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

[omgwtfbbq (DayZ) 1069]

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?

 

EDIT2: Why do you people pull out your weapons when within a kilometer of a city? You're always within a kilometer of a city.

Edited February 17, 2014 by omgwtfbbq

[savini 587]

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.

[drayson 158]

I keep it shouldered until I close in on a town, then it's out but not raised to give friendlys a chance to realize im not hostile either.

[xRann 126]

brandishing a firearm is not a threat, aiming said firearm is.

[Etherious 907]

IDK, I am for both. Although I usually just ALWAYS keep it shouldered unless someone is near me.

[naraga 45]

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.

[smallhil 26]

I've my gun always shouldered and have yet to be killed by another player in the SA. When I run into someone I just say hi and sometimes we exchange some beans. Had this happen in military barracks too. I really try to be as least threatening as possible by my choice of clothes and I just walk slow in cities and towns this helps you to spot others first so you can choose to avoid then. Mostly play on 1PP servers, perhaps people are more friendly there. Really not sure if I'm just lucky or that this playstyle pays off.

[antonioajc 500]

I travel with my gun on my hand just in case things get sour. You never know what might lurk behind a tree or on the next corner.

[omgwtfbbq (DayZ) 1069]

I've my gun always shouldered and have yet to be killed by another player in the SA. When I run into someone I just say hi and sometimes we exchange some beans. Had this happen in military barracks too. I really try to be as least threatening as possible by my choice of clothes and I just walk slow in cities and towns this helps you to spot others first so you can choose to avoid then. Mostly play on 1PP servers, perhaps people are more friendly there. Really not sure if I'm just lucky or that this playstyle pays off.

 

I do the exact same as you except I have my gun in my hands. Still haven't been shot on sight.

 

 

 

I travel with my gun on my hand just in case things get sour. You never know what might lurk behind a tree or on the next corner.

 

This, almost exactly, is the reason I have my gun in my hands. You can never know what is nearby. Now, however, I'm considering a change.

Edited February 13, 2014 by omgwtfbbq

[autoloon 285]

I have a weapon on my back and a weapon in my hand. 

[MrNobody82 26]

near towns, af´s and bases weapon in hand ready to fire. 1 of my personal rules to survie (90 hrs without death allready)

[Dchil 829]

I put my guns away, unless i have 2 rifles.

I figure that if i come across someone in the wilderness i have enough time to either draw my magnum or start running for cover if they are a sniper.

When i clear buildings i have either a magnum or a sawn off out (or anything if i don't have one of those yet), close quarters and the slowness of the drawing animation leads to death when you meet a KOSer.

[r3volution (DayZ) 19]

I keep my gun on my back 99% of the time. I'll have it out and in my hands if I see clear risk in the immediate vicinity and require it, otherwise it stays away so I don't look like I'm about to start menacing people.

 

That said, if I'm clearing a house and I'm feeling a bit sus, I will have my axe out though that's about 90% to do with zombies still walking through walls and about 10% due to fear of running into a hostile player.

[bad_mojo (DayZ) 1204]

I keep mine on my back usually for the nonthreatening body language. If I happen to have it out when I run into someone, it's nice to put it away in front of them and stand there unarmed. Sometimes I'll even mention the fact that I'm putting it away, to ease the tension. Also, I usually ask if they need anything, to show how little I value my own gear.

 

I would rather give all my gear away, than be killed for it. People might not come out and demand all your gear, but they will certainly team up and eventually stab you in the back. If you just offer them everything when you first meet them, there's no reason for them to try and kill you.

 

That said, I never make it easy for someone to take advantage of me. I don't sit there letting them point their gun at me, and I always keep my distance. It gets obvious if they're trying to pull anything funny, when that happens it's time to either run or pull out the gun, depending on the situation.

[deepfried 95]

It really depends where you are, if you're miles away from the spawn locations and not near a hotspot then sure, shoulder the weapon, you can run faster that way anyhow.  Otherwise, always have it ready.

