[ocalhoun]

Last time I was out shooting, I decided to try something I'd heard about:
Aiming by instinct, not using any sort of sights, just pointing the gun at what you want to shoot and pulling the trigger.

My weapon for the experiment, a Springfield XD45 'tactical', which means long-barreled.

I was actually shocked at how well it turned out!
First, I started holding the gun, pointing at the ground, and figured for a first experiment, to just whip it up and shoot as fast as possible.
I did so, not even looking at the gun, only looking at the target... and was actually shocked to see it get hit -- dead center!
Surprised at what I thought to be a fluke, I unloaded the rest of the magazine as rapidly as possible at it, still hardly looking at the gun at all, only looking at the target.
The target was a water bottle about 10 yards away... and out of the 12 rounds I unloaded as fast as possible, 8 hit the bottle, and the rest hit close enough to it to shower it with dirt, or even kick it up by hitting the dirt under it.

To give some perspective on this, this is actually FAR better than I usually do using the iron sights with this gun! (The iron sights on this model are weird, and I still haven't gotten the hang of them yet.)
I figured this would be something I would have to practice, I was utterly shocked to do so well on a first, halfhearted, try.
I doubt I'll ever use the iron sights on this gun again! And I'm looking forward to trying this with some of my other guns.

Some reasons it may have worked well:
- It has a laser sight that I've used (though I wasn't using it at the time). This may have gotten my hand-eye coordination used to knowing where the gun is pointed without using the sights. ie, holding the gun while using the laser might have been equivalent to lots of shooting practice, as far as muscle memory is concerned.
- The XD line has very good ergonomics; the grip fits my hand well, and the angle is perfect - the same angle my hand forms when pointing a finger. Perhaps the good ergonomics are one reason I was able to pick it up so easily.
- The trigger pull on this gun is light, so the pressure of pulling on the trigger doesn't distort the aim.


I'd highly recommend it; if you haven't tried instinctive shooting yet, give it a shot (pun intended)... you may be shocked as I was to find it working so well. (Or it may work very poorly... but I've now found out that it's worth a try!)

 

[IlikeSa]

I've tried it with 1911s, XDs and Glocks. I am best with the 1911 (4 out of 6 on a paper plate at 25 yards) and worst with the Glock (always high). It's all about grip angle and practice. I routinely practice instinct aiming by looking at a target, bringing the gun up, then looking down the sights. I almost am always looking at the target perfectly.

 

[Jeffrey]

It's actually called "point shooting", and how to develop it:

1. Holster your sidearm between each shot and practice sssllloooowwww precise draws. 2. Keep your weapon close to your body, do NOT swing it around. When your gun is up, "poke" (slowly) straight to your target using your trigger finger (still stiff, straight, and outside the trigger guard) to position your arms.
3. When your sights are aligned, perform one sssllloooowww sssmmooooottthhh motion with your finger from resting on the frame, to the back of the trigger.
4. Repeat 100 times a week and muscle memory will take over.
5. Snap caps rule!
6. Wear your gun holstered at home and practice every time you see a dollar sign on the TV screen.

 

[Jeffrey]

The pistol, grip angle, and sights do not matter. What matters is that you are using your sights and eyes to train your arms and hands.

This may sound wierd, but try it. Align your pistol's sights on the target and double check that your trigger finger is pointing at the target also. If it's not, put a dot of superglue or silicone rubber on the front trigger guard where finger should rest to have your finger pointed at the target. Eventually the dot will fall off, but your finger may have learned where to rest by that "point".

 

[Victor Grey]

Reminds me of watching that guy Bob Munden on the Dicovery channel. The quick-draw guy.

Could hit a bulleye from the hip consistently.

 

[KaBar67]

Interesting variation.

Face target square on, adjust height and lifting gun to line of sight like use of binoculars.

 

[ManyFeathers]

One of the best ways of learning this type of shooting is by using a BB gun

They key is learning to put your projectile where you're looking and then practicing

It's certainly cheap enough, when you get proficient, work your way up.

This type of shooting really pays off with a shotgun on birds or clays

Works for coins in the air too. Did I mention practicing?

 

[rxd]

so how fast is "as fast as possible", hmm? do you not have an electronic shooting timer, cause you don't WANT to know how slow you are? if it is not faster than aimed fire, what is the point, hmm? we now have luminous sights, so the old "cant aim at night' bs hasn't been pertinent for nearly 30 years now.

