Does the Elbow Go Up or Stay Down? You Decide!

Okay guys, I've got a question for you. I've spoken to multiple people over the past year, ranging from top-scoring (195 out of 200 points) MCJROTC Rifle Team members to SWAT members, to gun shop owners to former Marine Corps Scout/Snipers. Some say that when shooting from a standing position, you should bring your elbow up into the air to improve accuracy. Others say you should leave it down. One person who I respect very highly is a shooter from a rival school who has a perfect score on MCJROTC Rifle Team. She scores 199 out 200 possible points every time she shoots. She says you should keep your elbow down when shooting from a standing position because when your elbow is up, it gets tired and causes you to come off target. On the other end of the spectrum is a former Marine Scout/Sniper with four tours in the Sandbox behind his belt. He says you should keep your elbow up because it makes you more accurate. The only justification he needs for me to believe him is his safe return from four tours in the Sandbox. Now, I have tried both stances, and they both seem equally accurate to me. The question comes to you at this point.

Which stance do you prefer and why?

As an experienced shooter myself, I have noticed that it really is personal preference. Usually when shooting a large caliber weapon, the arm will fly up in the air because it makes you feel like the recoil will be more spread out. When shooting a smaller caliber, the arm usually unconsciously rests closer to the body. These different arm positions are often used to different advantages when shooting. When clearing a room, for example, you would want your arm in instead of out to make a smaller target, and to throw as much of your body around a corner in the least amount of time possible to surprise the enemy. The "chicken wing", as it is called, is usually not used when standing, but is often more comfortable for some people. When I teach people to shoot, I tell them to keep their arm down, but if they don't because it is more comfortable for them, and they are still retaining accuracy, I usually will not pursue further. As you can see in my profile picture, I kind of have it in between chicken winging and close in hold. Use what you prefer, just don't overdue it

It is preference, but I do elbow down, because it seems to be the most accurate for me

I do elbow down, because on the AK that I have right now, the butt plate on the stock pinches some nerve in my arm and causes it to twitch. So yeah, I'm anti-chicken winging.

Elbow-in will give you much more support...its a anatomical truth.
Every shooting instructor or marksman that I have ever met or learned under has suggested a tucked-in stance over wingin' it.

Having your elbow out is just a demonstration of poor technique and lack of skill IMO.
But in the end, its up to the shooter and the situation.

The only reason I would ever fire with my elbow out would be if you ever had the bad fortune to need to shoot a large caliber from the standing...because it would probably help disperse the energy outward rather than straight into your body. But that's just a guess...I'm not a big large-bore shooter.

But in my experienced opinion, elbow-in is the best method for controlled shooting of any rifle.

Elbow down. It is how I shoot and how I was taught. I believe elbow up is only meant to be effective prone situations. It is really uncomfortable for me to have elbow up regardless.

I almost always keep my elbow down, I've always just thought that was the better way. It's not a huge deal to me, but I always just kinda tried to keep it down and now it's just natural. I also feel it gives you better/quicker target aquistition and target transition.

Every now and then when I'm under alot of fire and the game is really intense, that elbow might pop up.

Elbow down. It gives more support like Durkee said. Also, from a combat point of view, it would make you a smaller target

I assume you are talking about just `` Target ´´ shooting.

If so then Elbow Down and In, Shooting with the Elbow up, or out is considered to be be `` True ´´ Off Hand shooting in some marksmanship shooting circles, or better known as Combat or QRC ( Quick Reaction Course ) shooting.

If you need to validate it to somebody watch a Biathalon, notice the position of every shooter ( Male or Female ), Elbow Down and In, 3 points of support, Shoulder, Hip, Hand.

For a good practical test, run 2 miles for time, do 50 Push Ups, grab your Rifle, then try and put 5 rounds into a 2 1/2 inch diameter circle from 25meters away, not that freaking easy even from the prone, never mind standing.

I talked with a Comp. Shooter form the Nat. Guard yesterday about this and He shoots off hand with elbow down, standing up. All at 200 yards with normal M16 peep-sights, has getting WICKED groupings.......Handloads pay off. He said elbow DOWN....always.

I am going to say it's personal preference, it's also deals with weight and balance, I've noticed for snipers who keep there elbows up tend to have more weights on the opposite side thus for giving them more balance when holding the rifle standing up.

But I have also seen riflemen keep them down, but from their kits they tend to have a more even weight distribution on both sides keeping them on balance for the majority of the time.

so really it's how they choose to keep their kits. That is why I assume you got two different opinions from people that are good shots. I guess the ROTC member didn't have much gear on maybe a ammo belt (I can't say I didn't watch her shoot) but nothing much so she could keep it down. and the sniper had a full load out on that had more weight on one side.

personally I keep mine down at about a 60 degree angle it's propped up enough and I don't have much weight on the opposite side to really need it raised as a counter weight but still gives me the balance.