Defensive preparation should account for more than a single expected engagement distance. In this short video, Primary & Secondary explains why distance affects equipment setup, aiming, and the skills a responsible armed citizen or professional should practice.
Know your zero
There is no universally correct zero for every firearm, optic, and application. The practical requirement is to use a functional zero and understand it. Whether the chosen distance is 10, 15, or 25 yards, the shooter should know how the projectile’s trajectory changes the required point of aim at closer and farther distances.
Avoid a single-distance assumption
The familiar “three yards, three rounds, three seconds” idea is not a dependable prediction of a defensive encounter. Close-range speed and accuracy remain important, but real incidents can occur beyond that distance. Preparation should therefore include the ability to make accountable hits across the range of distances that may be reasonable in the shooter’s environment.
Vary training distances
- Practice at more than one fixed distance.
- Confirm the relationship between the sights, the zero, and the actual point of impact.
- Learn the holds needed at both close and extended ranges.
- Maintain both speed and accuracy instead of treating them as separate skills.
- Use dry practice to reinforce sight management and trigger control.
The video recommends the B-8 target at 25 yards as a useful accuracy exercise. Initial results may be humbling; consistent practice and measurable performance matter more than a single score.
The takeaway
Distance is a variable, not a guarantee. Know the trajectory associated with your zero, practice applying the appropriate hold, and develop enough flexibility to solve realistic problems from close range through the farther distances relevant to your circumstances.
Training should be conducted safely, lawfully, and within the limits of your equipment, range, and experience. Seek qualified instruction where appropriate.
Source: Distance Is A Defensive Variable, Primary & Secondary Resurrection (August 21, 2026).