How WWII soldiers carried & shot their weapons

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[mrcory]

I dont understand why people dont understand that it isn't just firearms tech that has drastically evolved over the past 100 years. Firearm safety, handling techniques, and how firearms are used in general have really changed over the years.

[EricDaMAJ]

An M1 Garand is substantially heavier and longer than an M4. Carrying it at the modern low ready all the time would wear a soldier out.

[YourFBIagent]

The chicken wing is actually the correct way to shoot traditional rifles. Back then the stocks were made out of wood, and non adjustable, this meant that if you weren’t the exact size for the rifle, you had to use the chicken wing.

[bobconnor]

True! Taught to shoot by my father, a wwii, Korea vet and Drill Sgt. at a point in his career. “Get that elbow UP!!!”

[Jerry]

When I joined the Army in 1980. We were taught old school. Chicken wing and all. We didn’t have vests or the body armor they do today. We did have flack vests which we rarely wore. The chicken wing was for marksmanship. It formed a pocket in the shoulder for the Butt-stock to be placed. I was in a position to raise the rifle up to the face so the head didn’t have to come down to the rifle. We also stood sideways to the target not square on to it. We carried our rifles at a port arms ready position in the field or on a road march. Some of us learned quick kill techniques of snapping the rifle into a shooting position but not using the sights, but looking over them pivoting our bodies to the target and shooting instinctively. This was accurate at short range around 50 meters. Is the way people shoot now better? Yes, no maybe. For the gear used yes, but with an M1 Garand M14 or the M16 with no body armor, perhaps not. When I shoot today I still shoot the way I was trained. And can still hit targets over 300 meters with iron sights. Or shoot fast at short range. If I shot with body armor, I would probably shoot squared off too. But I don’t have any so I don’t feel the need to. As for saying perhaps chicken wing gives your opponent a target to shoot at. Yes, if it’s sticking out from behind cover. But if I’m standing in the open for some stupid reason, my opponent will should be aiming center mass, not at my arm. My body is more likely to be hit than my arm. Unless it was trucked in tight to my body. Squaring off without body armor creates a bigger target. Shooting from the side creates a smaller target and your non firing arm is held under the rifle inline with your body. It’s more likely to take a round than your body. Or at least protecting your heart and lungs.

[szariq]

Fun fact: in Poland "chicken wing" is called "cold elbow".

[st.haborym]

I like how he completely destroyed the know-it-alls without being rude or snarky

[trevorslinkard]

Gotta love it when tacticool know-it-alls confuse the present with their perception of the past. Bravo sir

[hotwaxonmyuddersohyeahmoo]

Honestly it makes sense. In 1944 the firearms instructors for the troops would have been accustomed to heavy long rifles with small magazines. Totally different ballgame than a plastic M4

[LuckyCharms]

1) Chicken wing is the correct way because that’s how miniature toy soldiers shoot offhand.
2) Just use what works best for you.

[fuoco]

My favorite by far is the fact almost every photo of soldiers back then showed there was no such thing as trigger discipline yet

[anthonyseal]

As a Army vet serving from 2004-2013, we don't always carry a weapon as "trained". Even when deployed. When you're tired, hungry and hot AF. You don't care, as long as you're not getting shot at, it doesn't matter.

[TokenChineseGuy]

The Chicken Wing was taught as the correct method of firing in the standing unsupported position as late as 2006 in the Manual of Arms for the M4 and M16A4. Those tacticool folks should chew on that for a bit hah.

[Chiller]

Trigger discipline is also very different now as opposed to 1940’s. I was taught to shoot and maintain small arms by my dad, a WW2 vet, and I am a Vietnam vet. Muzzle control was uppermost, “ Don’t point that thing at anything you don’t want to destroy!” but you’ll often see clips or photos of WW2 and Vietnam vets with their fingers inside the trigger guard.

[MacHamish]

The "chicken wing" makes a perfect pocket in the shoulder for the rifle butt. This was before modern light recoil rifles with adjustable sticks.

Shoot an 8mm Mauser, 303 British, 30.06, or especially a 7.63x54 Mosin all day and you will understand why they used the "chicken wing".

[macqnj]

I’m glad someone is finally addressing this. People mishandling their rifles has irked me for a long time. And I’m not sure what you meant by “chicken wing”, but we were always taught to raise our elbow when firing the M1 or M14 rifles. This was supposed to ease the recoil a little, since you could use both arms to pull the rifle in tight to your shoulder. The M16 has very little recoil in comparison and the requirement was dropped.

Thanks for all you do.

[Willysmb]

I'm an Army vet and I always say that only adult film stars worry about how they look when they shoot...

[matchesburn]

The irony being that "chicken-winging" is actually relevant and a valid shooting stance when firing a larger bore rifle without a pistol grip. It's not a coincidence that shooting stances started changing when rifles that weren't .30 caliber battle rifles that also had pistol grips became the norm.

[jebudu]

Garand has a traditional stock, not pistol grip... CHICKEN WING IS HOW YOU USE GUNS WITH TRADITIONAL STOCK😂

[jameshorne]

As a someone who was a WWII reenactor in the 90s I must say I think you do a great job!!! It is good to see a younger generation taking an interest in WWII reenacting. Don't worry too much what ppl on the Internet say when they're trying to criticize & show their lack of knowledge, WWII tactics & fighting styles were very different from today & one who knows WWII can see that you take your impression seriously which is important to properly honor those veterans. I know there are much fewer of them now, than there were when I was a reenactor, but listening to them sharing their experiences was 1 of my favorite parts of doing the events ( living history & certain reenactments).