How far is too far for pistol work?

[fatrap]

Just curious but I've been shooting at 50 feet lately with my pistol. It's a bit more humbling than 25 feet. Out of curiosity at what range does one switch to his rifle. (AR)?

fatrap

 

[AirForce]

Its the other way around - switch to the pistol when you run out of rifle ammo

 

[Greg Meyer]

Any man who brings a pistol to a gun fight on purpose is a fool! I used to practice and train my team out to 50 yards. Beyond that...run away and come back with a rifle. NOTE: It is "fun" to try to walk .45 rounds onto a 5 gal bucket at 100 yards...like throwing pumpkins! BTW the drop at 50 yards with 230 gr .45 is horrendous.....

 

[fatrap]

My statement was a bit misleading. Ofcourse use the M4 first. My thoughts were more on what ranges do pistol competitions run at?

 

[Greg Meyer]

For IPSC it was 7 yrds to 25yrds generally.... some times in the "old days" we had 50yrd pistol targets

 

[AirForce]

that's what I was more use to 50yds max, very little practice was done for close encounters but it definitely highlights those you wouldn't want to be with in a close combat situation - couldn't hit the broadside of a barn - more likely to throw dirt in your eyes or shoot you in the foot (or themselves), very few of them, but having one in your department/shift - you'd know who NOT to call for support

 

[fatrap]

Took it out to 60 feet today. The maximum for in the indoor range. Shot both my 1911's in 45 acp and my S&W 4006 in 40. Trigger squeeze really comes into play here. Did very well and will continue to shoot this range. When I wheeled the target in to 25 feet the group was a ragged hole. Practice at distance and close becomes better.
fatrap

 

[AirForce]

when I was in law enforcement, we shot to NRA standards of beginning at 50 yards, then to 25, 15 and 7. At 7 yards we don't use sights but instinct shooting, there was no feet. This is just for pistol and shotguns qualification quarterly.

 

[dougiemac]

The tactical training I do, we shoot pistols primarily at 8 yards and no more than 15 yards (and that's only when we're shooting to find cover). I 100% agree with @Greg Meyer that it's ideal to always have a rifle if possible. Pistols are inefficient tools to kill bad guys. Rifles were made for maximum damage and killing.

 

[AirForce]

You guys would laugh about my very 1st law enforcement job right out of the air force. Little tough town (didn't know it was). Beside my 357 mag side arm, I carried 2 shotguns. One was a double barrel 12 ga that has the barrel sawed off to around 10inches if that. Other was normal 12ga pump. I didn't get much argument when the double barrel came out. It fit very well on the rack behind my head.

 

[Greg Meyer]

One Sergeant I worked with had a beautiful 10" Fox Double barrel 12ga with a nicely formed pistol grip. That thing was very intimidating up close and personal, and very effective inside a efw yards.

 

[dougiemac]

I've got a Mossberg 590A1 with just a pistol grip that is a wrist breaker, so I'm putting a short LOP stock on it. Shotguns are essentially unshootable without a stock of some sort.

 

[olefisherman]

with 22 pistol sighted in at 50 ft it will be back on zero at 100 yds . if your trigger technique is good it is possible to put 10 rounds in a 10 in sq at that range . iv seen it done .

 

[fatrap]

Since this post first aired I've done a lot more shooting pistol outside what was my "zone". Also had my nephew run me though a CCW class. (He's an dept instructor) As a result I have a M4 at the ready instead of in the gun safe. I practice my "homework" whenever possible. Whoever said old guys can't improve their shooting with practice.

 

[firedog978]

Resurrecting an old thread. Or, perhaps just bored sitting here at 5:30 AM. Yes, I'm reading through old posts (almost 2 years ago for this one).
First off, I have had a CCL since Ohio initially began issuing them in 2004. Prior to that I carried for many years (depending on where I needed to go). Had some excellent (initial) instructions from a good friend who was a PD instructor.
Anyway, to the meat of the matter. I have found over the years that depending on where I will be carrying, will determine my handgun of choice for the day. To me, this is critical because there are too many situations that come into play.

Example 1: Going to a flea market with shoulder to shoulder crowds. I love carrying my Glock 23 BUT, this IS NOT the place to carry that. So, I opt for my Kel Tec 32.
Example 2: Hiking the wooded trails Kel Tec stays home and the Glock or Ruger P94 comes with me.
Example 3: Alone, launching my boat before sunrise. Or, loading the boat after sunset. Again the Glock. In hot summer I'll dress very lightly so, Kel Tec suffices.
Example 4: Going out to in-laws property, I'll usually take 3-4 handguns and a rifle (most likely my Winchester 30-30).

I guess my point is that not every handgun is ideal in every situation. Let me also say, I'm lucky enough to be able to pick and choose a more appropriate weapon for the circumstance.
I know also that not everyone has that choice. Some only have 1 weapon to carry. So, indeed carry what you have.

I too like to see how accurate I can be at the range with my handguns out to 50 yards. But I probably won't use more than 1 or 2 magazines doing that.
I much prefer more realistic distances for range time. Starting at 5 yards and increasing to 25 yards.

 

[LEIGH MIDDLETON]

Just curious but I've been shooting at 50 feet lately with my pistol. It's a bit more humbling than 25 feet. Out of curiosity at what range does one switch to his rifle. (AR)?

fatrap

I’d say 50 feet is plenty for a pistol.