Watch Live: Second House Hearing on IRS Scandal

The 7 Key Moments From Wednesday’s IRS Hearing

Technology

Want to Know Why Gangsters Hold Guns Sideways? This Marine May Have the Answer

Oct. 5, 2012 2:45pm Liz Klimas

In nearly all movies involving “gangsters” with guns, you’re bound to see the firearm cocked sideways. It was even a joke in the movie Date Night where Steve Carell’s character calls this position the “kill shot.”

Former Marine Corps Marksmanship Instructor Explains Logic Behind Gangsters Holding Gun Sideways

(Image: Shutterstock.com)

A former U.S. Marine Corps marksmanship instructor thinks there could be some merit to that logic, according to the Daily Mail.

In an effort to save time, make a getaway and maintain some accuracy, Davis said the method being used is called “flash sight picture,” which aims down the side of the gun. It isn’t necessarily the most precise, but it can get the job done.

The Daily Mail reports finding Davis’ thoughts on this shooting style from the site Quora.com. On it he wrote:

The problem with tilt style shooting is that it is almost impossible to acquire a reliable sight alignment. The alignment in tilt style is achieved by making the weapon flat and aiming down the side.

In theory this works, but in practice you can’t accurately measure movement left or right and you have absolutely no way of knowing if the weapon is tilted down below your field of vision from the back of the weapon.

This means that you never actually take the same shot twice since you are never actually aiming the same way.

Overall, Davis writes he would not recommend this tactic because, although he calls it good in theory, it “fails miserably in the actual execution.”

The technique for proper shooting that Davis recommends is called “building a castle.” He writes on the site that the castel is built by “lining up the three ‘turrets’” –that is the turrets on the top of the gun — with the intended target, making sure they are level and evenly paced.

How the gun should be properly lined up. (Image: Quora.com/Jon Davis)

The red arrow, Davis indicates, shows how the gun's mark could be off when holding it in this position. (Image: Quora.com/Jon Davis)

Check out more of Davis’ explanation for why the gun is sometimes held sideways in films here. The person asking the question in the first place speculates the technique has taken on a “kind of ‘hipness’” at this point.

If you’re intersted in seeing the “kill shot” from the 2010 Date Night, check out the movie trailer, skipping to 1:09:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (278)

disque-0-duc
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:40pm
That’s fine. Let the dumb gangsta’s use the kill shot. That way if I’m ever confronted by one they’ll miss and I’ll hit my target the traditional way. Game over.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Mil-Dot
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:17pm
  Only a dumbass that does not know how to shoot holds their gun sidways like that. Inner city punks in particular. I’ll keep my sights vertical thankyou very much. Pfftt……
  
  Report this comment
- vanman4446
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:27pm
  They are to dumb to use the sights
  
  Report this comment
- kadster01
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:49pm
  It’s pointless to turn a 12-gauge shotgun sideways. but then the scatter is still bound to hit something anyway.
  
  Report this comment
- bobdog19006
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 5:18pm
  Easy. They hold the gun sideways for the same reason they wear their pants around their knees and wear their hats sideways.
  
  Because it looks so gangsta. I mean, ya gotta be bad to do that kinda stuff.
  
  Wait six months and the government will report the results of a multimillion dollar survey on the subject.
  
  Report this comment
- desertspeaks
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 5:48pm
  just be thankful that video games have been their learning ground for shooting. if they were to actually practice they would soon discover how inaccurate they truly are.. Let them them choose style over form.
  Meanwhile we’ll continue our old fashioned accurate kill shots!!
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 5:53pm
  The only time that I have ever fired a pistol in that position was while training on the police range while holding a SWAT shield. And, I still hit the target better than these fools.
  
  Report this comment
- ZaphodsPlanet
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:02pm
  @MILDOT
  I tend to disagree with you. Holding the gun sideways is actually more comfortable. Last few times i’ve been out at the range or at my friends ranch I’ve been working on basically shooting without using the sights. Not always as accurate but I’m getting better. Taking shots from the top of a cliff about 40-50ft up, looking down on a creek with floating targets that are about fist sized I’ve been able to hit quite a few w/o using the sights holding gun vertically and horizontally. Luckily I’ve never been in any kind of real “emergency” situation with any of my guns, but the idea being that if you have to draw fast, and hit fast I won’t have time to line up the sights, so I’ve been trying to get good enough feel w/o using them. My guess is the only reason thugs do such a thing is that they originally saw it done in a movie and think it looks “bad ass” . From a movie makers point of view you can get a more of the shooters face….
  
