Originally posted by shotgun_wedding
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As for the prone position you see in the film, it is what the Army instructs for shooting prone off of a bipod. The Army claims it is more stable and easier to swing the barrel left or right in tactical conditions, provides for better recoil control, and gives a smaller target from the front. The smaller target is problematic and if you are right handed, it is still difficult to swing a barrel to the right. As for recoil control, such a position is not the best but does work. It is not an ideal position for comfort or breathing over an extended period of time but it may be the only way a guy can go prone while wearing the body armor and rack. Fortunately, the stock is adjustable. A better position has the non firing leg pretty much straight behind the body and the firing side leg cocked up towards the chest some. Swinging the barrel is made much easier by swinging the non firing leg left or right and it is immensely easier to make elevation changes of the barrel by either extending or compressing the firing side leg. Furthermore, the firing side leg being cocked forward gives much better recoil control, which is very important with an M-14 as they do smack you out of position if you aren't pretty secure. It acts like a recoil spring. Much easier to breath, too. The problem with it is that the body armor prohibits such a position where your torso is somewhat twisted. That said, it is the most common prone position you will see for NRA High Power. The old 'leg or legs angled to one side' stuff is inefficient, lacks recoil control, and basically prohibits a shooter from being able to fine tune his position with his legs.
BTW -- this is the first time I have ever seen formal Army instruction that rationally approaches breathing. I have heard breathing used as the reason for every imaginable marksmanship problem. Anything from blasting all over a target through all sorts of stringing. I even heard one NCO claim it was 'breathing' that was causing a zero group to be at the top of the zero target. In fact, the GI had his rear sight cranked up to 8 for zeroing and his grouping was excellent. He cranked it back down to 3(00) and zeroed to Army standards in a few minutes time. Don't fret any, although I got the breathing excuse somewhat cleared up for some guys over about a ten year period, it was supplanted by 'nose on charging handle', 'spot weld' (that can't happen with a AR design), 'cheek weld', and or 'pad of trigger finger', as being the reason for every mechanical or technical problem experienced by a Joe on a rifle range. He, he, he.
I have never heard formal instruction ever offer that perhaps it is more important to pull a trigger when you see a good sight picture than it is to have your cheek mashed against the stock in a certain manner, or your nose crushed against the charging handle, or the pad of your finger on the trigger, dragging wood, or breathing, etc.
Dragging wood was discussed by the NCO's although they didn't call it that. Probably not what you want to do with a rifle while shooting but it is a very minor issue that applies much more to the conventionally designed and over-sized stocks used on the 'Super Match' M-14's. You almost couldn't get away without dragging wood unless your fingers where about 8 inches long. Pistol grips have rendered 'dragging wood' obsolete although I am sure someone can force it if they want. Again though, a very minor issue at the stage of training of the guys in the film. Take my word for it, Joe will do what you ask of him. For example, if Joe thinks you are emphasizing mashing your cheek against the stock is a certain manner as being 'critical' to success, that is what he will do, even if by doing so he must strain his neck or eyes to get a lousy sight picture through his optic. Start out with what is absolutely critical (seeing and trigger pull) and Joe will adapt the rifle or himself accordingly.
LR1955
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