Pickpocket said:
That's "a" point-shooting method, but no - that's not what we're teaching.
Congrats on recognizing a point-shooting method, though!
What you're describing is actually a method of "reflexive shooting" taught by the military. Weak hand on the handguards of your carbine, gripped so that your index finger points straight along the axis of the barrel.
What QK teaches is the use of a 'reference point' which is established by the visual relationship between your weapon and the threat - using your peripheral vision. Try this exercise:
Focus on something directly in front of you on the far side of the room. Choose an object in your peripheral vision at about 65-degrees either to the left or the right, and then point at it with your finger without shifting your focal point. Once you've pointed at your chosen object, move your head to see where your finger is pointed. Cool, huh?
And it only gets better from there.
Pickpocket,
I don't doubt one can point shoot successfully. D.R. Middlebrooks won the 1999 IDPA Championship with his point shooting method. I've trained under D.R.
One concern I have is that point shooting can become such a distraction that sighted fire is all but abandoned. Then when the sights need to be used, that skill has perished because of the time spent point shooting. I know, we practice sighted fire too. I have to wonder where all the extra time comes from to practice two methods. OTOH, I devote all my time to sighted fire. Back some time ago when I had this exact discussion, I went to the range and point shot. I shot two COMs and one head shot every evolution. Keep in mind, I NEVER practice point shooting. I couldn't tell one bit of difference in speed or accuracy point shooting or using the sights. I posted my hits, scores, and times.
Another concern is in a stressful situation, how does one choose when to use this point shooting method or sights? Do we guess at the distance, respond instinctively? What if we guess wrong? What if it causes just enough hesitation....OTOH, I always sight shoot; there's never any question how I'm gonna shoot. I sight shoot from 2 feet to whatever. I may not be able to acquire my perfect stance, but I've proven over and over I don't have to be in a perfect stance to get good hits with my sights.
Granted there may be some instances where I can't extend and use the sights, but those are so close that I can shoot from a retention position as I'm makin' distance as fast as I can so I can extend and use my sights. You know, if you are so close that you can hit him, he can hit you.
Another concern is that this method does not lend itself well to shooting from concealment or cover. If one has to shoot from the "off" side from cover, the method may not hold up. Two handed sighted shooting works very well and you can utilize cover efectively. I realize for those times you can revert back to the sights, etc., but again, if you split practice time between point shooting and sighted shooting, are you half as good as you could have been?
Then, is there a real benefit to teaching people not to use the sights? Is that really a service? Does it interfere with sight shooting skills? It has yet to be shown that the Quick Kill method is any more accurate or faster than proper sighted fire. I know I and others have asked time and time and time again for some timed shooting numbers with hit scores, and the answer is always the same - "we" don't have a timer.
Plus, has this method been used by any LE agency? Does it have a successful track record in the street, or is it basically unproven?