  Get off your stupid high horse. Doesn’t matter how you aim…. so long as you can scramble the brains of a thug you’ve been forced to shoot at…:)
  
  Report this comment
- quiet little lamb
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:14pm
  Why in the hell did this story even get written up? Creepy blaze….creepy
  
  Report this comment
- Damocles
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:31pm
  I’m with Mil-Dot. If shooting this way was beneficial, I’d have been trained to do that 2 decades ago in the Army. We were specifically told to not try to shoot a gun in such manner.
  
  Report this comment
- steelpanther
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:36pm
  It’s sad when you have to try to make up logic after hand to something that is simply fashion and will always be fassion. There’s no practical reason behind it, it’s simply because it looks gangsta. If you want to know how to do point and shoot shooting with a pistol and their are reasons to do it, go look up something like the old 1911 military videos that show how to do it and explain it quite simply.
  
  As far as games go, I’m not up on the current titles because I think such a great story telling media has been ran over by the cookie cutter Hollywood types and intrusive DRM(Digital Rights Management), but there’s only one game I’ve ever seen where they shoot that way.
  
  Most games anymore seem to go for the “Ultra realism”. Which isn’t really realism at all. Simply going off popular media in military weapons are the best, forgetting they are made by the lowest bidder. They also seem to think they are deadly, and some are, however their beloved pet, the assault rifle such as the M16 isn’t as deadly as they make it out to be.
  
  The .223 was designed around the concept that a wounded soldier takes more men out of combat then a dead one. They figure it takes like 4 or 5 guys out of the fight to take care of a wounded soldier where it takes the one guy out of the fight if you just kill him.
  
  Report this comment
- steelpanther
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:37pm
  Not to mention your more likely to bring someone with vital intel back alive instead of dead. In other words, the mainstream media are morons, and are thankfully promoting weapons that are used in mass shootings that are actually designed to minimize damage. Think of the damage of a simple large caliber revolver would do compared to them.
  
  Yes, I’m ranting, and yes, it makes me feel better.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:52pm
  This is really simple…
  
  When you wear a ball cap sideways and backwards on your head it messes up your balance causing
  a rotation of the wrist. When your pants are hanging down past your **** and you do the “twisted wrist” “hold-em-up” that exaggerates the rotation and, well, causes a more radical out of balance holding of your “gat”.
  
  Don’t believe me?… Just axe Morgan or Poop Dog.
  
  Report this comment
- Wolfgang the Gray
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 7:05pm
  At least we know the enemy we may meet on the street doesn’t know how to properly use a firearm. They probably never practice either.
  
  Report this comment
- Stratoghost
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:32pm
  @desertspeaks @steelpanther
  Video games are not the equivalent to actual firearm practice. However some games, notably the Call of Duty series and the Battlefield series, do actually show one what the correct sight picture is while aiming using iron sights.
  
  I think the theory behind shooting while holding sideways is so that the recoil will not bring the weapon off target, if you are aiming at a crowd.
  
  Report this comment
- Former_Road_Finisher
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:37pm
  Probably the number one reason those Hood Rats end up killing six year old kids in their bedrooms instead of killing off each other. The bullets are flying everywhere except at their intended target.
  
  Report this comment
- txjb
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:00pm
  zaph- and then you woke up from the dream !
  
  Report this comment
- dogwater
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:14pm
  It seems holding the gun sideways would be more comfortable regarding kickback. It’s easier on the elbows.
  When boxers, (or anybody else), punch in a fight, they jab with the fist in the vertcal position but when they punch hard the fist becomes horizontal, just like thugs shooting a pistol.
  Maybe there is some logic to what the “gangstas” do.
  
