How far do you extend your pistol skill?

[Hiker1911]

Approx. 7 yards at paper targets, mostly.

It cracks me up thinking that some were giving rank beginners advice of 15+ yards back in the day.
Such a waste of ammo for most beginners.

 

[Steve B]

I practice from 7-15 yrds mostly. I also shoot from 25 yrds and even 125 yrds with my M&P 40c at a full size silhouette. I actually shoot at 125 yrds more than 25. It's the distance from the patio to the range out back. I don't get them all on the steel but it's fun and also a good thing to know just in case.

 

[BE Mike]

Approx. 7 yards at paper targets, mostly.

It cracks me up thinking that some were giving rank beginners advice of 15+ yards back in the day.
Such a waste of ammo for most beginners.

You couldn't be more wrong. If a beginner is equipped with the fundamentals of shooting, he or she will rise to the challenge. I firmly believe that someone who limits himself to 7 yards will never develop the fundamentals for accurate handgun shooting.

 

[VERT]

Approx. 7 yards at paper targets, mostly.

It cracks me up thinking that some were giving rank beginners advice of 15+ yards back in the day.
Such a waste of ammo for most beginners.

You couldn't be more wrong. If a beginner is equipped with the fundamentals of shooting, he or she will rise to the challenge. I firmly believe that someone who limits himself to 7 yards will never develop the fundamentals for accurate handgun shooting.

I work with quite a few new shooters. Start them off at 5 yards to work on fundamentals and build their confidence. Then I can move them back or I can give them a smaller target. I do sight in all of my pistols at 15 yards.

 

[BE Mike]

I work with quite a few new shooters. Start them off at 5 yards to work on fundamentals and build their confidence. Then I can move them back or I can give them a smaller target. I do sight in all of my pistols at 15 yards.

I too, have some experience with training new handgun shooters. The biggest mistake most "trainers" make is not imparting some safety, gun handling and basic marksmanship fundamentals before ever stepping foot on the range.

 

[VERT]

I have attended many handgun courses. Every one of them cover or review safety. All of the introductory courses demonstrated shooting fundamentals. All of them started the first range drills from 5 yards then moved back or even closer depending on what we were to do.

 

[BE Mike]

I have attended many handgun courses. Every one of them cover or review safety. All of the introductory courses demonstrated shooting fundamentals. All of them started the first range drills from 5 yards then moved back or even closer depending on what we were to do.

I only see an advantage to shooting at a close range to start training, if one is learning to draw from a holster and fire in a short time. IMHO not enough emphasis is placed on marksmanship. At 7 yds. and less a handgun shooter should be able to point shoot and consistently hit the center of a man sized silhouette target. Marksmanship fundamentals apply for greater distances. The only way to master the fundamentals of marksmanship is to be challenged at the greater distances. I think it is bass ackwards to teach a shooter speed over accuracy to start.

 

[cedartop]

. At 7 yds. and less a handgun shooter should be able to point shoot and consistently hit the center of a man sized silhouette target. Marksmanship fundamentals apply for greater distances

Too bad so many can't, at least in real life.

 

[cedartop]

I too, have some experience with training new handgun shooters. The biggest mistake most "trainers" make is not imparting some safety, gun handling and basic marksmanship fundamentals before ever stepping foot on the range.

Not sure what classes you have been to. No classes I have taught, or attended have went forward without these things.

 

[roadrunner681]

i not very experienced but i have been practicing at the 50 yard range with a 357 and a 9mm its not to hard to make hits if i get a good trigger press if not i miss by four feet normally is this good practice? i do enjoy the challenge but i have to shoot kinda slow and its a public range so no moving and shooting that and the other range they have is 25 yards and its always packed so hard to use it. anyway my theory is if i can hit at 25 and 50 relatively quick(which i can not yet) i should able to make quick hits at defensive ranges but if im wrong im open to ideas.

