Editing Point shooting (section)

==Overview==
One point shooting method, referred to as aimed point shooting, has been used and discussed since the early 19th century.<ref name="de Berenger">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SHACAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA238 | title=Helps and Hints How to Protect Life and Property with Instructions in Rifle and Pistol Shooting, &c. | publisher=T. Hurst | author=Lt. Col. Baron de Berenger | year=1835 | location=London | pages=237–9 | quote=accordingly, bear in mind that you ought to pull by a motion, or rather pressure, of your finger only, and not by an action of the arm; the middle finger, instead of the forefinger, is to be preferred, (by a young beginner especially,) since the anatomical situation of its muscles is less likely to diverge your pistol by a pull at the trigger, than one from the forefinger, instead of pulling with the ''end'' of the finger, (as with a gun you ought to do;) your passing the whole of the first joint ''beyond'' the trigger is also a desirable mode, and on similar grounds.}}</ref> The method employs the use of the index finger along the side of the gun to aim the gun, and the middle finger is used to pull the trigger. Mention of the use of the middle finger can be found in books from the early 1800s up through the 20th century: 1804,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ScgKAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA81 | title=Instructions for the Drills, and the Method of Performing the Eighteen Manoeuvers | publisher=C. Roworth | author=Russel, John | year=1804 | location=London | quote=Pull the trigger strong with the middle finger.}}</ref> 1810,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BLxBAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA369 | title=A Military Dictionary, or, Explanation of the Several Systems of Discipline of Different Kinds of Troops, Infantry, Artillery, and Cavalry; The Principles of Fortification, and All the Modern Improvements in the Science of Tactics: Comprising The Pocket Gunner, or Little Bombardier; the Military Regulations of the United States; the Weights, Measures, and Monies of All Nations; the Technical Terms and Phrases of the Art of War in the French Language Particularly Adapted to the Use of the Military Institution of the United States | publisher=William Duane | author=Duane, William | year=1810 | location=Philadelphia | pages=369 | quote=Pull the trigger strong with the middle finger.}}</ref> 1816,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_UVQAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA655 | title=Encyclopædia Perthensis, or Universal Dictionary of the Arts, Sciences, Literature, &c. Intended to Supersede the Use of Other Books of Reference | year=1816 | location=Edinburgh | pages=655}}</ref> 1829<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bCMFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA70 | title=Arcana of Science, and Annual Register of the Useful Arts | publisher=John Limbird | year=1829 | location=London | pages=70 | quote=...and pulling the trigger with the middle finger}}</ref> 1835,<ref name="de Berenger"/> 1885,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BdVCAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA33 | title=Instructions in Rifle and Carbine Firing for the United States Army | publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons | author=Blunt, Stanhope E. | year=1885 | location=New York | pages=33 | quote=Some riflemen advocate the employment of the second finger upon the trigger; this has the tendency to apparently lessen the amount of force required to discharge the piece, and for men with very long arms or fingers may be the easiest position.<br/>The loss of the greater mobility and sensitiveness of the forefinger is, however, a positive disadvantage.}}</ref> 1898,<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5UIQAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA148 | title=Guns and Ammunition | journal=Recreation |date=January 1898  | volume=VIII | issue=1 | pages=148 | quote=In shooting a rifle, most sportsmen use the index finger to pull the trigger. If your readers would try using the second finger, and squeezing the hand together, instead of a direct pull, they would find a great difference in the pull of the trigger. This method is of great advantage when one has a standing shot at deer, as one is less liable to pull off.}}</ref> 1900,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5VtDAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA325 | title=Bullet and Shot in Indian Forest, Plain and Hill with Hints to Beginners in Indian Shooting | publisher=W. Thacker and Company | author=Russell, Charles Edward Mackintosh | year=1900 | location=London | pages=325 | quote=Some beginners are very apt to 'pull off' in the act of firing. If such will make a practice of using the middle finger put well round the trigger, in place of the forefinger, they will probably find a great improvement in their shooting.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.pointshooting.com/c96ok.pdf | title=Giant .45 'Broomhandle' from China: From the epoch of the warlords to you... a legendary, exotic big bore! | author=Fortier, David M. | journal=Gun World | date=February 2001 | quote=Special commando units were armed entirely with the C-96, and later the selective fire variants, as well as a large beheading sword carried in a leather scabbard on their back. Recognizing the Mauser's weak and strong points, the Chinese developed the following technique for using the C-96 and later the 712. They would hold it sideways (what we would today refer to as 'Gangbanger style'), with the index finger lying on the magazine well pointing at the target, and pull the trigger with the middle finger. | access-date=2012-07-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521012204/http://www.pointshooting.com/c96ok.pdf | archive-date=2012-05-21 | url-status=dead }}</ref> 1908,<ref>{{US patent reference| country=US | number=896099 | y=1908|m=08|d=18 |inventor=Murray H Gardner |title=Gun-pointing attachment}}</ref> 1912,<ref>{{cite book | url=http://defensedanslarue.wordpress.com/history/the-revolver | title=La défense dans la rue |language=French| trans-title=Defense in the Street | publisher=P. Lafitte & cie | author=Joseph-Renaud, Jean | authorlink=Jean-Joseph Renaud | year=1912 | location=France | isbn=9782354221133 | others=Translated by James Farthing and Herve Dautry | quote=Some people will find it useful to press the trigger with the middle finger while keeping the index finger against the cylinder, parallel to the barrel. This technique relies on the habit of using the index finger to point at things.<br/>I heard the General de Chabot tell that such a method of shooting had saved his life in several occasions. For example, the day before the battle of Sarrebruck in 1870, he found himself face to face with a Prussian captain while seating in a small canteen. They both shot at each other straight away. Mr de Chabot had a single action weapon while his foe had a double action one. Nevertheless, the German missed five times while the French lieutenant mortally wounded him with his second shot. It must be noticed that both had fired hastily but this technique for handling the revolver makes instinctive shooting more accurate. Always used this technique with a good quality revolver, as it will prevent any spit of lead from between the cylinder and the barillet that would burn your fingers.}}</ref> and in many other military manuals on the M1911.

