By John Veit
There is a simple, reliable, and low cost firearm improvement that allows you to aim automatically and accurately at night or day in self-defense or close quarters combat situations.
It is called a Point & Shoot index finger rest.
Adding one to a gun is like adding power steering to a car or truck. What you get is a ready and reliable means for fast, automatic, and accurate aiming.
The Point & Shoot index finger rest is added just above the trigger guard. It extends like a small shelf about 3/4 of an inch out from the side of the gun, and it is aligned with the barrel.
It is a practical means for utilizing the close quarters shooting method called Point & Shoot.
Heres how it works:
1. You place your index finger against the finger rest as the gun
is drawn and brought up.
2. You point your index finger at a target.
3. You pull the trigger with your middle finger.
THE ADVANTAGES OF P&S:
The addition of a finger rest provides improved weapon support because you will be able to grasp and support the weapon with both thumb and index finger.
That is not the case now. Most handguns are supported using the thumb and middle finger. That is done to leave the index finger free so you can squeeze the trigger when shooting.
Good theory, but in high stress situations when shooting multiple times with a gun bucking and jumping in your hand that most likely will not happen.
Films of actual close quarters gunfights that have been shown on TV, establish as fact that the participants do not use the sights to aim and then squeeze the trigger to shoot. They just blast away, and survival becomes a matter of chance. As such, P&S finger rests, which provide for instinctive and accurate aiming, make sense.
With a finger rest added, the weapon will be supported by, and hang onto the index finger because the finger rest extends out from the side of the weapon.
The weapon will feel comfortable and solid. It will meld with your hand, and the barrel will be aligned with your index finger because of the position of the finger rest.
Also, the finger rest will protect your index finger from the slide or from powder flash.
The index finger will stop working at a cross-purpose. It will be able to do what it can do naturally, automatically, and accurately. And that is, point, not pull a trigger.
As fast as you can point at a target, the weapon will aim at that target.
You will have a stable and flexible, shooting platform. You will be able to stay on target while moving. And you also can cup your free hand and use it for added support and stability.
Recoil will be absorbed better and target re-acquisition will be quicker.
There will be less of a chance of accidentally shooting someone, and the possibility of shoot first and ask questions later situations will be less.
Finally, no change to the gun action is needed, and you still can use the sights to aim with.
Keep in mind that the basic grip of the modern pistol came into use over 100 years ago and has not changed since then. The Colt 45 automatic pistol was patented in 1897. It is time for a change.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS ON POINT & SHOOT
If you have to use a weapon for self defense, it probably wont be during the day, in good light, in controlled conditions and when the only stress youre under, is that of taking careful aim and shooting.
More likely, itll be at night, in bad light, in a high stress situation, and under conditions where you may not be able to carefully aim and shoot.
What would YOU do?
Recent TV news clips of real time situations, indicate that the most likely course of action, even by gun carrying professionals, would be to just blast away.
If you had a Point & Shoot finger rest, you could Point & Shoot.
Heres what one shooter said about P&S:
I read about Point and Shoot and fired 150 rounds at open range. I totally agree and think its a great way to let your instincts go.
HOW TO TEST P&S FOR YOURSELF
To visualize how P&S works:
1. Hold one hand out from your body about waist high with the thumb up.
2. Point your index finger at a target.
3. Pull the trigger with your middle finger.
Note that both the palm side centerline and the thumb side centerline of your index finger form straight lines that point where your finger does.
To make a quick test:
1. Get a strip of plastic corner molding used to protect corners, and cut off a four-inch piece. End view of a piece of molding about 3/4 inch on a side.
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2. Stick a strip of double sided adhesive tape along the left outside of the vertical side.
3. If there is room for it, stick the molding to the side of the weapon, parallel with the barrel, and one inch back from and just above the trigger guard.
It is very important that the thumb side of the root knuckle and the side of the second knuckle of your index finger are in good contact with the finger rest. That is the key to pointing stability and accuracy, and will help to support the weapon.
