10 lessons from the Fairchild AFB shooting

[David]

https://www.policeone.com/active-shoote ... Tp4IM3diw/

When the killer refused commands to disarm and fired shots at the young police officer, Brown fired at him four times with his M9 pistol, striking him in the shoulder and face, and ending the threat. Post-event investigation indicated that Brown’s final pistol shot was fired at a distance between 68 and 71 yards, but his first hit would have been made at an even farther distance, since the killer was advancing on him as he fired.

[Mac66]

Good write up. I've never really practiced with a pistol at long distance but I've shot various pistols out to 100 yards or so. It's really not too difficult to make hits on a stationary man sized target with a pistol out to 100 yards when you're not under stress. Not so easy with a moving armed guy shooting at you.

Back in the day I used to shoot long range pistol silhouette out to 200 yards but that was shot prone with the pistol rested against one's leg but that's kind of a different thing.

I do try to practice taking head shots out to 25 yards which isn't difficult even with my pocket guns on a stationary target. It always drives me nuts watching TV and movies during a hostage situation when the bad guy's big old head is sticking out behind his hostage and the cop invariably lays down his gun. I am screaming to myself "TAKE THE SHOT!!!"

I'll have to try shooting my silhouettes out to 100 yards when I go back up to my property this week.

[Bob]

I'm guessing he was shooting center of mass and the shoulder/face hits were fortunate.

And it never hurts that crazy is, well, crazy. At 75 yards with an AK he would have been dead dead dead if I were shooting at him.

Still - dude had to be one cool cucumber....

[David]

I think it's a good example of how the military and law enforcement (use) to teach long range shooting. Back in my rookie days 50 yards and in was the qualifications. Then it shrunk to 25 yards and now it's all 15 yards and closer. And I think that is a real shame because they're setting up these newer people to fail. All to dumb down the qualification so more people can pass it. And I see that as a problem.

A private citizen may not (usually) have to worry about a 50, 75 or 100 yard shot with a pistol, but it's not an impossibility. Particularly for more rural environments. It would be a good thing to know what your personal capabilities are at extended range with whatever CCW your likely to be carrying. One of the reasons I may shoot my P365 at an outlaw match.

[Ronin.45]

We regularly shoot extended distances with various handguns. If your fundamentals are solid it's relatively easy.