Dumb ass with a gun. What do you suppose that gun can do to flesh and bones?

[spin]

15. There's a difference between target shooting and self defensive shooting. ...

Target shooting usually occurs at a far longer distance than self defensive practice. Target shooting usually has a far lower rate of fire than self defensive practice but that can largely depend on the skill of the shooter.

Aluminum cans are fun to shoot at but when you miss it's harder to determine where your round went than if you use a paper target. (Of course you have to hit the paper.) Knowing where your shot went can help you determine why you missed. Perhaps you flinched or perhaps you did not place your finger correctly on the trigger.

This analysis can be somewhat complicated. If you have some interest visit:
http://www.bullseyepistol.com/training.htm

I enjoy target shooting handguns. When I go to the range I usually shoot at ranges between 15 and 25 yards. It's fun and relaxing but you can have good days and bad days. The object of target shooting for me is to shoot a tight group, most preferably in the center of the target.

However I also have a concealed weapons permit and at the end of a shooting session I practice some self defensive shooting. I usually stay within 7 yards of the target as since I am not in law enforcement it is highly unlikely that I could successfully claim that I had a legitimate reason to fear for my health or life if my attacker was at a longer range.

My main object for defensive shooting is not to fire an extremely tight group but to hit the silhouette target in the "kill zone" as rapidly as is possible. Since I realize that in a real life encounter my shooting skill will diminish significantly, I use a smaller silhouette target than the life sized one. I practice shooting with both hands and then with only my right and my left.

To me target shooting is the most fun and self defense practice is far more serious. The basic skills I have learned by target shooting do help me while practicing defensive shooting.

Obviously it is essential while shooting to know that the rounds you fire do not endanger others. That's why I prefer to shoot at a pistol or rifle range or to have a hill or berm downrange. Portable targets are readily available so I don't have to destroy trees unnecessarily.