If you ever hear a firearms instructor tell you this, run(!) – don’t walk – in the opposite direction…
In fact, I’ve kinda had it with all these “gun gurus” showing people how to properly use your sights when engaging a close-distance threat.
I’d bet dollars to donuts that not a single one of these “influencers” have ever actually tested their theories against some violent thug charging straight at them – a knife or metal pipe in-hand ready to crack their melon wide open.
I have.
For years, another instructor and I ran force-on-force “gunfight training camps” — using simunition ammo, blank rounds, the whole deal — to prove what actually works.
In our tests, we had a real prison felon — a big dude, all padded up — rush them from 30, 40, even 60 feet out.
Most couldn’t even clear their gun out of their holster in time.
Those who did?
We’d ask them afterward: “Did you see your sights?”
Not a single one ever said “Yes.”
Not once!
And here’s why…
Your brain isn’t wired for “aimed fire” when it thinks it’s about to DIE!
Now don’t get me wrong…
There’s absolutely a place for “aimed shooting”.
Active-Shooters… 3rd Party Defense… Snipers On Rooftops And Other Threats Outside Of Close-Range Require A Whole Other Type Of Gear Mods And Training…
…Yet Most Shooters Are Preparing All Wrong For The Reality Of A Long-Distance Pistol Shot!
It’s a sad truth these days that this type of training is even needed…
… but you and I both know that it is.
It could be an active shooter situation (like when Eli Dicken stopped a gunman in an Indiana mall food court from 120 ft. away).
Or it could be a nearby attacker where you’re not their primary target (like when Jack Wilson took out the church shooter from 50 ft. away during morning service in Texas.)
It could even be a sniper on a nearby building (like in the Charlie Kirk assassination).
When You Have The Time And Space To Engage These Threats, You Absolutely MUST Carefully Aim Your Pistol Using Your Sights
But To TAKE That Shot… You Have To TRAIN For That Shot!
Compare any one of the distance scenarios I just gave you with the distance that every red-blooded gun owner is training for down at the range – typically between just 15 – 21 feet.
That’s a far cry from the shot you may think you can make from 30, 50 feet out and beyond.
And you know how I feel about the training failures of close-quarters counter-ambush.
So…
… if you’re not training realistically for close-quarters…
… and you’re not training at distances 50+ feet away for an “active shooter” scenario…
… what exactly ARE you training for?
The truth is that, for most shooters, range time is little more than “target practice.”
Plinking.
Unrealistic Scenarios… At Unrealistic Distances… With Unrealistic Flat, Paper Targets… Using Unrealistic Techniques That Will FAIL You When You Need Them In “Real Life”
Let Me Help You Train To Pull Off A Realistic, Super-Accurate Shot From 50+ Feet Away…
The first (and easiest) thing you can do the next time you go to the range is simply move your target out to the 50′ marker.
Trust me – at 50+ feet away, you start to see just how accurate you REALLY are.
It’s a huge reality check for most shooters (even those who have been shooting for a while) but it’s critical to “test your truth” because you’re responsible for every bullet that comes out of your firearm – no matter who it hits!
So if you’re training at shorter distances and thinking that just because you got your entire shot group “in the bulls-eye”, you’ll be that accurate at 50+ feet…
… you’re just building false confidence in your skills.
The good news is that once you start shooting at these distances, you really begin to see how small improvements in your aiming can bring your shot groups in tighter and tighter.
So it offers you solid confirmation that you’re doing something right with every little skill adjustment you make to your shooting technique.
Once You’ve Set Up Your Training Environment For A Realistic Long-Distance Shot, It’s Time To Talk About Your Load-Out Because…
How You Set Up Your Gun Can Either Help You Or Hurt You When Trying To Make An Accurate Long-Distance Shot With Your Pistol…
For me, my carry gun is set up for the most probable attack – a surprise, close-quarters ambush.
But with just a few small modifications, you can have the best of both worlds.
For example – another thing that will help you get a more precise shot at longer distances is to modify your gun’s front sight with what’s commonly known as a “gip.”
This falls under the “aim small, hit small” category.
(Yes, I know most people say, “aim small, miss small”, but personally, I don’t want to “miss” anything… so why not flip it and train your brain for actually hitting your target?)
Here’s how you do it…
Using a toothpick dipped in a acrylic paint (that’s a different, high-contrast color than your pistol’s sights), make a super-tiny “dot” at the very top of your front sight post.
Then, when it dries, add a thin layer of varnish or clear nail polish over it to keep it from coming off.
For precision shots at a distance, focusing on the “gip” makes it way easier to micro-focus your sight on your target than the larger front sight.
The “Gip” Works Great For Micro-Aiming Your Pistol, BUT… You Still Have To Take Your Eyes Off Your Attacker To Use Your Sights
The Good News Is That One More Quick Modification Solves This Problem Instantly…
Thinking that you’ll consciously override your brain’s natural instincts to focus on the threat, not the target, is still a losing battle for most people – even if the threat isn’t actively shooting at you.
Personally, I like to “plan for the worst and hope for the best”.
That’s why you should also make sure your gun has a zeroed-in laser sight fixed to it, just under the barrel.
With a laser fixed to your pistol, your eyes can now naturally see BOTH the attacker AND the bullet’s impact point – WITHOUT having to adjust your eyes back and forth between the threat and your sights.
(I highly suggest you go with as low-profile with your laser choice as possible so it doesn’t interfere with your drawstroke or your pistol grip. I personally chose the Predator Laser for my handgun because it has a powerful 3R laser that can be seen out to 300 yards and it’s the only laser I’ve found that has a low enough profile that doesn’t interfere with my drawstroke or grip. Plus, it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than most of the other laser sighting systems out there.)
These are all simple, cheap modifications you can make to your training and your gear setup to give you almost “sniper-like” accuracy at longer ranges – and it’s well worth your time for that scenario where you’re a good 30, 40, even 50 ft. and beyond from your target.
At that range, you need every little “cheat” you can use, right?
As a novice shooter I find this to be good advice. Thanks!
Thanks Jeff. Ordered 5 laser sights. You other folks may want this as well, at quantity of 5, $19 each. Can’t wait to test them.
Let us know how it goes Michael!
Thank you Jeff…this is all great advice and I will try to incorporate it into my future practice sessions.
Jeff –
So are you suggesting we have BOTH? Make the modification you described to the front sight AND also have a laser?
Yes Dane. It’s best to have options. Train with both of them so you know your gear (and skills’) personal limitations. Anything you add to your weapon – as well as “advice” you get (including mine) should always be tested to see how it works for you.
Thank you for the timely article. Your suggestions seem practical and makes sense to me. I’m glad I stopped to read it. Thanks again.
I have always said you a Genius; and all Your expertise in all firearm knowledge only proves my comment.
Thanks again and always
How is this going to fit a holster? Who makes one that it will fit?
I personally use Crimson Trace laser grips on my everyday carry firearm. You grip your firearm and the laser turns on automatically and the battery life is excellent. The only issue you might have is, do they manufacture grips for your firearm. If your grips are not removeable they have laserguards that mount on the trigger guard for some firearms.