Thanks for starting this thread.
The Ohio shooting was the reason I began my modern day quest into the world of the gun.
For the prior forty years or so, I was not of the world of the gun, and had thought that "those in charge" knew what the were about when it came to shooting. Then I saw the car stop and shooting on TV. and thought -- "What the.... someone needs help."
I remembered that back in 1955, I was told to use what I call P&S when shooting my grease gun from the hip. It worked then, so why not now and with a pistol.
Had I known then, what I know today about the world of the gun, I may have just sat down, took a old cold tater, and waited for someone else to do something.
But that was then, not now.
I soon became embroiled in the PS/SS squabble that has been around since at least 1835 and most likely before. I received some encouragement, but mostly very LOUD and factless loads of criticism. I soon became known as a first class PITA.
As to the two hundred year PS/SS squabble, one would think that by now someone or some body would have figured out which is best for CQ shooting, as that is there is the greatest chance of one being shot and/or killed.
(The stats say that if you are going to be shot and/or killed, there is a 90% chance that it will be at less then fifteen feet. Closer in, the chance of being killed goes up.)
But, NOPE, that hasn't happened during the past 200 years.
In the years since the Ohio shooting, I have gathered together lots of data, facts, and stuff on PS and SS.
Here's a link to a page on my site that has pics and videos of Sight Shooting being used effectively in CQ.
http://www.pointshooting.com/1april1.htmHey, just having a bit of fun.
On a more serious note, here are pics of a 1902 Patent and a 1908 Patent:
This is wording from the 1908 Patent:
"This invention relates to a device adapted for attachment to fire-arms of various kinds, more especially to shot - guns or hunting rifles, and has for its object to facilitate quick and accurate pointing of the weapon without being obliged to adjust the gun-stock to the shoulder for aiming at birds just rising from the bush or in flight, or at other game.
The invention is based largely upon the fact that the conscious or sub-conscious faculties intuitively enable men to point the index finger directly and accurately at any visible object without bringing the outstretched finger into alinement with or between the eye and the object."
The U.S. Army, in it Combat Pistol Manual of 2003, agrees that soldiers can do that, but cautioned against its use with the 1911 in its publications from 1912 to 1941.
Now, the type of shooting mentioned in the 1908 Patent, which I call AIMED Point Shooting or P&S, has been around since the early 1800's.
And it's good for CQ shooting/killing. A web search of Ruby shoots Oswald will get you proof of that.
I have put together a chronology of the use of P&S that dates from 1808. The US military recognized it and/or specifically cautioned against its use with the 1911 in its manuals from 1912 - 1941.
The books and manuals that reference it, are listed in the chronology along with their URL's, and in most cases with the pertinent language.
This stuff has only became known to me or been available in the last few years, and mainly from Google's effort in publishing out of date books, and a few kind notes from interested folks.
Here's the URL of the chronology:
http://www.pointshooting.com/1achrono.htmI believe, and it makes logical sense, that the US Military's repetitive cautions against the use of P&S with the standard issue sidearm of the U.S. from 1912 to 1941, suppressed both the use of and the knowledge about P&S.
The U.S. Army 's caution was that if the index finger is placed along the side of the gun, as it will be when using P&S, it can depress the slide stop pin with firing and the 1911 can jam.
The obvious conclusion, is SO DON'T DO THAT.
I experienced two jams using P&S with another pistol with a similar slide stop design.
Now, don't get me wrong, the 1911 is an excellent functioning piece of machinery.
The rub is that our armed forces were prevented from using a method of shooting/killing the enemy that is effective at CQ, because the slide stop design was not modified to prevent the 1911 from jamming if that method of shooting was used with it.
From time to time, I wonder how many hundreds of our fine men and women were shot and/or killed during WWI, WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam because of not having the option of using P&S which is fast, natural, accurate, and also provides you with an automatic and correct flash site picture.
That is something to think about.
Here's a link to an article that give more details on 1911 problem:
http://www.pointshooting.com/1a1911.htmAnd here's one on getting an automatic and correct flash sight picture when using P&S:
http://www.pointshooting.com/1a2auto.htmThe method can also be used with the method/s developed by Fairbairn and Sykes, and Applegate. Ditto for use with Threat Focus, QK and CAR.
It works when standing still, when moving, in good light or bad, and when shooting moving targets. Even works when shooting aerials. There's videos on my site and on U-tube of it being used as stated.
As to the SS - PS squabble:
To those who are of the mind set that one must use the sights at CQ (beyond contact distance), that would be OK if all gunfights occur in good lighting, and one has the time and composure to use them.
Again, if you are going to be shot and/or killed, there is a 90% chance that that will happen at less than 15 feet.
At that distance there will be little time for proscribed breathing and careful squeezing of the trigger, and RE-AIMING each shot taken, and etc...which are critical for accurate shooting.
So, those who don't know how to Point Shoot, will be "on their own" in CQ life threat situations. And according to the literature, the shooting method they will employ, is instinctive shooting.
Not a bad choice given no other, but most likely an ineffectual one, as the acknowledged MISS rate in armed encounters is 80+%.
The only saving grace is that gunfights are rare, and most likely the perp will not know Point Shooting.
So unless one is having very bad day, he/she will not be in a gunfight, and if so, will probably survive anyway.
..........
I plan to send this info along to Mr. Tuley as I think PS discussions should include info on past and present practices.