  Report this comment
- kettererbg
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:08pm
  It must be a fashion thing amongst the greater unwashed gangsta nitwits. But that’s OK. When they run into a trained individual, the gangsta gets introduced to my kind of bling bling. Shell casings hitting the ground along with his sorry ****. If we have more like that, we will have fewer like that.
  
  Report this comment
- JediKnight
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:08pm
  @Zaphod: “but the idea being that if you have to draw fast, and hit fast I won’t have time to line up the sights”
  
  And exactly what kind of holster are you using where it’s quicker to turn the guy sidewise than it is to keep it straight and bring it straight up? Let’s see, hip holster, gun comes out and gets turned up. Shoulder holster, weapon is drawn and turned around. Maybe if your weapon is stuffed into your belt, but that’s a really bad way to carry a weapon anyway. If you’re right handed, the brass ejection will knock the gun down while the recoil moves the gun sideways. Basically, your shots will be off.
  
  This isn’t even an opinion. The fact is, with zero practice, someone is more accurate holding the gun straight. If they practice, they become even more accurate. So you can practice this “technique” all you want, but someone who has had an equal amount of practice shooting the right way will still be able to hit you far faster.
  
  Report this comment
- thetruthseeker711
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:32pm
  What a ridiculous article. And i should know as a marksman. Absolutely stupid.
  
  Report this comment
- WATER-THE-TREE
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:17am
  I’m sure you have seen this before. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VqG_4ADFfQ
  
  Report this comment
- banjarmon
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:51am
  Red dot works in any position…center mass or head shot!! BANG!!!
  
  Report this comment
- JL320
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 3:24am
  Pulling pistols like this is just automatic. It shows authority, power, I’m not missin mofo etc, all at one time. Try and break it down into science all you want. It just becomes automatic as a gangster to pull this way on someone you hate or want to die. When we fired at ghetbirds etc.. we aimed right.
  
  Report this comment
- Independent4233
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 6:56am
  Here’s another media misrepresentation.
  
  What is it?
  
  According to homeland security there’[s over opne million gang bangers in the US today, almost evenly divided between blacks and Hispanics.
  
  So what do we see ion a news article about how a gang banger fires a weapon?
  
  Well, a white guy, of course, obviously with the intent to instill in a reader’s mind that gang bangers are white.
  
  Report this comment
- SLAPTHELEFT
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 8:39am
  They’re more Excited about havingnamgun than to know how to operate it safely and acquire a proper target. Good.
  
  That raises my chances of survival in a gunfight with an inner city teen.
  
  Report this comment
- Jive Mickey
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 9:11am
  When the guy is within 3 feet of you, it doesn’t much matter.
  
  Report this comment
- STUBBYK
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 10:41am
  That’s the way it came in the box .
  
  Report this comment
- RobbieTLHughie
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 11:01am
  Little men talking petty crap shouldn’t have guns. Only responsible adults
  
  Report this comment
- MittensKittens
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 11:06am
  All it takes is ONE well placed shot…not a sideways aiming, grill wearing, pants around the ankles, crackhead from the inner city would never make…
  
  Report this comment
- JJStryder
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 11:39am
  Between that and the loose pants below their **** that they must hold up with one hand they are not ready for work.
  
  Report this comment
- M1A2_Tanker
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:43pm
  “Gangta’s” Hold their guns sideways because they think it is cool, period. If there was a second of logical thought put into aiming the gun in any fashion they would just use the sights. Anyone who puts a second of logic into trying to explain such a stupid and idiotic thought process of “Gangsta’s” is wasting everyone’s time, but more importantly nobody should ever turn to said person looking for advise or training. I am sure the Marine is a good Marine and a Patriot but not who I would look to for training! Travis Haley and Chris Costa of Magpul Dynamics are the Marines I would look to.
  
  Report this comment
- DanfordDan
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 3:44pm
  Sometimes certain fact should not be brought to light .Now that these dumb asses punks have had a lesson on how not to hold a gun , this could change a victims advantage ..But there again if you want to keep anything secret from a punk right it down in a book…………
  
  Report this comment
- boone1
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 5:18pm
  Did you evr har of a thing called luck.
  
