Define "Good Enough"

[NMshooter]

To add a little clarity, that was into the kill zone (the "T" shaped eye-nose area) from the holster. Both me and the target were stationary. Even at that level of practice, if I was moving or the target was moving, or both, 15 yards was a bit much for a head shot.

I can not currently afford to shoot a case of ammo a month, so I adjust my tactics accordingly.

 

[Ivy Mike]

For me to be comfortable in carrying, a few factors must be met.

First off, I NEVER practice in a range. he open spaces the Great state of Nevada has to offer allows plenty of room and more importantly MILES of clear backstops to practice into.

1st. Drawing any weapon I have listed on my permit. If I haven't qualified with a weapon for the state, I can't carry it.
I must be able to draw it from any common position in many types of clothing without a snag. If I cannot, I practice more. If I still can't, I rethink what I am wearing. If I still can't after a wardrobe change, I consider a firearm change.
2nd. Accuracy is paramount. I must be able to put at least two shots (doubletap if you will) into an attacker at varying ranges from ANY position.
As of right now, I can do it while side stepping, stepping backwards, walking forwards and laying on my back and side. If I can't do this, it is time to practice more.
3rd. Fighting without the weapon drawn. I must be able to put up a decent fight without/before exposing the gun. For this, I study Krav Maga. The idea behind Krav Maga is to fight, disable ones attacker and get away. What I have learned is to disable ones attacker and then, if need be, draw a weapon. Freeing yourself from an attack buys you precious seconds to unholster and assess further threats. You MUST be able to assess these threats according to rules one and two.

If I can't perform these reliably in practice, I don't think I'd feel comfortable carrying.
That being said, I haven't gone shooting in over two months. Time to head down for some winnie white box.

 

[Mute]

I understand your point. I've been to my share of training schools and practice when I can, but I don't have a so called comfort level becuase I feel that you can always improve. As long as one does not delude oneself that if you've met your comfort level that's good enough, then no problem. As good as anyone can be, one luck (or unlucky if you like) shot is all it takes to ruin your day. Don't let complaceny shortchange you.

 

[Ankeny]

I shoot pretty well and I'll have to go down hill a lot before I would consider leaving the gun in the night stand. In fact, I would have to be so feeble as to be unsafe before I would never carry again.

I learned on Glock Talk that this issue can also be very emotional. According to some folks, if I don't meet their standards, I have no business packing a gun period. I hollered baloney and got flamed big time.

 

[Island Beretta]

you are good enough when you are able to apply the appropriate response needed for the situation.

It could mean physically: a 1 sec. shot at 5 yds., a .5 sec. shot at 2 yds, running, jumping, shooting round barricades etc. (say IPSC) or mentally: staying in the fight, resisting the pressure etc.

 

[rdbrowning]

NMshooter said "My "maximum allowable engagement distance" is the distance at which I feel confident of keeping all my rounds in the target."

This raises the question, If you can only keep ALL of your rounds in a target at 15 yards and someone starts shooting at 25 yards, would you not shoot back for fear of only getting 50% hits? One good/lucky round from either side will probably end things pretty quickly. Like they say about the lottery, the odds of winning may not be great, but the odds of loosing are prettty high. Years ago I was at a range with my brothers and took a pot shot at a 2 liter soda bottle at 100 yards. To everyone's amazement, I hit it. At 100 yards you may have options of escaping without a fight, but at 25 yards I wouldn't sit out a fight for my life just because I wasn't gaurenteed to win.

 

[NMshooter]

Well, if the bad guy is at 25 yards I certainly won't guarantee a 4" or less group. Just because it is in the black on a B27 target does not mean it is in the kill zone. So I would avoid taking a head shot unless I had no other choice. Torso shots are a whole different story.

Of course it all depends on what, and who might be behind the bad guy. Not to mention if I am behind cover or moving to cover, and if he is stationary or moving himself.

What actions I take depend on the situation as I perceive it.

Most handguns can be used to engage people out to 200 yards (aiming for center mass). Not something I would do unless I was having a VERY bad day.

 

[Dan the Man]

I like the paper plate rule. If I have demonstrated it on the range and can hit a paper plate, then I would feel comfortable doing it in the real world. For example, I practice with my hunting rifle on a field-expedient rest and can hit a paper plate at 300 yards. So, I am comfortable taking a shot while hunting out to 300 yards. I am able to consistently hit a paper plate at 100 yards off-hand with my double rifle. So, I am comfortable taking a 100 yard shot off-hand while hunting with my double rifle (as it turned out, my professional hunter wasn't comfortable with it, but that was his problem not mine ).

For any pistol I carry concealed for defensive use, I use the same rule. So, if the situation called for a shot at 15 yards, I would do it only if I had demonstrated consistent hits at 15 yards with a paper plate. Same at seven yards. Same at 25 yards. Same for a 'draw from concealment and rapid shot'.

I like the paper plate targets because they are not expensive, so I can spend more money on ammo.

For my current carry gun, I am good on a rapid draw from concealment and shot out to 15 yards, and paper-plate effective out to 50 yards.

For head shots, I have the 'index card' rule.

If we are ever invaded by aliens that look suspiciously like 8" white round discs, I will be deadly.

Regards to All
--Dan