point shooting
Point Shooting is a method of shooting a firearm that relies on a shooter's
instinctive reactions and kinematics to quickly engage close targets. Point
Shooting does not rely on sights, but instead places the gun below the line
of sight, but in many cases still in the field of vision. Since the sights are
not used, the shooter focuses on the target, and point shooting methods
are often referred to as threat focused shooting. Early proponents of
training methodologies that stress point shooting were Rex Applegate and
William E. Fairbairn. Compare to the aimed fire methodology promoted by
Jeff Cooper.
Basis
"When a soldier points, he instinctively points at the feature on the
object on which his eyes are focused. An impulse from the brain
causes the arm and hand to stop when the finger reaches the proper
position. When the eyes are shifted to a new object or feature, the
finger, hand, and arm also shift to this point. It is this inherent trait
that can be used by the soldier to rapidly and accurately engage
targets."
Chap. 2, Sect. II, US Army Field Manual 23-25, Combat Training With
Pistols & Revolvers
Point shooting attempts to harness the innate ability to point at the target
in such a way that the shooter can use that ability to hit targets with a
firearm. This may be done in a variety of ways which differ depending upon
the method used. The one thing the methods have in common is that they
do not rely on the sights, and they strive to increase the shooter's ability to
hit targets at short range under the less than ideal conditions expected in
self defense and combat situations.
Fairbairn, Sykes, and Applegate (FSA)
Front view of handgun point shooting position, taken from FMFRP 12-80 p.
116
Soon after the creation of the Office of Strategic Services in 1942, then 2nd
Lt. Rex Applegate was tasked with 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 W. E.
Fairbairn and Eric A. Sykes.
By 1976, it was into its 5th edition, which was re-published in 1991 as Fleet
Marine Force Reference Publication (FMFRP) 12-80. This book covers a
wide range of topics, from armed and unarmed combat to prisoner control
and riot control techniques. Chapter 5, "Combat Use of the Hand Gun",
covers the basic use of a handgun in a combat situation, while chapter 6,
"Combat Firing with Shoulder Weapons", covers techniques for
submachine guns, rifles and shotguns. While aimed fire techniques are
covered in both chapters, along with topics such as use of cover and
different firing positions, the point shooting techniques generally attract
the most attention. Much of Applegate's instruction on point shooting
involves developing a firm, consistent shooting position that allows the
student to consistently hit where he is looking.
Side view of handgun point shooting position, taken from FMFRP 12-80 p.
119
While Applegate did cover firing handguns from the hip--from a position he
called the "1/2 hip" position--he was careful to point out that this method
only worked on targets at the same level as the shooter, and only at very
close range. The preferred method was to bring the handgun up to just
below eye level. With the proper grip and a locked elbow and wrist, this will
bring the gun to bear on the target. To reduce error in the stance, targets
not directly in front of the shooter are engaged by turning the upper body
at the hips; turning the arm at the shoulder, elbow or wrist will result in a
loss of control and a miss, while turning at the waist keeps everything
aligned correctly.
Side view of shoulder weapon point shooting position, taken from FMFRP
12-80 p. 183
Another of Applegate's training innovations was the use of particularly
intense combat firing ranges, which he called the "House of Horrors". A
cross between an obstacle course, a haunted house, and a shooting range,
it used a three dimensional layout with stairs and tunnels, pop-up targets,
deliberately poor lighting, psychologically disturbing sounds, simulated
cobwebs and bodies, and blank cartridges being fired towards the shooter.
The range was designed to have the greatest possible psychological
impact on the shooter, to simulate the stress of combat as much as
possible, and no targets were presented at distances of greater than 10 feet
from the shooter. Applegate also used his "House of Horrors" as a test of
the point shooting training. 500 men were run through the House of
Horrors after standard target pistol training, and then again (with
modifications in the layout) after training in point shooting. The average
number of hits in the first group was 4 out of 12 targets hit (with two shots
per target). After point shooting, the average jumped to 10 of 12 targets hit.
Further shooters trained only in point shooting, including those who had
never fired a handgun before receiving point shooting training, maintained
the high average established by the first group (FMFRP 12-80, p. 286).
Similar methods were in use as early as the 1920s, and continue to this
day--see Hogan's Alley for more information.
As a matter of interest, the acronym "FSA" is often misspelled or
mispronounced as "FAS".
Quick Kill
Figure 10a from TT 23-71-1, showing the proper method of sighting to hit
aerial targets with the sightless BB gun
Another method of point shooting, developed by "Lucky" McDaniels and
taught by the US Army beginning in 1954, was the "Quick Kill" method. It
was taught using a rifle, although the same techniques apply to handguns
or shotguns. The Quick Kill method was outlined in "Principles of Quick
Kill", TT 23-71-1, and was taught starting with a special Daisy BB gun that
had no sights. The slow moving steel BB was visible in flight on sunny
days, making it an inexpensive tracer round. The students begain by firing
at 3.5" diameter metal disks thrown in the air slightly in front of the student
and 2-4 meters above the student's head. After an 80% hit rate is attained
firing at 3.5" disks, the student is then presented with 2.5" diameter disks.
Once proficiency is attained with the aerial targets, it shows the student
has mastered the fundamentals, and training moves on to stationary
targets on the ground, first with the BB gun and then with a service rifle.