  Report this comment
- snufy
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 10:01pm
  Gadsdon, I am a former range officer for a large city police dept, and I’m here to say that you’re telling a lie. Never, never fire a weapon sideways, unless you are laying on the ground with no choice. If you had done that on my range, I would have kicked you off of it.
  
  Report this comment
- anothercomment
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 11:31pm
  @QuietLittleLamb
  It’s just a covert attempt to assess how many actual gun owners are conservatives (or conservatives that own guns). When you respond to the article a bot is linked to your online ID, and they can monitor you surfing habits, such as Cheaper Than Dirt, JAX Outdoor Gear, Cabela’s, etc….(just kidding….really!) It’s a weekend piece, just something to read! Really!
  
  Report this comment
- Fred762
  Posted on October 7, 2012 at 7:45am
  Yup..my thoughts exactly. It is not a bad idea tho to practice some form of the “Israeli flash sight picture”…some call it more of a “point and shoot” technique. Doesn’t matter much if the fight is at usual handgun ranges of 2-3 YARDS, but a decent sight picture does help at longer ranges…as does familiarity with where the gun itself shoots. This is only determined by practice at a decent shooting range.
  
  Report this comment
- supermansdad
  Posted on October 7, 2012 at 5:40pm
  Once again Mil-Dot is wrong. Though it seems like lots of misinformation from all sides in this argument.
  Lets break this down:
  1 handed parallel to the ground = bad.
  1 handed perpendicular to the ground = also bad.
  Yes, it has a good sight picture but lousy recoil absorption, thus slower recovery time between shots meaning less rounds down range during a situation where one limb may be disabled.
  
  This is why many hand gun trainers for civilian, military and law enforcement now teach one hand shooting as a hybrid between the two styles. We are told to PUNCH out with the weapon. When you naturally PUNCH the hand rotates to a 45 degree angle making the arm stiffer reducing recoil yet gives decent sight picture to allow accurate shot placement. They are also teaching to step into the shot with the weapon side foot allowing for more stability, rigidity and recoil absorption.
  
  Once again: Mil-Dot is wrong.
  
  Report this comment
- Fecal_Matters
  Posted on October 8, 2012 at 11:22am
  Wrong Wrong Wrong…the gangsta’s shoot this way because that’s the way it comes in the Box!
  
  Report this comment
NeoKong
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:39pm
The first time I saw that was from Wesley Snipes in New Jack City.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- M13
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 7:15pm
  Only in the movies does someone hit their target by aiming this way.
  
  Report this comment
Rufmar
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:36pm
They hold it that way so with the twist of the wrist they can shoot down. This is important when robbing a convenience store and the clerk ducks behind the counter they can easily reach over the counter and point the gun down at the clerk. If they were to hold the gun in a traditional position they couldn’t do that.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- sailpace
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:46pm
  Makes sense to me Ruf!
  
  Report this comment
- BetterInformed
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:12pm
  Right. I learned that in convenience store robbery store. We also use it to shoot someone hiding in a mail.box.
  
  Report this comment
- Mil-Dot
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:18pm
  Total and complete crap.
  
  Report this comment
- grimmster
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:32pm
  What Rufmar says is plausible,Mil-dot since your name implies military service,grab a pistol and try and aim “down” at the ground at he same distance as a countertop is wide,you can articulate your wrist to take a shot that close.My two cents for that grip is simple, they (the hoodrats) acquired it out of necessity,running from police and shooting on the run, and shooting on the run at other hoodrats.Try both ways, see which is easier to do……
  
  Report this comment
- Wolf
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 5:02pm
  Good theory, Ruf- until you try shooting a semi-auto pistol in such a position and run into a problem trying to fire a second round and there’s nothing in the chamber but a stove-pipe, at best.
  It’s called ‘limp wristing’ caused by too little resistance for the recoil to load a round.
  
  Report this comment
- steelpanther
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:46pm
  I second Wolf. Such an angle means the forces of the gun that are being used to work the slide are being used to turn the wrist instead. If your using a high caliber handgun you might not want to keep holding it either.
  
  I know my .44 Magnum Desert Eagle would jam being fired like that, and I know my wrist wouldn’t want me to be holding onto it very tight either. On the other hand, it’s not like a guy that holds his guns sideways would ever make enough to own a $1400 handgun anyway.
  
