Why Was Hip Shooting Ever a Thing?

[BugI02]

The first one to score a meaningful hit on there opponents usually win the gunfight. Speed is of the essence but not at the sacrifice of accuracy. If your gonna do it you better be good at it.
That FIBS Thing is real

"Shooting at a man who is returning the compliment means going into action with the greatest speed of which a man's muscles are capable, but mentally unflustered by an urge to hurry or the need for complicated nervous and muscular actions which trick shooting involves." - Wyatt Earp

 

[indiucky]

"For quick draw hip shooting, I do my most accurate work bent slightly forward, eyes focussed on the object to be hit, paying no attention to the gun at all. Shoot where you can see the strike of your bullet so you can walk successive shots onto the target."

Elmer Keith “Sixguns” (1961)

 

[indiucky]

"Hip shooting, really instinctive pointing, is one phase of the pistol shooting game anyone can learn in time. Once mastered, along with quick draw, it will stay with you for life. You may get rusty over time. but you will always be able to do creditable work."

Elmer Keith

“Sixguns” (1961)

 

[MrSmitty]

Old Elmer has some interesting "Slip" guns, modified hammers, look it up, hard to explain...

 

[MrSmitty]

 

[indiucky]

Throw a big tin can or bucket out in front of you some 20 to 25 feet. Then focusing both eyes on the target, draw the gun and poke it at the target and shoot. “Sixguns” (1961)

Elmer Keith

 

[Whip_McCord]

This is the best explanation for hip shooting, I think. The video is about point shooting, but at around 1:50 into the video, he does some hip shooting and had some explanations. In one of our courses of fire in Blythe's pistol league, we do some close-up hip shooting, just to get the feel of it. I added that, because sometimes in cowboy action matches we shoot like that. I wanted to get some practice, and it is fun.

 

[rugertoter]

Maybe because old days sights sucked?

 

[blain]

Why Was Hip Shooting Ever a Thing?​

Because men like Dan Mathews didn't have time to take aim. They had criminals to stop and apprehend.
Thank You, men and women of the Highway Patrol.

 

[Scott58]

Not a hip shooter, but when I get this mares leg I got coming I plan to be.