Where do you shoot?

Boris Bush · June 11, 2008, 07:16 AM

Not the static range you go to. I want to know where you plan on shooting and how much if you ever have to. By where I mean placement of your shot.

We all preach shot placement but what exactly do you shoot for, how many times and what will you do if it fails?

I shoot like most will. COM. I practice 2 COM, assess the situation and plant one COF (center of face) if the first two fail.

Some go for the hip and some keep on blasting COM no matter the result.

Do you practice failure (to stop the BG) drills?

Anyone got a story to tell, not many do but we can learn from every real life happening..............

Sigma 40 Blaster · June 11, 2008, 07:34 AM

I don't go center of mass, I go center of chest. Usually in groups of three.

For headshots I go for a 2x4 inch rectangle that is between the outside edges of the eyes between the top of the eyes and bottom of the nose.

Up to seven yards NP. At paper targets geared towards DEA or FBI qualifications, not the super human silhouettes used for most CHL stuff.

bigbadbowtie · June 11, 2008, 08:03 AM

I usually practice hitting center chest and center head.

Keltyke · June 11, 2008, 08:25 AM

Center chest, at the nipple line. Shoot until the threat is negated. I don't know how many I'd fire at first, probably two quick ones, BAMBAM, then reevaluate.

xrocket · June 11, 2008, 08:48 AM

.

My personal routine is "3 on 3" ... always.

Focus is on a quick three shot string in a triangle from the Adams apple and nipple to nipple and here's why. Picture a high centerline between the shoulders.

This area holds four opportunities for successfully cessation of hostilities. Heart, two lungs and spinal column. If I miss high it's the head. Miss low and it's the COM. Miss left or right and it's a potential incapacitation of the gun shoulder or arm. If I'm doing my part I'll be moving off center and Bg could be turning or bobbing around and I now have the potential to hit significant multiple internal areas (ex: shoulder, lung, heart transgression) with any one through shot.

There is nothing wrong with a COM point of view and it has been taught and practiced for a very long time with success. I just choose to practice a few inches higher and always in threes.

Focused "3 on 3" weekly practice with a purpose yields excellent results.

I need to add one very important point about my practice. I don't shoot full-size human silhouettes targets like most. I use the rifle silhouette target scaled to 25 yards. Visualize a half size torso target. With the half size target I practice shooting at the normal 3,7,15 yards. The idea here is:

Think small.
See small.
Aim small.
Shoot small.

Equals tighter hits on smaller target area.

.

TheNatureBoy · June 11, 2008, 04:33 PM

Upper torso.

wnycollector · June 11, 2008, 04:52 PM

I practice 2 and 1's (2 to the chest and 1 to the head) EVERY time I go to the range. Since I carry a revolver (S&W J frame) most of the time, shot placement and ammo conservation are critical

AK103K · June 11, 2008, 06:17 PM

COM/head mostly, and that can differ with distance and gun.

Up close, I tend to shoot for that little depression under the nose, head on, or anywhere along that horizontal line that intersects the base of the neck.

As the distance increases, COM first.

If your range allows, and I know a lot dont, realistic targets with people on them are much better to practice on than most other types. Bullseye targets are pretty much a waste. You can also get targets with views different than most usually shoot, like off to the side and side, which give a different perspective. Not all shots will be head on.

Avenger11 · June 11, 2008, 06:19 PM

When I go to the range, I practice accuracy, function, reliability and safety. I do not focus on how I would kill another human being!! I'll leave that to the internet Machismo's here that don't have a clue what they would do in a real life threatening situation!!

AK103K · June 11, 2008, 06:32 PM

So they wont let you practice realistically at your range then, eh? Bummer.

Boris Bush · June 11, 2008, 07:12 PM

Avenger11

Keep in mind some people here go to a job everyday where they might need to use a pistol to end a life. When I go to work I practice for a "real life threatening situation", thankfuly not in this country. This internet "Machismo" has used lethal force in a life threatening situation.

Everyday the war goes on there is even more that have, just something to keep in mind......

Erik · June 11, 2008, 07:46 PM

"Where do you shoot?"