  Report this comment
Mapache
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:33pm
The sideways sighting is wrong in so many ways. Weapons have sights on them for a reason, even if you are a “point and shoot” guy. The sideways hold showed up in a couple of movies in the 90′s and all the wanna-bees have been using it since. Same too with the cross-draw holster which is only good for pilots, truck drivers or those whose handgun is not their primary weapon. The sideways hold looks cool on TV but as the Marine said, is seriously lacking in execution. Thank you Brad Pitt!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- DimmuBorgir
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:41pm
  So how about he explains why they always “punch” their bullets out of their guns??
  
  I’m thinking the real reason for the way they use their pistols is pretty much the reason they do alot of stuff.
  
  Laziness
  
  Report this comment
- AvengerK
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:07pm
  SHAGRATH..Bingo..lol. I’ll add “poser” to the laziness also.
  
  Report this comment
- Justthefactsmam
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:11pm
  John Wesley Hardin had an amazing “cross draw” that made him the one of the most infamous gunfighters/outlaws in the old west.
  
  Report this comment
- chips1
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 7:06pm
  JUST:
  Isn’t he dead? Can’t remember why or when.
  
  Report this comment
- thetruthseeker711
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:36pm
  plus its pretty ease to look down the side of a gun while it is held in a vertical position, as well.
  
  DUH. This reminds me of the way democrats look at math.
  
  Report this comment
- Former_Road_Finisher
  Posted on October 7, 2012 at 8:51am
  They probably learned sideways shooting from their violent video games they played all day in their learning years. Many have the sideways shooting mode on the alternate weapon selection that allows them to shot faster. Like real life, the game manual says that shooting that way will be less accurate. Since most Hood Rats are also dropouts from school, they miss those little details in the manuals they couldn’t read. “Grand Thief Auto,” “Postal,” “Mafia King,” and similar game titles making up the mind poison they have been exposed to for their education just only reinforces their violent behavior they exhibit in decaying Progressive controlled cities throughout the country.
  
  Report this comment
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:32pm
I have to tell you this method does work, and its accuracy is much more than people are making it out to be. Essentially it is when a sequense of quick shots are taken and no precision of fire is needed, just put steel in the region of your target.

Its quick and dirty.

Just as in some old films you see a few gunslingers with pistols grip-**** forward, making most assume the gunslinger is opposite handed for the cross draw.

Nope. By carrying the pistol in that manner; when drawn, you bring it up while cocking the hammer and leveling it on target as the pistol/revolver is turned by the wrist.

It works, as does the other method.

My grandfather was a Marine, and taught me the pistol draw, and the ‘quick dirty shot’ method as well; they work.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Larry E
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:48pm
  The **** forward strong side draw was a cavalry system, when the saber was considered the primary cavalry weapon. If it were so fast it would be used in various competitions where handguns have to be drawn from a holster.
  
  Firearms have their sights on the top for a good reason, and anyone who’s holding their firearm on its side and shooting at me is begging to be shot dead. Which made me happy to see jihadi training videos with the fools holding their AK’s and pistols that way. Pray and spray may work against people who don’t know what they’re doing. Against the trained and intelligent it’s a good way to end up dead.
  
  Report this comment
- single stack
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:39pm
  Snow,
  That’s nonsense. Carrying **** forward is for crossdraw. It originated with horse cavalry when the sword was still the cavalryman’s primary weapon. The sword was held in the right hand (scabbard on the left side) and the pistol was carried strong side **** forward to facilitate drawing and use with the left hand.
  Carrying **** forward and drawing as you say will get you killed by your own hand. One hard and fast rule on carrying a handgun is never sweep your body with the muzzle during the draw.
  Even if you manage to train yourself to draw the gun, rotate it without sweeping your hip, **** it, and make the presentation it’s a complex skill that you will lose under stress. It’s also dead slow. It adds two extra movements to the presentation.
  There is no way that carrying **** forward and drawing as you say is as fast as strong side **** to the rear carry.
  I shoot a Ruger New Vaquero in a western rig and my draw time is 1.2 to 1.4 second – and I’m slow. Adding a twisting movement would slow the draw to at least 2 seconds. I timed it with an empty gun but I’m not foolish enough to try it with a loaded one.
  
