Where does pistol range stop and rifle range begin

[Dave Workman]

Justin wrote:

I think it's a sliding scale that depends on the skill of the shooter, the gun, and the caliber he's shooting.

For a hard and fast rule of thumb, practical pistol distances are generally around 35-40 yards. Much beyond that, and it's going to be easier to make fast and accurate hits with a rifle.

Welllll, yes and no.

Most people aren't too good with a handgun beyond 50 yards, in that they can't place a precision shot at 75-100 yards.

Others, however, are deadly accurate well beyond that, depending upon the gun of course, as you say.

I've hit targets at better than 200 yards with a Colt 6" Python using factory sights and my handloads. At the annual Elmer Keith memorial long range handgun shoot outside of Spokane, WA, I've hit targets at 150 yards or better with a .41 Magnumn S&W, again using handloads and factory sights. Some of the best handgunners I've ever seen - and nobody ever heard of - attend that shoot.

With a scoped T/C Contender in .223, I've popped a small gong at 200 yards off a sandbag rest.

It takes practice. and patience.

 

[eric1115]

I always thought pistol range was zero up until you got to a rifle

If you have a pistol, that's what you'll use. If you have a rifle and a pistol, you'll use the rifle. Any shot that's makeable with a pistol is going to be higher percentage with a rifle.

 

[Loosedhorse]

Any shot that's makeable with a pistol is going to be higher percentage with a rifle.

At "bad breath" distance, I'd rather have a pistol. And one with a short barrel, at that.

 

[armsmaster270]

I have successfully shot B-27 Silhouettes At 100yards with a model 19 4" using 145gr Silvertips. Aim for the neck hit the heart area. I was much younger then.

 

[Redneck1911.45]

Im new to thr but i do like most things gun. That being said i look forward to learning more and help others do the same...Redneck1911.45

 

[Redneck1911.45]

I believe if you know the weapon be it rifle or pistol and you are comfortable with the distance take the shot...but be realistic in your abilities. If you make a well placed shot the bullet will do its job in most cases. After all accuracy is in "THE PERSON" first in "THE WEAPON" 2nd...

 

[gym]

My marine sniper buddy said something today that made sense, He always reverts to me when pistols are involved, but I was looking at that 930spx, or an AR , and he recommended the shotgun, he said remember a pistol is just to get you to your rifle or shotgun. I see these new loads for shotguns, slugs are good out to 150 yards. That's a heck of a lot farther than my 1911's or my glocks, although it can be done . i think I will go with the new 930spx tomorrow, instead of the AR,Dicks is having a big sale "by the way". Prices better than Buds. We just had a group of gangbangers caught yesterday, firing pistols and rifles 100 yards from our development. The police don't play, most of the residents don't know what gunfire sounds like, but it was the 3d day, enough is enough, they eventually would have killed someone, the area is surrounded with private homes. They got here in a matter of 3 minutes, got them all. That's why I said time for a long gun.You think an autoloader with 8 runds of 12 gauge , maybe a mix of slugs and shot would do the trick? Then maybe a 308 down the road or 30-06 used.He was telling me about a new scope that uses lasers to make the adjustments for you, said they run about a grand, I like that idea, especially if someone is firing at you

 

[Warp]

What do you have in your hands? On your person? Within reach?

Most people who train for defensive purposes don't seem to regularly go beyond 25 yards with pistols.

 

[kimberkid]

Too many variables here. Shooter, gun, distance, target size, etc. My measure is human torso size out to about 50 yards, rifle over that.

This is kinda my rule of thumb too ...

 

[Shienhausser]

I'd love to hit targets at 100 yards with my revolvers but at that point i'm not defending anymore am I.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

IMO, I think a 25 yard pistol shot in a self defense situation is a long shot. At that distance I would rather have a rifle than a pistol. Mostly based on my personal experiences in training classes and how I feel.

 

[Onmilo]

I believe in
10 meters maximum for a self defense handgun
50 meters for a belt size pistol caliber semi auto handgun or revolver
75 meters for a heavy caliber hunting pistol or revolver
150 meters for a single shot rifle caliber hunting handgun

 

[FROGO207]

For me it is the story of bring enough gun for the job intended. If a pistol will reliably do the needed job with certainty then there you have it. If a rifle is needed to get on target with your skill level then don't attempt using a pistol. Practice will move the range used one way or the other. Know your limitations intimately and you will ultimately succeed IMHO

 

[Fishslayer]

If you only have a pistol, then everything is pistol range.

If you have a rifle, why are you using the pistol?

X ring...

 

[Dookie]

Guess I don't get the question. So if I am at the range and I have a handgun I cannot shoot the 500 yard gong, and if I have a rifle I can't shoot the can of tomato soup at 20 feet? Sounds like someone has to much time on there hands.

Or are we talking serious and not fun? Since I plan on never being in a "combat" situation the answer would be RUUUUNNN!!!!!! If hunting, the question is also convoluted. Pistol calibers should not be hunted with, the big magnums for short range and a good rifle for everything. Buddy got his deer at 12 paces with an '06 last year, nother friend got his deer at 20 yards with his 10mm. What if I have a rifle that shoots 44 mag or a pistol that shoots 308?

Someone is over thinking the question, could be me. Either way, that gong and my 22 are going to have a "talk"

 

[Warp]

If hunting, the question is also convoluted. Pistol calibers should not be hunted with,

Oh really

 

[Dookie]

Oh really

Well, if you want to hunt a 200 pound deer with a 9mm, go right ahead.

 

[Warp]

Well, if you want to hunt a 200 pound deer with a 9mm, go right ahead.

You have a HELL of a lot to learn about firearms. Better start reading.

Here is your first task: Explain to me why an 18.5" carbine firing a Buffalo Bore loaded .44 mag is too weak to take out a whitetail deer. Have fun!

 

[Thatguy686]

i personally disagree with all of you but thats why its great to be american i dont just shoot a pistol to see how far i can be accurate to i see how fast i can shoot small groups
pistols are defensive weapons and in a realistic scenario shouldnt be needed past 10-15 yards 96% of all defensive shootings are 3-7 yards anything over 10 yards is shotgun material until 200yards with slugs and then 200-forever is for rifle in my opinion

 

[Onmilo]

That guy 686, I regularly hunt with .22 and .44 Magnum handguns and use several other calibers to dispatch nuisance animals on my property so making the claim that "Pistols are defensive weapons" is a bit misguided and misinformed.

As for 10-200 yards "with slugs", you go slinging Foster slugs from a smoothbore @ 200 yards & report back on how well you have done connecting with a large animal target.

"200 to forever" with a rifle tells me you have never really shot any long range rifle.