4. Snuggle your index finger up and against the finger rest and place your middle finger on the trigger.
5. Point & Shoot.
AN ALTERNATIVE TEST METHOD:
The indented shape of the upper rear portion of most pistols will prevent you from placing your index finger above the trigger guard and up against the finger rest. As such, here is an alternative method for testing with pistols.
1. Make and stick double sided adhesive tape to a length of molding as described above.
2. Stick the molding to the side of the weapon, parallel with the barrel, and one inch back from the trigger guard. It will cover up some or all of the trigger guard and trigger. A shim may need to be placed between the trigger guard and the finger rest.
It is very important that to position it so the side of the root knuckle and the side of the second knuckle of your index finger make contact with the horizontal part of the finger rest. That enhances pointing stability and accuracy, and will help support the weapon. You may have to trim the back vertical portion to match the curve of the gun and allow good contact of the root knuckle with the horizontal part.
3. Snuggle your index finger up and against the finger rest.
4. Lightly wrap the fingers of your left hand around the fingers of your right hand and place your left index finger on the trigger.
5. Point with your right index finger & then Shoot with your left index finger.
You also can cut out the part of the finger rest that covers the trigger.
TESTING P&S WITHOUT USING A FINGER REST
You also can test P&S without a test finger rest, but you will not get the immediate and correct index finger alignment that you will get with one. And you will not get improved support, stability, and the accuracy that you will get with a test finger rest. What you will get, is an idea of what P&S can do for you.
To do that:
1. Place your index finger along the outside of the trigger guard, straight forward, and aligned with the gun barrel.
2. Wrap the fingers of your left hand around those of your right, and put your left index finger on the trigger.
3. Point with your right index finger, and shoot with your left index finger.
Be careful and be sure that your index finger does not move up towards the cylinder or slide.
ITS YOUR LIFE THATS ON THE LINE:
Its your life thats on the line, so how come you dont have, or havent been given a weapon with a P&S type finger rest for testing or use?
When I qualified expert with a sub-machine-gun some 44 years ago, an old sergeant told me to place my index finger along the side of the gun, and point with it when shooting from the hip. I did, and the method worked for me.
It would have been nice to have had a finger rest. That would have made it quick and easy to position my index finger parallel with the barrel any time.
But in those days, you didnt think of, or say stuff like, Lieutenant sir, how come my grease gun doesnt have an index finger rest that could help me aim it accurately? That might just save my but in a firefight.
But this isnt the good old days, or is it?
I have learned that the gun world is very slow to adopt new ideas or change their ways. That is the case regardless of the need, and I think its tragic.
For example, If the military casualty rate was as high as that of the police, there would be an immediate and major investigation of weapons and tactics used.
But when it is local police officers that are being shot, and killed, and injured, it is a different story.
In the incident in Somalia, 18 soldiers were killed and 77 were wounded.
In the US an average of over 100 officers are killed and 20,000 are injured each year. Many of the casualties are the result of being shot. Where is the hue and cry about them?
GETTING A P&S FINGER REST:
Why arent P&S type finger rests on the market since:
1. The method works,
2. They would make guns safer to use,
3. They would allow accurate shooting any time,
4. They would save lives and the dollar costs associated with that loss of life, and
5. They would lessen accidental shootings, and save the dollar costs associated with them.
I dont know. Ask your gun maker why not. Ask your mayor why not. Ask your police chief why not. Ask your sheriff why not. Ask you range officer why not. Ask your shooting instructor why not.
Until they come on the market, you will have to contact a gun smith and have one added.
Because firearms are dangerous, any MAKER, INSTALLER, OR USER of a P&S finger rest, assumes and agrees to be responsible for any and all results. If not, please do not make, install, or use one.
About the Author: John Veit was enlisted in the Army in the 50’s where he carried and shot with a variety of weapons including the: M-1, The Carbine and the .45 sub-machine gun. John began promoting and testing the Point and Shoot method in the 90’s with successful results. John Veit can be reached at okjoe@ao.com.