Point shooting vs. aimed shooting in a self defense situation

[Kaleva]

I decided quite awhile ago that I'll never get the training to instinctively use the sights of my revolver when facing an antagonist in a life or death situation. I might not even see the gun in front of me as I most likely will be entirely focused on the threat.

So I practice point shooting during dry fire drills at home and live fire at a nearby range.

A technique called "Pistol Quick Kill" is similiar:

"n the late 1990s and early 2000s, Robin Brown (a former student of Lucky McDaniel) popularized Pistol Quick Kill.[citation needed]

With Pistol Quick Kill, the pistol is gripped and pointed at a target much like a person would point their finger. "When you point, you naturally do not attempt to sight or aim your finger. It will be somewhat below your eye level in your peripheral vision, perhaps 2-4 inches below eye level."

The same applies when pointing a gun at a target. Just as with pointing their finger, the user will "...see the end of the barrel and/or front sight while looking at the target...You have not looked at the gun or front sight, just the target."

"With Quick Kill, the focus is always on the target, never having to adjust one's gaze or focus even remotely on the near object [the gun or sights].""

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_shooting

[captain queeg]

1. I've wondered about the "point and shoot" idea

I’ve never been able to hit things with a handgun. I actually have two, I’ve only shot them a couple dozen times total many years ago; they’re in storage. But my son had some of those “air soft” pistols and I’m a pretty dead shot with those within 20-30 ft. I realized I don’t really try aiming them, at least not with the sights. I just line up the gun and look down my arm, really more like the TV baddies that hold their gun sideways. If I ever get my guns out of storage and try to shoot I’m going to use that method and see how it goes.

[Kaleva]

2. Unless one is trying for targets beyond 21 feet or so, I think point shooting is quite adequate

I'm not trying for tight groups but I can hit man size targets in the chest and torso area consistently up to ranges no greater then 7 yards. I don't practice shooting beyond that as I don't foresee myself every using the gun in self defense outside the home.

[Hangingon]

3. I practice point shooting at 10 feet.

At that range there is not sufficient time to site. May feeling is that is the range most probable in a home invasion scenario. I was surprised at the results.

[Kaleva]

4. What was it about the results that surprised you?

[Hangingon]

6. How easy it was to score hots

[Kaleva]

7. That's what I thought but wanted to make sure.

I also found that it's quite easy to score hits. I won't win any awards for marksmanship but I'm quite confident I'll put lead into a bad guy if need be.

[captain queeg]

5. I remember about 30 years ago I was going up to Alaska

And I bought a .41 magnum revolver. A friend of mine at work had a .44 magnum. Neither of us had ever shot our guns so we got some gallon milk jugs and went out on a back road to practice. We both fired 12 rounds starting at about 30 ft, then kept moving them closer. Neither one of us hit a milk jug. That was bad enough but when I went to alaska and some some brown bears (at McNeal river) I realized Id just piss one off with that .41.

[spin]

8. Those two powerful revolvers are not a good choice for beginners. ...

I often advise people to start out with a .22 caliber handgun and learn how to shoot it accurately. The money you save on ammo will allow you to purchase your next more powerful handgun.

The most powerful revolver I would start off with is a medium to full sized 38/.357 Magnum. .38 Special ammo has some recoil but a beginner can usually handle it without big issues. Once he/she becomes proficient with .38 then the same weapon will handle the far more powerful .357 Magnum round. Note the smaller snub nosed revolvers being lighter have significant recoil and are not the best choice for a beginner.

If I was headed for Alaska and wanted some protection from bears I would likely chose a Smith & Wesson 460V. Of course 30 years ago this handgun was not available so back then I would have chosen the .44 Magnum.

Best 6 Handguns for Bear Country
https://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/best-6-handguns-bear-country/

[Straw Man]

9. Absolutely.

Starting out with one of the big magnum handguns is a sure way to develop a flinch that will be nearly impossible to get rid of.

[Dial H For Hero]

10. Reminds me of vidoes of those jerks who hand their 5' nothin' girlfriend who has never shot a

handgun a .44 magnum without giving her the slightest instruction, and then laugh as she almost breaks her wrist from the recoil and falls down.