Puzzling Shooting Techniques

[JeffShrugged]

I've been watching YouTube videos of guys doing gun reviews or shooting demonstrations, and a lot of them seem to have the same bizarre rituals.

First thing I notice is a lot of guys will pretty much fold themselves in half with their head between their arms, leaning way forward. These people are going to end up in a chiropractor's office.

The next thing I notice is when they are done shooting, they pull their pistol in to their chest, and start looking side to side like they're watching for pan handlers sneaking up on them.

Is this mall-ninjary or is there a method to this goofy looking madness?

 

[Ματθιας]

There's also the lean WAY back style, style. It's like they are trying to keep the firearm as far away from their face as possible. I've seen it done with both long guns and handguns.

It's usually women who shoot like that. (This is an observation, NOT a judgement)

 

[Gunslinger808]

I spent 25 years teaching firearms to goobermint types, and One of the first rules was be comfortable.
Those origami shooters that you mention are just over exagerating the shooting position.
You should have weight forward, but not stretching or over extending, with the pistol brought up to eye level (not your head dropping to pistol level).
And yeah I see a lot of folks that got their lessons from various interweb sites looking like a monkey reaching for the last banana over a long table.
Looks cool, but cuts off proper breathing and over extends the muscles causing fatigue.

The second part is fine.
I trained people to bring the firearm in close (but still pointed down range) to avoid someone grabbing at it while they scan for possible other threats by looking side to side.

No one ever won a gunfight by being the quickest to holster.

 

[GerSan69]

Jeff, there are lots of people out there that are wrapped waaay too tight. Then there are others with a screw that's waaay too loose.
There are quite a few "professionals" that will go on and on about this technique or that, swearing it's the bestgreatest thing and they learned it at the feet of some even bigger gun guru. I'd take them all with a grain of salt.

 

[GerSan69]

Hey, 'slinger, I'm a couple weeks away from moving within a few miles of Florence! Don't you have something to do with a shop or two down there?

 

[Gunslinger808]

I've been known to run a shop or Two since I retired.

Come on down and we'll take out some Class 3 goodness to play with.
Heck, might even let you load a 30 round mag!

 

[CO_Kid]

One video was shown to me at my instructor class of a guy who does his reloads with a knife in hand and will "stab" a threat during the reload.

He also does this hilariously exaggerated scan, and you can tell hes looking, not seeing. I bet he wouldnt see a guy pointing a gun right at his head.

 

[ironhead7544]

Back in the stone age, when revolvers were used for law enforcement, we were taught the "combat crouch" position. The idea was that when crouching down you made a smaller target. True, I guess but that position is uncomfortable.

 

[williamlayton]

When I shoot the best, I rarely see the front sight---only the spot.
Everbody is different--shoot the way you shoot--and---that is learned by shooting.
Blessings

 

[Muss Muggins]

I've been watching YouTube videos of guys doing gun reviews or shooting demonstrations, and a lot of them seem to have the same bizarre rituals.

. . .

The next thing I notice is when they are done shooting, they pull their pistol in to their chest, and start looking side to side like they're watching for pan handlers sneaking up on them.

Is this mall-ninjary or is there a method to this goofy looking madness?

That technique is often referred to as "checking your six," a scan for other threats prior to holstering. The handgun at your chest is call "ready gun."

 

[jbull380]

The scan is also intended to break tunnel vision.

 

[JayCeeNC]

I was shooting in a local law enforcement match, which I'd won handily for the previous few years.
I watched one new guy after my round. He leaned back from the waist, and shot right-handed with his head twisted around because he was left eye dominant. I chuckled at his stance--until the scores were tallied. He was a new FBI agent and beat me soundly!
We became good friends and he and I shot up quite a bit of FBI ammo in the next few years.
Unorthodox or not, he was a deadly accurate shooter.

 

[billwill]

And yeah I see a lot of folks that got their lessons from various interweb sites looking like a monkey reaching for the last banana over a long table.

Does anybody know how to get coffee out of the keyboard????

The topic on this should be don't read with a mouthful of coffee! We have some funny folks here.

 

[jimmyj]

Favorite Stance: On "You Tube"-
The shooter stands real straight, holds semi-auto pistol sideways high over his head.
Off hand is holding his crotch, and begins shooting while talking rap.

