Why Was Hip Shooting Ever a Thing?

Published on March 29, 2024
Duration: 11:03

This video delves into the historical practice of hip shooting, a technique prevalent in law enforcement from the 1930s to the 1980s, largely popularized by FBI agent Delf A. 'Jelly' Bryce. It contrasts this with modern eye-level shooting techniques, such as Jeff Cooper's "Modern Technique," explaining why hip shooting, despite its historical prevalence, is less effective for the average shooter due to its reliance on exceptional skill and visual acuity. The video debunks myths about its speed advantage, supported by historical training film analysis.

Quick Summary

Hip shooting, a firearms technique fired from the hip without using sights, was a common law enforcement practice from the 1930s-1980s, influenced by FBI agent Delf A. 'Jelly' Bryce. However, modern analysis shows eye-level shooting, like Jeff Cooper's "Modern Technique," offers comparable speed with superior accuracy for most individuals, debunking historical myths about hip shooting's speed advantage.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Hip Shooting
  2. 01:04Early 20th Century Training
  3. 01:54The Modern Technique
  4. 02:43The Influence of Jelly Bryce
  5. 05:01FBI Adoption and Spread
  6. 06:40The Flaws of Hip Shooting
  7. 09:09Debunking the Speed Myth

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hip shooting and why was it used?

Hip shooting is a firearms technique where the weapon is fired from a low, hip-level position without using the sights. It was popularized in law enforcement from the 1930s-1980s, largely due to the perceived speed and accuracy of figures like FBI agent Delf A. 'Jelly' Bryce in close-quarters engagements.

Did hip shooting offer a speed advantage over modern techniques?

Historical analysis and modern understanding suggest that hip shooting does not offer a significant speed advantage over eye-level shooting. Some historical training films may have used edited footage to create this illusion. For most shooters, eye-level techniques are faster and far more accurate.

Who was Delf A. 'Jelly' Bryce and why is he relevant to hip shooting?

Delf A. 'Jelly' Bryce was a legendary FBI agent and gunfighter known for his exceptional speed and accuracy. His effectiveness in real gunfights led the FBI to adopt and promote hip shooting as a standard technique, influencing law enforcement and popular culture.

What replaced hip shooting as the standard firearm technique?

Jeff Cooper's "Modern Technique," developed in the 1970s, introduced a two-handed grip, the Weaver stance, and rapid acquisition of sights at eye level. This comprehensive system eventually replaced hip shooting as the dominant training methodology for law enforcement and civilian shooters.

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