"Sighting In" Distance for CC Self Defense

[Biggfoot44]

Actually the OP started out asking specifically about sighting in distance. It did quickly move sideways into self defense training and philosophies.

A pistol that is sighted for " a long pistol shot " aka 25yd or somthing similar can be fired unsighted at bad breath distance w/o issue , reverse not automatically so.

[ I have nothing against developing skills from contact to tobacco spitting distances , and it is probably a good idea. But as another arrow in the quiver , not as an only skill. ]

 

[old&slow]

Just for the heck of it,, I checked the bullet drop on a ballistic program. A 9mm 124 JHP @ 1100 fps sighted in at 5 yds. , the drop in inches at 10 yard intervals:
10 yds. + .1
20 yds. 0
30 yds. -.1
40 yds. -.6
50 yds. -1.4
60 yds. - 2.5
70 yds -4.0
80 yds. -5.8
90 yds. -8.0
100yds. -10.5

Surprised me, a heck of a lot less difference than I figured.
Personally I think I'll still use 25 yds. as my standard. Not because of bullet drop, but because
of shooter error.

 

[one eye joe]

So I think 2hawk answered the question. Sight in at 25 yards because the POI at 5 to 7 yards will still be accurate?

MOST CC HANDGUNS DO NOT HAVE ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS. EVEN IF THEY DO, THEY ARE SMALL COMPACT HANDGUNS THAT YOU WOULD NOT ROUTINELY BE FIRING AT 25 YARDS. ITS MUCH EASIER TO ZERO AN ADJUSTABLE SIGHT HANDGUN IN AT 7 YARDS THAN IT IS AT 25 YARDS. YOU WILL BE HARD PRESSED TO CONVINCE A JURY THAT YOU WERE "IN FEAR OF YOUR LIFE", FROM A THREAT THAT IS 25 YARDS AWAY, UNLESS YOU WERE BEING FIRED UPON---AN UNLIKELY SCENARIO…..

A GOOD RULE OF THUMB IS 7 YARDS. PRACTICE DRAWING YOUR WEAPON FROM ITS CONCEALED POSITION, AND EMPTYING THE FIREARM INTO A TORSO TARGET, CENTER MASS, HEAD SHOTS, ETC AT THAT DISTANCE. IF YOU HAVE THE APPROPRIATE AREA, TRY FIRING ON THE MOVE SIDE TO SIDE, BACKING AWAY, ETC, WHICH YOU MAY NEED TO DO IF YOU ARE UNDER ATTACK, AND SEEKING COVER TO RELOAD, ETC…...

 

[badge]

Old Cop is a learned man. Pray you never have to but if forced, it will be very fast, and you must be prepared to fire until your threat is no longer. Train for the worst and hope for the best. Be aware of your what is around you and I would'nt worry too much about how the weapon is sighted. It will be very personal and close.

 

[Waywatcher]

I sight in at 7 yards, but the only time I need to actually sight in is with a laser. I shoot out to 25 yards to make sure the group is centered on my point of aim with a load. With fixed sights I change loads to change point of impact.

Luckily (probably by design, really) my S&W 442's POA=POI at 25 yards with 135+P Gold Dots.

Here's a test target from last summer--7 yards, 10 rounds, DAO, standing:

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

To help keep the waters getting muddied...It depends part on where you spend more of your time/your environment. Like I live in the sticks and will be more likely to have to shoot a four legged predator (and have) than a person and at greater distance than your average SD shooting.

Old&slow, thanks for that info! That's very interesting.

 

[Old cop]

I agree that moving while shooting is a good idea if your range allows it. My problem is I can't move much. I walk w/a cane so I can't train any way but standing my ground and shooting. That is how I trained today at the range (just finished cleaning my gun).

 

[66 shooter]

Old Cop is a learned man. Pray you never have to but if forced, it will be very fast, and you must be prepared to fire until your threat is no longer. Train for the worst and hope for the best. Be aware of your what is around you and I would'nt worry too much about how the weapon is sighted. It will be very personal and close.

What he said...