Is it better to travel with your gun in your hands or on your back?

[soulfirez 901]

I always run with my mosin in my hands, when i get to town i swap to the fnx when i go in a building i swap to the sawn off shottie .

 

I wear cammo under manys specifications i am a bandit actual facts in 184 hours of SA 17 kills i have had out of easily 100 encounters i play first person servers and stalk people i see to find out if i think there bandits ( not by there cloths but by watching and finally declaring myself when i have an advantage and control the talk ...

 

Sometimes i get it wrong and i die my usual life span is about 20 hours current life 38hours so i havent died often ( to often that is )

 

You tell me am i a bandit ??? id class my self as a survivour... but again maybe i am biased you tell me am i a bandit???

[over9000nukez 199]

if you put a gun in your chest slot you can pull it out faster, I hold my fnx and my revolver in there

[War Path 26]

90% in my hands crouched even in forests (I'm paranoid i guess) in or near towns  either m4 out and aimed or the mag out and aimed i try not to take any chances.

[MangoX 10]

Again, I go for a friendly approach. I have both a gun and an axe, and in another thread I made (http://forums.dayzgame.com/index.php?/topic/172805-does-my-character-look-friendly/), people mentioned that they would shoot me if I had my gun out.

 

I usually have my gun out, not for shooting, but for instant defense long-range defense against possible threats. However, I seldom actually shoot it, and merely use it for intimidation or putting down the occasional attacker. Now I'm thinking it might be better if I shoulder my gun until I need it. 

 

Thoughts? Should I shoulder my B95 or carry it in my hands? I am open to either side.

 

 

EDIT: Should I hold nothing or my axe?

 

 

weapon on back when hiking through the forest.

 

Nearing a hotspot, weapon drawn and aimed. Then again, I shoot first and ask questions later unless I see you are unarmed right away.

 

This thing.. But i do see OP's point of maybe not getting kosed so much for keeping gun at back. I would definetly not kos these kinda guys instatly. Some more interaction and cooperation would be cool instead of just kossing around. Alttho things will change bit no doubt when theres real zombie swarms and stuff where you want to be cooperating with others. Alltho no doubt there still be kosing...

[Mdogg2005 447]

This is a good topic.  It's a tough one too.  On the one hand, having the gun out makes you a bit slower but also quicker to react to trouble with your gun.

 

On the other hand, it makes you look aggressive and maybe more likely to be shot at on sight - assuming the person doing the shooting doesn't just shoot at everything that moves.

[Nocturnal (DayZ) 85]

I take mine out when I'm 1-2km  outside a 'settlement'.

[hells high 676]

Long hauls = gun on back.

Going near areas where players are likely to be found = gun in hands.

 

Its not "threatening" to carry a firearm in the zombie apocalypse (especially in such an unrealistically amoral and hostile apocalypse as DayZ). Some of my most friendly and beneficial encounters started with both of us having our guns out, or reminding the other before making visual contact that we have a firearm. Its pointing it at someone or acting sketchy that sets off alarms.

[mgc 92]

I always have a rifle out. I only have an axe out in case im about to kill Z. This demonstrates the ratio of percieved threatlevels between pvp / pve very well. I never have it in the "ready" (spacebar) position unless im going to use it. With this measure i hope to avoid KoS from scared "friendlies" that get the drop on me, while still being able to react relatively quick to incomming fire by shouldering weapon. (i play 1pp only)

Sometimes i use the scope to scout dangerous areas (rooftops, suspicious treelines etc.) without the intention of firing on sight. This could easily result in hostilities if theres actually someone there that spotted me first. Maybe i should look into a bino. lol

[Ineedscoffee 464]

When I'm scavenging, firearm in hand, at rest. In a building, at the ready. Between towns, I have it on my back. I find it's far easier to serpentine with empty hands. If someone's chasing you with an axe, you will outrun them, I promise.

[GpB311 236]

Ive been sniped and shot at plenty of times when I had no weapon whatsoever in my hands, so I tend to just leave it on my back until I feel Im in a place I might need it. Sure, thats technically almost anywhere, but I try to just be as aware as possible.

[blissfulkunt 196]

Personally, I keep my main weapon shouldered during long hauls. I keep it drawn when I get within around 400 meters of a town. I find that to be mostly effective. Then again, anything can happen anywhere so it would probably be wise for me to keep it out at all times.

 

Usually though...I stick to the first bit.

 

That's me though.

This for sure, otherwise a Bambi can act friendly but take the chance to knock you out because he knows you must equip your gun (few second animation) and then you must raise it lol, kind of lame

[rickyriot 1009]

In forests and open ground I'll have nothing in my hands. In cities and anywhere with military loot then I'll have gun in hand and it raised (but not iron sighted). Anywhere in between I'll normally have it in my hands but not raised.

 

I do wonder if people stop and spend time looking at where they are going. If I am approaching a town I'll find a safe place to view it and spend maybe 5 minutes watching before I enter (this is the same tactic I use for sex..;)). 

[xRann 126]

I do wonder if people stop and spend time looking at where they are going. If I am approaching a town I'll find a safe place to view it and spend maybe 5 minutes watching before I enter (this is the same tactic I use for sex.. ;)). 

Always, from a bout 800-1k I start to survey and slow approach. Works well in-game too.

[rickyriot 1009]

Always, from a bout 800-1k I start to survey and slow approach. Works well in-game too.

 

I'll maybe be a little closer in, all depends on the terrain of course. I think with SA not quite as "serious" as the mod that people will just go rushing into towns without thinking. 

[Ramblin Hans 118]

Obviously, for travel its slung over my back and I'm running. But it town, its out almost always and usually shouldered.  I find I run into more "friendlies" this way. People are always more friendly when you see them first and when they see you they realize you are already aiming on them. Too many times been shot/killed by trying to interact with someone while my gun was up.

[zaphodity (DayZ) 41]

I fast run everywhere I go mainly, better speeds without hold a gun. When I get close to towns I slow down and get my gun out.

Edited February 17, 2014 by zaphodity

[omgwtfbbq (DayZ) 1069]

I don't understand the "Pull my gun out when within 1km of a city" because you're ALWAYS within 1km of a city.