There's a reason you are supposed to

[baldeagle]

know what's behind your target. If you miss, you can damage something or someone far away.

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=gMYD73YvqH4[/youtube]

[VMI77]

Not to diminish the importannce of knowing what you're shooting at and what's behind it, but this demonstration is a tad exaggerated. At about 275 yards (300 meters) a 9mm round will drop somewhere between 6.5 to 7.5 feet. If aiming at a target within about 25 yards of you, you're not going to be pointing your muzzle high enough to compensate for that drop. I don't see him aiming above level in the video but it looks like his position is elevated with respect to the targets. Out to about 200 yards the drop is only around 4 feet, but it drops off pretty rapidly from there. At 300 yards the drop is around 10 feet. Since most people's arms in a firing position are only about five feet off the ground the bullet is likely to hit the ground at around 220 to 230 yards. Of course impact depends on elevation relative to the target and point of aim, so while it's definitely possible you could engage a close-in target and unintentionally hit something at 300 meters, it isn't probable. Within 200 meters, or about 180 yards, the odds of a errant round hitting an unintended target increase dramatically.

http://gundata.org/cartridge/140/9mm-lu ... 9x19mm%29/

[Pawpaw]

Not to diminish the importannce of knowing what you're shooting at and what's behind it, but this demonstration is a tad exaggerated. At about 275 yards (300 meters) a 9mm round will drop somewhere between 6.5 to 7.5 feet. If aiming at a target within about 25 yards of you, you're not going to be pointing your muzzle high enough to compensate for that drop. I don't see him aiming above level in the video but it looks like his position is elevated with respect to the targets. Out to about 200 yards the drop is only around 4 feet, but it drops off pretty rapidly from there. At 300 yards the drop is around 10 feet. Since most people's arms in a firing position are only about five feet off the ground the bullet is likely to hit the ground at around 220 to 230 yards. Of course impact depends on elevation relative to the target and point of aim, so while it's definitely possible you could engage a close-in target and unintentionally hit something at 300 meters, it isn't probable. Within 200 meters, or about 180 yards, the odds of a errant round hitting an unintended target increase dramatically.

http://gundata.org/cartridge/140/9mm-lu ... 9x19mm%29/

While I understand and completely agree with the point you're making, there is a technical error with your post. 275 yards is over 251 meters. 300 meters is approximately 328 yards.

[Texsquatch]

I think the point was that bullets, even from a handgun will travel a long distance. Plus, depending on your relative position from a target, you're not going to have to hold your hands over your head to get the proper elevation on the target.

[Abraham]

Nice range.

[MasterOfNone]

We also have to consider that kneeling to take cover can result in an upward aim that contributes to the potential range of the round.

[Wodathunkit]

300 yards with a handgun standing! Nice shooting

[VMI77]

Not to diminish the importannce of knowing what you're shooting at and what's behind it, but this demonstration is a tad exaggerated. At about 275 yards (300 meters) a 9mm round will drop somewhere between 6.5 to 7.5 feet. If aiming at a target within about 25 yards of you, you're not going to be pointing your muzzle high enough to compensate for that drop. I don't see him aiming above level in the video but it looks like his position is elevated with respect to the targets. Out to about 200 yards the drop is only around 4 feet, but it drops off pretty rapidly from there. At 300 yards the drop is around 10 feet. Since most people's arms in a firing position are only about five feet off the ground the bullet is likely to hit the ground at around 220 to 230 yards. Of course impact depends on elevation relative to the target and point of aim, so while it's definitely possible you could engage a close-in target and unintentionally hit something at 300 meters, it isn't probable. Within 200 meters, or about 180 yards, the odds of a errant round hitting an unintended target increase dramatically.

http://gundata.org/cartridge/140/9mm-lu ... 9x19mm%29/

While I understand and completely agree with the point you're making, there is a technical error with your post. 275 yards is over 251 meters. 300 meters is approximately 328 yards.

Yeah, I got the conversion backwards. My brain was apparently not working.