COM and head.

"We all preach shot placement but what exactly do you shoot for, how many times and what will you do if it fails?"

I shoot for the COM of the best target presented, as rapidly as possible. Depending on rate of fire, I practice to transition, as necessary, from COM to head after 2-4 shots.

"Do you practice failure (to stop the BG) drills?"

Yes; COM to head. (95% of my failure drill time is spent on COM and head with COM to pelvic girdle worked in occasisonally. My "default" is COM to head, though.)

Avenger11 · June 11, 2008, 08:02 PM

My range is all about the fun and hobby of the shooting sport. Not about how best to kill someone!!

Rich Miranda · June 11, 2008, 08:02 PM

I never really thought about precise shot placement, to be perfectly honest.

I always imagine that I'd shoot COM (first time using that acronym) but I'm not sure. My range does not allow the use of anything but their own targets, which are just orange rings and a bullseye.

I'm not sure where I'd shoot a person, but I can sure shoot the heck out of a piece of paper!

Rich Miranda · June 11, 2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

My range is all about the fun and hobby of the shooting sport. Not about how best to kill someone!!

Ditto here. I would like to take some tactical training classes, but this is different to me than my (usually) weekly range shooting.

AK103K · June 11, 2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

My range is all about the fun and hobby of the shooting sport. Not about how best to kill someone!!

Theres plenty of the fun and hobby stuff too. Not knocking that at all, I shoot a number of different disciplines of the "sport". Its just that things are not always about fun and hobby, and if you carry one, you had better be in the right mind and be proficient with it.

Epyon · June 11, 2008, 09:17 PM

afford to do IDPA. That'd be fun to do.

bhornjr · June 12, 2008, 01:31 AM

Maybe I'm boring but I shoot Bullseye targets at my local indoor range. I practice two-handed, dominate hand and weakside for the bullseye, just trying to keep good groups.

gunman2000 · June 12, 2008, 02:06 AM

i normally go com to head and always double tap

B.N.Real · June 12, 2008, 07:29 PM

Center of chest.

By the time you're going for a head shot,the perps going to be so close,he's committing suicide anyway.

I practice with the hostage target as well at seven yards.

Just in case,I have to save my wife's life from a burgular or attacker one day.

I can guarantee you I won't be discussing options with him if that ever happens.

AK103K · June 12, 2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

I practice with the hostage target as well at seven yards.

Me too.

DA single shots from the holster at ten yards.....

These work well too....

bluetopper · June 12, 2008, 09:35 PM

Where do I try and place my shot?

Inside the 10 ring at 25 yards with one free hand.

I was taught that if a pistol was meant to be shot with two hands it would have two handles on it.

10-96 · June 12, 2008, 09:53 PM

Don't sell yourself short by convincing yourself that you must shoot 1, 2, 3, or however many shots and then stop to assess. If it is you endeavor to deliver violence to a means of stopping violence directed to you- then it should be your primary intent to 'shoot to stop the threat, and shoot until the threat stops'. If it means getting one shot off- so be it. But if it requires more than what you've practiced to the point of shooting your standard amount, but the situation calls for more? Remember, some folks really do fight like they train.

As far as 'where'- I'm working on the practice of putting hits to the pelvic area. But not forgetting that any hit is better than none.

Swiper · June 13, 2008, 12:40 AM

Pretty much echoed what has already been said, was taught to "aim high, or aim low" going for head/center chest or the pelvic region. Nothing really vital in the "center mass" area, but I think people just generally assume that means center chest...I dunno.

Just started doing transition and reload drills as well, really fun stuff to get into.

-Swiper.

Breadslinger · June 18, 2008, 02:27 PM

2 to 3 quick shots at the largest surface area available. That will hopefully slow down the BG enough to concentrate the rest of my fire on vital areas.

