Point n' Shoot...???

[battlehatch]

I just read about the Point and Shoot method involving operating the trigger with the middle finger and pointing with the index... It doesn't make any sense to me. I shoot an XD45 tactical and I practice shooting it without using the sights, that's what I thought point shooting was. It's always close range and the groups are never great but I am confident that I can defend myself with that technique. Can someone explain? What I do seems to work for me, hopefully I'll never have to test that theory, but should I be doing something different? When I practice at the BLM land, there's more room, and if no one else is around, I'll try various body positions, movement, and firing from cover. For short range stuff, like within 15 feet, I try not to use the sights and I feel I am pretty effective. Beyond that, I use the sights... Is there something else I should be focusing on?

[Citadelgrad87]

It's an "art," I guess. Like you, I train to use the sights, and expect that, if the need arose, my actual use would follow my training.

"Point" shooting, and I'm not certain this is exactly what you are talking about, is practicing to shoot without sights for very close encounters. I believe most proponents agree that sights are to be used for greater distances. It involves "pointing" the pistol at the target and making no effort to use the sights. I understand many are quite good at this.

To me, unless I can reach the target with the muzzle, I'm using sights, even if I have to make room by pushing/withdrawing to do so.

[battlehatch]

Well the point shoot method involes shooting with your middle finger... I was taught to NEVER do that. I guess I am just so engrained with using the sights and using my index. I also try to put myself under pressure by having to draw and fire or a combination of movement to cover, drawing, and firing. Sometimes I think it would be funny if someone taped me at the range by myself moving all over the place.

[Citadelgrad87]

I really can't reccomend having two totally different draws/grips to use on a pistol. Muscle memory is going to take care of your drawstroke and first shot, I can't imagine re learning not only how to draw and hold, but also an entirely new trigger stroke.

And one to use "some" of the time seems like a fumble waiting to happen at the least opportune time.

To me, pick what works, stick with it, and practice. As you train, so shall you fight.

Sounds far too complex and variable for what I am capable of thinking about if I ever have to get in a gunbattle.

[leelaw]

If you're holding the gun correctly, when you draw, indexing your finger, wherever you point your finger is where you're pointing the gun. Shooting with the middle finger seems silly to me.

[battlehatch]

If you're holding the gun correctly, when youd raw, indexing your finger, wherever you point your finger is where you're pointing the gun. Shooting with the middle finger seems silly to me.

That's how I understand it.

[ns3v3n]

silly. if you hold the gun right, it should be in line with your forearm. but if you really want to shoot it with the middle finger, i guess you can do it 5000 times so the muscle memory can take over.

[maxicon]

It's just another technique someone has come up with that works well for them. There's no single right way to shoot - it's a matter of what works.

Some people have very good results with it, while others have different techniques. I'd say give it a try if you're interested, and if it makes you go "Holy moley, that really works!", then practice until it's natural.

The worst that can happen is you use a few mags of ammo on something that doesn't work for you...

[Spicy McHaggis]

I shoot with the booger finger, no matter if I am using the sites or point shooting. Did it say whether that person uses the flip off finger when using the sites as well?

[taloft]

lol, i'm choking on peanut M&M's over here.