Temple Indexing

A couple months back, I contacted William Petty about Temple Index technique. This has been shared with his permission -Whiskey Delta Gulf 

Picture provided by Firelance Media

What is it, where did it come from and do I have to use it in order to be cool?  It’s a technique that has been around for a long time.  Simply put, Temple Index is to index the firearm vertically, parallel to the head, with the knuckle of the hand touching the temple.  

What would drive a person to such madness you ask?  Necessity if the mother of all invention and it’s a term I coined while running Vehicle CQB courses.  After constantly yelling for people to “high port the gun” or “get the gun up” I needed a term that left no doubt where I wanted the gun indexed. 

Let’s take a quick look of how we’d employ Temple Index.  It’s a close quarters, application based technique when the gun needs to be “out”, but indexing it in any other direction would flag yourself and or others.  There is no such thing as a berm in the real world, only people down range and indexing the gun down (i.e. SUL) isn't always the safest place to point the firearm.  I'll give you some examples. Engaging from a seated position within a vehicle and exiting (especially when there are others in the vehicle) gives you little options.  Down, indexes the firearm to your legs (nope, need those), out or compressed, indexes the firearm towards others in or near the vehicle (kinda want to keep my friends and family relatively bullet hole free) and trying to re-holster is a rather time consuming and often futile endeavor.  Keep it out, index it up.  Other instances would be linear assaults, such as planes, trains, buses etc.  Working and moving around others who may be below you such as your kids, or other good dudes getting low and working under vehicles and those utilizing cover while they work a malfunction, reload or make the most epic Facebook update of all time.

FAQs on Temple Index

Is it a “Ready” position?  No

It seems dangerous!  Yes, it’s a firearm, it’s always dangerous no matter what direction it’s indexed.

What about ND’s into the air?  It’s no more indexed into the air than when a shooter brings their handgun into their “work space or shooters box” for reloads, malfunctions or moving with the gun in a high port. 

What is the point of making physical contact between the hand and the head, wouldn't it be safer if it was held out?  The issue I've found with not indexing the firearm to the head is as individuals get tired or overwhelmed the gun starts to tilt in various directions, other than up.  By having positive counter pressure with the firearm it allows the shooter to better secure the gun and know the indexed direction at all times.  It also keeps the gun and hand from acting like a hook in compressed work environments.

Do I look cool doing it?  No, you look like an idiot, but it works and that’s what counts.

Is Temple Index better than SUL?  No, it’s just a different orientation when down or compressed isn't the safest or most efficient option.

Can I use this in IDPA or USPSA?  I’m going to say probably, definitely not.  No.

What about my peripheral vision?  Bump the gun back slightly to avoid vision loss.  The technique is designed to provide you with the means to move and look around freely. 

Who does the best Temple Index?  Yeti at Sentinel Concepts

What about weapon retention from this position?  Yes, please retain your weapon.   

It may be a technique that works for you, or you may find you don't like it.  Either way, train and stay safe. 

 – William Petty