Welcome aboard @Tedd . New shooter for me would be at 10ft. No high powered handgun unless they have the mindset that they would not try anything else (manly). Confidence builds all disciplines quicker IMO.
Now new shoorters are a mixed bag of nuts, I know was one once. I put as much thought as I could into my purchase and purpose for my handgun. That’s on one side, on a another side is like my son-in-law. He’s the guy that purchased a handgun and placed it in a drawer and now he is safe. I also know that new shooters gravitate to those they like who may not necessarily be competent. And yes I agree, confidence does build a lot.
Tom Givens has the most complete database of students with self defense incidents. To date, 67 of his students have been involved in gunfights. Over 85% of the incidents occur in the 3 to 5 yards range or 9 to 15 feet, so 12 feet is good place to do most of your practice.
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Chad - Do you have any idea how many Tom Givens has taught in total? And, where does he teach?
It is probably quite big number, since he has been working as firearms instructor for almost forty years.
Check his Company: Rangemaster Firearms Training Services, LLC
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He spent 20 plus years as a law enforcement officer in Memphis and then 20 years with the indoor range in Memphis. So easily 10’s of thousands.
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Thanks!
I like starting out new shooters at 3-4 yds as I feel it is a distance to build their confidence and let them see what they are doing and not frustrate them with longer distances. With my more advanced shooters we regularly train out to 50 plus yards with handgun as it shows where you really stand with your fundamentals as well as give you that confidence that it is capable of making those hits if the need ever got that bad.
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We know that the majority of violent attacks occur between 10-15ft. Therefore, by starting new shooters out at 10ft, I can build their confidence even before I begin introducing defensive shooting.
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12ft seems to me the distance you would use in a home defense situation
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No need to apologize, sir. After review and getting a better understanding of my reply, I unfortunately left out that I had a good amount of detail regarding that particular incident.
And you are correct; there is, and was, a great deal we learned.
Stay safe, stay strong, and stay adept.
I think the general consensus is 3-5 yards I start them out with small paper plates bigger paper plates the farther back till they are putting good groups together. I then get playing cards and have them put on target what they see line up nine cards and have them shoot what ever number is on the face the group must be on the card no exceptions. It’s an accuracy and fundamentals reinforcement they miss push ups in a safe location! Because it’s a static drill it works on the critical thinking. As well as shot placement and round count. Non timed for beginners for advanced beginners timed and for advanced and expert from the holster. the times matter mostly to improve draw press shot times you want them to do this as smooth as possible smooth is fast and practice is essential
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Start near and work your way out. This is the best way to me…
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Everyone is different so the answer is close enough to get good groups.
Bad breath distance! Then work your way out to the capabilities of both weapons and operator!
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IMO ** new shooters should shoot at closer/easier distances to build up confidence skill. ( walk don’t run )
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