JUST CONNECT THE DOTS AS YOU GO ALONG.

Dot 1.

In Chap. 2, Sect. II of its Field Manual 3-23.35 Combat Training With Pistols M9 AND M11 (June,2003), the Army says this about vision, pointing, and aiming:

"Everyone has the ability to point at an object."

"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 a soldier to rapidly and accurately engage targets."

Dot 2.

In the U.S. Army Rifle Field Manual 3-22.9 of 24 April 2003, we find descriptions of four aiming techniques for use in short range combat (under 50 meters). They are Slow Aimed Fired, Rapid Aimed Fire, Aimed Quick Kill, and Instinctive Fire.

As to Instinctive Fire, it understandably stats that this "is the least accurate technique and should only be used in emergencies. It relies on instinct, experience, and muscle memory."

"The firer concentrates on the target and points the weapon in the general direction of the target. While gripping the handguards with the nonfiring hand he extends the index finger to the front, automatically aiming the weapon on a line towards the target."

The last sentence is very important here. It clearly states that when you extend your index finger along the side of your gun, it automatically aims your gun on a line towards the target.

Dot 3.

The Army pistol manual calls for using "Quick-Fire Point Shooting" at less than 5 yards and at night. The gun is brought up close to the body in a two handed grip. Then at chin level, it is thrust forward. And the trigger is smoothly squeezed as the elbows straighten out.

Unfortunately, thought the manuals plainly state that we have the ability to rapidly, accurately, instinctively, and automatically engage targets, and they actually describe how that can be done, what they don't do, is connect the dots.

AIMED Point Shooting or P&S, connects the dots.

Now admittedly, it may be a bit of a stretch to say that the US Army approves of the use of a P&S with handguns, and maybe even a P&S aiming aid stuck onto or made part of a handgun.

But we can point with the index finger of either hand. So if you can automatically aim a weapon on a line to a target by gripping the handguards with the nonfiring hand and extending the index finger to the front, using the other hand and index finger will bring the same result.

Crudely put, it is like picking your nose. It can be done with either hand.

I do know that gripping a pistol and extending my index finger along its side and pointing it at a target, allows me to fast, accurately, instinctively, and automatically hit a target when firing rapidly and multiple times using my middle finger or weak hand index finger to pull the trigger.

And it works when you are moving, or the target is moving, or both are moving, and it even can be used to hit aerials.

Pulling the trigger with the middle finger is no big deal. Actually it pulls back straighter in the hand, it is stronger than the index finger, and it has better nerve connections than does the index finger.

Also, keeping the index finger extended helps to lock up the wrist to improve recoil control.

Further, in a CQB situation (per Applegate), you are going to be crushing the gun. So you most probably won’t be holding your index finger aloof and separate from the gun, so that you can squeeze and manipulate the trigger while shooting once or multiple times.

And a plus with P&S is that no matter how hard you grab the gun, you won’t torque the gun down and around clockwise, and shoot low and left.

That is because your gun will be held between your opposing thumb and index finger, which along with the web of the hand, provides a strong, level, and stable shooting platform.

Your ring and little fingers will be doing their job of helping with and adding tenacity to the grip.

And with the wrist lock grip, elbow smashes to the right or left, and front punches can be made.