Shooting Standards that Matter

[Mr_White]

I've a bag of chocolate, caramel popcorn available - so I will ask:
What is 100% accuracy?

The only true standard, a righteous goal, or a primary point of high-minded finger wagging, take your pick

[Al T.]

Tagged.

[BehindBlueI's]

Here's what I want to know. When it comes to the self-defense focused use of a handgun, what shooting standards really matter the most?

Specifically shooting standards? I ask, because for self-defense against random crime, the skills outside of shooting tend to be the harder part, IMO.

Specific to shooting, the ability to present a functional firearm in a smooth and CONSISTENT manner, preferably while disguising the intent if under observation, and then getting quick and accurate "A" zone or failure drill hits within, say 7y, while simultaneously getting off the "X" covers the vast vast vast majority of civilian encounters. Targeted crime looks different, ranges are further, more odds of an ambush situation, more dedicated attacker, etc.

[YVK]

When it comes to the self-defense focused use of a handgun, what shooting standards really matter the most?

I'm really interested in reading the thoughts from the experts on this forum.

I am not an expert but I read the internet. In a recent multivariable analysis published in a peer reviewed journal, "have a gun" was the only standard that repeatedly reached statistical significance."Not shooting off your own dick while executing about a two second draw on eight inch circle" was another touted metric but there were not enough dicks shot off to have a big enough sample size. A letter to editor suggested that if "more than one hundred lifetime rounds fired" were to be included into consideration, it would've been a runaway winner.

[Dagga Boy]

Want to know the name of the class Wayne and I are teaching at the Rangemaster Conference in March......wait for it....

"What Really Matters".

[MGW]

Using a Texas context, you have just kicked the top off a huge fire ant mound! I shall pop a bowl of popcorn and get something to drink.

Was not my intent. Had hoped actually that you would weigh in.

[GJM]

I've a bag of chocolate, caramel popcorn available - so I will ask:

What is 100% accuracy?

Being in TX, it should be chips and salsa but whatever. I've seen national level competitors and trainers miss a target and look sheepish.

It is an accuracy standard only achieved on the internet.

If I had to reduce it to one drill, the single stack version of the test. Draw and fire 8 rounds on to a B-8 repair center at 10 yards in 10 seconds. Only hits in the 8-9-10 ring count.

For basic, entry level of skill, you need to be able score keep all 8 rounds in the 8 ring. Not 64 points but all 8 rounds in the 8, 9, or 10. If you drop one round out of the 8 ring, I don't care if you put the other 7 in the 10 ring. If you can do that, you have a workable knowledge of the basics.

For an intermediate/advanced level of skill, I want to see 72 points or all eight rounds in the black. All 8 in the black is a bit harder so that is the highest standard on this test. 72 points with something slipping out into the 8 ring is a good intermediate level of skill.

If I added one more test, it would be the most recent version of Tom Givens' 3-M drill, which is a variation of the DTI Dance. Prep the gun with six live rounds and one dummy somewhere in the magazine. The dummy should not be the first round or the last round in the magazine. Have a reload of at least four rounds. On an IALFI-Q Target, at 5 yards, draw and fire until the gun runs empty, clearing the malfunction as it occurs. Reload and fire 3 body and 1 head shot to finish. You must side step on the draw, malfunction clearance, and reload. Body shots must be in the 8" ring, head shot must be in the 4" circle in the head. Tom considers passing to be a clean run in 15 seconds or less. Less than 10 seconds is really good. Personally, I'd like to see the same times but at 7 yards.

These two tests expend 18 rounds and test most anything you're likely to do with the pistol across a good a variety of scenarios.

As far as a manipulation test goes, Tom's Casino drill, and especially the advanced variations will tell you a lot in 21 rounds.

John, the way you have structured your initial B8 drill, you way prioritize accuracy over speed. Someone could have a three or four second draw and complete that test successfully? I recall reading that the average person, with no special skill, can pick up a semi auto and shoot .25 splits. I am thinking that letting a bad guy shoot three or four times as fast as you, at a close distance, would be bad. Also not sure why one round out of the bull is a fail, and why so many rounds on the same target, given the concerns about good vs bad shootings. I am thinking that after three or four perfect rounds, you might shoot somewhere different or consider plan b?

[MGW]

Want to know the name of the class Wayne and I are teaching at the Rangemaster Conference in March......wait for it....

"What Really Matters".

And I absolutely regret not registering and taking the chance that the new FY calendar would be clear.

[MGW]

Specifically shooting standards? I ask, because for self-defense against random crime, the skills outside of shooting tend to be the harder part, IMO.

I agree but I'm asking specifically about shooting standards.

[MGW]

Mind if I join you?

I respect your opinion Paul as do many here. I'm not trolling and I'm not a noob. I'm looking for honest well thought out input here.