[louist 163]

Like others, I keep my weapon out when I am around a town or other area frequented by players, and stowed when I am traveling through a forest or remote sections of the map.

[rickenbacker 190]

You run much faster with the gun on your back, so I keep it there for travel. When in high-traffic areas I generally have it out and lowered, though I raise it when going through doors or around corners if I have any indication that other people are near. 

[trumpapet 3]

SKS in your hands, M4 on the back :)

When new char and only 1 wep i usually run with it in my hands, atleast in the towns and near towns. When running in the forest and/or to the airfields i usually keep it on my back, just for faster running.

[ploulaf 89]

I rely on moving fast.

Even in towns I like to keep my weapons on back. I only take them in hands when hearing a noise or something.

I scope when near a town then seathe gun. If I see a player and see he doesn't wear guns, there's only a small probability that I'll holster my gun or rifle. Except, of course, if I see him running at me shouting like he's on bathsalt.

Edited February 13, 2014 by ploulaf

[DarkwaveDomina 1099]

If I have a long firearm I always keep it in my hands, if I only have a sidearm I keep it hidden in my clothes simply due to the disadvantage with range in a lot of situations. This goes back to an incident some time ago when two friends and I were travelling from Dubrovka to Krasnostav.

 

We were following the road north when we got to the part with the petrol station. We crested over the hill with our guns in our hands when, out of nowhere, come three well-geared and armed guys just running down the middle of the road in the opposite direction with their guns on their backs.

They clearly didn't see us at all, probably because we were jogging on the grass instead of on the road, and being at the front I saw them first so I warned my group and immediately told these guys to put their hands up. It was the first time my group had run in to another group of totally even numbers and fire-power at random before.

Thankfully they decided to co-operate, they had probably just come from NEAF and likely weren't in the mood to lose whatever they found in a fire-fight so soon, we asked them where they had been and if there was anything left further north and such then we let them go on their way.

 

Had the shoe been on the other foot there's a high probability they would have KoS, our weapons not being on our backs made every difference.

Edited February 13, 2014 by DarkwaveDomina

[Rudette 435]

Unless you come across a sharp shooter running fists out is a good way to go. Most people don't can't shoot a zig-zagging target (Just because they have a Mosin doesn't mean they know how to use it) but someone without their weapon holstered moves at a pace much easier for everyone to hit.

However, if you can help it moving in the trees is a better idea, and keeping a crouched profile might be betters suited to that when nearing densely populated area. Staying aware of your surroundings. Tight city streets and clearing buildings is the place to have your weapon drawn.

[Spiderdude20 32]

I thankfully haven't run into any players yet, that might change however so I must be prepared. But I agree with everyone else. If you're in towns or hotspots, have your weapon in hand and lowered, just in case. In buildings, aimed is a good idea when you're peaking around corners and such. When you're on the road trekking, shouldered is the best to maximize your speed.

[DarkwaveDomina 1099]

Unless you come across a sharp shooter running fists out is a good way to go. Most people don't can't shoot a zig-zagging target (Just because they have a Mosin doesn't mean they know how to use it) but someone without their weapon holstered moves at a pace much easier for everyone to hit.

 

On the other hand moving slowly also reduces your chances of being seen at all, motion is much more noticeable than shapes. My friends like to run all over, but if I am playing alone I tend to play a lot more carefully.

[Ghostflux 100]

Generally speaking, it is always wise to have atleast one guy in your group keep his weapon out at all times. If you get ambushed, the last thing you want to do is fiddle with your weapon when you could potentially be lagged. Having just one guy immediately providing suppressive fire can often save the lives of your mates. Though the most important rule of survival is making sure you see the enemy before he sees you.

Edited February 13, 2014 by Ghostflux

[Tizzle 90]

If I expect to be running into people, I'll keep it out, just not in an aggressive stance