 

[Aticus]

Favorite Stance: On "You Tube"-
The shooter stands real straight, holds semi-auto pistol sideways high over his head.
Off hand is holding his crotch, and begins shooting while talking rap.

What's the problem with that? Isn't that the latest gangsta stance? I'll have to try that my next range trip. Couldn't shoot any worse. Maybe it'll help me with my limp wrist.

 

[M3Stuart]

...
The next thing I notice is when they are done shooting, they pull their pistol in to their chest, and start looking side to side like they're watching for pan handlers sneaking up on them.

Is this mall-ninjary or is there a method to this goofy looking madness?

+1 on 'pan handlers' and 'mall-ninjary'. I'm putting a call into Webster's for mall-ninjary. I'm proposing the definition: "...injuries suffered while performing exaggerated self defense technique(s)...".

Or should that be "mall-ninjUry"? Oh well, I'll let Webster sort it out...

 

[JJEH]

Sheriff Jim Wilson says to look and assess.

Sheriff's Tip - Look & Assess - YouTube

I believe he's spot on in this video.

 

[johngalt]

I'm a bullseye shooter, I think it's odd when I see people using both hands.

I wonder what those guys think when they see me shoot!

 

[jbull380]

We teach our guys to present the weapon down range full speed each and every time it comes out of the holster. We teach a thumbs forward grip, nose over toes stance. We teach natural point of aim, relaxed positions. Hard focus on the front sight. We come back to ready gun when there may be more work to do but not at the moment. We scan left and right then check our 6 after every course of fire. We want it repeated until it is done without thinking. It may look stupid on the range but it is all designed to win gun fights. There is flexibility in allowing each shooter to modify these techniques to work for their body type etc. as long as the fundamentals are being focused upon. Since I've been in LE I've seen changes in the standards when something better comes along. Gun handling skills are our life. Instructors will intentionally over exaggerate stances, body motions etc. so the student will see it and remember it. Not all of it is as funny as it looks.

 

[dcxplant]

LE's would be well served to train on the range as if they will be sneak attacked at any moment.

Train how you fight.

Granted, I've seen some pretty exaggerated stuff at the range and online, but the idea is sound.

 

[shouldazagged]

What really frosts me is seeing video of actual LEO's in action (saw a U.S. Marshal do it), holding guns on suspects gangsta style. Looks bloody ridiculous. Do they figure it's easier for the subject to understand?

 

[Arik]

Yes I'm surprised we arnt still standing sideways with the gun extended in one hand and the other on the hip. If it worked in 1913 why not today

 

[chud333]

Mostly Mall Ninja-ness and tacti-uncool silliness.
Like someone previously stated you should be
comfortable and look at your target. How you
do this and effectively wield your weapon is the
important part. All this checking your six BS takes
your attention away from the threat you are addressing
to begin with.
Just relax and get comfortable. You'll make more hits
that way.

Chuck

 

[snubbyfan]

I'll listen to this guy about shooting techniques;

Rather than this guy;

 

[perrazi]

guy looks like flounder from animal house.

 

[vonn]

Have taken some courses where I learned some good techniques and others that were definitely for mall ninjas. Find what works for you and shoot shoot shoot.

 

[wyccad915]

I was shooting in a local law enforcement match, which I'd won handily for the previous few years.
I watched one new guy after my round. He leaned back from the waist, and shot right-handed with his head twisted around because he was left eye dominant. I chuckled at his stance--until the scores were tallied. He was a new FBI agent and beat me soundly!
We became good friends and he and I shot up quite a bit of FBI ammo in the next few years.
Unorthodox or not, he was a deadly accurate shooter.

this is kind of how I shoot. I shoot hangun with right, rifle/shotgun with left but still left eye dominant for both.

 

[madmikeb]

I hope this vid is acceptable but these guys have got technique down pat!

Matt Steele Outdoors (3) Shooting Grip Essentials - YouTube

 

[blujax01]

You used to see a lot of "throwing the bullet" in the black and white movies from the MGM 1930's era. It was explained to me that, especially with a snubby, in close quarters you have a better chance of hitting your target if you thought of it like "throwing a punch" at their chest instead of aiming.

And "check your six" is behind you. Left and right periphery would be "3 and 9", yes?

 

[federali]

Tunnel Vision

Through case study, one of the factors contributing to officer fatalities and injuries is tunnel vision. That training to look to either side is an effort to overcome the effects of tunnel vision and in my opinion, is a valid training technique.