The [[United States Army]]'s first instructional manual on the use of the [[M1911 pistol]] specifically mentions it, but in a cautionary way due to the design of the [[slide stop]]: the slide stop pin protrudes out from the right side of the pistol, and if depressed when the gun is fired, the M1911 can jam. Similar cautionary language is repeated in many other military manuals published from 1912 and up until the 1940s: 1915,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8iZzK2-aSWoC | title=Automatic Pistol Shooting: Together with Information on Handling the Duelling Pistol and Revolver | publisher=G.P. Putnam's sons | year=1915 |quote=Some Englishmen shoot with the second finger on the trigger and the first along the pistol...}}</ref> 1917,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1_IEAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA633 | title=Complete United States Infantry Guide for Officers and Noncommissioned Officers | publisher=J.B. Lippincott Company | year=1917 | location=Philadelphia and London | pages=633 |quote=The trigger should be pulled with the forefinger. If the trigger is pulled with the second finger, the forefinger extending along the side of the receiver is apt to press against the projecting pin of the slide stop and cause a jam when the slide recoils.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hs9BAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA16| title=Description of the Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, Model of 1911: With Rules for Management, Memoranda of Trajectory, and Description of Ammunition | publisher=United States Government Printing Office | year=1917 | location=Washington | pages=16 |quote=If the trigger is pulled with the second finger, the forefinger extending along the side of the receiver is apt to press against the projecting pin of the slide stop and cause a jam when the slide recoils.}}</ref> 1918,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z99EAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA82 | title=Small Arms Instruction Manual | publisher=E.P. Dutton & Company | year=1918 | location=New York | pages=82 |quote=The trigger should be squeezed with the forefinger. If the trigger is squeezed with the second finger, the forefinger extending along the side of the receiver is apt to press against the projecting pin of the slide stop and cause a jam when the slide recoils.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pzUuAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA129 | title=Handbook for Seaman Gunners: Covering Course for Seaman Gunners at the Navy Yard, Washington, Part 3 | publisher=Navy Mobilization Bureau | year=1918 | location=New York City | pages=129 | quote=The trigger should be pulled with the forefinger. If the trigger is pulled with the second finger, the forefinger extending along the side of the receiver Is apt to press against the projecting pin of the slide stop and cause a jam when the slide recoils.}}</ref> 1920,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sB49AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA315 | title=Farrow's Manual of Military Training | publisher=Scientific American Publishing Company | author=Farrow, Edward Samuel | year=1920 | location=New York | pages=315 |quote=If the trigger is pulled with the second finger, the forefinger extending along the side of the receiver is apt to press against the projecting pin of the slide stop and cause a jam when the slide recoils.}}</ref> 1921,<ref>{{cite book | chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/rotcmanualtextbo00bondrich#page/250/mode/2up | title=The R. O. T. C. manual; a text book for the Reserve Officers Training Corps | publisher=The Johns Hopkins Press | last1=Bond | first1=Paul Stanley| last2=Garey | first2=Enoch Barton | last3=Ellis | first3= Olin Oglesby | last4=McMurray | first4=Thomas Leroy | year=1921 | location=Baltimore | chapter=Pistol Marksmanship | pages=3 |quote=If the second finger is used on the trigger the index finger will be extended along the side of the receiver where it is apt to press again the projecting end of the slide stop pin, thus causing a jam when the slide recoils.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | title=Platoon Training | publisher=United States Infantry Association | author=Waldron, William Henry | year=1920 | pages=612 |quote=The trigger should be pulled with the forefinger. If the trigger is pulled with the second finger, the forefinger extending along the side of the receiver is apt to press against the projecting pin of the slide stop and cause a jam when the slide recoils.}}</ref> 1922,<ref>On page 13 of Training regulations: TR. - United States. War Dept - 1922, "... If the trigger is pulled with the second finger, the forefinger extending along the side of the receiver is apt to press against the projecting pin of the ..."</ref> 1926,<ref>On page 31 of Special Regulations - California. Adjutant General's Office -Biography & Autobiography - 1926, "... If the trigger is pulled with the second finger, the forefinger extending along the side of the receiver is apt to press against the projecting pin of the slide stop and cause a jam when the slide recoils. ..."</ref> 1927,<ref>{{cite book | title=Manual of Basic Training and Standards of Proficiency for the National Guard | publisher=United States Government Printing Office | year=1927 | pages=120 | quote=The trigger should be pulled with the forefinger. If the trigger is pulled with the second finger, the forefinger extending along the side of the receiver is apt to press against the projecting pin of the slide stop and cause a jam when the slide recoils.}}</ref> 1929,<ref>On page 68 of Special Regulations - 1929, "... extending along the side of the receiver is apt to press against the projecting pin of the slide stop and cause a jam when the slide recoils. ..."</ref> and 1941.<ref>{{cite book | url=http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015064560405;view=1up;seq=330 | title=The State Defense Force Manual | publisher=Military Service Publishing Company | year=1945 | location=Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | pages=324 | quote=If the trigger is pulled with the second finger, the forefinger extending along the side of the receiver is apt to press against the projecting pin of the slide stop and cause a jam when the slide recoils}}</ref>