The reason the Quick Kill method works is that the shooter learns to sight
above the barrel, rather than along the barrel. While focusing on the target,
the muzzle is placed about 2 inches below the target (the 2 inches being
measured at the muzzle), which places the barrel nearly parallel to the line
of sight of the shooter. To hit the aerial targets, or other targets above eye
level, the shooter focuses on the top edge of the target; When shooting at
targets on the ground or below eye level shooter focuses on the bottom of
the target. One of the points emphasized in Quick kill is that it is essential
to focus on a single spot on the target, such as the top edge of a thrown
disc, or the bottom edge of a can on the ground.
The Daisy company commercially sold sightless BB guns and target
throwers for a number of years under the name "Quick Skill", along with an
instruction book that was a "de-militarized" version of aerial target portion
of the "Quick Kill" course.
Quick Fire
Quick Fire is a method previously used by the US Army for teaching
pointshooting. It is described in the following excerpt from US Army Field
Manual FM 23-9:
For pistol:
"Quick-Fire Point shooting. This is for engaging an enemy at less
than 5 yards. The weapon should be held in a two hand grip. It is
brought up close to the body until it reaches chin level and is then
thrust forward until both arms are straight. The arms and body form
a triangle, which can be aimed as a unit. In thrusting the weapon
forward, the firer can imagine that there is a box between him and
the enemy, and he is thrusting the weapon into the box. The trigger
is smoothly squeezed to the rear as the elbows straighten out."
For rifle:
"Aimed quick fire:
"When presented with a target, the soldier brings the rifle up to his
shoulder and quickly fires a single shot. His firing eye looks through
or just over the rear sight aperture. And he uses the front post to aim
at the target. Using this technique, a target at 25 meters or less may
be accurately engaged in one second or less.
"Pointer quick fire:
"When presented with a target, the soldier keeps the rifle at his side
and quickly fires a single shot or burst. He keeps both eyes open and
uses his instinct and peripheral vision to line up the rifle with the
target. Using this technique, a target at 15 meters or less may be
engaged in less than one second.
"Pointed and aimed quick fire should be used only when a target
cannot be engaged fast enough using the sights in a normal manner.
These techniques should be limited to targets appearing at 25 meters
or less."
Reflexive Fire
Reflexive Fire is a method currently used by the US Army to teach point
shooting with a rifle.
It is described in US Army Field Manual FM 3-06.11 (Combined Arms
Operations in Urban Terrain). The full text describing instruction in
reflexive fire can be found at the external link below.
Israeli Method
The "Israeli Method" is a point shooting system devised by the Israel
Defense Force (IDF) for use in training personnel to use rifles,
submachineguns, and handguns.
In its initial stages of training, it closely resembles the Fairbairn, Sykes,
and Applegate (FSA) method described above. In later stages, training in
the rapid acquisition of the sights is taught, as well as a more advanced
method of pointshooting.
In the United States and Canada, the term "Israeli Method" is generally
believed to refer to the carrying of a semiautomatic pistol with its chamber
empty. However, the carrying of the chamber empty served a safety
consideration, rather than a tactical consideration. In past decades, due to
severe budget constraints, IDF purchased and issued large quantities of
antiquated sidearms, the mechanical safety of which was questionable. In
recent decades, as budget concerns are increasingly alleviated and more
modern, standardized sidearms are issued, this mode of carry is
increasingly being phased out. It should also be noted that specialized
personnel, such as police and special forces units, have typically carried
newer and safer firearms, and have rarely used this mode of carry.
Point & Shoot
"Fig. 1 shows the finger 15 lying with the chord of its curvature
parallel with the barrel of the revolver, so that when the revolver is
fired the index-finger may be laid along this finger 15 and will fit
snugly thereagainst not only to hold the revolver securely, but
primarily to ensure proper aim."
US Patent 694,969, "Finger Guard for Revolvers", A. A. Kemp, 1902
Point & Shoot, or P&S, is a term coined in the 1990s to describe a shooting
method that dates back to at least the early 1900s. This method involves
gripping the firearm in such a way that the middle finger is used to pull the
trigger, leaving the index finger free to be placed along the gun parallel to
the bore. A variation on this method uses a two-handed grip, where the
index finger of the shooter's off hand pulls the trigger, again leaving the
normal trigger finger free for aiming. A number of devices have been
patented to facilitate this type of grip, which often serve both to keep the
index finger clear of the operating mechanism as well as parallel to the
bore.
P&S is likely the most controverisal method used for point shooting,
particularly where it applies to handguns. Many shooting trainers view P&S
with skepticism, considering it more of a novelty than a legitimate point
shooting technique with objections ranging from weapon retention to
safety. P&S advocates emphasize the ease of use, claiming the very nature
of the grip makes it effective without the training required for the other
methods.
External links






Threat Focused Forums, a discussion forum for Point Shooting
Methodologies
ICPS - Israeli Combat Point Shooting Israeli Point Shooting and
Tactical Training
Israeli Special Forces Information Page
Tactical Pistol Training & Combat Point Shooting
US Army Field Manual FM 3-06.11 Reflexive Fire Text
Pointshooting.com, website with information on pointshooting
methods, owned and operated by a proponent of P&S (see above).