# Target shooters - do you practice from the prone position? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 29, 2016, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958 "2016-05-29T01:54:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/1 "2016-05-29T01:54:50Z")
like this. 🆒 Nice pistol that lady is wielding. [https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oCe4TNo9-XI/maxresdefault.jpg](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oCe4TNo9-XI/maxresdefault.jpg) learned the various shooting positions when I earned my merit badge in Scouting. Always felt the prone position is the safest if defending yourself in a home invasion. Hear somebody kicking in the front door? Stay in your bedroom. Get on the carpet and wait for the intruder to come to you. Odds are, he’ll be shooting over your head. Its the best strategy to stay alive and just maybe the intruder will steal the tv in the living room and leave. Avoiding any shooting at all is the best possible outcome. I make a point to practice from the prone position every time I go target shooting. [like this](http://www.metro-pistol.org.au/sites/default/files/images/service-prone.jpg) \*\*\* Please, no anti gun rants. \*\*\* You can easily start a different thread. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/2 "2016-05-29T01:57:51Z")
What pistol? ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/3 "2016-05-29T02:36:33Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > [https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oCe4TNo9-XI/maxresdefault.jpg](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oCe4TNo9-XI/maxresdefault.jpg) Nice butt. I’m sorry, what was the question? Seriously though, I don’t shoot prone because the range I go to doesn’t allow it. All pistols are shot standing and all rifles are shot sitting at a shooting bench. It’s a fairly strict range and the range officers have a bit of a reputation for being Range Nazis. I’m all for safety so them being strict doesn’t bother me. I actually appreciate it. Cuts out the nonsense you sometimes see at less well policed ranges. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/4 "2016-05-29T02:37:06Z")
When I want to squeeze as much accuracy as possible from my guns, I go prone, usually with at least one homemade shooting bag supporting the front, I try to shoot from multiple positions, don’t limit myself to one ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/5 "2016-05-29T02:58:50Z")
Shooting _a pistol_ from the prone position, even in target shooting, isn’t very common. Handguns are an order of magnitude less accurate at longer distances than long arms (rifles) and shooting prone isn’t going to improve that very much. Plus handguns are designed to be used while standing, so practicing prone wouldn’t make a lot of sense. Unless of course she’s got a nice ass, then by all means… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/6 "2016-05-29T03:48:05Z")
It makes sense to make yourself less of a target in self defense situations. But otherwise I shoot standing or sitting when I go hunting. Deer don’t shoot back. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/7 "2016-05-29T04:03:57Z")
Of course, for rifle shooting, you practice prone because it is part of the course of fire, and your best scores are in prone. Pistols aren’t shot prone for any specified course of fire that I know of. But defensive shooting is a much different ball game. I ran our practical defense program for 8 years and set up courses with prone shooting several times each season. Also rolling over while reloading, scooting backwards to gain cover, etc. It does require practice if you want your shots to count. It is fairly hard to get the correct sight alignment with a pistol when prone, specially if the situation is realistic, i.e., a threat standing over you at close range. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/8 "2016-05-29T05:30:16Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > like this. 🆒 Nice pistol that lady is wielding. > [https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oCe4TNo9-XI/maxresdefault.jpg](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oCe4TNo9-XI/maxresdefault.jpg) Well, you certainly picked an interesting picture to illustrate your point. Those shorts must have all of 1" of inseam. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/9 "2016-05-29T13:51:15Z")
When I opened this thread I thought the OP was referring to shooting a _rifle_ in the prone position, not a handgun. Shooting a handgun in the prone position is rather useless. The only time I do it is when I shoot it from 25 yards, and not for any practical reason; I just think it’s fun and very challenging to shoot a handgun at that distance. My favorite position for shooting a rifle is the prone position while using an M1907 sling. I _love_ my M1907 sling. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/10 "2016-05-29T14:00:29Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > Well, you certainly picked an interesting picture to illustrate your point. > > Those shorts must have all of 1" of inseam. 1 Minute Of Ass. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/11 "2016-05-29T14:07:20Z")
Yes, I find it difficult shooting a pistol from a prone position too. I practice just enough that I could hit a home intruder from 12 ft to 14 ft away. Tried the kneeling position one afternoon with a pistol. Shot maybe 20 rounds. I felt off balance and my shot was erratic… [This guy seems ok kneeling](http://www.armedpersonaldefense.com/_Media/apdi_39_med.jpeg). ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/12 "2016-05-29T17:09:20Z")
I’ve found prone shooting to be much easier. Lie on your side, head resting on your arm, and it’s an extremely stable position. Not much deviation in sight picture/alignment. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/13 "2016-05-29T17:16:24Z")
I regularly practice rifle shooting from a prone position, but not pistol shooting. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/14 "2016-05-29T19:45:39Z")
I am a pistol shooter. I do not practice from the prone position. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/15 "2016-05-29T20:06:00Z")
I’m getting too old and with my bad back prone isn’t something I do on a regular basis. I’ll use probe when using a scope and shooting out hundreds of yards, but other than that no. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/16 "2016-05-29T23:29:20Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I’ve found prone shooting to be much easier. Lie on your side, head resting on your arm, and it’s an extremely stable position. Not much deviation in sight picture/alignment. That’s not prone. Prone is lying on your chest. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/17 "2016-05-29T23:49:51Z")
I practice it more with a rifle than pistol but that’s probably because I spend more time with the military rifle league at my club than the pistol folks. The rifle shoots are always all three positions; pistol varies but its mostly classic off-hand one-handed. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/18 "2016-05-30T00:23:26Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > That’s not prone. Prone is lying on your chest. [![](https://www.bevfitchett.us/pistol-marksmanship-2/images/3270_114_82-isosceles-shooting-stance.jpg) ](https://www.bevfitchett.us/pistol-marksmanship-2/images/3270_114_82-isosceles-shooting-stance.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/19 "2016-05-30T01:47:04Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > [http://www.bevfitchett.us/pistol-marksmanship-2/images/3270\_114\_82-isosceles-shooting-stance.jpg](http://www.bevfitchett.us/pistol-marksmanship-2/images/3270_114_82-isosceles-shooting-stance.jpg) That’s the isosceles stance. This is the prone stance: [![](https://files.osgnetworks.tv/2/files/2012/10/shooting-prone.png) ](https://files.osgnetworks.tv/2/files/2012/10/shooting-prone.png) ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958/20 "2016-05-30T02:10:24Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > [http://www.bevfitchett.us/pistol-marksmanship-2/images/3270\_114\_82-isosceles-shooting-stance.jpg](http://www.bevfitchett.us/pistol-marksmanship-2/images/3270_114_82-isosceles-shooting-stance.jpg) > [@Doug\_K](#): > > That’s the isosceles stance. This is the prone stance: > > [http://www.gunsandammo.com/files/2012/10/shooting-prone.png](http://www.gunsandammo.com/files/2012/10/shooting-prone.png) It depends on the (slight pun intended) length of your weapon? 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-shooters-do-you-practice-from-the-prone-position/755958.md?page=2)