course for the Corps that was designed by Jeff Cooper. Lots of stuff we can discuss. I shoot mostly at 15 yards with a standard government model and a Series 70 Gold Cup. I reserve 7 yards for quick reaction drills.......double taps and fail to stop drills. PM me if you want.

AJ

 

[H Richard]

If your state has a shooting requirement for a CCW permit, what are those distances? In IL they are 5, 7, & 10 yards. I mostly practice on 10 and 15 yards, with occasional 25 yard target. I shoot (now), 2 hands on the gun, with a few one handed shots when I practice. I'm in your class, old, tri-focals with prism's, arthritis, and bad back and hips. But I still qualified on the police silhouette target scoring rings with 292 (out of 300 possible) at the combination of 5, 7, 10 yards. I always use a 1911, most recently my Series 70 Gold Cup.

 

[stansdds]

50 yards. That's what a U.S. deputy marshal who was a firearms instructor told me. He said if you can reliably hit your target at 50 yards, you will have no problems at closer distances. That worked for me at the time as I was competing in USPSA. Realistically, you are not likely to be in a self defense shooting at 50 yards. With a Commander sized 1911, you should be able to hold reasonable accuracy at 25 yards if your eyes will cooperate. Eyesight can certainly be a limiting factor and there is little sense in practicing at distances at which your eyes will not allow.

 

[BE Mike]

Whatever distance you feel like you wouldn't endanger innocent lives in a shooting situation. I still think that it is worthwhile to challenge oneself with shooting at distances out to at least 25 yards once in a while, to help with marksmanship fundamentals. Most folks, unfortunately, don't want to shoot beyond their comfort zone, be it speed or distance or both.

 

[murphydog]

I have pretty much any yardage that I want. Isn't 50 yards a bit long for a commander length 1911? I have plenty of other length barrels that would do fine at those distances.

I would do, say, 5-10 rounds per session at extended distance. Just to say you did and know what you and the gun can do.

 

[rockquarry]

IF your eyes are okay, with a 1911 or any other handgun...
I've improved my shooting considerably by shooting Bullseye style at no less than twenty-five yards, every once in a while at 50. Shooting closer than twenty-five won't tell you much as far as your shortcomings and lack of skill. However, once you've become a decent shooter at twenty-five yards, going to shorter distances becomes far easier.

 

[Narragansett]

If your state has a shooting requirement for a CCW permit, what are those distances? In IL they are 5, 7, & 10 yards. I mostly practice on 10 and 15 yards, with occasional 25 yard target. I shoot (now), 2 hands on the gun, with a few one handed shots when I practice. I'm in your class, old, tri-focals with prism's, arthritis, and bad back and hips. But I still qualified on the police silhouette target scoring rings with 292 (out of 300 possible) at the combination of 5, 7, 10 yards. I always use a 1911, most recently my Series 70 Gold Cup.

There is no qualifying requirement here in GA. Strap er on and go

 

[Narragansett]

50 yards. That's what a U.S. deputy marshal who was a firearms instructor told me. He said if you can reliably hit your target at 50 yards, you will have no problems at closer distances. That worked for me at the time as I was competing in USPSA. Realistically, you are not likely to be in a self defense shooting at 50 yards. With a Commander sized 1911, you should be able to hold reasonable accuracy at 25 yards if your eyes will cooperate. Eyesight can certainly be a limiting factor and there is little sense in practicing at distances at which your eyes will not allow.

I think that if you shoot someone at 50 yards, you are headed to jail.

 

[SS336]

I guess it depends.
Just general shooting and plinking, 15yds with clay birds in cardboard holder at 25yds. Some of those orange plastic rollers scattered about.
When bullseye pistol season, winter league, rolls around it’s 50 feet one handed.
Bowling pin, 18yds, plate rack.
When I used to shoot rimfire silhouette it was 25, 50, 75, 100yds.
As I age I compete less and just shoot for fun more.
I don’t normally shoot at 7yds or less unless I am practicing certain drills. 15yds is less forgiving and for me makes me pay more attention to what I’m doing. As you improve the close distances will become too easy.
This is just what I do and YMMV as they say.

 

[Empe]

I shoot at 15 yards most of the time but will stretch it out to 25 yards from time to time.
Any less than 15 yard....no.

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

I think that if you shoot someone at 50 yards, you are headed to jail.

It does not seem reasonable that distance has anything to do with justified defense. Elisjsha Dicken… that was 30 yards and he just about got a medal.

 

[stansdds]

I think that if you shoot someone at 50 yards, you are headed to jail.

I'm sure the investigation would be quite in depth and there would be lots of questions regarding why you felt you had to defend yourself at such a distance. Point is, though, if you can reliably hit your target at 50 yards, you will surely be able to do the same at 10 yards.

 

[Yendor357]

Practice distance for what application?

I know I’m going to get a lot of grief for this, but I don’t practice to shoot other people. I live n a very low crime area. There’s really no bad part of town. Heck, I don’t even live in town. I don’t go to bars, and there’s no sense arguing people.

I do still consider myself a handgun hunter. So for me, 25 yards is minimum. I’ve never shot a deer beyond 45 yards, but if I had to, I think I could make a good lung hit on a standing, broadside deer a bit further than 45 if need be.

But….. I do tend to get into a friendly shoot out with buddies, or nephews. We shoot at 8 inch steel plates and keep backing up until one of misses all 3 shots. That’s usually 55+ yards, standing offhand with 5 inch 9s, 45s, 357s, 44s.

If you’re 64 like I am, get a good optometrist, and get into a good pair of contacts.

 

[rockquarry]

Practice distance for what application?

I know I’m going to get a lot of grief for this, but I don’t practice to shoot other people. I live n a very low crime area. There’s really no bad part of town. Heck, I don’t even live in town. I don’t go to bars, and there’s no sense arguing people.

I do still consider myself a handgun hunter. So for me, 25 yards is minimum. I’ve never shot a deer beyond 45 yards, but if I had to, I think I could make a good lung hit on a standing, broadside deer a bit further than 45 if need be.

But….. I do tend to get into a friendly shoot out with buddies, or nephews. We shoot at 8 inch steel plates and keep backing up until one of misses all 3 shots. That’s usually 55+ yards, standing offhand with 5 inch 9s, 45s, 357s, 44s.

If you’re 64 like I am, get a good optometrist, and get into a good pair of contacts.

I'm with you; I enjoy shooting, not preparing for the big gunfight dreamed about by the fantasy Internet shooters. Practicing for hunting is good, too. Hard to imagine shooting at 3,5,7, 10, or 15 yards. Shoot at distance. Makes the closeup shots much easier, easier to the point you needn't practice them.

 

[WardenRoss]

I'm old, half blind and over the hill but...

With iron sights our competitive group practice weekly at 35 yards on 8" steel plates.

If you practice at 35 yards, the closer targets are a cake walk.

At 25 yards, I routinely shoot <2" groups with my Dan Wesson V-Bob.

Shooting with a group of retired guys keep me on my game. The trick is practicing weekly.

Just my 2¢.


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