  Shooting a pistol “gangsta style” is also BS. The closest anyone who knows what they’re doing will come to laying a pistol over is to cant the gun when engaging multiple targets. With this technique, you tilt the pistol slightly in the direction you’re moving so the recoil and recovery will naturally move the muzzle in that direction.
  
  Report this comment
- dogwater
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 9:52pm
  Snowleopard is right.
  I was looking through a book in Borders several years ago on gunfighting styles of the old west. It had illustrations for the various styles of drawing a gun. It said Wild Bill Hickok used the “plains” style of draw,..Pistol-butts forward and drawn same side, (NOT cross-draw).
  Seems like an awkward way to do it. But that’s what that book said.
  
  Report this comment
- Edohiguma
  Posted on October 7, 2012 at 2:49am
  I can do the “dirty shot” with a normal grip as well. I can pump an entire mag downrange with a normal grip without aiming straight. So this “gangsta grip” serves no purpose other than looking utterly stupid. And if I have to engage you, then pumping down my mag in your general direction is completely pointless. Then only the hits count and I’m 100% sure I can score more with a normal grip.
  
  Report this comment
moreteaplease
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:30pm
Mudd Katt
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:13pm

I thought Gangsters held them sideways because that’s the way they came in the box?
—————————————–
LOL!!! Classic

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
phrogdriver
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:28pm
This lunacy was popularized in the movie “Menace II Society” about 20 years ago. That movie can probably be credited for some portion of the decline in murders over the past 20 years since it is much harder to kill someone if you are holding your gun like an idiot.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ronin_6
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:28pm
Hey BLAZE. There are thousands upon thousands of people that can laim claim to being a former US Marine marksmanship instructor. It really means nothing. I have trained hundreds of Army soldiers to shoot. I have only ever had one that failed to qualify despite 3 weeks of intensive training. He was a former Marine drill sergeant and claimed to have been a marksmanship instructor. The other 2 worst marksmen I ever trained were also former Marines. They at least managed to qual.
This is being so over thought its ridiculous. The only reason that gang bangers turn their weapons side ways is that they think it looks cool. Thats it. No professional shooter ever does it.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ronin_6
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:30pm
  Don Knotts was a former Marine marksmanship instructor. I believe Johnathan Winters was as well.
  
  Report this comment
- rabblechat
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:03pm
  I’m going to have to put my hip waders on because its getting pretty deep around here…
  You seriously expect anyone to believe the THREE WORST marksmen out of hundreds of army personnel you supposedly trained were all Marines? And the worst of all was a Marine Corps Drill instructor that went through the marksmanship instructor course ( a 4 week school if I recall) ?? Sorry but I’m not buying it.
  I won’t say every Marine is the reincarnation of Carlos Hathcock, but every Marine I have ever encountered was at least what would be considered a better than average marksmen.
  
  From day one Marines learn that no matter what MOS they are assigned, they are a Rifleman first. This isn’t just something Marines say to make them selves feel all warm and fuzzy either.
  Being the smallest branch of the Military (unless you count coast guard which is under DHS not DoD)
  It is a necessity for every Marine to be proficient with small arms.
  
  Let me guess all the Marines you trained fell out of two mile runs and didn’t like to drink beer either?
  
  Semper Fi!
  
  Report this comment
- grimmster
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:25pm
  @ronin-6 aka encinom.
  You’re more full of **** than a christmas goose you f-n pos…….
  
  Report this comment
- CaptMorgan812
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:27pm
  Don Knotts served in the Army, not the Marines.
  
  Report this comment
- ronin_6
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:31pm
  The reason they stand out in my mind is because they were former Marines. Were there not privacy issues I could give you names. If it makes you feel better the fourth worst was an Army tanker sergeant that had transfered to the infantry. 6 years in the Army and he had only ever qualified with a 9mm. The only time he had touched an M16 type rifle was in basic when a drill instructor brought one into the barracks for them to see. Seriously. He transfered back to armor after a year.
  
