So where to aim?

[JTROKS]

I saw a guy out, on probably his first range visit....with an instructor...MISS the full torso-sized target from 5 yards. It was pretty incredible to see, since it was only my 2nd or 3rd time myself to an indoor handgun range (I was always a rifle guy).

First of all, at 5 yds., they were shooting inside the posted 7 yd. minimum. Secondly, he took a FULL minute to adjust his grip, take his aim, and pull the trigger. Thirdly, 3 of his friends were waiting to take their turns and they all busted out laughing...I had to stop my shooting as the scene was so funny.

Some folks have to start somewhere. Right?

To some folks shooting is natural. Some folks can shoot the head of a nail with a BB gun, but once they feel the recoil, noise and blast of a real gun the flinch is born. Some folks just have so much FUD ingrained in their head it's next to hopeless getting them to shoot accurately.

That's why you train, assess, define objectives and hopefully you'll know how to reach those objectives.

[71MUSTY]

I practice two to center mass then one to left hip. What I'd do in a stress situation is anyone's guess. Prolly center mass mag dump like everyone else.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

I have to disagree. There is no justification to shoot in the first place, if you have not reached the legal threshold of fear required for righteously killing someone in self defense (use of deadly force). Otherwise- it's just murder.

Apologies, but I don't understand what you're saying.
If I understand you correctly, I agree, if you are in fear for your life or fear of immediate physical violence, then you are justified in using lethal force to stop the attack.

So far so good?

But my mindset is STOP the threat, STOP the immediate violent action, using the most efficient tool and training I have at that moment. And that would be a handgun, and putting bullets in the center of the largest piece of body that I can, as quickly as I can, until the threat has subsided.

If the bad guy dies as a result of this, then so be it. But my primary goal is not to kill the bad guy, it's to STOP the bad guy.

I do not, and have never wanted to "righteously kill" anyone, and I think, personally that having the idea in the back of your head that, god forbid you ever get in that situation, you should kill your attacker, well damn, that'll end you up in jail.

The (fingers crossed) only gun fight I was in, after I put two rounds into the bad guy and he decided that he was done and went down, I never once considered *killing* him as he lay there on the ground. But if he bled out before the EMTs got there, well then so be it. But I didn't want him to die. I wanted him to stop trying to kill me. And after that threat was stopped, why would you continue to shoot?

I'm rambling, but I hope this makes sense.

[JTROKS]

So many situations and depending what condition you're carrying and how fast you get it into action may or will dictate what shots you can take. Someone who's shooting at you already will force you to take whatever cover is available. Can you get your gun into action while moving? How much of the target is present while you're crouching down? Are you still thinking of your fire zone in consideration of where or what your bullets might hit. When adrenaline starts pumping its fight or flight, tunnel vision time no time to Monday-morning quarterback your actions.

[JTROKS]

Apologies, but I don't understand what you're saying.
If I understand you correctly, I agree, if you are in fear for your life or fear of immediate physical violence, then you are justified in using lethal force to stop the attack.

So far so good?

But my mindset is STOP the threat, STOP the immediate violent action, using the most efficient tool and training I have at that moment. And that would be a handgun, and putting bullets in the center of the largest piece of body that I can, as quickly as I can, until the threat has subsided.

If the bad guy dies as a result of this, then so be it. But my primary goal is not to kill the bad guy, it's to STOP the bad guy.

I do not, and have never wanted to "righteously kill" anyone, and I think, personally that having the idea in the back of your head that, god forbid you ever get in that situation, you should kill your attacker, well damn, that'll end you up in jail.

The (fingers crossed) only gun fight I was in, after I put two rounds into the bad guy and he decided that he was done and went down, I never once considered *killing* him as he lay there on the ground. But if he bled out before the EMTs got there, well then so be it. But I didn't want him to die. I wanted him to stop trying to kill me. And after that threat was stopped, why would you continue to shoot?

I'm rambling, but I hope this makes sense.

It makes lots of sense. Just look at the current events in our country. Unarmed suspect shot or killed by LEOs. It's not enough that the police officer felt he was in danger due to a toy that looks like a real firearm, or trying to apprehend a resistive known criminal. The intent to keep public safety and their own safety is not enough justification for all the Monday-morning quarterbacks protesting out there.

[daybreak]

I kinda just close my eyes and keep pulling the trigger til the mag is out.

[The Last American Hero]

You just want to shoot their balls off. Admit it.

But it makes some pretty good sense to start low and work up due to muzzle rise.

Old FBI (1970s) "How to Win Gun Fights" shows bullets hug the surface they hit and I'd feel better sending strays downrange just inches off the ground where if they hit a bystander it will more likely be in lower legs and not fatal.

Same reason attempting headshots seems much more risky, with any misses still full velocity and more likely to travel far and hit vital areas of bystanders.

Yes, in football they teach you to focus on the belt buckle because a guy can fake all over with upper body but not the belt buckle.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

I kinda just close my eyes and keep pulling the trigger til the mag is out.

Well that doesn't make any damn sense at all.

[Saym14]

Hip shot is a last chance shot. When you can't make a torso or a headshot a third choice is a hip. Or if that is all you can see. It's not an easy shot to make probably more or as difficult as a headshot