Shooting Pistols

[BigAl52]

Im wondering what yardage you shoot your pistols at when you are plinking or practicing???? Like 9mm 45 ACP type. Probably more auto type pistols than revolver. I usually tend to be at 20 to 25 yards with mine when plinking with those calibers. But I read on other forums where guys are only shooting at 7 to 10 yards which makes a difference in shooting quite a bit.

[GFK]

I have been typically shooting between 7-10 yards. Mainly, that is due to my reading of a typical self-defend encounter. As I recall, when I had to qualify with a handgun, most distances were 15 yards or less. My club typically runs IDPA drills once a month. I have not participated yet. But, this is an idea: https://www.ssusa.org/content/getting-s ... 20required.

[Mags]

Usually 20ft or so. Sometimes 100+ft.

[GFK]

As a quick check, this is what a couple states require to carry:

AI Overview
In North Carolina, the concealed carry handgun (CCH) shooting test requires firing 30 rounds at a silhouette target from distances of 3, 5, and 7 yards. To pass, a minimum of 70-75% accuracy is typically required, meaning you need to hit the target with 21-23 of the 30 rounds.

AI Overview
In Maryland, the handgun qualification for a Wear and Carry Permit (WCHP) involves a live-fire course of at least 25 rounds, with a minimum accuracy score of 70%. The course of fire includes distances of 3, 5, 7, and 15 yards, using a B-27 silhouette target. The applicant must not be required to fire beyond 15 yards.

[BigAl52]

As a quick check, this is what a couple states require to carry:

AI Overview
In North Carolina, the concealed carry handgun (CCH) shooting test requires firing 30 rounds at a silhouette target from distances of 3, 5, and 7 yards. To pass, a minimum of 70-75% accuracy is typically required, meaning you need to hit the target with 21-23 of the 30 rounds.

AI Overview
In Maryland, the handgun qualification for a Wear and Carry Permit (WCHP) involves a live-fire course of at least 25 rounds, with a minimum accuracy score of 70%. The course of fire includes distances of 3, 5, 7, and 15 yards, using a B-27 silhouette target. The applicant must not be required to fire beyond 15 yards.

What is the time allowed for 30 rounds? If one was shooting a 45 he would need a few magazines

[GFK]

Hey Al,

Below is a quick search. Yet, I have never ran out of time, when qualifying with a handgun. Most shots were in groups of 5 rounds or so. While in the Navy, I had to qualify with .45 and 9mm. While a correctional officer, I had to qualify with a .38. Most times, I just took my time and fired a shoot every couple of seconds or so.

AI Overview
Based on the search results, the time limit for shooting 30 rounds for handgun qualification in North Carolina
can vary depending on the specific qualification course and instructor.
Here's what the search results indicate:

Minimum State Requirement: The state of North Carolina requires a minimum of 30 rounds for the concealed carry handgun qualification course. This typically involves firing 10 rounds each from distances of 3, 5, and 7 yards.
Instructor Discretion: Instructors have the discretion to set more stringent requirements, including time limits.
Examples of Time Limits:
One example shows specific time limits for different stages of fire, including 30 seconds for 6 rounds from standing and kneeling positions for semi-automatic handguns (with a required magazine change). Revolvers in the same stage have a time limit of 35 seconds.
Another example mentions a 40-round timed qualification for a concealed carry course, requiring a 75% score from both low ready and draw or bench top positions. This qualification is administered to 8 students at a time, suggesting that the timing of each individual's shooting is integrated into the overall course time.
Focus on Accuracy: While time limits exist, the focus is also on accuracy. For the 30-round course, you typically need to hit the target with at least 21 of the 30 rounds. Some instructors may require a higher percentage of hits to pass.

Therefore, there's no single, set time limit for all 30 rounds. You'll need to check with the specific instructor or course provider for their exact time limits for the 30-round qualification. The provided examples illustrate that time limits can vary depending on the specific drills and stages of the course.

[Ernie]

Have not shot 9mm in ages. Shooting 45acp, 10mm and now 357 mag at 20 - 30 feet. Have shot 10 and 357 at 25 and 50 yards last outing because no one else was there and I just wanted to see where it would hit. The range where I shoot is basic. No ranger, no metal targets allowed. Dirt backstops at 30 ft, 50 ,100, and 200 yards. Covered shooting area with tables and benches. They also have 2 traps for shooting Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Members get gate combination and you can shoot 9am to dusk.

[TeddyBear]

For qualification, 12 from the 5, 12 from the 7, 6 from the 15. Thats the only distances I shoot from.

[North Country Gal]

I've never done much shooting at typical 3 to 7 yard self-defense distances because hunting and then handgun silhouette (100 yards or 200 yards) were how I started in handgun shooting and when I quit those sports, I just kept target shooting at those distances. I did try bullseye pistol (now called Precision Pistol) for a while when I was younger, but even that sport is 25 and 50 yards. And that's with revolvers and some semi-autos. With specialty pistols, I more or less have always shot them at rifle ranges. Still do. Bottom line for me and handguns is that I have always been a target shooter, not a self-defense shooter.

I certainly agree that practicing at self-defense distance is important and necessary if you are going to carry. No argument, there. It's the main focus of handgun shooting these days and I accept that. Very, very important. I rarely carry, though, and when I do it's more likely to be woods carry on the rare occasions when we have problems with a bear in our area.

