There is a whole bunch of stuff out there that can improve your accuracy with a handgun, particularly after market gadgets like red dot sights. There is certainly a place for this stuff, such as in hunting, competition, and long range accuracy contests. In some matches the use of add on sights is absolutely necessary, otherwise you will never be able to generate a respectable score.
But I'm not convinced that one should look to trick out their main carry gun. Besides the fact that such gadgets add bulk to something that has to remain hidden, I think that the KISS principle works the best when choosing a firearm that is going to be carried everywhere in the anticipation of an emergency.
The Captain posts about a bowling pin match, complete with plenty of pictures and a small movie, and he ruminates about the use of red dot sights.
"I realize that using a dot sight would help with that...but part of the reason I'm doing this is to improve my "daily" shooting skills. I don't think I'll ever be carrying a concealed carry piece with a red dot sight on it, so I'd rather stay with what I'll be using real world...namely iron sights."
Except for that little bit, The Captain confines himself to discussing the match itself. Go read the whole thing if you have never taken part. They are a lot of fun.
Comments (5)
I'm guessing that defensive use of handguns almost always takes place at relatively short range. You would rarely get sympathy from your fellow citizens if you shoot at someone 40 yards away. What would you say is the maximum range you should worry about when choosing and outfitting a carry gun?
Posted by Bob Hawkins | April 15, 2008 3:06 PM
Posted on April 15, 2008 15:06
I am interested in Jame's response to the questions in the first comment, but I'll give my two cents for what little they are worth.
From FBI statistics, during the years 1972-92, there were 1,722 police officers killed in armed encounters. The following is a
breakdown of the distances in which these officers were fatally shot:
0-5 ft - 928 officers fatally shot (percentage is 53.89)
6-10 ft - 342 officers fatally shot (percentage is 19.68)
11-20 ft - 237 officers fatally shot (percentage is 13.77)
21-50 - 118 officers fatally shot (percentage is 6.85)
50 ft plus - 97 officers fatally shot (percentage is 5.63)
See:
http://www.gutterfighting.org/files/Applegate.pdf
This makes a strong case to emphasize training for engagement distances from contact to 20 ft. In my experience persons of "above average" skill, using a snubby revolver of the type often carried for civilian concealed carry, do about as well with a 2-inch revolver at 15 yards, as they would with a four-inch service revolver or standard as-issued M1911 pistol using Ball ammunition at 25 yards.
A person armed with an edged weapon can close from 7 yards distance, attack effectively and inflict a fatal wound in less time than it takes the person of average skill to draw and fire a holstered handgun.
However, beyond 50 feet or so, rapid shot placement with a small pocket auto pistol or snubby revolver becomes problematic. In some states it "may" become more difficult to prove that use of deadly force was necessary, if the threat is farther away. Much depends upon the exact circumstances and your state law. But I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV either, so this is only one person's opinion.
Posted by Anonymous | April 15, 2008 4:20 PM
Posted on April 15, 2008 16:20
"This makes a strong case to emphasize training for engagement distances from contact to 20 ft."
Or it makes a strong case for realizing that close distances are where people get killed. The closer you get the less of a marksmanship problem it becomes both for you and the assailant.
Posted by mostlygenius | April 16, 2008 10:05 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 22:05
Captain you said;
"this is to improve my "daily" shooting skills. I don't think I'll ever be carrying a concealed carry piece with a red dot sight on it, so I'd rather stay with what I'll be using real world...namely iron sights."
If your doubt of ever having a red dot is a bulkiness issue there is a product out on the market Check out this website http://www.discoveryoptics.com and click on the laser grips tab on the right side, but be prepared to spend a large chunk of money at least delivery is free on most of them. This being said I am not advocating laser sights ask Bob of I ate my wafer he has descriped me as militant about my beliefs in the necessity of Iron sights.
Posted by Chris | April 22, 2008 3:18 AM
Posted on April 22, 2008 03:18
I carry with a red dot. In daytime the red dot is mostly useless except for psychological reasons to impress an actor about the potential accuracy of the shooter. At night the red dot is superior to any other sight. The dot marks the target a lot further than the accuracy expected by the shooter.
A red dot also makes it possible to shoot from non standard shooting stances, such as the hip. Anyone claiming added bulk has never seen or used one.
Posted by Tiberius | April 23, 2008 12:49 PM
Posted on April 23, 2008 12:49