Maybe I've got horrible depth perception, but the pistol targets at the matches I've been to and seen in clips here sure look like they're that close. I'm sure the distance is specified in the rules which I haven't bothered to check; before my re-enacting interest moved west after the Civil War, I was target shooting my 60 Army at a bp only range. Two distances were offered: 25 and 50 yards. I haven't seen a match portrayed where the pistol targets appear to be 25 yards.
Maybe it's all practical, facilitates competiition, etc. The folks are great, the smell and smoke is good. Lots of Rugers, some have been lovingly cared for with fancy grips and one guy's got a matched pair that are engraved. I don't care if they're Rugers or not; they're gorgeous.
The only firearms I own are as historic as I can find that I can afford. If I needed one for something more for the purpose to which it was originally designed and wanted a single action for the job, I'm sure I'd own a Ruger.
BP