Combat Accuracy vs. Precision

Combat accuracy vs. precision.

• Precision when it comes to firearms can be defined as: making a bullet impact at the exact spot you are aiming.  

• Combat accuracy is defined as: "any shot that significantly effects the targets ability to present a lethal threat." (Rob Pincus)

Let's try to use these terms properly in relation to our defensive firearms training shall we?  There is nothing precise about a pistol.  Is it possible to put every round you fire into the same hole with a pistol?  Yes, but it would require a bench rest and time, or it would require a target that is extremely close to the shooter and the target would have to be stationary.  The shooter will have none of these on his side when faced with a dynamic critical incident.  (perhaps the distance, but under stress a precision shot like we're talking about is nearly impossible) This being generally a truth about shootings, we should all agree to use the term combat accuracy when it comes to using pistols for self defense. 
Taking the definition of combat accuracy at face value, I can quickly deduce that a shot to the foot might significantly effect the targets ability to hurt me.  And an additional shot to the shoulder might completely end the fray.  What kind of "group" is that?  It's like a 5ft. group!  That's horrible precision, unless of course you were aiming at those exact pores in the bandit's skin.  Taking the definition of combat accuracy literally means that even a missed shot could be considered combat accurate right?  Understanding this difference is a key factor in understanding defensive pistol training period. 
Much of what we do at 2A Training Group flows from the idea that precision is almost never important in the vast majority of critical incident shootings.  What is important however is finding your personal balance between speed and accuracy.  If it takes 8 shots to significantly effect the targets ability to stay in the fight, then I want those 8 shots to take about 2.95 seconds.  If what I need is a precise head shot, then I better hope that distance, time, lack of stress, and a supported pistol are all on my side.  Otherwise I could lose the fight in a hurry. 

Now to ward off critics let me say that I am not promoting a "pray and spray" mentality.  There is a time for precise shots, but in the realms of defensive pistol shooting they are so few and far between that I question whether it's worth the cost of ammunition to practice the skill.  Please remember, I'm talking specifically about training for deadly encounters.  If you want to go to the range with 50 rounds of ammo and spend 2 hours practicing head shots at 25 yards then have at it.  Shooting is lots of fun after all.  But please don't think for a second that it translates into beneficial close quarters, high stress, bad guy neutralization skills!
Thanks!