Each to their own, as always.

[GtownGeorge]

When I take my pistols to the range I start at 7 yards and the go to 10, 20 and 30. The 7 yard shots are usually quick draw.

[BigAl52]

I shoot at about 20 yards most of the time plinking at Clays on a dirt bank. I have an easier time hitting them with revolver than I do semi auto in 9 mm. Each 9 I own has different sight pictures as you would expect but hitting clays on a dirt bank is a pretty good challenge for me anyway. I shot 3 different 9’s today 2 of them were 1911’s. 4 inch Kimber Pro Raptor and SA Ronin full size. I shoot the Ronin a little better than the Kimber. I also took out my 45 today. Kimber Eclipse older model and I was surprised at how well it shot as I dont remember it being that accurate. Both Kimbers are the older guns made in NY. They both ran perfect. Its been a good while since Ive shot 45 and I still like it.

[BigAl52]

Have not shot 9mm in ages. Shooting 45acp, 10mm and now 357 mag at 20 - 30 feet. Have shot 10 and 357 at 25 and 50 yards last outing because no one else was there and I just wanted to see where it would hit. The range where I shoot is basic. No ranger, no metal targets allowed. Dirt backstops at 30 ft, 50 ,100, and 200 yards. Covered shooting area with tables and benches. They also have 2 traps for shooting Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Members get gate combination and you can shoot 9am to dusk.

Is your 10 a semi auto Ernie

[Ernie]

1911 by Magnum Research

[The Wiz]

My .380 Auto/3yds. Subnose .38/3 to 5 yrds. .38 special/9mm 10 to 15 yrds. Beyond that I'm just wasting ammo.

[daytime dave]

My home range is about 25 yds, so that's the max I shoot here. I'll do 1 yd through 25 yds depending what type of plinking I'm doing. I usually shoot at a piece of cardboard with a hand drawn square or circle. I don't shoot much 9mm. Some .45 acp.

[GFK]

I have only one semi-auto: Ruger EC9s. I got it because of color and size. I find its trigger pull lighter than any of my revolvers (in double action mode). So, my groupings have been smaller with it. Yet, I like the simplicity of a revolver: point and pull the trigger. Therefore, I find myself with more revolvers, no need to remember if a round is chambered or safety is off. For home or self defense, it works for me. If I require more rounds, it may not make a difference.

[BigAl52]

Thanks for all the responses and GFK thanks for the info you linked and posted in your responses. Colorado now requires firing a gun with an instructor present to renew CCW. Its a brand new law going into effect soon so Im not sure what the exact program will be. I got a kick out of the comment by Wiz beyond 15 yards Im wasting ammo. I can relate to that Ive wasted plenty

[Hatchdog]

I start out around 10 paces and work backwards to 25 yards where I have the distance measured. I only shoot 9mm and 22lr in pistols. The nines I shoot at bowling pin targets so pretty generous. The 22 I shoot at some spinners, 3” and smaller and one that’s ground squirrel sized. I don’t think I shoot the 22 much further than the 10 paces.

[GFK]

Yes, some states are requiring so-called certification to carry a firearm. I can understand the desire of wanting to ensure safe use. I recall a state trooper expressing to me his concern of a 100 lbs man carrying a 6" .44 mag being over powered by someone and taking his fireman. Yet, the certification seems like a way of tracking who has firearms and where. In this day and time, carrying may not be a bad thing. At least, that is what the trooper told me.

Al, I suspect you will have no problem with the live fire, regardless of the type of handgun you decide to use. Shooting is not new to you. Like riding a bicycle, somethings are second nature.

[North Country Gal]

When shooting for score or group size, I've always done a little better with a semi-auto, but not enough for me to prefer them over a good revolver. I still consider myself to be a revolver shooter when it comes to conventional handguns. That's always been my home base.

When I go to the range to sight in a revolver (or check it for POI if it's a fixed sight revolver), I always start at 16 yards (50 ft). After that, it depends on the revolver size and intended use.

If it's a snubbie or an up close pocket style revolver, I'll keep shooting at that distance or mix in some closer work. If it shows promise, I may even try it at 25 yards, just to see what it can do.

For a full size revolver with at least a 4" barrel, I go to 25 yards, next. This is a distance where I shoot all my medium and large frame revolvers for initial accuracy testing. This is the distance where I rate full size revolvers for accuracy via group size. This is also a practical shooting distance for a woods carry revolver and even a hunting revolver when hunting in heavy cover.

For the long barreled revolvers, 6" or more, I move to 50 yards, next, sometimes even 100 yards if it's a dedicated hunting or silhouette revolver. Yeah, 50 yards or 100 yards with a revolver is pretty nutty by today's standards, but back when I was using a revolver for deer hunting, 50 yards with a revolver was very typical and 100 yards was a long shot, but still doable with the right revolver and a lot of practice. Ranges are even longer in handgun silhouette.

You can tell a lot about a revolver's accuracy potential with these longer distances and many big bore revolvers have a long history of being shot at these distances. This is NOT stunt shooting, by the way. There have been models of revolvers made and designed to be shot at these distances and they are still being made. This kind of shooting just gets overlooked with today's heavy emphasis on self-defense shooting.