# Why port a rifle in this manner? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 1, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816 "2018-03-01T14:48:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/1 "2018-03-01T14:48:54Z")
Yes, dear gawlly, yet another gun thread. Check out [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzw8jW0aCys). Not the whole thing, just the first bit as an illustration of the technique in question. In contrast, in Th’Army we were taught to carry [thusly](https://vimeo.com/66728865)–slung over one shoulder, barrel pointing up, lower receiver facing forward. If you needed greater freedom to use both arms, you could slip the sling over your head so it crossed your chest, but the orientation of the weapon was more or less the same–muzzle up. To fire, you reach up with your left hand and grab the sling lug, unsling the weapon and, viola! you’re left hand has the handgrip and you have quick an immediate control of the weapon. The cat in the first video has his muzzle pointing downward, at other peoples’ legs; and were he to quickly unsling and prepare to fire, he’s going to spend at least another full second or two getting his weapon oriented–by which time he’s taking fire (and he’ll be hunching and fumbling, giving me an even bigger center of mass to aim at). Now, I love the bangstick but I respect it. If you’re carrying one, it’s because you’re going to need to discharge it quickly, accurately, and intentionally. The video guy I think is going to have trouble getting that done, yet I see this style of sling arms all the time. What’s up? What tactical advantage does it give that the professionals are missing? ---
**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:** [March 1, 2018, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/2 "2018-03-01T14:54:26Z")
> [@B-Rad](#): > > What tactical advantage does it give that the professionals are missing? It’s tacticool. If it weren’t for the guy covering his back with the camera, someone could sneak up and pull the trigger. Hope he doesn’t have a round chambered. He is _not_ in full control of his weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/3 "2018-03-01T15:47:10Z")
> [@B-Rad](#): > > What’s up? What tactical advantage does it give that the professionals are missing? It clearly labels them as the type of dumbass who would walk through Walmart with a rifle. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/4 "2018-03-01T16:35:15Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > someone could sneak up and pull the trigger. Hope he doesn’t have a round chambered. Save for the great possibility of hurting someone, that would be funny as hell. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/5 "2018-03-01T16:42:51Z")
I’m thinking it’s the same kind of guy who would fire a pistol sideways. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2018, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/6 "2018-03-01T16:46:25Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > I’m thinking it’s the same kind of guy who would fire a pistol sideways. Nah,that’s gangsta. Tacticool [demands a scope.](https://i.redd.it/4nm29kju0hnz.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/7 "2018-03-01T16:51:58Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Nah,that’s gangsta. Tacticool [demands a scope.](https://i.redd.it/4nm29kju0hnz.jpg) “Sorry about your penis, Bro!” So, the slung across your back thing–as ‘not good’ as it looks, then? And I have to admit part of me also wants to run up behind him and tweak his trigger or otherwise foul his rod. ---
**Author:** ![senoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@senoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/senoy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/8 "2018-03-01T16:52:26Z")
He’s from Hunstville, the Texas Triangle. Entirely populated by people who think they understand ‘masculinity’ due to the fact they are from Texas, but don’t have a clue because the ‘manliest’ thing they’ve ever done is called someone else to change their flat tire. He’s a suburban Rambo, ever vigilant for brown people that may be walking through his neighborhood as scouts for the coming race war. For the record though, barrel down is acceptable when using an elbow or trail carry and you’re in the front of the group, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re using dogs since quickly trying to shoulder it for a shot could result in an inadvertant trigger brush and a dead dog. What this guy is doing though is very strange to me. Of course, walking into a Walmart with an AR-style rifle just to prove that you can is pretty strange to me too. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/9 "2018-03-01T16:52:55Z")
Just dumbassery. I hate that video. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/10 "2018-03-01T17:01:14Z")
> [@senoy](#): > > For the record though, barrel down is acceptable when using an elbow or trail carry and you’re in the front of the group… I’ve carried the .30-30 that way en route to a rendezvous with a buck, but frankly it fatigues my trigger arm and I revert back to Army sling arms within a minute or so. Which must present a somewhat silly-looking picture. But I’m glad you brought this up because, while this is a muzzle-down carry, the weapon remains well-controlled, readily accessible, and the sling is not used. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2018, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/11 "2018-03-01T17:07:43Z")
> [@B-Rad](#): > > “Sorry about your penis, Bro!” > > So, the slung across your back thing–as ‘not good’ as it looks, then? And I have to admit part of me also wants to run up behind him and tweak his trigger or otherwise foul his rod. Hell, just grab the stock and yank him backwards. Of course, that would be assault but it would teach the moron a lesson. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/12 "2018-03-01T17:11:06Z")
The only time I ever slung a weapon muzzle down was if it started raining while on a march, but only over one shoulder, never across my back. I kept hoping the numbnuts in the video would knock something valuable off of a shelf with the muzzle and have to pay for it. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/13 "2018-03-01T17:14:26Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > The only time I ever slung a weapon muzzle down was if it started raining while on a march, but only over one shoulder, never across my back. I kept hoping the numbnuts in the video would knock something valuable off of a shelf with the muzzle and have to pay for it. They have valuable stuff at Walmart? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/14 "2018-03-01T17:25:29Z")
What is this guy trying to prove, anyhow? He gripes about the Walmart staff attempting to antagonize him, but antagonizing was clearly his intent by walking into the store with an assault rifle slung around his back. He’s making the opposite point he thinks he’s trying to make. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/15 "2018-03-01T17:35:15Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > **What is this guy trying to prove, anyhow?** > > He gripes about the Walmart staff attempting to antagonize him, but antagonizing was clearly his intent by walking into the store with an assault rifle slung around his back. He’s making the opposite point he thinks he’s trying to make. That’s he’s stupid enough to occupy one hand with a cup of coffee (from that raging gang of liberals at Starbucks). ---
**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:** [March 1, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/16 "2018-03-01T17:39:26Z")
I am told by hunters who sometimes sling arms like that walking into or from the woods -------- comfort and removing the temptation of trying for a quick shot if something runs across the trail in front of them. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/17 "2018-03-01T17:44:09Z")
That’s exactly the way everyone carried their weapon on the FOB when I was in Iraq. Outside the wire, “at the ready” was a different story, but when you were just walking from the barracks to the DFAC that’s the way you did it. However, while we had a magazine in our cargo pocket, our weapons were never loaded when we carried them like this. “Sling arms” was for drills and parades, and wasn’t used much after basic training. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/18 "2018-03-01T17:45:33Z")
> [@B-Rad](#): > > Check out [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzw8jW0aCys). watadouche ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/19 "2018-03-01T18:04:58Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > watadouche Indeed. > [@DrCube](#): > > That’s exactly the way everyone carried their weapon on the FOB when I was in Iraq. Outside the wire, “at the ready” was a different story, but when you were just walking from the barracks to the DFAC that’s the way you did it. Any explanation for why? Was it required or was it just ‘that’s the way we do it here’? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816/20 "2018-03-01T18:08:57Z")
As an aside, until this thread I thought “porting” a rifle meant drilling bigger/extra holes in it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-port-a-rifle-in-this-manner/809816.md?page=2)