Practice Distance for SD?

[blujax01]

My main squeeze is a snub-nosed M64. I practice weekly at 3 yards, 5 yards and 7 yards. On occasion I'll run the target out to 10 yards but really don't see any practical application in practicing shooting at a bad guy from 50 or 75 feet. Besides, my accuracy really drops at anything beyond 20-25 feet and I have a feeling that the sight radius on a 1-7/8" barrel is a bit short for bullseye shooting anyway.

Practice consists of (1) set target at 7 yards, draw from my holster and empty the cylinder as fast as I can keeping the muzzle in-line. This is done cold because in the event of a real-world event I will have no time to "warm up", much less ask the perp to kindly place this orange sticky on his chest.
(2) After I finish cursing my poor performance on (1), I slowly and methodically go through a number of drills at varying distances cited above. Finally, after about a half hour of solid practice, I repeat (1) with much better results.

Am I practicing at the correct distances? Any range drill tips you find helpful?

Thank you for your consideration.

~ Alan

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Alan, Your practice sounds very much like mine. I also practice while moving, left and right, walking away from the target and towards it. Training decades ago also did not include very close shooting and I've added that to my routine. Close as in reaching distance. I also practice dropping to one knee and firing, as well as taking cover behind a door or car fender. I think what all this comes down to is imagining various likely situations you're apt to encounter and training for that possibility. Breaks up the routine and makes practice even more challenging.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I do nearly all my shooting inside 15 feet, and most of that inside 8-10 feet. I do quite a bit at 3 feet. Most of this is one-handed point shooting, though I always try to get at least a rough visual alignment. I will occasionally shoot out to 30 feet, but mostly because I feel it's good for maintaining basic marksmanship skills.

Unfortunately my range doesn't allow movement, so I rely on dry-fire practice drills for that. I also practice shooting from awkward positions this way.

One thing that I try to do every time, regardless of training scenario, is to focus on smooth, efficient movement. I will speed things up, but if smoothness and/or accuracy starts getting sacrificed I slow it down a bit. And by accuracy I mean consistent hits in vital areas, not tiny groups.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The indoor range I use frequently is a 50-foot facility. I do most of my practice shooting at 50 feet, figuring that if I can shoot consistently at 50 feet anything less is always going to be easier.

During my law enforcement career we qualified at ranges up to 50 yards with handgun, off-hand and barricade positions. Timed drills provided less time for shorter ranges, reloading drills as part of the timed drills, multiple targets at various ranges, etc. The very short range exercises (3 and 5 yards) were point-shooting exercises rather than aimed fire, frequently with multiple targets.

Went through a couple of "street survival" courses (drop, roll, draw, shoot during traffic stops and similar exercises), and those were real eye-openers for some of us that thought we were pretty good with handguns. Learned a little bit about shooting through auto bodies and glass, too.

When I started attending the Farnum courses, with multiple "good-guy" and "bad guy" targets, targets programmed to take varying numbers of multiple hits before falling, and moving targets at various ranges, angles, and speeds, I started learning how little I knew.

All practice is good practice. Varying the course every time, adding in dummy cartridges and other malfunction drills, etc, all have a place in training.

I've been retired over 15 years now and still shoot monthly or more to maintain reasonable proficiency. Multiple knee operations and a hernia have limited me to more of a "stand and deliver" practice regimen, knowing that I can't run for **** anymore, can't drop & roll very well, etc. Bifocals don't help much either, but I shoot with them on because I usually wear them.

Keep practicing and keep it as realistic as possible.

 

[ACP230]

With my snubnose J-frames I usually practice from three feet to 25 yards. Snubnoses will print good groups a lot farther than people usually think.

I also shoot out to 50 or 60 yards occasionally. At 50 yards most snubs will keep all rounds on a silhouette target. Once I got a handsize group of five shots DA at 50 yards. That day I did better DA than shooting SA at that range. (It was a fun day).

My son and I tried my M15 two-inch at 100 yards last year. He hit the silhouette and I missed high and right by four inches. We were holding on the head and expecting the shots would drop into the chest area.

Most self-defense incidents are at close range, but it has occurred to me that Mr. Murphy could have other plans.

 

[jtpur]

My main squeeze is a snub-nosed M64. I practice weekly at 3 yards, 5 yards and 7 yards. On occasion I'll run the target out to 10 yards but really don't see any practical application in practicing shooting at a bad guy from 50 or 75 feet. Besides, my accuracy really drops at anything beyond 20-25 feet and I have a feeling that the sight radius on a 1-7/8" barrel is a bit short for bullseye shooting anyway.

Practice consists of (1) set target at 7 yards, draw from my holster and empty the cylinder as fast as I can keeping the muzzle in-line. This is done cold because in the event of a real-world event I will have no time to "warm up", much less ask the perp to kindly place this orange sticky on his chest.
(2) After I finish cursing my poor performance on (1), I slowly and methodically go through a number of drills at varying distances cited above. Finally, after about a half hour of solid practice, I repeat (1) with much better results.

Am I practicing at the correct distances? Any range drill tips you find helpful?

Thank you for your consideration.

~ Alan

Your distances sound just right to me. But....consider this. years ago when we did our semi annual qual, we would go to the 3 yard line and fire six rounds. We carried revolvers back them. What did we find? Well in actual confrontations our guys would empty their guns. We had one shoot out with armed robbers, the cop emptied his gun from about 10 feet, missed and was trying to reload while the bad guy was pumping rounds at him. The cop go so nervous (wouldnt you) and dropped his reloads in a mud puddle. Lucky for him, his partner ended the gun fight with one well placed shot.

