For some reason, point shooting is considered an actual shooting skill, but I have some reservations about calling it a SKILL. A skill, as far as I define it, is something you can continually refine and practice to get extreme precision. Point shooting is a way of engaging a target with a combination of throwing lead as fast as possible while pointing at the general direction of the threat using hand/eye coordination. I consider this to be the same as spraying and praying. Point shooting is hardly able to be dialed in to hit targets outside of 15 yards with surgical precision. But it does have uses. But instead of considering it a skill, I prefer to identify point shooting as merely being a way of roughly engaging targets at close range when using sights will take too much time, but your so close that you really can’t miss, for the most part.
There are many advocates out there for this method as being the dominating method to use for close quarters engagements with pistols no matter the range or situation. Usually the excuse is that if you have to use your pistol, you are gonna be too close to use sights and take your time shooting anyways. Most of these advocates seem to forget the fact that when you use a gun in self defense, you do not really have the luxury of just shooting in the general area of a threat. Your shots need to be aimed, when possible, with the intent of making hits that will stop the threat. This is not just the case for people who carry, but for those who may have to use a pistol in general. The point of using a gun in any manner is to end that threat as soon as possible.
If you prefer to train in a practical manner, I suggest you learn to adapt to different situations and engage targets from the holster at various ranges. Different distances will afford different responses, and methods of engagement. Don’t forget that no matter what situation you are in, ammo is gold and should not be tossed away in a general direction. Every round matters, and only hits count.
Point shooting takes skill and a lot of practice to be very good at it and is limited to short ranges. A good point shooter will get his limit faster hunting pheasants than someone that has to aim and the person good at aiming will fill their waterfowl limit faster. Both have their place. I prefer using whichever will keep me alive. I believe the Army trained point (instinct) shooting for awhile in the 60’s.