Handgun effective range for self defense/combat?

[stangmar]

Hey guys, I just bought a sub compact xD 9, but thinking about what I should get next between getting a compact (4") or sub compact gun(3"-3.5"). Are there any other reasons to get a subcompact over a compact aside from concealability? Thinking about a Glock 23, G27, xD40 4", or G30SF.


I've been reading most people say that handguns aren't practical past 20-25 yards and it'd be better to use a rifle for longer distances. I've read that most shootings occur 5-7 yards, but I'd like to be able to shoot further.

What is the effective range of a full sized pistol 5"?
4"?
3"?

Of course, I've seen Hickok45 shoot 230 yards with both the Glock 23 and 27, but what about an average shooter?

Thanks

[Velio]

It depends on the gun and the shooter mostly. I can take my 92fs easily out to 35-40 yards and hit center of mass if I take my time, minute of man if I fire a little quicker.

[XDRoX]

Larger guns are easier to shoot. Since you already have a sub, I'd go bigger.

[spencerk]

Larger guns are easier to shoot. Since you already have a sub, I'd go bigger.

I have to agree with this. if you want a bigger gun, id go with a cz 75. if you want something more inbetween, stoeger cougar. they make them in 9mm, .40 and .45 and are what i would consider a mid sized firearm. I dont own one, but i have shot them and the rotating barrel design is something to be desired. the berretta px4 uses the same rotating barrel and is a VERY reliable and accurate firearm. the cougar is probably the most accurrate pistol for its size and price range.

on a side note the bersa .380 is another great choice. probably the most comfortable gun i have held that size plus it retails at 350ish. ive seen them for less though.

[jakuda]

As a disclaimer, I compete in bullseye shooting so with my S&W 2.5" 38/357 revolver I can easily group 5" at 25 yards rapid fire, one handed SA or DA. 3" if I shoot real slow, but that's not self-defense realistic.

Dedicated practice is required for any handgun, don't let people tell you a [compact] handgun is impractical/impossible/pointless at 25 yards.

[pyromensch]

self defense, is just that. you use/carry what works in a "self defense" scenario, out away from home, where you don't have access to the other, longer range/more accurate firearms. you are using your firearm, to defend, and break contact, to get to a safe place. warm weather dictates, a smaller more concealable firearm, winter, (heavier clothing), allows more lattitude in your choices

[Fishslayer]

Within reason, handgun accuracy is more about sight radius than barrel length. There are some shooters who can do some pretty remarkable things with their snubbies. But they practice a LOT.

Generally speaking, the shorter the barrel the harder it is to be accurate. Shooting a revolver DA briskly and accurately is a skill all by itself.

[Whatisthis?]

Larger guns are easier to shoot. Since you already have a sub, I'd go bigger.

This. It is mostly the shooter though, so make sure to practice. Don't expect to magically get better without training/dry firing.

[stangmar]

I forgot to mention that I have a 9mm Glock 17.

My last trip I put 25/30 on target @ 20 yards. I still have room to make improvements since my groups aren't tight at that range, but at least they are in the circle! Will be picking up a 22/45 this Friday and will be able to have much more practice since it'll be much cheaper to shoot

Just wanted to go up in caliber, but was worried I'd be giving up accuracy and having to deal with a stronger recoil.

My old coworker has a Glock 23, but if he were to get a .45 he'd get it full sized w/ a metal frame. So I was leaning toward G23, but wondering if I should go smaller. Then thought about getting a .45 instead of .40s&w.

[1lostinspace]

I can hit a man size target at 100 yards using a 9 mm +P+ 127

[Whatisthis?]

I forgot to mention that I have a 9mm Glock 17.

My last trip I put 25/30 on target @ 20 yards. I still have room to make improvements since my groups aren't tight at that range, but at least they are in the circle! Will be picking up a 22/45 this Friday and will be able to have much more practice since it'll be much cheaper to shoot

Just wanted to go up in caliber, but was worried I'd be giving up accuracy and having to deal with a stronger recoil.

My old coworker has a Glock 23, but if he were to get a .45 he'd get it full sized w/ a metal frame. So I was leaning toward G23, but wondering if I should go smaller. Then thought about getting a .45 instead of .40s&w.

Between a G17 and a XDSC 9mm, you have most of what you NEED and all in one caliber (which imho, is good). Only things missing would be a .22 for practice and a deep or summer concealment gun if you are getting a CCW. The XDSC would work for CCW for most people if carried correctly anyways, so the deep concealment would be more for ease of carry. Once you pick up a Ruger 22/45, I LOVE your set up. Next thing I would do after the 22/45 is venture into different calibers/systems for enjoyment... such as a 1911 in .45.

[PRCABR4Christ]

I'm not a big fan of the M9/92, but IMO accuracy is the users part, not the tools, this story will tell you of the accuracy of an M9 in the hands of a capable shooter...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_1_34/ai_n56222398/

[Snapping Twig]

FWIW, keep in mind that as the distance increases, the self defense exemption decreases.

Hunting, that's another deal. I can stick a 44 mag into the right spot on an animal in the 100 yard area, but it's too far to do the job ethically, truth be told. All the same I practice for it so that a closer animal might be doable.

For self defense, getting good out to 25 yards should be adequate as most encounters are statistically @ 7 yards.

Train with what you have, better yet - find something like a Gunsite course and go through it. Lots to learn about the mental part as well as the physical.

[mixicus]

Effective range of a handgun is more dependent on the shooter than the gun until you start looking at energy at range then yo need to set a minimum acceptable energy or performance standard (i.e. ballistic gelatin penetration). Remove the variable of the shooter and a Glock 26 will shoot neck-n-neck with a Glock 17. The longer sight radius and larger grip make the Glock 17 easier for a person (not a Ransom Rest) to shoot. It just takes practice.

As for range; competitions shoot at ranges greater than 7yds as standard. The Steel Challenge goes out to 35yds. NRA Action Pistol goes to 50yds on the 'practical' stage. NRA PPC goes to 50yds. And let's not forget bullseye that has 25 and 50 yd stages using only 1 hand. Additionally, for years most law enforcement qual courses have had a 50yd stage (though this has been going away). There is a well respected shooting school in SoCal that has students shoot their pistols at 100+yds to show that it can be done.

Let's talk energy for a minute. You can look at velocity and energy tables on the manufacturer's websites but a quick thought a 9mm 124gr Gold Dot has ~50% more energy at 50yds than a .380ACP 90gr Gold Dot has at the muzzle. The 9mm will still have more energy at 100yds than the .380ACP had at the muzzle. So 'effective range' from an energy perspective is further than many realize.

When you ask about the average shooter, you got to ask what that means. What's a 'shooter'? How often do they practice? Have they trained? Or are they the 'gun owner' that bought the gun but haven't shot more than a few rounds the week they bought the gun? The 'average' shooter at Saturday's USPSA match at Norco can hit a 25-35 yard pepper popper. The average LEO would be well served to hit a target across a suburban back yard (~20yds) or a residential street (~25yds). By the end of a 1 or 2 day training class a new gun owner should have no issues getting good hits on silhouette targets at 7-15yds or farther.

[speedrrracer]

Effective range? Well, closer than 7 yards and the bad guy is within "Tueller distance", so not very effective within 7 yards. Farther than 25 yards and you'd better have some nice skills, and / or hope that the bad guy moves very slowly and presents a big target.

So, between 7 and 25 yards, with all kinds of caveats depending on the scenario.