June 11, 2008, 07:16 AM	#1
Boris Bush Junior member Join Date: September 7, 2007 Posts: 921	Where do you shoot? Not the static range you go to. I want to know where you plan on shooting and how much if you ever have to. By where I mean placement of your shot. We all preach shot placement but what exactly do you shoot for, how many times and what will you do if it fails? I shoot like most will. COM. I practice 2 COM, assess the situation and plant one COF (center of face) if the first two fail. Some go for the hip and some keep on blasting COM no matter the result. Do you practice failure (to stop the BG) drills? Anyone got a story to tell, not many do but we can learn from every real life happening..............

June 11, 2008, 08:48 AM	#5
xrocket Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2007 Posts: 549	. My personal routine is "3 on 3" ... always. Focus is on a quick three shot string in a triangle from the Adams apple and nipple to nipple and here's why. Picture a high centerline between the shoulders. This area holds four opportunities for successfully cessation of hostilities. Heart, two lungs and spinal column. If I miss high it's the head. Miss low and it's the COM. Miss left or right and it's a potential incapacitation of the gun shoulder or arm. If I'm doing my part I'll be moving off center and Bg could be turning or bobbing around and I now have the potential to hit significant multiple internal areas (ex: shoulder, lung, heart transgression) with any one through shot. There is nothing wrong with a COM point of view and it has been taught and practiced for a very long time with success. I just choose to practice a few inches higher and always in threes. Focused "3 on 3" weekly practice with a purpose yields excellent results. I need to add one very important point about my practice. I don't shoot full-size human silhouettes targets like most. I use the rifle silhouette target scaled to 25 yards. Visualize a half size torso target. With the half size target I practice shooting at the normal 3,7,15 yards. The idea here is: Think small. See small. Aim small. Shoot small. Equals tighter hits on smaller target area. . __________________ If you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything. My stand begins with "WE THE PEOPLE" ... Last edited by xrocket; June 11, 2008 at 03:41 PM.

June 11, 2008, 07:46 PM	#12
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	"Where do you shoot?" COM and head. "We all preach shot placement but what exactly do you shoot for, how many times and what will you do if it fails?" I shoot for the COM of the best target presented, as rapidly as possible. Depending on rate of fire, I practice to transition, as necessary, from COM to head after 2-4 shots. "Do you practice failure (to stop the BG) drills?" Yes; COM to head. (95% of my failure drill time is spent on COM and head with COM to pelvic girdle worked in occasisonally. My "default" is COM to head, though.) __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective Last edited by Erik; June 11, 2008 at 11:08 PM.

June 11, 2008, 08:02 PM	#14
Rich Miranda Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2008 Location: San Antonio, not San Antone... Posts: 1,203	I never really thought about precise shot placement, to be perfectly honest. I always imagine that I'd shoot COM (first time using that acronym) but I'm not sure. My range does not allow the use of anything but their own targets, which are just orange rings and a bullseye. I'm not sure where I'd shoot a person, but I can sure shoot the heck out of a piece of paper! __________________ Read this!: I collect .38 Special and .357 Mag cartridges and I will PAY CASH for the headstamps I don't already have! Please PM me. Please donate blood, plasma, and platelets - people's lives literally depend on it.

June 11, 2008, 09:17 PM	#17
Epyon Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2006 Location: Awesome, Colorado Posts: 700	I wish I could... afford to do IDPA. That'd be fun to do. __________________ Vote Epyon for president in 2008, if you vote for Epyon all of your wildest dreams will come true: This campaign was brought to you by Epyon; funded in part by the Pizza Party, Surprise Party, Birthday Party, and Slumber Party.

June 11, 2008, 07:34 AM	#2
Sigma 40 Blaster Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: East Texas Posts: 997	I don't go center of mass, I go center of chest. Usually in groups of three. For headshots I go for a 2x4 inch rectangle that is between the outside edges of the eyes between the top of the eyes and bottom of the nose. Up to seven yards NP. At paper targets geared towards DEA or FBI qualifications, not the super human silhouettes used for most CHL stuff.

June 11, 2008, 08:03 AM	#3
bigbadbowtie Member Join Date: November 4, 2006 Location: Northern AL Posts: 53	I usually practice hitting center chest and center head.

