I view the support hand as a wonderful "windage adjustment" when the gun needs to be taken to the target quickly, and I do not want to give up this advantage. In addition, the Third Eye makes it easy to deploy the gun because all you need to do is push the gun straight to the target instead of lifting it.

When pushing the gun to the target, it does not matter if the support arm ends up bent or straight. Both methods work well, and shooting stances are not the topic of discussion here.

For those who use a thumbs-forward shooting grip, the straight thumbs can actually be used as a sighting tool because they can be pushed straight to the target, taking the gun's muzzle along for the ride.

This technique has proven to be quite effective in actual shooting situations, getting the gun on target quickly, accurately and efficiently with little movement. As a matter of fact, I tell my students, "If it feels like you are hardly moving, you are probably doing it right."

The fact is, we all point shoot. Before you throw this magazine across the room, let me explain. The front sight can be used only once the gun is brought to the eye/target line. To get the gun to this position, the upper body and arms must complete a series of movements that allow the gun to arrive at this juncture.

The more consistently this is done, the quicker the gun will be brought into the fight. If this upper body motion is not point shooting, then what is?

I am a firm believer in using the front sight to confirm what our upper body and arms needed to accomplish, but if this does not happen, it's nice to know that I will be pretty darn close to where I need to be to save my life.

The fact is, it's not point shooting versus sighted fire: It's the understanding of both and using them in conjunction with one another that will get the job done. The Third Eye position I have described here helps with this task.

Is Third Eye all one needs? Absolutely not. Any "ready" position needs to be considered based on the situation at hand.

The Third Eye is not as "on target" as a properly executed Guard/Low Ready position. In Guard, the gun should be no more than 12 or so inches below eye level depending on how tall the target is. If the gun's muzzle starts to move off the torso (below the crotch) of your opponent, then I believe the gun should not be lowered further; the elbows should be bent and brought into the Third Eye so the gun can be pushed straight on to the target.

Through experimentation with many students, I have found the groin to be the "point of no return" when trying to get the gun on target efficiently. When at groin level or higher, the Guard position is quicker for the first shot. When lowered below the groin, the push action from the Third Eye is quicker.

I see the Guard as a threat management position that is used when a hostile is being covered or confronted whereas the Third Eye would be good if you are moving or need to be in a ready position for an extended period. When in extreme close quarters, then the ready position needs to be a one-hand, close-retention position, an example of which is illustrated in the lead photograph accompanying this article.

No single ready position will keep you, well, ready to act at all times. Situations constantly change, and so do ready positions. Or at least they should.

Any worthwhile ready position needs to keep the gun ready for combat or it is worthless. At the same time, it needs to be safe while training and while operationally active. But then, safety is really a function of the brain and not an arbitrary body position. Be safe, be alert and most of all, be ready.