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Training and Use of Lethal Force...Lesson 11
RugerNiner
Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
LESSON #11
The targets you use
Targets used at most gun ranges are not designed for serious self-defense. The bullseye type target has no place in self-defense use. It is for formal competitive TARGET shooting, not self-defense shooting.
The human form type targets are the best available, but avoid green and blue. Green and blue people are seldom a threat. The black target has NOTHING to do with race. It is a representation of a human form in the dark without distinguishing features. That shouldn't be very difficult to grasp.
These targets however present a few serious problems. About 15% of all self-defense shootings will result in shooting at a target in that position. The rest will be a target that is sideways, bent to the side or forward, or other odd angles. It would be ideal to have targets that are found in various non-uniform positions. Shooting at the same target time and time gain is rather silly if you think about it. Some shooters have been shooting at that target for 40+ years.
Self-defense shooting requires shooting and unpredictable and unfamiliar targets. Of course performance will tumble, but that is the whole idea. The idea is to confront reality and accept our shortcomings. Anyone that claims 90+% rates in self-defense are in for a rude awaking in a real situation.
Some of the finest military marksman our nation ever produced were a product of rural living where they hunted for most of their lives and were used to shooting at fast moving targets in dense cover or limited lighting situations. That form of shooting is seldom encountered by most of our youth in the recent past.
Trying to get any changes in targets is all but impossible. There has been an influx of cartoon type targets and that is just what they are. Some even make you laugh looking at them. Others are of actual photos but the choice is very limited and if you look at them they have little to do with reality. Such targets are an attempt to entertain us rather than educate our skills.
Shooting as to represent a challenge to your senses and a challenge to your control of shooting. Years ago I recall chasing large jack rabbits across the South Dakota prairie at night shooting at them with a handgun in the dark. It was legal to do so if we were with the property owner.
The fast paced action at times of multiple targets in low light, darkness and fast moving gave us a hit rate of about 25% if we were good at it. At times we'd fire a box of 50 rounds without a single hit. It was incredible training for shooting in low light at moving targets.
Hunters that hung such things as wild hogs and other varmints also obtain skills that could apply to self-defense. At least far more so than someone used to shooting stationary targets in ideal conditions.
Self-defense will in most cases present you with a shooting in the worse conditions with little chance of organization or application of formality.
The finest comment I ever heard that makes it clear what your state of mind will be came from an old salty cop I knew. A rather crude but very true statement. He said, " the best way to describe your state of mind and conditions in a real shooting is if you can compare it to trying to shoot at the peak of the best sexual orgasm you ever had thinking you will die when it is over." I've run that past many people involved in a shooting and to the last one they claim it is the best definition they have ever heard. I agree.
The popular turning target is of little value. It would be far easier to make the shooter turn and probably closer to reality.
We encourage that 85% of your shooting be at 21 feet or less. It sounds easy, but it is not. If you shoot taking your time and using target shooting format you will find it boring, but that isn't real life. Bad guys won't give you the luxury of the time to do that.
If possible shoot in low light or darkness. THAT is reality. Even with standard human form targets this soon shows a lot of the reality of self-defense. Your abilities will be taxed and your performance limited. But again, that is real life.
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
The targets you use
Targets used at most gun ranges are not designed for serious self-defense. The bullseye type target has no place in self-defense use. It is for formal competitive TARGET shooting, not self-defense shooting.
The human form type targets are the best available, but avoid green and blue. Green and blue people are seldom a threat. The black target has NOTHING to do with race. It is a representation of a human form in the dark without distinguishing features. That shouldn't be very difficult to grasp.
These targets however present a few serious problems. About 15% of all self-defense shootings will result in shooting at a target in that position. The rest will be a target that is sideways, bent to the side or forward, or other odd angles. It would be ideal to have targets that are found in various non-uniform positions. Shooting at the same target time and time gain is rather silly if you think about it. Some shooters have been shooting at that target for 40+ years.
Self-defense shooting requires shooting and unpredictable and unfamiliar targets. Of course performance will tumble, but that is the whole idea. The idea is to confront reality and accept our shortcomings. Anyone that claims 90+% rates in self-defense are in for a rude awaking in a real situation.
Some of the finest military marksman our nation ever produced were a product of rural living where they hunted for most of their lives and were used to shooting at fast moving targets in dense cover or limited lighting situations. That form of shooting is seldom encountered by most of our youth in the recent past.
Trying to get any changes in targets is all but impossible. There has been an influx of cartoon type targets and that is just what they are. Some even make you laugh looking at them. Others are of actual photos but the choice is very limited and if you look at them they have little to do with reality. Such targets are an attempt to entertain us rather than educate our skills.
Shooting as to represent a challenge to your senses and a challenge to your control of shooting. Years ago I recall chasing large jack rabbits across the South Dakota prairie at night shooting at them with a handgun in the dark. It was legal to do so if we were with the property owner.
The fast paced action at times of multiple targets in low light, darkness and fast moving gave us a hit rate of about 25% if we were good at it. At times we'd fire a box of 50 rounds without a single hit. It was incredible training for shooting in low light at moving targets.
Hunters that hung such things as wild hogs and other varmints also obtain skills that could apply to self-defense. At least far more so than someone used to shooting stationary targets in ideal conditions.
Self-defense will in most cases present you with a shooting in the worse conditions with little chance of organization or application of formality.
The finest comment I ever heard that makes it clear what your state of mind will be came from an old salty cop I knew. A rather crude but very true statement. He said, " the best way to describe your state of mind and conditions in a real shooting is if you can compare it to trying to shoot at the peak of the best sexual orgasm you ever had thinking you will die when it is over." I've run that past many people involved in a shooting and to the last one they claim it is the best definition they have ever heard. I agree.
The popular turning target is of little value. It would be far easier to make the shooter turn and probably closer to reality.
We encourage that 85% of your shooting be at 21 feet or less. It sounds easy, but it is not. If you shoot taking your time and using target shooting format you will find it boring, but that isn't real life. Bad guys won't give you the luxury of the time to do that.
If possible shoot in low light or darkness. THAT is reality. Even with standard human form targets this soon shows a lot of the reality of self-defense. Your abilities will be taxed and your performance limited. But again, that is real life.
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
Comments
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.