 

[Tombs]

Usually finish a handgun range day with a browning buckmark at 100 yards on 2" steel swingers, which unless you've tried it, isn't actually as bad as it sounds.

Would often shoot empty 12 gauge hulls off a railroad tie at 30 yards with the five seven.

Some firearms make it a breeze, others make it feel nearly impossible. Some tall target sights certainly make it a whole world of a lot easier.

I don't really have experience shooting any targets much larger than those mentioned at those ranges, paper is pretty useless with a handgun that far out, never know if you're even close until you go for a jog.

i not very experienced but i have been practicing at the 50 yard range with a 357 and a 9mm its not to hard to make hits if i get a good trigger press if not i miss by four feet normally is this good practice? i do enjoy the challenge but i have to shoot kinda slow and its a public range so no moving and shooting that and the other range they have is 25 yards and its always packed so hard to use it. anyway my theory is if i can hit at 25 and 50 relatively quick(which i can not yet) i should able to make quick hits at defensive ranges but if im wrong im open to ideas.

I'd just warn you that your point of aim might be dramatically different at those ranges, make sure you know where you're hitting regardless of range.
I have quite a few handguns that shoot 12o'clock at under 25-30yards and dead on or 6o'clock at 30+ yards.

 

[rhino]

Yesterday two guys shot pistols (a 1911 and a Glock 17) at a 12 X 16 inch steel target at a measured distance of 168 yards. They both hit it! (not on the first shot, or second, hah!)

 

[VERT]

i not very experienced but i have been practicing at the 50 yard range with a 357 and a 9mm its not to hard to make hits if i get a good trigger press if not i miss by four feet normally is this good practice? i do enjoy the challenge but i have to shoot kinda slow and its a public range so no moving and shooting that and the other range they have is 25 yards and its always packed so hard to use it. anyway my theory is if i can hit at 25 and 50 relatively quick(which i can not yet) i should able to make quick hits at defensive ranges but if im wrong im open to ideas.

The secret to all shooting is a good trigger press. It does not matter if you are shooting close or at distance. Doesn't matter if the shot is fast or slow or even if you are moving. Proper trigger control is essential.

 

[Fordtough25]

Yesterday two guys shot pistols (a 1911 and a Glock 17) at a 12 X 16 inch steel target at a measured distance of 168 yards. They both hit it! (not on the first shot, or second, hah!)

Wow! Those are crazy good hits for sure. I'll have to try that with my 34 next time out.

 

[iChokePeople]

Oops, I dropped this:

[video=youtube;11p4UCH9XTQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11p4UCH9XTQ[/video]

 

[billybob44]

Here is an example..Worth the read..

Citizen Shooter Saves Officer with Amazing Shooting | Veterans Today

^^^This has been up before, but is a good read..Bill

 

[churchmouse]

Oops, I dropped this:

[video=youtube;11p4UCH9XTQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11p4UCH9XTQ[/video]

"DING"...................Love it. I would bet even money that even he had to do a few takes on that shot

 

[bwframe]

Yesterday two guys shot pistols (a 1911 and a Glock 17) at a 12 X 16 inch steel target at a measured distance of 168 yards. They both hit it! (not on the first shot, or second, hah!)

It is helpful to have a spotter.

 

[dleak]

pretty much right in line w most everybody else here ... 3-15yards w belly guns ... 3-25 yards w EDC full size guns ... out to 100 w specialized "fun" guns ... just for fun though , quality "belly" guns are plenty capable of consistent hits WAY out there once u get sight picture in ur head for elevation !!!

 

[VERT]

It is helpful to have a spotter.

That is th trick. Otherwise I want to drop the gun to see were the bullet is impacting. I tried my hand at 220 yards on some pepper poppers one time with a Glock 23. I never did figure out where the bullets landed so that I could estimate how much to hold over (I only tried a couple of shoots) I did see a guy with a Glock 34 hit the larger popper at that range.