Hip fire legit?

[Eldraque]

Last time me and my friend went shooting in the woods, he decided to try "hip firing" and now he proclaims its the way he would shoot if he had to fight, because "it doesn't hurt to shoot it like that."

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy7aLcjeEDo

I told him thats absolutely stupid, and NOT accurate at all. then he argues that "you dont have to aim shotguns because they spread"

Thoughts? from what I understand this is a silly fantasy

[sargenv]

If you practice it and can hit what you are pointing at.. why not? it's not the most effective way to do things, and you can miss.. (I've missed my share of stationary and aerial targets with a scattergun).. Anyone who says you can't miss with a shotgun doesn't have enough experience firing said shotgun.. it is very easy to miss either due to the pattern being too concentrated or the pattern developing "holes" as the range increases and the pattern scatters. At the right distances it can be as effective but most people tend to shoot low when pointing from a lower than ideal position. You can "walk" your shots into the target.. He'd be better off using a proper stance initially and work towards more advanced positions later..

[kotetu]

At close range you can absolutely hit targets shooting like this. I can hit shotgun shells at 7-10 yards, but it is not a reliable way to fight for your life. If you are in a big damn hurry, fire off one like that - on they way to your shoulder.

[bubbapug1]

Pure Hollywood....ask him to bet $100.00 on a round of trap to see who has the most misses, that will shut him up...or make you $100.00.

[Ubermcoupe]

Last time me and my friend went shooting in the woods, he decided to try "hip firing" and now he proclaims its the way he would shoot if he had to fight, because "it doesn't hurt to shoot it like that."

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy7aLcjeEDo

I told him thats absolutely stupid, and NOT accurate at all. then he argues that "you dont have to aim shotguns because they spread"

Thoughts? from what I understand this is a silly fantasy

[whipkiller]

Last time me and my friend went shooting in the woods, he decided to try "hip firing" and now he proclaims its the way he would shoot if he had to fight, because "it doesn't hurt to shoot it like that."

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy7aLcjeEDo

I told him thats absolutely stupid, and NOT accurate at all. then he argues that "you dont have to aim shotguns because they spread"

Thoughts? from what I understand this is a silly fantasy

Pretty common, and potentially fatal misconception, this is only true in movies and TV.

(Y'know, the same movies and TV where you can hear cars with automatic transmissions shift like manuals as their tires squeal in the dirt, and people with six-shooters can fire 10-15 rounds without a reload.)

[kcjr1125]

Watched too many cowboy movies! Need to aim to be effective

[Lugiahua]

give him multiple targets at random distance and height between 7~20 yard.
let's see if he can still hit well...

[UnoShotUnoKill]

If you were in a fight the last thing you would be concerned with is shoulder pain from 12 gauge recoil. Only time pain or uncomfortableness becomes a factor is a long distance shot where being confortable and calm is paramount. Hip firing as stated above, is for if you have to fire a shot with a sense of urgancy. 12 gauge recoil isn't even that bad. The spread is minimal at close range so you still need to aim it.

[Sicarius]

Your friend Tom Knapp?
Kevin

[bigbearbear]

It does have its use, when I was in the military they taught us how to fire from the hip position. In fact, you have to pass a range marksmanship test that includes the hip fire position using M16. This was many years back and we were using M16A1, with full auto capability.

I suspect they've since discontinued this though.

But, normally you wouldn't want to use it unless you're desperate. Doing so means you're firing while standing in the open, exposing yourself to enemy fire. Better to shoulder the weapon, aim and shoot before the bad guy does the same to you.

[sargenv]

The fact remains that a well placed shot (i.e. shouldering and aiming Pointing) is better than a pop shot from the hip.

Corrected that for ya

[mossy]

if your friend is Tom Knapp, you MYOB and let him do what ever he wants also have him autograph couple boxes of ammo and send them to me.

if your friend is not Tom Knapp tell him to stop believing in that hollywood black magic and shoot a shotgun like normal people do. if it hurts him, he needs a better recoil pad or more practice.

[aippi]

It is a proven form of laying down covering fire when in movement and deadly at close ranges. The shooter that perfects it and uses at very close quarters, say those found in a Home Defense situation, will be faster then the guy that trys to raise his weapon up and sight through his Ghost Rings or EO-Tech at a threat charging him from 12 feet away. So yes, there is room in your bag of tricks for this type of shooting. I am very proficeint at it and would not hesitate to use it in a fight. I trained many Officers in this tactic with both shotgun and rifle and find people with sound hand eye coordination can perfect it. To teach someone, I use a dirt bank. I outline the shape of a mans torso in the dirt and start them at 15 with target loads such as 7 1/2 or #8's. I have them start slow and they can see where the shot is hitting in the dirt and they begin to make the adjustment on their own. Soon they are center mass and I move them back. Do not discount this form of shooting.

[whipkiller]

It is a proven form of laying down covering fire when in movement and deadly at close ranges. The shooter that perfects it and uses at very close quarters, say those found in a Home Defense situation, will be faster then the guy that trys to raise his weapon up and sight through his Ghost Rings or EO-Tech at a threat charging him from 12 feet away. So yes, there is room in your bag of tricks for this type of shooting. I am very proficeint at it and would not hesitate to use it in a fight. I trained many Officers in this tactic with both shotgun and rifle and find people with sound hand eye coordination can perfect it. To teach someone, I use a dirt bank. I outline the shape of a mans torso in the dirt and start them at 15 with target loads such as 7 1/2 or #8's. I have them start slow and they can see where the shot is hitting in the dirt and they begin to make the adjustment on their own. Soon they are center mass and I move them back. Do not discount this form of shooting.

I'd be willing to bet that this is not the case with the OP's friend. You're talking about training to perfect the technique, and learning to aim the shot, albeit with muscle memory rather than the eye.

OP's buddy is saying you don't have to aim a shotgun.