Best practice distance for quick double tap firing

[Allen]

At my last trip to the gun range I decided to see how accurate I could be by picking up my CM9 quickly off a shelf and firing 2-3 rounds as fast as I could pull the trigger instead of seeing how many rounds I could put in a saucer with very careful aiming. At 15-18 feet I could always keep those 2-3 rounds in the human shape target somewhere between the waist and shoulders.

How much further should I be able to do this for personal protection? I figured if I was to wake up in the middle of the night with somone prowling around in my house, or even bedroom, I'm not going to be taking timed careful aiming.

I was surprised I could even hit the target, but hopefully with more practice I'll be able to get my shots more centered in the target. Kind of like shooting a shotgun, you see the sight and the direction it's pointing but don't take time to concentate on it.

[b4uqzme]

We shot an IDPA event Saturday. The target is an 8 inch center-of-mass circle or a 6 inch head shot. We were required to put two shots on target from distances varying from 3 feet to 20 yards. All while moving and/or from various cover. IDPA is training for just the type scenario you mention. I recommend it to everyone. Or practice your double taps from varying distances and you'll find yourself improving quickly. Jm2cents.

[muggsy]

If you can consistently place your shots on a standard sheet of typing paper from 7 yards or 21 feet I'd say that you are reasonably good to go.

[Allen]

Wow. At 15-20 feet I don't do too bad, but 20 yards, that's getting out there some. At that distance I'd be surprised if I could hit an 8" disc with the little CM9 taking all the time I needed. Maybe with my S&W .357 or .44 mag, but I'm going to need much much more practice with this little 9mm.

[Bawanna]

20 yards is really stretching it for the average CCW holder. It would have to be a real bad situation before I'd shoot at 20 yards and it wouldn't be double taps.

The beauty of distance is the bad guy probably can't hit at that distance either but he might get lucky.

If I'm minute of pie plate at 7-10 yards I consider myself good to go.

[Yogi 117]

20 yards is really stretching it for the average CCW holder. It would have to be a real bad situation before I'd shoot at 20 yards and it wouldn't be double taps.

The beauty of distance is the bad guy probably can't hit at that distance either but he might get lucky.

If I'm minute of pie plate at 7-10 yards I consider myself good to go.

+1...I limit my double tap practice to 10 yards. At my gun club, the next available distance is 25 yards, way way too far for double tap practice. YMMV!

[Allen]

Glad to hear I'm not all that far off for beginning double tap practice at 5-6 yards. Next trip I'll try 8-9 yards, but considering almost 30 feet is practically all the way to the alley from my patio and that's a fair distance. (No I'm not shooting there, just visially imaging how far that is). Not sure I'll ever be able to do it but am going to try.

[b4uqzme]

I think the logic is that, if you can practice to hit varying distances (including up to 20 yards), you should be able to be effective if you ever get into a real world situation. I practiced double taps at the standard 7 yards and thought I was pretty good. I found out different at my first IDPA event where I was on the clock and moving and sometimes shooting moving targets, etc. I'm thankful for the training.

[TruckGun]

Great thread, thanks guys!

[Akoustic]

I hit the range twice a month. Session starts with Mozambique Drills using the CM9 at 5 yards, 84 rounds.

Fall back to 10 yards same drills, 84 rounds. Out comes the 1911, 10 yards, same Mozambique Drill, 36 rounds.

Session ends with more deliberate, but not too slow, shooting at 20 yards 36 rounds. It is true when folks say the CM9 is not a range gun, however, spend a little more time pointing and shooting you will find it to be a devastating and accurate defensive weapon.

[TheTman]

Good example of the Mozambique Drill, or Triple Tap done in under a second. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8QrWm3Acc0

[TheTman]

Good example of the Mozambique Drill, or Triple Tap done in under a second, including drawing the weapon from the holster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8QrWm3Acc0

[CPTKILLER]

Practice at the range you plan to engage a target at. This works for me from my Kahr MK9 to a M60A3 tank.

[TheTman]

Good example of the Mozambique Drill, or Triple Tap done in under a second, including drawing the weapon from the holster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8QrWm3Acc0

Unfortunately, that would get you kicked out of the two indoor ranges I shoot at. They require 1 second between each shot. You can get away with the occasional double tap. It's best to do it when there are a few others shooting so they aren't sure who did it. Or if it was just two different guns going off. You'd best not mess up and hit the wires holding and sending the targets back and forth, or you're banned from the range for a while. And I think they make you pay for the repair, if you want to shoot there again.

[Allen]

That's funny that someone could throw lead that wild cause it reminds me of my trip to the range to qualify on the 1911 .45 during my National Guard days back in the late 50's when I was 18-20 years old. The target was big as a house door, the bullseye was big as a dinner plate, and only about 15-18 feet away. Heck, back home I shot coke cans further away than that with my Hi-Standard .22 pistol. Familiarization went fine but during the 5-round sustained timed fireing I saw dirt fly up once about 2/3s the way to the target. Surely wasn't me, but then I realized I was the only one at the range at that time, so I thought boy I'd better get on the ball and quit jerking on the trigger. I finally qualified "Expert" but realized in a hurry that the 1911 was a lot different from my 6" barrel .22.