jaro

What is the typical shooting distance for a handgun? I've seen people shooting as close as 5 yards. I usually try 10 to 15 yards, but sometimes will take it to the 25 [not with great results].
What would be typical distances and grouping in inches for each distance.

Emiller3

It's going to vary. Type of handgun, type of ammunition, and your limitations.

BigDan

When I took my Mosquito out for the first time, I was shooting at a 5 gallon paint can lid from about 35 yards that was tied to a tree about face height.

It took a couple of magazines, but by the third one I was getting 6-8 inch groups at that distance. I thought that was pretty astounding for an old rifleman like me.

fjgiie

There are two

When checking out the pistol, 5 or 6 yards and the groupings should almost be touching.

I use 50 feet for target practice which is 17 yards or 15 meters/metres. The groups are what they are but should be 2-3 inches when not doing double-taps. The second shot on my double-taps almost always ends up 3 or more inches high, or above the first shot.

coach482

I practice at 25 yards.

bearone2

5-15 yards

DBS

If you can get good at 25 yards, you should be able to turn a mag full of rounds into a single ragged hole at 7 yards.

Statistically though, most self-defense situations occur at distances of less than 10 yards.

I practice marksmanship at 25 yards, and double-taps at 7.

Sgt Ed

Good advice. Close to practice SD. A shoot over about 10 yards will not be a good SD shoot. Damn lawyers!

ThnkFrst

2-3" groups at 17 yrds? Ragged holes at 7 yrds? Got me some work to do then. Oh well, back to the range.

BTW, we're talking standing/unsupported correct?

SIGLars  

I can do that but then again, my ragged holes are sometimes 2-3" in diameter!

Longitude Zero

I practice from touching distance out to 50 yards. At touching the group size is one ragged hole at 50 yards 4" spread.

ThnkFrst

Standing, unsupported?

DBS

Yes, standing and unsupported, and with a two-hand grip (although I also enjoy practicing with either hand alone).

And like SIGLars says, my 7 yard ragged holes are a couple inches in diameter. I am not splitting arrows.

BTW, ragged holes go out the window when I'm double-tapping. In that case the spread between the two shots is usually a few inches, but then again that is the whole idea.

mdkrevda

I shoot most often with my Springfield XD 9 subcompact at 30-45 feet, and have 13 rounds in a 3-4 inch group. I just bought a Sig p938 and have worked to shoot the same. After 200 rounds of practice I can do 6 rounds in a 4-5in group at 30 feet.

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Down Wit Da Signess

I uaually shoot 1500yds which means atmospheric conditions and wind speed along with crosswinds downrange will add to the equation, lol... jus playin. 15 yds is the distance I shoot. Have metal combat targets set up which is good training especially for speed.

jcraven

You left out the part where you hit the bulls eye everytime.

plankton

Nice target. I try to shoot the "smiley face" for fun like Gibson in Lethal Weapon at 25 and 50 ft. :-)

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bearone2

1 ragged hole with a 4" spread????? how many rounds? what firearm?

dbrow62720

I always go to the 25 yard range. No matter what caliber it's 25 yards. All of my Sig's shoot great at that distance and I have a Kimber that also shoots very well at that distance. My gun range has a handgun only range that has 7 yards, 10 yards, and 12 yards. Normal ranges for a gunfight. I also hit that range on a regular basis and put em in just about the same hole. Lots of "clover leafs" from 10 yards.

Longitude Zero

At 50 standing supported. Unsuported I consitently keep 5"-6" maximum group size. It really is pretty easy with practice. With my PPC revolver supported is 2".