 

[rxd]

so who needs to hit birds on the wing, anyway? it's just a waste of expensive, bulky, heavy ammo. Birds always land and unless it's a turkey, there isn't enough meat to justify a shotshell, much less all the noise and the risk of having nothing to fight with when your shotblast calls in 5 guys who have autorifles and know to use cover and fire from over 100 yds away.

 

[rxd]

I've taken a ton of waterfowl with .22 rifles and pistols over the years. it's just a stunt to shoot them on the wing, not a necessary thing at all. bait them into traps, use treblehooks and baited lines that are tied to stakes, etc. if shtf. Shooting them is not necessary or advisable.

 

[Straight Razor]

It's actually called "point shooting", and how to develop it:

When I was in the army we called it "quick kill."

 

[whirlibird]

The pistol, grip angle, and sights do not matter.

Horsefeathers.

If the gun doesn't fit, you aren't going to hit for a pile of fecal matter.

As for point shooting, the sights don't matter as you aren't using them.
I've taught classes with a Glock that I take the sights off of.
And yes, the Glock perfection shoots high until you take that bloody mainspring housing hump off. Same as a arched housing in a 1911. But that works for some people, that's why there's different parts and different guns.

 

[Black Knight]

Now I personally hate, hate, hate missing my target. It is a really personal thing, much like a professional golfer screws up an easy shot. I hate it. Eight out of ten is not good enough for me personally. Of course I spent a lot of time training for hostage rescue, so I may have a different mindset than some. However I believe that for self defense the three most important things in regard to stopping power is, shot placement, shot placement and the third is shot placement.

With that in mind I suggest you forget about the terms "aimed fire", "quick kill", "instinctive" or "point shooting."

Think about the term "acceptable sight picture."

If I am close enough that I don't need my sights I don't use them. That range is different for each person and it also depends on the target. Are you shooting center mass on a large man at seven yards? Or is he thin and has a hostage in front of him. These factors will dictate how much time and effort I will spend aiming the weapon.

A good simple drill is to start close to your target and double tap as quickly as possible. Then step back a few yards and repeat. Then step back a few yards and repeat. The further you step back the more time and effort it will take to be sure of hitting your target. And the more time it will take to hit with two accurate shots. The drill could be repeated with a smaller target and you will notice the speed and time between shots will change drastically at the same ranges.

Even when people are so called "point shooting" they are still aiming the weapon. Even a peripheral view of the slide(without focusing on the front or rear sight) to insure the barrel is roughly in line with the target, is aiming.

Also consider this, the bullet will hit where the sights are aligned. This is true even if you don't look at them, or even if you close your eyes while making the shot. Remember the saying, "slow is smooth and smooth is fast." Don't be in a hurry to master something like point shooting at the expense of mastering fundamental shooting. The trick is to master the fundamentals(which is not instinctive) and then apply them very quickly at a subconscious level,without having to even look at the sights. Which is a lot different than just picking up a gun and doing "point shooting" right away.

By using the "acceptable sight picture" method of shooting you are learning ONE method and not trying to decide between "point shooting" and "use of the sight" method. You simply take as much time as necessary to make the shot and do it. Very KISS simple for combat. Shooting is just like every other skill set, there are not short cuts.

This I think is the way to develop the Zen art of shooting.

Just my thoughts and experience on the matter.

 

[ManyFeathers]

so who needs to hit birds on the wing, anyway? it's just a waste of expensive, bulky, heavy ammo. Birds always land and unless it's a turkey, there isn't enough meat to justify a shotshell, much less all the noise and the risk of having nothing to fight with when your shotblast calls in 5 guys who have autorifles and know to use cover and fire from over 100 yds away.

You Sir obviously know nothing about shooting birds? I guess all you will ever get will be chit birds.

If you wait for game birds to land, then expect to walk to go get them, you're likely going to starve to death

 

[ManyFeathers]

I've taken a ton of waterfowl with .22 rifles and pistols over the years. it's just a stunt to shoot them on the wing, not a necessary thing at all. bait them into traps, use treblehooks and baited lines that are tied to stakes, etc. if shtf. Shooting them is not necessary or advisable.

You do know that's highly illegal....