{"id":305414,"date":"2022-08-26T17:00:50","date_gmt":"2022-08-26T23:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=305414"},"modified":"2022-11-15T09:29:28","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T15:29:28","slug":"long-range-handguns-yes-its-a-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/long-range-handguns-yes-its-a-thing\/","title":{"rendered":"Long Range Handguns: Yes, it’s a Thing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Long range handgun use is a topic that isn\u2019t discussed nearly enough, and far too many gun owners are comfortable keeping their trigger time with handguns under 10 yards.<\/p>\n

The occasional tall tales in the gun world involve stunningly accurate long-range shots with small-caliber handguns, but there are true stories as well. And while those true accounts of precise long-range use might occur with less frequency than those that took place at much closer ranges, they do exist. So, why do long-range handgun training and use matter? Read on to find out.<\/p>\n

\"long
What’s a long range target with handguns? How far is “far”? (Photo credit: AR500 Steel Targets)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is long range with handguns, really?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s reasonable to state that different shooters have varying ideas of what is<\/em> and is not<\/em> considered long range. To some, that distance might be 25 yards; to others, it could be 100 yards (or more). Generally speaking, 50 to 100 yards is considered long range shooting, but that\u2019s not a hard and fast rule. For example, a 40-yard shot is pretty far, as Eli Dicken could tell you.<\/p>\n

\"Eli
Eli Dicken fired ten rounds from a distance of 40 yards<\/a> at an armed active killer in a mall. Eight of his shots struck the target. Could you do that? (Photo credit: reporter.net) One of the positive take-aways has been the sudden popularity of the so-called “Eli Dicken drill<\/a>“; and while some would argue (correctly) that pistol shots at range should have always been a part of our regimen, the simple fact is that they weren’t<\/em>. Not for many of us. So we’re happy to see this young man’s marksmanship reinforce the need to train at range. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You might think you don\u2019t need the skill or familiarity with your handgun to shoot it beyond, say, 25 yards, but you\u2019d be wrong. You can\u2019t really say if or when you might need to take a longer shot with your handgun. It\u2019s the bad guys who decide when to attack, and they choose the location and distance, too.<\/p>\n

\"Glock
Get your foundation skills nailed down before venturing into something like long-range handgun work. (Photo credit: Kat Stevens)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How do you practice long range with handguns?<\/h2>\n

Just as with any shooting, your foundation skills have to come first. Without them, your misses will be dramatic. This is because a shot that\u2019s slightly off target at ten yards can miss entirely at 50 or 100 yards. It might be frustrating, but it\u2019s a must to take the time to hone your foundation skills before worrying about something like long range with handguns.<\/p>\n

\"Instructor
Instructor Massad Ayoob runs his students through a five-point checklist for foundational shooting skills. (Photo credit: Kat Stevens)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Respected firearms instructor Massad Ayoob suggests students run through a five-step checklist prior to taking a shot:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Strong stance<\/li>\n
  2. High hand grasp<\/li>\n
  3. Crush your grip<\/li>\n
  4. Front sight<\/li>\n
  5. Smooth roll of the trigger<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Basically, working on long range shots requires solid foundation skills and good follow-through. Much like long range with rifles, it doesn\u2019t help your accuracy if you pop your head up to check the target the instant you press the trigger. Follow-through matters.<\/p>\n

    \"Burris
    Having a scope on the handgun you use for hunting is a great idea, but not exactly practical for carry guns. (Photo credit: Burris Optics)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Do you need optics for long range handgun shooting?<\/h2>\n

    Whether or not you mount optics to your handgun for long-range shooting depends on what you\u2019re practicing to do. If you plan to take longer shots while handgun hunting, you\u2019re going to want that scope on your gun (and your gun\u2019s going to be a bigger bore, too).<\/p>\n

    However, if you want to train for long range work because of potential self-defense scenarios, an optic won\u2019t serve you well in the long run. You\u2019re going to want to practice with your gun using the same setup you\u2019re carrying it with, and that\u2019s going to mean no scope.<\/p>\n

    As for red dot sights, which are, of course, a type of optic, it\u2019s a maybe. Using a red dot can certainly make you more accurate, but depending on the size of the dot it could also obscure your target. This is just one of the reasons it\u2019s a good idea to have a red dot with an adjustable MOA dot.<\/p>\n

    \"Vortex
    A red dot sight mounted to a Glock. Red dots can be great for carry guns. (Photo credit: Velocity Triggers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    If you run your daily carry gun with a red dot then yes, you\u2019d better find out how well it works for you while shooting longer distances. There are pros and cons to red dots and when it comes right down to it, it\u2019s a matter of personal preference.<\/p>\n

    \"Triarc
    Yes, 1911s can do long-range, too. (Photo credit: Triarc Systems)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    What handgun is best for long range?<\/h2>\n

    There\u2019s no single handgun that\u2019s best for making longer-distance shots. As with anything, the choice of gun depends on use. If you\u2019re hunting, you\u2019re probably going to have a larger gun with a longer barrel. If you\u2019re focused on self-defense, you\u2019re likely toting a standard or compact pistol. There\u2019s not a gun that will make you an amazing long range shot. You have to put the work in.<\/p>\n

    \"Winchester
    Caliber and specific brand and load of ammunition matter. You also need to use your chosen defensive ammunition for long-range practice rather than only using target rounds. (Photo credit: Winchester)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    That said, there are a few things to keep in mind when you shift your focus to long range shooting with handguns:<\/p>\n