Several US patents have drawings showing the method used with firearms: US Patent # 694969 issued Mar. 11, 1902,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=00694969&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526d%3DPALL%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526s1%3D0694969.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2F0694969%2526RS%3DPN%2F0694969&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page |title=Patent Images |publisher=Patimg2.uspto.gov |accessdate=2013-10-20}}</ref> US Patent # 896099 issued Aug. 18, 1908,<ref>This is wording from the 1908 US Patent 896099 issued to M. H. Gardner:

"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 alignment with or between the eye and the object."{{cite web | url=http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=00896099&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526d%3DPALL%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526s1%3D0896099.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2F0896099%2526RS%3DPN%2F0896099&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page | title=Patent Images | publisher=[[United States Patent and Trademark Office]] | accessdate=July 13, 2015}}</ref> US Patent # 2270707 issued Jan. 20, 1942,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://patimg1.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=02270707&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526d%3DPALL%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526s1%3D2270707.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2F2270707%2526RS%3DPN%2F2270707&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page |title=Patent Images |publisher=Patimg1.uspto.gov |accessdate=2013-10-20}}</ref> US Patent # 5166459 issued Nov. 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.piw?docid=05166459&PageNum=1&&IDKey=3152D32CE2B4&HomeUrl=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1%2526Sect2=HITOFF%2526d=PALL%2526p=1%2526u=%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r=1%2526f=G%2526l=50%2526s1=5166459.PN.%2526OS=PN/5166459%2526RS=PN/5166459 |title=Patent Images |publisher=Patimg2.uspto.gov |accessdate=2013-10-20}}</ref>

Early 20th century shooting experts such as [[William E. Fairbairn]] and [[Rex Applegate]] advocated point shooting, while many experts later in the century advocated the use of sights. Later sight-reliant methods include [[Jeff Cooper (colonel)|Jeff Cooper's]] [[Modern technique (shooting)|modern technique]] method which became popular after [[World War II]]. The modern technique is also known as "sight-reliant shooting" or "sight shooting".

The issue of using sight-reliant shooting, which relies on the use of the sights for aiming in [[close-quarters combat]] situations, versus point shooting, which does not rely on the sights for aiming in close quarters combat situations, has been debated since as early as 1835.<ref name="de Berenger"/>