Concealed Carry

Marksmanship vs. Self-Defense Shooting Accuracy: A Comprehensive Guide

Mark Schneider

In the world of firearms, the concepts of marksmanship and self-defense shooting occupy distinct but equally important roles. While both skills aim to enhance a shooter’s ability to hit targets, their approaches, techniques, and goals differ significantly. This article explores these differences, focusing on accuracy in marksmanship and self-defense shooting, and offers insights into training for both disciplines. Marksmanship vs. Self-Defense Shooting Accuracy: A Comprehensive Guide

Marksmanship: The Art of Precision

Marksmanship is often associated with the precision and patience required to hit a target accurately at various distances. This discipline emphasizes the meticulous application of shooting fundamentals, including stance, grip, sight alignment, trigger pull, breathing, and follow-through. Among these, trigger pull and sight alignment are paramount for achieving high levels of accuracy.

Aimed Sighting

Aimed sighting is a hallmark of marksmanship. It involves carefully aligning the firearm’s sights—be it a red dot or traditional iron sights—to ensure that each shot is as accurate as possible. This method requires no haste; instead, it allows the shooter to take their time to align, aim, and execute each shot with precision. The goal is not just to hit the target but to consistently hit the same spot or a very tight grouping, demonstrating control and accuracy.

Self-Defense Shooting: Speed and Efficiency

Conversely, self-defense shooting, often referred to as combat shooting, prioritizes getting shots on target quickly to neutralize a threat. This form of shooting is practical, focusing on stopping an aggressor intent on robbery, assault, or worse. Unlike marksmanship, self-defense shooting employs techniques like point shooting and flash sight shooting, which are designed for rapid target engagement.

Point Shooting

Point shooting, also known as instinctive shooting or threat-focused shooting, involves firing a weapon without relying on the firearm’s sights. Instead, the shooter uses their instinct, body alignment, and muscle memory to aim and shoot at a target. This method is particularly effective in very close-quarters situations or when visibility is too poor to use the sights effectively. The shooter focuses entirely on the target, using their peripheral vision and natural pointing ability to aim. Point shooting is predicated on the theory that in high-stress situations, especially at close range, there may not be enough time to use the sights, or the shooter’s focus will naturally be drawn to the threat, not the weapon’s sights.

Flash Sight Shooting

Flash sight shooting, on the other hand, involves a quick alignment of the firearm’s sights with the target, but not with the fine precision aimed for in marksmanship. The shooter glances at the sights to ensure they are roughly aligned with the target but does not take the time to perfectly align them as in aimed shooting. This method is a compromise between the speed of point shooting and the accuracy of aimed shooting. It is used in situations where the shooter has slightly more time or distance from the target and can afford a brief moment to ensure better accuracy by acknowledging the sights. The focus is on the quick, rough alignment of the sights with the target, allowing for faster shots than traditional aimed fire but with a higher degree of accuracy than point shooting.

Key Differences

  • Sight Use: Point shooting does not use the gun’s sights, relying instead on the shooter’s intuition and natural pointing ability. Flash sight shooting uses the sights but only for a quick, rough alignment.
  • Distance and Situation: Point shooting is often favored at extremely close ranges or when there’s no time to look at the sights. Flash sight shooting is useful at slightly longer distances where the shooter can spare a moment for a quick sight check.
  • Accuracy vs. Speed: Point shooting emphasizes speed over accuracy, suitable for immediate threats at close range. Flash sight shooting seeks a balance between speed and a higher degree of accuracy by briefly using the sights.

Training for Accuracy and Efficiency

Training for both marksmanship and self-defense shooting is crucial, as each skill set offers unique benefits. Marksmanship training enhances a shooter’s ability to apply shooting fundamentals under controlled conditions, improving precision and consistency. Self-defense shooting drills, on the other hand, prepare individuals for real-world scenarios where speed and efficiency could mean the difference between life and death.

Tips for Training:

  • For Marksmanship: Focus on mastering the fundamentals. Practice aimed sighting, paying particular attention to trigger pull and sight alignment. Take your time to ensure each shot is as accurate as possible.
  • For Self-Defense Shooting: Incorporate dynamic drills that simulate real-life scenarios. Work on drawing your firearm quickly, engaging targets at various distances, and using point shooting and flash sight techniques to improve your reaction time and accuracy under pressure.

