I shoot pretty regularly with my carry firearm at a variety of distances in the backyard. What distances do you shoot at? How far do you try to be proficient at? What’s your practice regimen?

3 feet to 50 yards left hand only right hand only mag changes with handheld light and without.(not a fan of weapon mounted lights) distance favors the trained shooter lack of distance negates skill.Keep aware that sketchy looking guy is probably sketchy.

Shooting a double tap is the most important thing you can practice in my opinion. Distance should be very close unless you want to send your family some selfies in your orange jumpsuit at Christmas.

I had this discussion with my wife a few years ago.
She was adamant that she could handle the situation.
So..... While she was sitting on the couch one night, I walked by and tossed her a pistol and then grabbed her by the neck in about 2 seconds. I asked her if she had any ideas what to do?????
She had no response.

Yep. More difficult to claim self defense at 50 yards. I consider a CCW for close shooting, pull it and pull that trigger as many times as needed to end the threat. Practice being able to accurately deliver as many shots as fast as possible into a target at close range.

I learned proper grip and sight picture with various 22 pistols and many bricks of ammo. After shooting a pistol becomes second nature, then focus on the tactical side ( proper carry, situation awareness , response , etc.. )

Only thing I do that you guys might not is I actually practice using my light and shoot at night on my range. It’s very difficult with the muzzle flash. I figure if someone breaks in, it’ll be at night so I do have a good light on my pistol and a hand held light also. I don’t waste any time shooting past 10-15 yards.
Most of my shooting is at 10-15 feet.

I rely on the 870 at the house for night time duty, much more effective. For edc I don’t shoot over 10 yards, but I’m capable to make hits at 25 to 30 yds.

I practice up close and at longer ranges. I figure if I have the skill to shoot longer ranges then in a true up close personal defense situation I should be that much better. Also, practice with the draw from the holster.

Police use lights on their weapons for various reasons and you can too. But - if you don't know where the bad guy is and you are hunting him with the light.... here is what could happen:

If he is armed and willing to shoot.... you're dead.

The End.

Also consider in a house if you get lucky and find the guy before you get yourself killed... the light on the weapon will back light the room well enough to make yourself an excellent target for their buddy if they brought one along.

Best thing to do is grab gun, cell phone, wife/and or kids. Lock yourself in a room, call cops and if they try to enter the room, face the door and turn everything in front of you into Swiss cheese with your first mag dump. Don't shoot once. They'll likely send a few rounds back your way. Dump the mag and hope you either hit one of them or they figure it's time to get the hail outa there. Most people aren't suicidal and even criminals don't have time for or want a real a gun fight. They came to rob you not toss one up for Allah.

If anyone doesn't think a .38 snub will hit at 50 yards yes they will.I'm no Bill Blankenship Bill Jordan(the real one not the camo guy) or Rob Leatham but the old adage of shooting is hitting not loud misses applies.

Dave, I used to shoot my snobby 38 at 200+ yards, absolutely amazing what those lil guns will do at long range. I watched a guy shoot five shots into a hand size group at 100 yards one day. US Border Patrol fella.

all that said if you shoot someone at much over 20 yards you may have trouble spraining how much danger you were in.

Wait, you're supposed to practice?