  I did not mean my comment to be a hit on the Marines. I spilt blood with them at a little place called FOB Kalsu. Look it up. I have nothing, and I mean nothing but love for them. Its just that the Marines for qual shoot known distance targets. The Army shoots pop ups at varying distances and is starting to include moving targets. Its a different system. Maybe a bit harder.
  
  Report this comment
- ronin_6
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:39pm
  @GRIMMASTER
  You are wrong. I do not know who ‘encicnom’ is but he is not me. Neither am I full of fecal matter. My words are the truth. For a statistical comparison of Army vs Marine marksmanship there is are several armed forces shooting matches conducted yearly. I am sure you will find that its a toss up between the two services.
  
  @CAPTMORGAN 812
  You sir are correct. I looked it up and I humbly stand corrected. Don Knotts did enlist in the Army and spent most of his time entertaining troops. Guess I fell for the old urban legend. Kind of like the one that says John Denver was a sniper and “Sunshine on my shoulder” was a song about his rifle. Or Mr. Rogers was an ex seal and he wore sweaters to cover up some nasty tats.
  
  Report this comment
- llotus
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:56pm
  Ronin-6……….my old man is a marine and he can knock a black walnut out of the air with a twenty two rifle and thats a fact. I`ve seen it too many times to be mistaken. Lotus.
  
  Report this comment
- ronin_6
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:31pm
  Folks my comment was not a knock on marines or their marksmanship skills. It was a knock on The Blaze for just glomming onto anyone who claims to be an expert.
  Believe me when I say I have nothing but respect and love for the corps. Unlike many of you I have actually stood shoulder to shoulder with marines in combat and sent hot led down range in anger.
  If you want to be honest and admit that not every marine is a deadshot okay. I’ll be more than happy to tell you about all the knucklehead joes I’ve had on my ranges that struggled to qual.
  
  Report this comment
- NV Patriot
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 3:14pm
  Brother I understand and agree with your point on accepting authority on the basis of somebody’s claim, however personally I would have skipped the disparaging remarks towards any branch of the services. I have met shooters from all branches that were professionally proficient, and others not so much.
  
  One kid I work with is an ex-banger from L.A., I asked him why they hold their guns like that, and was told that the practice was started to try to contain the brass inside the vehicle when doing drive bys but became “The $hit” after Hollywood made it the “gangster way”.
  
  A highly trained shooter knows that point and shoot works well at point blank ranges, but from 10 yards and farther you better get a sight picture and a good press, you might not get a second chance.
  
  If your opponent shoots like an untrained idiot, just improves your chances of living another day.
  
  Report this comment
THX-1138
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:27pm
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?124877-New-Glock-Gangsta-Style-Sights!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
realistic_01
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:27pm
Seriously? A picture of a white guy in a hoodie, bandana over his face, and holding a gun sideways? Because that’s what I always picture in my mind when I hear gangster. When did the Blaze get so PC?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Buly
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:25pm
You are all wrong! They hold it like that, because that’s how it comes out of the box!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ronin_6
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:31pm
  hahahahahahahahahah!
  
  Report this comment
- 2conservative
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:32pm
  Yep, you beat me to it…. :0)
  
  Report this comment
- Duddio
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:21pm
  I thought it was to make it easier to find the brass after a crime…….
  
  Report this comment
PhineasJWhoopee
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:24pm
This is the method they use that results in only hitting innocent children in the area.
To aim correctly they would have to take the crack pipe out of their line of site.
The same reason they used their obama-phone sideways.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
KENTUCKIANAPATRIOT
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:23pm
I don’t need to watch a video or read an article, to know “why”…they are all WANNABE’S. And all WANNABE’S are FOOLS–ask the current occupant of the White House…or Snoop…..he’s a TOUGH GUY!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
BumperMorgan
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:23pm
It might work, but the right way works a whole lot better.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:35pm
  Agreed, but this is what my grandfather – former Marine – taught me, and called a ‘quick dirty’ method for when you need steel on area where the target is; you aim for the center of mass of the body and just tap two or three shots off.
  
  Report this comment
- BumperMorgan
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:37pm
  Snow, you are right and the way I was trained was to draw, point(not aim) and shoot. This put two center mass if I was lucky. My instructors said not to aim using the sights, but to point using the weapon like your finger. I was never taught to lay the weapon flat and fire hoping to hit the target.
  
