Can you be accurate while moving?

[MysticToast]

My friends and I play a lot of games (like most of you here) and we really love it. Occasionally we get into little debates about games as all good friends do. But there's one that really bugs me because I feel I'm right but I have no way to be sure as I don't have enough personal experience in the matter.

One of my friends loves the Resident Evil series. I don't, my main complaint being you are glued to the ground when trying to shoot and that ruins the tension for me. Of course he replies by saying it's more realistic and he says you can't be accurate at all while moving.

I think he's wrong but I can't be sure. So here's my question to you, Escapist, can you be accurate with a gun while moving? Not like running or anything, but walking at a slow steady pace or something similar.

EDIT: I'm asking if it would be realistic in real life but this also relates to games.

 

[IBlackKiteI]

I don't see why not, though it's highly dependant on the shooter and the weapon of course.

 

[hittite]

Yes and no. It is much much easier to shoot accurately while standing still, and even better if your arm is resting against something. With practice, though, it's possible to be reasonably accurate while moving, but it takes a lot of practice.

 

[micky]

yes you can, its not very hard if you're not running

 

[MysticToast]

Do you mean in games or in real life?

In games, sure. Most games, that is. Some just won't let you be accurate and move at the same time (see: CoD)

In real life? Well, you wouldn't be as accurate while moving as you'd be if you were standing still, but I'd imagine that you could shoot lighter handguns well enough while shooting. You'd probably never be able to shoot something like a large automatic rifle very accurately while moving around, though, not moving around quickly.

Sorry, I should have specified. I did mean in real life but it also relates to games because of the realism factor and what not.

 

[Jonluw]

If you are trained, I believe you can be quite accurate. However, if you know your exact speed, you can't be accurate at all.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Exceedingly so. I can break into something of a run/trot and still be accurate with all the practice I've had.

But in games, eh. Its less, but then again, you're constricted by the game.

 

[DefunctTheory]

For the most part, no.

The problem with shooting on the move is multiple: tunnel vision being the first I'll discuss. When firing a weapon, accurately, you must always be looking down your sights. Even with both eyes open, you lose most of your peripheral vision. You can still move and fire... assuming you're moving FORWARD. Try moving sidewise and firing is... tough. Best case scenario, you miss. Worst, you trip and shoot yourself in the foot.

Of course, there's also the sway of your body as you move; breathing changes from physical exertion; lose of concentration, etc, etc, etc.

Moving and firing is POSSIBLE, but as circumstances get worse, your aim and mobility will get worse.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

You can be accurate, but it's a simple fact that you're more accurate if you've less extra motion to worry about.

If you leap to the side while firing, you've got a tiny chance of hitting what you're aiming at, and a good chance of injuring yourself.

Simple test. Play Darts and throw a dart while moving forward, moving to the side, and standing still.

Even in games it's tough, most "good" snipers will even crouch so as to minimise the lower body movement.

 

[Outright Villainy]

Well, yes you're only really accurate when you stand still. However, Resi isn't realistic in the slightest, as most people don't move like tanks. I'm able to walk side to side, and instantly go in whatever direction I want without having to stop, and shuffle on the spot for a few seconds.

So his point on realism is completely moot. Besides you can move while firing in real life, they should just make it a lot less accurate.

 

[SamuelT]

I've found out that I am accurate while moving with a drawn bow.

(22 out of 25 targets were a hit...not that I'm counting or anything...)

 

[Nouw]

I tried it with a Nerf Gun. Hit the book I was aiming at 2/6 times on average.

It's possible but hard.

 

[bl4ckh4wk64]

Military and police training both teach you how to shoot while walking, running, and in some cases swimming. Your friend is wrong. I personally am only able to shoot my Beretta accurately while moving, but then again I haven't had any military training.

 

[rokkolpo]

A well trained BSAA agent should be able to pull it off.

 

[CCountZero]

There's actually special walking techniques you can use to maintain accuracy with handguns.

One of the bigger problems with a standard masculine walk is that you put one foot next to the other, which causes your torso to sway back and forth.

To my knowledge, most shooters employ a "catwalk"-type of walk, as it near nullifies the sway, vastly increasing your accuracy.

I'm not sure how it would work with a rifle-type weapon though, or anything else that you wouldn't be holding out in front of you.

It goes without saying that the less you move, the better your accuracy will be, but as long as you keep to a walk, I'd say it wouldn't hinder you all that much.

I'd still crouch or lie down flat if I had to pull a precision shot to a head, though.

 

[AngryMongoose]

Depends on what you're shooting. You can, but without alot of experience, you shouldn't expect to achieve much on anything more than a few metres.