Effective distance on a handgun

[hossb7]

What do you think the effective distance on a handgun is?

Watch this video about what Kyle Defoor has to say about distance with a handgun:



I've noticed that people mostly shoot at 7-10 yards with their handgun and rarely stretch that distance. Is it because of lack of ability (both with skill level and range limitations)? Or is it because you might never have to shoot your gun that far when/if defending yourself? Or do you plain not like it?

When I go shooting, I get back to 50-75 yards with my pistols just to reenforce that mentality that handguns are NOT sub-25 yard guns. When I do my part, I typically get a 95-100% hit rate.

Video of me hitting steel at 100 yards:



**videos fixed**

Poll incoming.

[teg33]

One of the reason some people practice 7-10 yards because they want to be proficient in self defense situation.

[XD40Kyle]

One of the reason some people practice 7-10 yards because they want to be proficient in self defense situation.

That's why I shoot at the distance. I don't understand why people shoot far with handguns

[SILENT GUNMAN]

Most people don't have the ability to shoot past 20 yards with a pistol. I think the 7-10 yard range is what people shoot because it hides their lack of ability. I usually shoot steel at 50-75 yards just to prove to myself I can do it with whatever pistol I have with me that day. I've even hit steel at 400 yards with a 4 inch 357 mag and 500 yards with a Springfield XD .40. Its not easy but it can be done with practice.

[hossb7]

Sorry, fixed the videos

[michaelthetrojan]

Most people don't have the ability to shoot past 20 yards with a pistol. I think the 7-10 yard range is what people shoot because it hides their lack of ability. I usually shoot steel at 50-75 yards just to prove to myself I can do it with whatever pistol I have with me that day. I've even hit steel at 400 yards with a 4 inch 357 mag and 500 yards with a Springfield XD .40. Its not easy but it can be done with practice.

Proof please...
I'm not saying it can't be done..
But what your saying is.. that you are better with 40 Cal hand gun then quite a few marines with 20 in m16s with acogs that are shooting prone on a giant target..

[hossb7]

Proof please...
I'm not saying it can't be done..
But what your saying is.. that you are better with 40 Cal hand gun then quite a few marines with 20 in m16s with acogs that are shooting prone on a giant target..

I didn't read anything about being "better", just that it CAN be done.

Which it can.

[waveslayer]

Effective is relative to who is shooting the handgun... I can hit steel at 100 to 200 and have seen video past 300 with a 9mm. Google it

[hossb7]

Effective is relative to who is shooting the handgun... I can hit steel at 100 to 200 and have seen video past 300 with a 9mm. Google it

Thats the point? I'm just trying to get a gauge for what people consider "effective" and their reasoning behind it.

[PowMeow]

I didn't read anything about being "better", just that it CAN be done.



Which it can.

He was talking to silentgunman

[penguin0123]

If you're fighting >25yards, you really should go get a rifle. That's why people practice close in with handguns.

Handguns are there only for you to fight your way back to a long gun.

[penguinofsleep]

assuming .380 or above i say 100+ . i imagine ringing a gong at 100 is do-able for most proficient pistol shooters if they believe in themselves - kind of like what OP is wondering (usually i hear people say "no i can't do it. that is impossible, etc." then they try it and a few rounds later, they do it). i too practice at 100 when i can - not because i expect to encounter people assaulting me from 100, but because it is good practice that forces you to focus on fundamentals/getting it right.

however, a pistol is not ideal at these ranges, just that they will work. additionally, for some calibers, while effective at 100+, it may not stop someone in the 1-4 rounds we are generally conditioned or trained to shoot/deliver (vs say in much of the rest of the world where the philosophy runs more along shoot them until they are down and stop... by that definition, still effective).

[hossb7]

He was talking to silentgunman

Yes I know. And nothing silentgunman said was in relation to being BETTER than USMC shooters at 500 yards, only that it's POSSIBLE to get that distance with a handgun.

[Tanner68]

A handgun is effective past 100 yards.... when you don't have a rifle.

[hossb7]

If you're fighting >25yards, you really should go get a rifle. That's why people practice close in with handguns.

Handguns are there only for you to fight your way back to a long gun.

Check out the Kyle Defoor video. It might offer some insight to maximizing your handgun's ability.