Why do people chicken wing by default?

[SanDiego619]

Maybe I am wrong, but it seems like most new shooters automatically chicken wing. Is that just because it is easier for horizontal stabilization so it feels natural?

Yep, random question, it just popped into my peabrain.

[checkenbach]

Chicken wing???

[sigstroker]

I like Buffalo wings, especially on Wednesdays, where they are discounted at Pizza Hut.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Chicken wing???

Pointing your elbow straight out instead of tucking it tight to your body.

Our next term to learn is "chick lean"

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[slunk0844]

[Coffeeandgunsandammo]

Who are you to say what kind of fowl they are winging?

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[OlderThanDirt]

You mean like this?

[subscriber]

Do whatever works for you. You might prefer a square on "combat" stance. Others may like a bladed target stance. Those two extremes tend to make your elbow move relative to your body.

Also, depending sight height, your build and the anticipated recoil, a person may push their shoulder up and forward because it works for them.

Yes; having the upper arm horizontal looks funny; especially if you try to run through doorways; but other than suggesting alternatives that might work better, for reasons you can articulate, why does it matter?

It is like pointing out that the cup and saucer handgun grip went out of style 30 years ago. If I am shooting at long distance targets, and time is not a factor it works for me.

Is it safe? Can you hit your target? Can you maintain an appropriate rate of fire? Can you move, if that is part of your discipline? If yes; then it is pretty much a case of MYOB.

[SanDiego619]

Do whatever works for you. You might prefer a square on "combat" stance. Others may like a bladed target stance. Those two extremes tend to make your elbow move relative to your body.

Also, depending sight height, your build and the anticipated recoil, a person may push their shoulder up and forward because it works for them.

Yes; having the upper arm horizontal looks funny; especially if you try to run through doorways; but other than suggesting alternatives that might work better, for reasons you can articulate, why does it matter?

It is like pointing out that the cup and saucer handgun grip went out of style 30 years ago. If I am shooting for long distance hits and time is not a factor, it works for me.

Is it safe? Can you hit your target? Can you maintain an appropriate rate of fire? Can you move, if that is part of your discipline? If yes; then it is pretty much a case of MYOB.

I don't prefer anything, and to be clear, I chicken winged by default. That is why I am asking, why does that feel natural?

I can articulate why it matters, well, I can pass on what was passed on to me. If you are rounding a left-turn corner and chicken winging, you'll get your elbow shot. Made sense to me.

To your question "is it safe" it would seem not, because in the scenario I mentioned, you can get your elbow shot.

[subscriber]

Chicken wing works for bladed target stance. It does not for square-on combat stance. Accuracy VS speed. Targets that stand still VS ones that shoot back.

Try a bladed target stance, without chicken wing, and the stock slips off your shoulder.

Chicken wing with a square stance looks funny and feels wrong because it produces muscular tension in a manner that does not "work". It is not necessary, and gets in the way.

"Safe" or not, is a good argument why someone should or should not do something.

[Donkeypunch0420]

I think people copy what they see in action movies, kind of like how I almost always see new shooters in a Weaver stance. They saw it in movie or a tv show.

[SanDiego619]

Chicken wing works for bladed target stance. It does not for square-on combat stance. Accuracy VS speed. Targets that stand still VS ones that shoot back.

Try a bladed target stance, without chicken wing, and the stock slips off your shoulder.

Chicken wing with a square stance looks funny and feels wrong because it produces muscular tension in a manner that does not "work". It is not necessary, and gets in the way.

"Safe" or not, is a good argument why someone should or should not do something.

Thank you for the information, I know very little, I just know that people who were well-trained by our military told me not to chicken wing because my elbow can get shot!

I am always happy to learn more. I was not criticizing chicken wing, I was wondering why it was the natural position for most people. For me, I know when I picked up a rifle, I poked my elbow out. I think it was like that for everyone I know.

[subscriber]

I know very little

I never got that impression from you before. Perhaps because most of your posts that I have read, have been in the off topic forum. There, you seem sage-like to me.

[subscriber]

Donkeypunch,

What if you see someone shoots one handed? Then you see them practice weak side, single hand and realize they are actually advanced beyond the thumb forward two handed grip.

Accuracy, or speed? For accuracy on stationary targets and positions, use the posture with the best natural point of aim, and the least muscle tension. For speed (adequate to hit ability implied) use stance and grip that produces the fastest random target acquisition and recoil recovery. They are not the same thing.

Do you ask novices to draw from a covered holster with a loaded side-arm? If not, why not? They need to learn the basics first. If becoming familiar and confident with their new sidearm, and practicing not shoot themselves or others accidentally involves the Weaver stance; so what?

[SanDiego619]

I never got that impression from you before. Perhaps because most of your posts that I have read, have been in the off topic forum. There, you seem sage-like to me.

Ok, I know very little about chicken wing shooting

I also know very little about most things. But I know enough to know when leftism is creeping in. My leftism detection system is working well.

Edit: Hope all is well with you!