After that, we trained, double tap...assess the threat and one to the head if necessary. Moving is key, dont stand still.. Hard to do at indoor public ranges...but if you can shoot outside, move left, move right, move, move, move...but I do not suggest empty as fast as you can or you will have a very expensive club in your hand.

 

[blujax01]

Great stuff, folks. And thanks!

 

[Bicky Robby]

Your distances are good. To verify, measure some distances inside your home, such as couch to door, from the bed to the door, etc. Unless you live in a very large home, you will find your distsnces are right on.

Continue to train at the range at those distances. However, replace your targets with 8" paper plates. Train to keep all of shots inside the plates. If you can do that, use 6" plates. This will help focus your point of aim.

The other thing you can do to help train for defensive scenarios, is to join and shoot IDPA matches (International Defense Pistol Association). Most of the scenarios presented in matches are meant to mimick real life situations in which you would be forced to defend your life with a gun. Hope this helps.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

All great information and ideas for SD type shooting. After l got my CCW license l asked my U.S. Marshall buddy what distance he would recommend. He said 7 yards, a good distance for in the house type shooting and confrontations with a BG.

 

[Faulkner]

I do most of my SD practicing 30 feet and closer. Was at the range recently and this was the results from the 30 foot range. Our semi annual qualifications include 10 rounds at 75 feet, but you it's not too tough to just get it in the black at that range.

 

[photoman]

Consistent B-27 head shots at 15 yards are what satisfy me (for stationary shooting).

 

[The Big D]

In Maryland, LEOSA qualifications require shots from the 3, 7, 15, and 25 yard lines. Shooting is with both strong and weak hands; one handed and two handed. There are also kneeling and barricade components.

In addition, the same elements are duplicated in the "night" fire session.

Hope this is useful.

Be safe.

 

[H Richard]

As jtpur mentioned, draw and fire "one or two" aimed shots, do not dump your full load with "spray and pray". Practice makes this as fast as drawing and spraying. Often one well places shot eliminates the situation.

 

[Harvester]

I do not deliver classes very often anymore so I do not have the latest data at my fingertips but, the last time I checked, 90% of shootings (self-defense, robberies, murders, etc.) occurred at 21 feet (7 yards) or LESS. That is why 7 yards was, and I believe still is, the standard 'combat' distance.

Within reason, I am not against practicing self-defense shooting at distances beyond 7 yards. Given that in most localities the use of deadly force requires fear of death or grievous bodily harm to be present before deadly force is used; however, I believe it would often be difficult to articulate said fear is present if the assailant is significantly beyond 21 feet.

That being said, I normally practice self defense shooting from an arm's length away from the target out to 7 yards but I occassionally dabble out to 10 yards with self-defense practice. Naturally, I also incorporate regular practice with retention/disarming techniques, drawing/firing from concealment, etc.

I am also an avid handgun hunter and I have harvested game out to 100 yards with most of my handguns, including some I carry concealed, so I consider myself an accomplished marksman at longer distances but I do not believe extended distances like that to fall under the realm of reasonable self-defense for civilians.

For what it is worth, that is my two cents. And in a world where different opinions and perspective abound, it is educational and often refreshing to learn the perspective of others but this is one of those areas where you ultimately must decide what is best for you.

~Harvester

 

[Rule 303]

Distance for SD training with a pistol?

1 to 50 yards. Futher out than that, I figure I have the chance of running away or running for a rifle or shotgun and not getting shot while running.

I pratice mostly from 1 to 25 yards. I pratice in manny positions, but I like the missionary or rice paddy prone the best.

I still teach firearms safety, shooting and combat firearms skills to folks who are my friends. Don't charge them a thing,
for the last few years it has been Doctors and Nurses who work with my wife. I always try to get them to encourage their significant other to come along too.

I'm not an expert instructor, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night and I spent 27 years of my almost 34 year LE Career as a Police Firearms Instructor as a Collateral Duty.

Rule 303

 

[A10]

I have always theorized that if you can hit small things at a long distance, you can hit large things at a short distance. I like shooting at 25, 50, and 100 yards double action and try to keep the groups as small as possible (I'm old and it's harder to see, but I still "give it a shot"). Then on B27's I shoot 7, 10, 15, and 25 yards, focusing on double action trigger control and sight picture. Speed is something that comes with practice, and can be enhanced by draw/dry fire exercises.

 

[vytoland]

alan,

your SD practice sounds just fine.

i do most of my SD practice with my model 649 and model 64-4. 8" x 11" target, distance 25 - 30 feet, single hand grip, DAO. 60% weak hand, 40% strong hand.

 

[daveh75]

I'm not an expert instructor, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night...

Well at today's hotel prices you outta start charging

 

[APS]

Alan, your standard practice is good as the others have said. A couple also mentioned that if you get good at longer distances, you will be better up close.
You also need to practice some out to the maximum distance your range allows. Just because you're not good at longer distance isn't an excuse. Get better.
If his weapon is lethal at any visual distances as a firearm is, then you're at risk if you have no option to flee.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

My primary cc is a 640-1 to which I recently added Crimson Trace grips. Took some practice but I can now shoot 2" groups at up to 10 yards point shooting (with older eyes and arthritis I need an edge). During practice I also shut off the laser and rely on the iron sights, figuring if it doesn't work I can still hit the target w/o the new technology.