Accuracy Diagnostic Chart

Range Drills For Accuracy Shooting

Captain Crunch Drill:

    • Objective: Improve precision and speed in shooting at close range.
    • Setup: Target at 7 feet.
    • Procedure: Use one magazine with 10 rounds and another with 5 rounds. Shoot 5 rounds into the 5 circle, 4 rounds into the 4 circle, 3 rounds into the 3 circle (with a non-emergency reload), 2 rounds into the 2 circle, and 1 round into the 1 circle.
    • Focus: Tight groupings in each circle.
    captain-crunch-targetDownload

    Bullseye Targets Drill (Marksmanship Training):

    • Objective: Enhance shooting accuracy at progressively longer distances.
    • Setup: Bullseye targets set at distances from 10 ft to 45 ft, increasing by 2.5 ft up to 25 ft, then in 5 ft increments.
    • Procedure: Shoot 5 rounds at each distance.
    • Focus: Trigger pull, sight alignment, diagnosing shooting accuracy issues.
    bullseye1Download

    Range Drills For Defensive Shooting

    Non-Aimed Shooting Drill

    • Objective: Practice defensive accuracy through point shooting.
    • Setup: Target at 13 ft (average distance of a gunfight for police officers).
    • Procedure: Load 3 rounds, draw on command, and fire 3 rounds as fast as possible aiming for center mass on a man-sized target.
    • Focus: Speed and defensive accuracy without aiming down sights.

    Flash Sight Accuracy Drill

    • Objective: Combine quick sight alignment with rapid firing for effective center mass hits.
    • Setup: Man-sized target at 21 ft (Tueller drill distance).
    • Procedure: Load 5 rounds, draw on command, achieve a quick flash sight alignment, and fire rapidly using sights as a reference point.
    • Focus: A balance between speed and accuracy, using minimal sight alignment.
    IDPA-MAN-SIZED-TARGET-EXAMPLEdownload

    Safety Note: It’s imperative to always follow safe firearm handling practices and obtain permission from the range safety officer before practicing drills that involve drawing from a holster and firing rapidly.

    These drills are designed to simulate real-world scenarios where speed and accuracy are crucial, such as self-defense or law enforcement situations. The progression from precision shooting at static targets to dynamic, rapid-fire exercises helps build the muscle memory and reflexes necessary for effective handgun use under stress. Remember, consistency in practice and focusing on the fundamentals are key to improving shooting skills.

    While this article primarily focuses on techniques applicable to handgun shooting, it’s important to recognize that the principles of point shooting and flash sight shooting also hold value for shotgun and rifle users. These methods, particularly in the context of self-defense and combat situations, can enhance the speed and efficiency of engaging targets across different firearms. Whether you’re handling a handgun in a close-quarters defense scenario, a shotgun in a home defense situation, or a rifle in a tactical environment, understanding and practicing these techniques can significantly improve your ability to respond effectively under stress. Adapting the core concepts of point and flash sight shooting to the unique characteristics and handling of each type of firearm can broaden a shooter’s skill set, making them more versatile and prepared across a variety of defensive contexts.

    Conclusion

    While marksmanship and self-defense shooting serve different purposes, both are essential skills for responsible gun owners. Marksmanship builds a solid foundation of shooting fundamentals, enhancing overall shooting proficiency. Conversely, self-defense shooting prepares individuals for the realities of potential life-threatening situations, emphasizing speed and effective threat neutralization. By understanding and practicing both disciplines, shooters can become more versatile, prepared, and confident in their abilities.

    Published by Mark Schneider

    I am a certified firearms instructor and use-of-force expert with extensive real-world experience in firearms, security, and defensive tactics.Credentials & Experience:20+ years of owning, collecting, and shooting firearms.12+ years in the security industry, including physical security, executive protection, workplace violence prevention, loss prevention, CCTV operations, access control, incident management, and threat assessment.Denver Police Verified Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) Instructor.Authorized Trainer for Denver Security Guard Training.NRA Certified Firearms Instructor – Pistol, Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW), Rifle, Shotgun, Inside the Home (ITH), Outside the Home (OTH), Range Training & Basic Verification (RTBV), Chief Range Safety Officer (CRSO).USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor – Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals (CCHDF).Force Science Institute Certified – Use-of-Force Analysis.De-escalation Certified Instructor.Massad Ayoob MAG-40 Graduate.Sig Sauer Academy Graduate – Pistol 103 & Pistol 104.Law of Self Defense – Instructor Program Graduate.Dave Grossman Academy – Completed The Bullet Proof Mind, On Combat, and On Killing courses.Axon Taser Certified Instructor.OC/Pepper Spray Certified Instructor.PPCT Defensive Tactics Certified Instructor.Glock Armorer.Novice Gunsmith.Licensed Insurance Producer.HAM Radio Operator.8+ years as a teacher and instructor in firearms, self-defense, and related disciplines.

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