Many shooting instructors will agree that shooting inside 20 feet usually doesn’t require having a perfect sight picture. In a defensive situation, it makes sense to have point-shooting abilities. After-action reports show that, almost without fail, people don’t look at the front sight in a panic situation. Our instinct is to look at the threat. So why not develop that instinct into a usable shooting skill?
Point shooting is also very useful in low-light situations, where seeing the sights can be hard or impossible.
Brief History
Point shooting has been used by archers since the dawn of man. Training with firearms has its roots back in the OSS (Office of Strategic Services 1942) days.
Second Lieutenant Rex Applegate was given the task of adapting the training being given to British Commando forces for use by OSS agents. Applegate’s methodology was published in his book, Kill or Get Killed which was first printed in 1943, and based on his training program for the OSS developed with William E. Fairbairn and Eric A. Sykes.
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There’s a close quarter shooting technique that was coined the “1/2 hip” position which has been modified in the more updated version and has been taught to all law enforcement agencies. This technique is drawn from the hip holster while rocking back to shoot.
Taught today – Is point shooting still taught today? Yes, even Hollywood star Keanue Reeves learned to point shoot from Taran Butler for his role in the John Wick series. The video below from TFB has JV going through some shooting drills while point shooting from the hip at multiple targets with speed.
Have you learned to point shoot? Here are some quick ways to learn.
Point Shooting Technique
The proper way to point shoot is to raise the gun to your normal shooting position. The difference is that you look at the target, focusing on where you want to hit rather than on the sights.
Drill – The basics is start close to your paper target such as 3 yards. At the low ready position, at the command raise and fire without using your sights. Repeat the drill several times until you are comfortable with it. You’ll see how fast you can break the shot when you don’t have to think about sights. Once you’re able to hit the center of the target consistently, then move back to increase the distance, gradually working up to 20 yards.