From "The Tactical Wire".
Skill Set: "Flash Sight Alignment"
by Tiger McKeeWhen you began learning how to shoot the use of the sights, focusing on the front sight to hold the sight picture steady while pressing the trigger, was stressed as the way to aim your firearm. For pure marksmanship this is essential. For defensive purposes, when time is critical, we need to develop the ability to put accurate hits on the threat efficiently, in the shortest amount of time possible. For this application the body is used to aim the weapon and the sights are used to quickly confirm the weapon is on target prior to pressing the trigger.
The skill to aim the pistol or carbine efficiently and accurately is based on proprioception, your body's ability to know where each of its parts are in relationship to each other. The brain uses proprioceptors in the muscles and joints and input from the inner ear - your sense of balance - to perform physical acts effectively and with balance.
To develop this skill, quickly drawing and immediately having a good sight picture, requires practice. Using a dummy or "blue" gun is best. You start from a good proper stance, visually focusing on your target on the point you want the shot to go. Close your eyes and draw the pistol, completely extending the hands and arms outward so that the sights intersect your line of vision, even though your eyes are closed. Once you've completed the presentation open your eyes to "see" where the sights are. If they're not on target then adjust your stance. Hold your position, holster, close your eyes and draw again. Eventually you should be able draw the pistol onto target with no adjustments required. The key is to ensure you bring the hands, pistol and sights up to intersect your line of sight, which is a natural action.
The same drill is done with the carbine. Starting from the low ready position you visually acquire the target. Close your eyes, bring the weapon up and hit your cheekweld. Open the eyes and see how close you are, adjusting the body position if necessary and repeating until when your eyes open you're on target. Once you've got it working from standing start practicing kneeling and other positions.
Aiming your firearm relies much more on body position and mechanics than use of the sights, especially for typical defensive distances. Just keep in mind the sight picture you need is dictated by distance and size of the target. With practice the sights simply confirm the weapon is on target and before pressing the trigger. It takes plenty of work, but the results are a good solid hit without any wasted time or motion.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama. He is the author of "The Book of Two Guns," writes for several firearms/tactical publications, and is featured on GunTalk's DVD, "Fighting With The 1911 - http://shootrite.org/dvd/dvd.html Website: www.shootrite.org
