M14 Forum

Phinehas

Which is it? Over the years, the military has trained troops to shoot the M14, and other rifles, in differing postures in the standing position, but which is best, and why?

Please, answers from experts only.

82nd ABN

I am sorry for answering and not being an expert but what works for you is what you should stick with. I personally use bone structure as opposed to muscle to support the rifle in the offhand position. I have tried three different ways to hold the rifle when I compete and the best one for me is supporting the rifle from the bottom of the magazine. I have short arms and need the added length the magazine affords me. I tried holding the rifle behind the mag and in front of the trigger. It did not work for me last time out however it may if I spend some time with it. Whatever you use your best bet is to use bone structure to support the rifle.

Phinehas

I have to agree, bone structure would be a steadier hold, in any position, I thank you for your input.

RAMMAC

Weak hand under the mag, strong side elbow up.

normannewguy

I found the best that works for me is hand behind the mag and between trigger guard and strong arm elbow up. My arms are too long and grasping mag makes me have to hunch to get on target. Same thing works for M1 garand for me

GardenValley

When the elbow is held up it creates a natural pocket on the shoulder in which the butt can rest. This provides a very solid position for firing the M14 in the standing position.

bd111

My arms are pretty short, too. With a stiff coat on, the rest hand comes up exactly under the magazine so that's how I have to roll. The Garand fits me better than the M14 type.

gregaba

Hi
I was taught both way's.One way in basic and the other way at Ft. Bragg.
For Myself I prefer The front hand in front of the mag and the elbow up. This is way more accurate for me.
Greg

Stg1944

Sorry, no expert here.

I've got long arms, and a long torso. I use the bottom of magazine hold with the weak hand. Luckily everything works out such that i can put my left elbow on my left hip bone for bone on bone support. I shoot right elbow up. Overall nice, rigid position.

If I get much fatter I'm gonna be in trouble.

mercman

Different firearm holds can be dictated by the type of shooting being performed. On the target range styles are more determined by accurate shooting than by strategic concerns, while when in the field movement, detection by enemies and environment demand another set of biometric tools.

I was reminded of this when I went through a duty carbine class several years ago. I used stances that were my bread an butter in my DCM and target shooting background. Stance like raised elbow (birdwinging) and upright posture weren't workable for creeping through buildings and keeping my silohette reduced to offer a lesser target for some opposing shooter.

I had to develop different techniques and tactics for 'real life' incidents on the two way range. Eventually I had to decide which activity was more important to me and stick with that memory muscle style. That was the demise of my competition days. A personal choice.

vanagonjon

My offhand hold is with my support hand on the front of the mag, with the web between my thumb and first finger up tight against the mag (with shooting glove on). My support hand elbow is held against my body and pushed as far as possible accross my ribcage. This is for NRA competition style shooting.

John

30Caliber

I put the toe of the buttplate high in the pocket of my shoulder to get the sight up to my eye. I use a high elbow and I pull on the grip. A lot. Most of the rifle's weight is held up by my trigger hand. To do this without creating major problems, you have to get the web of your hand crammed against the heel of the receiver, so that you're pulling tendons in your wrist and not muscle.

My support hand goes where it needs to go to get the elevation I need--maybe under the magazine, but usually in front. Really, it's the slope of the firing point determines the grasp.