June 11, 2008, 08:25 AM	#4
Keltyke Junior member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 2,933	Center chest, at the nipple line. Shoot until the threat is negated. I don't know how many I'd fire at first, probably two quick ones, BAMBAM, then reevaluate.

June 11, 2008, 04:33 PM	#6
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	Upper torso.

June 11, 2008, 04:52 PM	#7
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	I practice 2 and 1's (2 to the chest and 1 to the head) EVERY time I go to the range. Since I carry a revolver (S&W J frame) most of the time, shot placement and ammo conservation are critical

June 11, 2008, 06:17 PM	#8
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	COM/head mostly, and that can differ with distance and gun. Up close, I tend to shoot for that little depression under the nose, head on, or anywhere along that horizontal line that intersects the base of the neck. As the distance increases, COM first. If your range allows, and I know a lot dont, realistic targets with people on them are much better to practice on than most other types. Bullseye targets are pretty much a waste. You can also get targets with views different than most usually shoot, like off to the side and side, which give a different perspective. Not all shots will be head on.

June 11, 2008, 06:19 PM	#9
Avenger11 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2007 Posts: 311	When I go to the range, I practice accuracy, function, reliability and safety. I do not focus on how I would kill another human being!! I'll leave that to the internet Machismo's here that don't have a clue what they would do in a real life threatening situation!!

June 11, 2008, 06:32 PM	#10
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	So they wont let you practice realistically at your range then, eh? Bummer.

June 11, 2008, 07:12 PM	#11
Boris Bush Junior member Join Date: September 7, 2007 Posts: 921	Avenger11 Keep in mind some people here go to a job everyday where they might need to use a pistol to end a life. When I go to work I practice for a "real life threatening situation", thankfuly not in this country. This internet "Machismo" has used lethal force in a life threatening situation. Everyday the war goes on there is even more that have, just something to keep in mind......

June 12, 2008, 01:31 AM	#18
bhornjr Member Join Date: June 4, 2008 Posts: 92	Going for the bull Maybe I'm boring but I shoot Bullseye targets at my local indoor range. I practice two-handed, dominate hand and weakside for the bullseye, just trying to keep good groups.

June 12, 2008, 02:06 AM	#19
gunman2000 Member Join Date: June 12, 2008 Location: USA Posts: 23	i normally go com to head and always double tap

June 12, 2008, 07:29 PM	#20
B.N.Real Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Posts: 4,092	Center of chest. By the time you're going for a head shot,the perps going to be so close,he's committing suicide anyway. I practice with the hostage target as well at seven yards. Just in case,I have to save my wife's life from a burgular or attacker one day. I can guarantee you I won't be discussing options with him if that ever happens.

June 12, 2008, 09:35 PM	#22
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	Where do I try and place my shot? Inside the 10 ring at 25 yards with one free hand. I was taught that if a pistol was meant to be shot with two hands it would have two handles on it.

June 12, 2008, 09:53 PM	#23
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	Don't sell yourself short by convincing yourself that you must shoot 1, 2, 3, or however many shots and then stop to assess. If it is you endeavor to deliver violence to a means of stopping violence directed to you- then it should be your primary intent to 'shoot to stop the threat, and shoot until the threat stops'. If it means getting one shot off- so be it. But if it requires more than what you've practiced to the point of shooting your standard amount, but the situation calls for more? Remember, some folks really do fight like they train. As far as 'where'- I'm working on the practice of putting hits to the pelvic area. But not forgetting that any hit is better than none. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

June 13, 2008, 12:40 AM	#24
Swiper Member Join Date: June 9, 2008 Posts: 18	Pretty much echoed what has already been said, was taught to "aim high, or aim low" going for head/center chest or the pelvic region. Nothing really vital in the "center mass" area, but I think people just generally assume that means center chest...I dunno. Just started doing transition and reload drills as well, really fun stuff to get into. -Swiper. __________________ "Veni, Vidi, Bibet"

June 18, 2008, 02:27 PM	#25
Breadslinger Member Join Date: May 7, 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 49	2 to 3 quick shots at the largest surface area available. That will hopefully slow down the BG enough to concentrate the rest of my fire on vital areas.