Which is the better technique?

[ArchAngelCD]

Like many have already said, dry firing is important. Get some snap caps and go at it. You can find out what you are doing wrong (or right) and correct it. Then go to the range and do some live fire. After you get good at hitting what you shoot at do some drills to simulate real SD situations.

I don't think there is one answer for your question. Some people will do better with shooting many rounds whereas others will do better with a few quality rounds fired. I really like to shoot and shot many thousands of rounds the first year I started shooting. Now I shoot at least once a week but usually twice a week. I shoot an average of 300 rounds each range trip from my handguns. Like I said, I really like to shoot.

 

[DrBoomBoom]

I practice weekly, usually 150 rounds. We belong to a range so I can go whenever. Sometimes if my schedule permits, I'll run by and knock off a quick 50 in additon. I feel a positive difference if I've put in a couple of weeks going more than once, but I feel a bigger negative difference if I skip a week. If I won the lottery, I'd go every day.

 

[CountGlockula]

It really depends WHAT you do at the range.

Training is valuable because it gives you a purpose in going to the range, rather than trying to hit the bull's eye every time at 25, 50 to 75 yards.

I've seen too many folks at the range just limit their shooting repertoire by just trying to hit the 10 point mark.

After successfully taking a self defense handgun class, I have made it a point to not just work on accuracy...but also point shooting, two target scenarios, cover shooting, drawing, off hand/strong hand, etc.

Being able to be fully proficient in handling a handgun has so many benefits.

-If your range offers a membership card then take advantage of it rather than paying every visit.
-Make it a priority to go to the range at least once a week. Nothing like sharpening your skills, and especially if you reload or have a 9mm practice gun; saves expenses.
-When at home dry fire.

The result is a productive shooting session at the range. After doing all my drills and accomplishing my goal, I feel that I'm honing in on the training that was given to me...when the real life situation occurs.

 

[ArizonaTRex]

+ 1 to the Count

I try to get to the range at least twice a month, and really should go more. I base my practice on how well I shoot my first few shots out of my two guns I commonly carry. Since I carry for self-defense (and probably won't be able to fire a few practice rounds in a SD situation) I try to concentrate on perfecting how well those first few cold shots imact on my target. I consistently find that I shoot my 1911 very well and two or three magazines suffice but need to practice a little more with my Glock 17 to achieve the same results. I feel fewer shots more often give the best results. But since it takes me an hour to get to the range I alway shoot as much as I can -200+ rounds per session.

 

[Caimlas]

I get tired and even a little bored (if I'm just shooting at the same targets) at around 300-400 rounds - though I've only ever done that with .22lr, as everything else is so expensive.

For me, I'm usually "done" after about 100 to 150 centerfire rounds - whether it's rifle or pistol. That's about as much as I can enjoyably shoot at any one sitting.

For .22, the first 50 rounds or so are my most sloppy, typically, and then the next 50 tighten up to about half the group size. After 100 rounds I'm starting to get a bit fatigued (visually) with aimed shooting, so I'll take a breather and then go for point shooting. And then I'll "experiment" - moving from target to target quickly, double taps, etc. - when it's applicable. I'll usually finish up a long .22lr shooting session with 50 rounds of centerfire (at least a magazine's worth) just to refamiliarize myself with something that has kick.

It depends largely on the range at which I'm shooting, and how I'm shooting (slow aimed shots, point shooting, etc.) I can put a lot more down range point shooting in a shorter period of time if I'm point shooting, for instance - and the accuracy isn't all that much different after warming up, to be honest.

Personally, I don't think it's so important to be able to shoot a quarter group at 25 yards with a pistol. You're unlikely to ever have to do so, and it doesn't provide anything in pragmatic terms - except for simple posture and stance which is also applicable for rifles, of course. If I'm going to be using a pistol in a "need" situation, a quick and solid grip and being able to index quickly is just as, if not as important, as firing practice. It only takes about 50 (fairly regular) rounds to familiarize one's self with the firearm's recoil, I think - and in my experience, it takes a bit longer to become "one" with the pistol's natural pointing.

Speaking of which, it has been a long time since I've been out shooting. I really need to fix that...