Muzzle up? Or down?

I was instructed to use the low ready because it allows greater visibility and a more compact form when moving as compared to having a gun extended, which blocks your vision and is easier to disarm.
 
In my years of military experience and post. The Enviroment should always dictate what your doing and a good shooter regardless will be aware of that. If I am in a 2 story structure advancing down a hallway I better be damn sure I know whats below me just in case and the same goes for vice versa. I have seen a few people almost shot with the muzzle always down rule, the point is that we need to be flexible and adaptable to whatever enviroment we are in.
 
"I was instructed to use the low ready because it allows greater visibility and a more compact form when moving as compared to having a gun extended, which blocks your vision and is easier to disarm."

The direction the muzzle points has little to do with visibility, compactness, or ease of disarmament.

For example, position 3 in a 4 count MI draw stroke - both hands are on the weapon, it is compact, below the lineof sight, readily defended, and instantly ready for use where extention wouldn't be prudent with the muzzle directed straight ahead.

This, by the way, qualifies as a position that falls into what the author refers to as "muzzle up" with handguns.
 
The issues a bit more pronounced with long guns, and dictated even more so by the situation than just prefered tactics and training.

For example, negotiating a barrier may require carrying muzzle up, even if it then returnes to down.
 
Muzzleup, if it is above the head your arms block your view. If the weapon is below the head, pointed up and you are grabed, and you pull your arms in towards you like you would do naturaly the BG could pull the trigger and you now have a projectile in your head from your weapon.

Muzzle down, BG cann't grab your arms as well. and if you pull the trigger you shoot the BG in the knees, groin, hips, stomache.

This is not a theory or an I think. This is how we train and how I did it in a war zone where we cleared more houses and even more rooms in one day than most swat does in a lifetime.

If you have to move with a weapon into an area you know you might have to shoot, muzzle down is best.....
 
Without looking at the link, nor reading any of this, I vote for muzzle down, simply because its less tiring than to hold it up.
 
Muzzle down for me. I cant imagine why you would want to have the muzzle pointed up. Its allot easier to rasie a gun to your sight line form the low and ready stance then it is with the muzzle up....
 
Pistol, retention holster, re-loads, flashlight, spare cell phone, spare house/auto keys (in a key silencer), spare ID, field dressing x 2 plus tournequet (in small first aid pouch), and an ASP baton.
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What no sky flares or percussion grenades.... you're going out naked! :D
 
Situation will ALWAYS dictate, but 99% of the time, muzzle down. It is safer, allows better visibility, and is harder to take away in close combat.
 
For example, position 3 in a 4 count MI draw stroke - both hands are on the weapon, it is compact, below the lineof sight, readily defended, and instantly ready for use where extention wouldn't be prudent with the muzzle directed straight ahead.
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But it looks silly.:D
 
Grandfather and Father both taught me muzzle up so I don't take my foot or someone else's off. They both grew up in Montana where if it does come down most likely its gunna hit dirt or a tree.

My CCW instructor told us muzzle down since well we know where its going and also there is alot less chance to kill someone accidentally this way.
 
Good article that definitely applies to the armed citizen as well as the LEO. I admit I just skimmed it so far, but I'll be going back for a more thorough reading.
 
Ok cap what’s the answer?
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Damned if I know; that's why I'm asking you guys! :D

Seriously, this thing has flip-flopped several times since I started shooting some 50 years ago. I don't think there is a solid, this-or-that answer.

IMHO, it depends on the circumstance. Outdoors and off pavement, I prefer down, but on concrete or asphalt, up. In a building, I prefer the direction least likely to have people on the other side of the floor or ceiling.

And all in all, I want the direction that's least likely to have any round encounter a person, be it a falling bullet or a ricochet. I'd imagine either one would hurt like hell. ;)
 
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