Why do people hold guns sideways on? Sort of at a 45 degree?

Question

angle? What is all that about. Why no just point it straight on? I'm asking as I'm watching a DVD at the moment and this guy just did the same thing!

Answer 1

do you know i have always wondered that also maybe it is just to look cool

Answer 2

There are a couple of theories. The first one being that they think it's cool. My second theory is that it may be more comfortable. Think about it, try to stretch out your arm infront of you, then hold it like you would a handgun (standard and the right way), and then try putting your hand sideways like people do in the movies. It is actually more relaxed. Of course you think you look cool with the gun sideways but you'll look stupid when you miss the target and the cartridge falls on you, causing you to drop your gun.

Answer 3

Maybe not hitting the target is part of the idea? I mean, if it's a 'gangsta' thing, then maybe they do when they want to fire a warning shot- not going for a definite hit, but definitely hostile and wanting to frighten someone... sort of 'get out of here, because I'm ready to shoot you anytime I like, and the next time I'll aim a bit more carefully'.

and of course, it does look cool in films as well... but did it originally come from the cinema? Who can say?

Answer 4

It started because banks used to have a gap at the top of the window at the counter. When armed robbers were holding the bank up, they had to turn the gun sideways to get it over the top. The trend then caught on and it's now in the films.

Answer 5

It's basically like the old cowboy movies, when they "throw" the bullets. They bring the gun down real fast, while pulling the trigger. It's just for show. I used to have a friend who shot that way, and he never hit anything. I don't know if he ever learned the correct way to shoot, or not.

Answer 6

Because they think they are bad. It displays their ignorance and the fact that they don't shoot very often. Discharging a gun held in this position will force recoil in an unnatural direction making it harder to control for a followup shot. Depending on the caliber it may also be harder to 'hold-on-to-your-gun' after firing it in this position. Upps! On second thought! Just let them keep right on doing this! No sense in instructing the 'bad guys' in proper gunmanship!

H

Answer 7

Because they saw it in the movies and think it's cool. You can't hit your target that way, but movies don't have any relation to reality, especially where guns are involved.

Occasionally at the target range I'll see some gangbanger type come in with a Glock or something and try to shoot that way. They can never hit anything. They never know anything about guns or gun handling that they didn't see in a movie. Usually they don't last long; the range officer will generally see them doing something stupid (waving the gun around, looking down the barrel, pointing it at a buddy, or just being generally disruptive) and escort them off the premises.

Answer 8

It's some stupid ghetto style used by people who have to be 12" from their target to hit the broad side of a barn and usually still miss and hit the 5 yr old down the block

Answer 9

They hold guns like that because they are the very people who should not touch a gun. But for those idiots there is an option to keep their shooting on target.

Answer 10

I don't,but some people seem to,they put thier heads to one side against the stock concequenly this makes the gun turn slightly to a angle,hope this explains it.

Answer 11

Either a director in hollywood or some street ghetto gangsta decided it looked "cool".

No one, I repeat NO ONE, who has had firearms training and experience would ever use a handgun in that manner.