  Report this comment
Eastinfection
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:20pm
The link for more answers is very informative.

PS: THIS is a topic Snoop is qualified to pontificate on. Let’s “axe” him to make a list of reasons why/ why not hold your “gat” sideways.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
JayDick
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:18pm
On some handguns, seems like the ejected cartridges would hit the shooter in the face.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- booger71
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:30pm
  Your right, if I hold my Glock sideways, the ejected cartridge hits me in the face more times than not.
  
  Report this comment
- Cavallo
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:31pm
  I think it would be Hi Lar Ious to make a novelty handgun with the sights on the side.
  
  Report this comment
- ZaphodsPlanet
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:13pm
  @BOOGER71
  
  I’ve been wanting to add a G17 or G19 to my collection but haven’t been flush enough to do that lately. I’ve got a Ruger P95. Been pretty happy with it and have put thousands of rounds through it. When holding the gun sideways I haven’t caught any casings in the face, nor had any stovepipe on me… but they definitely get closer to my body instead of being ejected far to the right of me.
  
  Report this comment
Displacedsoutherner
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:17pm
It’s just another way for the gang-bangers, as depicted by Hollywood, to display their disdain for convention while they demonstrate their ignorance. Style over substance is the current standard as art imitates life.

Strange they don’t show the miscreants trying to flee down an alley in lace-less shoes while holding up their drooping pants with their non-gun hand as they go. I guess even Hollywood style has it’s limits, yo.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
BurntHills
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:16pm
those morons holding the guns like that are.. morons. maybe that’s why they kill their own little kids on those streetcorners instead of the rival drug dealers. they might have obamaguns but if they don’t know how to use them, all the better fortune for us Taxpaying Americans in a civil war here.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
manuelbetten
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:16pm
The answer is quite simple, there are more style points when you hold the gun sideways.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- integrican
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:37pm
  Real style points are when “the other guy” drops and you remain standing…. right???? (c;
  
  Report this comment
marcus_arealius
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:14pm
When the brass fails to completely eject because of the moronic sideways hold, there is no 2nd shot. The moron had better hit me on the 1st. The 2nd sound he hears is his head exploding from my 230 grain projectile.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Lt_Scrounge
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:45pm
  I like the way you think. I’m perfectly fine with the little 90 grain JHP that my Beretta 84F puts out, but that’s only because I sold both of my 45s. It doesn’t hurt that my Beretta has trijicon tritium night sights so that I can shoot them in the dark. The 13 round magazines and non existent recoil are just bonuses. Now I know some people will say a 380 ACP isn’t enough gun, but it works fine when you can put an entire magazine of hollow points into 3 inch square in under 5 seconds. That puts a damper on even the most hostile of aggressors. Yep, bigger bullets are better, but when it comes down to it, the best bullet is the one that hits the target. I would love to get another S&W Scandium framed midsized 1911 like I used to have, but until then, I’m fine with the Beretta.
  
  Report this comment
Elena2010
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:13pm
Gangsters don’t have the discipline to be consistently accurate shooters. They are cowards, using the “spray and pray” method of putting folks on the ground so they can make their getaway.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Mudd Katt
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:13pm
I thought Gangsters held them sideways because that’s the way they came in the box?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- BumperMorgan
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:22pm
  LOL. Now that is funny!!
  
  Report this comment
- ronin_6
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:34pm
  Only new firearms come with a box. Stolen ones come in a brown paper bag.
  
  Report this comment
Tureley
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:09pm
This version of Obama would hold the gun sideways:
http://youtu.be/ivunQuDhJjk
Thought that would make y’alls day! haha

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
progressiveslayer
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:09pm
No it’s because thugs are lazy and stupid,they don’t know how to hold a firearm,they’re better at pimping, raping and selling drugs.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
face.chewer
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:06pm
Most gangsters don’t have opposable thumbs do they? They can pick bananas like crazy but holding a gun is a problem.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Max jones
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:15pm
  Daddy. what is a gangster?
  
  Report this comment
- BumperMorgan
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:26pm
  Thats Gansta Bro.
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.