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Larry Vickers on Accuracy - Printable Version

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Larry Vickers on Accuracy - Dutz - 05-26-2015

This was a Facebook post from Larry Vickers today. I thought it might be worthy of discussion.

Summarizing, to be comfortable/competent with your carry gun - 10 shots, 15 yards, 2.5 inches.

"I get asked on a regular basis what acceptable accuracy is in a handgun or carbine. My experience has taught me the answer to this is simple; whatever accuracy is required to engage a threat target with a headshot at your effective range. However before we go any farther always remember the Vickers Rule of Gunfight Accuracy; under conditions of stress the best a shooter can hope to achieve is 50% of the inherent accuracy of the weapon/ammo he is shooting at that time.

What this means is your weapon-ammo needs to shoot a group ( 5 shots min - 10 is better) of 2.5 inches or less at your effective range. This equates to a 5 inch group under stress ( at best) which is a head shot. What is effective range ? For the average shooter its 15 yds with a pistol and 50 yds with a carbine ( AR style). A skilled shooter is typically 25yds with a pistol and 100 yds with a carbine. I've been shooting and teaching for awhile now and this Approach has stood the test of time. Hope this helps."



RE: Larry Vickers on Accuracy - Ringo3632 - 05-26-2015

I need to pick something like this to gauge my improvement with. That's one thing I've been bad at when I go to the range.. I'll shoot and I'll pick small goals to work on while there, but I don't do good at recording what I've done to track improvement. I'll write it all down, but no records of groupings ect..


RE: Larry Vickers on Accuracy - Dutz - 05-26-2015

FYI, he said in a response that there is not time limit for this.


RE: Larry Vickers on Accuracy - Brian S - 05-26-2015

I'm a bit surprised Vickers suggests a close range headshot while under stress. I understand a few headshots would be an instant stopper.

While under stress, am I wrong to say that a target 2-3 times larger along with vital organs and 5-10 rounds, a chest shot wouldn't achieve similar results?

I agree at 100 yards using any high power rifle or carbine while having limited shots and time before the target takes cover a headshot would get the job done just fine.


RE: Larry Vickers on Accuracy - Ringo3632 - 05-26-2015

I see what you mean, but I don't think he's recommending a head shot, I think he's just using that as a target size. Kind of like if you train to hit that size target, you'll have no problem hitting the chest.

However either way I agree with you that a headshot would be a poor choice under stress aka a true self defense situation..


RE: Larry Vickers on Accuracy - AcilletaM - 05-26-2015

(05-26-2015, 11:45 AM)Ringo3632 Wrote: I see what you mean, but I don't think he's recommending a head shot, I think he's just using that as a target size. Kind of like if you train to hit that size target, you'll have no problem hitting the chest.

However either way I agree with you that a headshot would be a poor choice under stress aka a true self defense situation..
If he is not then why mention it? He could have suggested that the 5 inch target would be well centered on the chest.


RE: Larry Vickers on Accuracy - Dutz - 05-26-2015

(05-26-2015, 12:41 PM)AcilletaM Wrote:
(05-26-2015, 11:45 AM)Ringo3632 Wrote: I see what you mean, but I don't think he's recommending a head shot, I think he's just using that as a target size. Kind of like if you train to hit that size target, you'll have no problem hitting the chest.

However either way I agree with you that a headshot would be a poor choice under stress aka a true self defense situation..
If he is not then why mention it? He could have suggested that the 5 inch target would be well centered on the chest.

I think he was pointing out that if you can't hit 5 inches under stress then you have eliminated the head shot from your arsenal, as you will likely miss.

This was only a short facebook post and not a full tutorial.


RE: Larry Vickers on Accuracy - BelieveIn308 - 05-26-2015

Real shooting at a moving target at a distance is never as easy as a fixed target at the range. I almost never shoot from a sitting position at the range as that is not one you are ever likely to engage a target from either.