How many of you use point shooting?
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I'm trying to learn better point shooting techniques right now, and I have to say it's a bit easier than I expected.
I use a two handed stance. I find if I simply draw naturally, I inevitably take a two handed stance. It's like a reflex.
I find my wrist tends to break up when I try to point shoot. I think it's because I haven't gotten to the point yet where I can instinctively "level" the gun.
Right now it looks like this: draw, level, point, shoot.
My next goal is to be able to do it like this: draw, point, shoot.
I use a two handed stance. I find if I simply draw naturally, I inevitably take a two handed stance. It's like a reflex.
I find my wrist tends to break up when I try to point shoot. I think it's because I haven't gotten to the point yet where I can instinctively "level" the gun.
Right now it looks like this: draw, level, point, shoot.
My next goal is to be able to do it like this: draw, point, shoot.
If you learn the "Modern Isoscoles" stance, point shooting marries with it and your sighted shooting extremely well.
One common misconception and one that I carried for many years is that point shooting is hip-shooting. Instead, most good point shooting is performed with the gun in the line between your eyes and the target. The eye's do help to index the gun but remain focused on the target and not on the front sight.
Michael Janich and Andy Stanford give an excellent primer in modern point shooting methods in their video Martial Marksmanship (Color, approx. 75 min. ISBN 1581603835, Price: $39.95, from Paladin Press).
Chuck
One common misconception and one that I carried for many years is that point shooting is hip-shooting. Instead, most good point shooting is performed with the gun in the line between your eyes and the target. The eye's do help to index the gun but remain focused on the target and not on the front sight.
Michael Janich and Andy Stanford give an excellent primer in modern point shooting methods in their video Martial Marksmanship (Color, approx. 75 min. ISBN 1581603835, Price: $39.95, from Paladin Press).
Chuck
I only use point shooting from position of retention. Usually two hand grip, close to the chest, ejection port slightly canted away from me, unless I have to use one hand (elbow?) to keep BG off me. With 2 hand grip, I find it much easier to pivot away (using whole body pivot point at the waist) from any grasping hands that might have designs on my gun.
I point shoot regularly with both pistols and rifles. I'll ignore the rifle for the purposes of this discussion. 
Sight picture? Nope. I just point and pull.
Stance? Nope. Point and pull, and in practice, I make sure to do it from awkward and uncomfortable positions.
Two hand? Nope. Too much time, and I could be better spending it drawing the BUG.
What I recommend for home training in a secured environment is making sure the weapon is unloaded (check twice if you're paranoid), and practice drawing or pointing at an object in the room or across the hall or whatnot. You can check your sight picture after the point if you'd like.
Do that for a while and regularly, and you'll learn by feel what your carry or other gun points at and how to adjust for it.
Sight picture? Nope. I just point and pull.
Stance? Nope. Point and pull, and in practice, I make sure to do it from awkward and uncomfortable positions.
Two hand? Nope. Too much time, and I could be better spending it drawing the BUG.
What I recommend for home training in a secured environment is making sure the weapon is unloaded (check twice if you're paranoid), and practice drawing or pointing at an object in the room or across the hall or whatnot. You can check your sight picture after the point if you'd like.
Do that for a while and regularly, and you'll learn by feel what your carry or other gun points at and how to adjust for it.
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At 7 to 10 yards I frequently use a point shooting technique that I developed for myself 25 years ago in the military. I don't use the sights, the gun is actually below my point of acquiring the front sight by about 6 inches. I think they call it reflexive shooting now. I also practice the "speed rock" which is drawing the gun from the holster and just clearing the muzzle then rock it onto target at the hip, that is only for shots inside 3 to 5 yards. I find that out to 7 to 10 yards I can be quite accurate with my technique. As stated earlier it's more focusing on the target than on your sights, it also keeps your peripheral vision more open to other threats.
One other cheap trick I have used for point shooting is to put a wooden dowel into the muzzle (about 24" long) bring the gun onto a target on the wall, it will quickly give you an idea of where your stance or position will give you the best results.
One other cheap trick I have used for point shooting is to put a wooden dowel into the muzzle (about 24" long) bring the gun onto a target on the wall, it will quickly give you an idea of where your stance or position will give you the best results.
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177 Posts
I only point shoot from retention....speaking of which, do NOT speed rock. There are problems with it. To properly speed rock you shift your balance backwards, which, at the distances you would speed rock, makes it easy to get knocked over. Instead, keep your center of gravety where it is in normal fighting position, bring the gun out of the holster straight up to nipple line and rotate it forward, cant it slightly away from your body. Use your weak arm to defend your head (which also keeps it out of the way).
I really like point shooting and in the past have done quite well with it. The problem has been being able to practice it on the range. Places to just go out into the desert and practice (off range) have continually been drying up and the ranges don't allow you to draw and fire from the holster. I practice at home, usually in my office and bought the Bullite for that specific use. I can also see an airsoft in my future for practise.
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177 Posts
I did very well with point shooting, but after taking some serious training it's been all front sight. I was good before, i'm better now.
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1,780 Posts
First, if you are getting a sight picture you are not point shooting. Having said that, yes, I practice point shooting, I teach it to my students, and I recommend it as an essential skill. I prefer aimed fire whenever possible, but sometimes the situation just does not lend itself to that.
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I start every range session with a mag of point shooting; the theory being a bad guy won't let you warm up. But the more I do it the more I'm picking up the front sight so it's beginning to evolve into a fast site picture double tap. It's not every time by any means but the mechanics are getting better.
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62 Posts
When my eyesight started to go, I shifted to point shooting with one gun....a S&W-60. I was 8-10 inches off at 10 yards & a bit better at 7 yards. My accuracy was terrible until I started thinking about "pointing" the barrel like a long stick. After that my groupings became more consistent.
When lasers came along, it changed my life - I've got several guns again, all with CT lasers, & I go to the range frequently again. I've even found the confidence to shoot that fuzzy front sight without the laser.
When lasers came along, it changed my life - I've got several guns again, all with CT lasers, & I go to the range frequently again. I've even found the confidence to shoot that fuzzy front sight without the laser.
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