Distance Statistics for 'Legal Shoots"?

[rocktot]

Just wondering if there is an 'average' distance for self-defense shootings? Why practice at 20 yards with a pistol when the average is 5 yards or less? Do some CC classes cover this issue?

[King]

Im taking a class right now. We shoot tomorrow and I think the farthest we shoot is 5 yards. I have heard the average distance where SD shootings occur is around 3 yards but I have no reliable info to back that up. Some people get caught up in the what-ifs and making head shots with pistols at x amount of yards. Not very realistic for a SD shooting

[SuperiorDG]

When does a shot become not a SD shot? If you shoot someone at 200yds is this really an SD shot? Just thinking out loud.

[ChadAmberg]

I've heard 3 yards or less myself too but I don't think anyone actually compiles real statistics, just anecdotal data.
I know there are some schools that teach point shooting where you have your arms pulled close to your body rather than arms fully extended, since they say that's more likely to be the way a self defense shoot will be.

[TFOGGER]

You train at longer distances as well as short ones to refine technique: Sight picture, sight alignment, trigger control, etc. Small errors become larger and more visible as distance increases (divergent angles). Under stress, fine motor control becomes an issue, so if you train to hit the target 1 inch below the point of the sternum at 20 yards, and you miss that point by 3 inches at 5 yards under severe stress, you still have an excellent chance of getting an effective result.

[lead_magnet]

The logic for shooting longer distances = preventing somone from killing somone other than yourself. What if its not you that is being attacked?

I'm not saying don't practice up close, you should most deffinatley do that, but don't neglect the other side of the coin either.

[Zundfolge]

The stat I always see pop up in these discussions is 21 feet or less (often said that something like 80% of SD shootings happen under 15 feet).

See also "Tueller Drill"

This is why lasers sell like hotcakes.


Thing is, fundamentals are fundamentals whether shooting at 3 yards or 1000. Consistant grip, trigger control, front sight focus ... all things that are actually better taught out at 7-10 yards (with a handgun). Master putting all your rounds quickly into a B27 target at 10+ yards and when the time comes to hit someone closing in on you at under 15 feet and you'll do just fine.

[gcrookston]

Just wondering if there is an 'average' distance for self-defense shootings? Why practice at 20 yards with a pistol when the average is 5 yards or less? Do some CC classes cover this issue?

According to Ed Lovette in his book The Snubby Revolver the average distance for defensive shootings is just under 7 yards. He is citing from several decades of FBI investigations.

[spqrzilla]

If the average distance is 7 yards, that means that something on the order of half the shoots are farther than 7 yards. (lets ignore the difference between median and average for now).

Which means the statistic does not tell you squat about what distance your next self defense shoot will be at.

[gcrookston]

If the average distance is 7 yards, that means that something on the order of half the shoots are farther than 7 yards. (lets ignore the difference between median and average for now).

Which means the statistic does not tell you squat about what distance your next self defense shoot will be at.

You're right, it's hard to reach a conclusion on this data bit.

If you overlay the NYPD SOP study, which looked at all Officer shootings from 1854 to 1979, 90% of them occurred within 15 feet.

Then consider the majority of self defense shootings will occur in the home where the average room size is 10'x10' with a hallway being being under 30'. Outside the average lawn will be less than 40' boarder to boarder.

Below is an excerpt from the NYPD SOP9 study:

SHOOTING DISTANCES
4,000 cases were reviewed. The shooting distance in 75% of those cases was less than 20 feet.

Contact to 10 feet ... 51%

10 feet to 20 feet .... 24%

source: http://www.pointshooting.com/1asop9.htm