When did this become a thing - holding rifles?

[Grifman]

This has bee bugging me. Ok, I'm no weapons expert but I have fired rifles and shotguns and watched a lot of war movies. When I was taught to hold/aim a gun, I was told to place my hand UNDER the barrel, and that's the way I've seen in most movies. But now in video games I see rather than the hand being placed under the barrel, it is being place to the side and you wrap your fingers around the barrel with the thumb over the top of the barrel. When did this become a thing and why? It seems awfully awkward, it's much easier to place your hand under the barrel.

Anyone know what's going on?

[dbt1949]

I've never heard of such a thing. Sort of like holding pistols sideways.

[Anonymous Bosch]

This has bee bugging me. Ok, I'm no weapons expert but I have fired rifles and shotguns and watched a lot of war movies. When I was taught to hold/aim a gun, I was told to place my hand UNDER the barrel, and that's the way I've seen in most movies. But now in video games I see rather than the hand being placed under the barrel, it is being place to the side and you wrap your fingers around the barrel with the thumb over the top of the barrel. When did this become a thing and why? It seems awfully awkward, it's much easier to place your hand under the barrel.

Anyone know what's going on?

The purpose of a thumb over bore grip is that it helps minimise recoil and inhibit the barrel from jumping. But it can feel awkward to sustain over a prolonged period, depending on how you're built.

Here's a retired USMC infantry leader and weapons instructor explaining the pros and cons:

[LawBeefaroni]

With the advent of barrel shrouds, it became possible to hold rifles this way.

With a regular stock, you can't do it without burning your hands on and hot barrel. And you can't really mount a grip directly on the barrel without compromising ballistic accuracy.


I still find it awkward. I think it's more for engaging multiple targets rapidly and stuff like three gun matches. Not my thing. Foregrips are also overused IMO.

[dbt1949]

If you are using iron sights can you even see the front sight with this method?

[LawBeefaroni]

If you are using iron sights can you even see the front sight with this method?

Depends. With flip-up irons probably, like the guy in the video. Most operators and LARPers have optics so they're probably high enough to get a picture despite rhe thumb on top.

It's like the center axis relock hold for pistols. It has situational uses but because lots of people think it looks cool they use it all the time.