Handgun effective range for self defense/combat?

[The Virus]

out past 15 yds or so its a hard shot unless the badguy is standing in the open motionless facing you ...

[stangmar]

Thanks for the responses.

You guys do have a point. It'll depend on the shooter's training and practice.

I think I will get whatever ends up being a good deal in the Private forums and not worry too much about barrel lengths.

[Bug Splat]

If all you have is a pistol then 500yards could be your range. Use what you have. I can make hits out to 100 yards with my full size pistols. The accepted role of a pistol is to fight your way back to your rifle. If I have a choice I'll take a rifle at 5 feet over a pistol.

[dexter9659]

You can never carry a gun too small or shoot a gun too big

[therealnickb]

I'm just curious what circumstances you imagine being in that will require a small pistol for self defense at or past 20 yards?

[Bug Splat]

I'm just curious what circumstances you imagine being in that will require a small pistol for self defense at or past 20 yards?

DC Sniper? I seem to remember something about a college clock tower.

[speedrrracer]

I'm just curious what circumstances you imagine being in that will require a small pistol for self defense at or past 20 yards?

just guessing -- someone shooting at you from 20 yards away and all you have is a small pistol?

[TwoAsoapbox]

Like mentioned before, it depends a lot on the shooters abilities, particularly in a stressful situation.

Beyond 20-25 yards Im thinking about evading and not engaging a threat.

[Shenaniguns]

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

The effective range is limited to the shooter and gun combo... 100 yards with even a compact Glock or M&P is very doable on a B-27 sized target or smaller if you're good.

[therealnickb]

just guessing -- someone shooting at you from 20 yards away and all you have is a small pistol?

Ah, duh? (....not trying to be a penasaurus but) I didn't think he mean't someone throwing rocks.

I'm just trying to imagine what kind of circumstances could bring about the need to make a defensive shot at 20+ yards.

It's kind of like the old joke;

Old Lady: "Sheriff, I see you are wearing your side arm. Are you expecting trouble"?

Sheriff: "No mam', if I was expecting trouble I'd have my rifle with me too".

[NWE]

25 yards is definitely doable with a sub compact nine with some practice. but as said above you engage a target at 25 yards in "self defense" the prosecution will eat you alive. you should really practice 5-10 yards as that seems to cover most self defense stuff. for self defense you should also practice pulling from a concealed holster.. that's i think the most difficult part to master. just my two cents though..

[Kempfer]

From what I have seen on the range the effective range for the average shooter is 0-10 yards depending on what stage of gunevolution (neanderTHATGUY to Clint Eastwood) you are on.

By effective I mean putting a bullet into a 5" bullseye. I wouldn't measure effectiveness against anything else because you need to account for the fudge factor of how people perform under stress as a 5" groups can easily become 10" groups under stress.

[Shenaniguns]

If you plan on engaging a target for self defense purposes at 20-25 yards I'd ask why aren't you just running away? The prosecution will ask the same thing.

The average law enforcement shooting is 10 feet.

Having to use your weapon in a self defense scenerio is virtually 0%. The chances of needing one to engage a target 25 yards away is even less than that.

As you've seen by Hickok45s videos, it doesn't matter the gun so much as it does the shooter. To buy a gun based on the thought you'll be able to hit someone better at 25 yards is naive.

You seriously can't think a million reasons on why someone isn't running away at that distance and is engaging the threat instead? You have very little imagination.


25 yards is not that far of a distance as many make it out to be.

[ap3572001]

As a young officer I shot PPC 600 with service size pistol and revolver . WIth full power duty ammo.

We shot 7,15,25 and 50 yards using STD B-27 target.

In action pistol , I would have to draw and fire at "A" zone of std IPSC target at 50 yards and closer. That was done with a 1911 in 45 ACP and Glock 9mm or .40

With a duty size pistol or revolver and full power ammo You should be able to cover from contact to about 50 yards.

Going prone or in a position of support/cover we can extend it to 75 yards.

With some flat shooting magnums in quality revolvers You should be able to engage man size target at 100 yards and beyond.

[Shenaniguns]

I'm just curious what circumstances you imagine being in that will require a small pistol for self defense at or past 20 yards?

Carson City IHOP for example? Or the guy shooting at on coming traffic in L.A. a week or so ago, someone attempting to throw a Molotov Cocktail at your inhabited home(ala recent L.A. and Sacramento arsonists), etc...