Does Shooting Like John Wick Really Work If Trained to Shoot in That Way?
If you know the character John Wick, or have seen the movie, it probably got you asking a couple of questions. You probably ended the movie wondering if you too could use the “John Wick” shooting technique and take on all the bad guys in your neighbourhood. The movie itself is excellent by many standards, with equally outstanding combat and gun battle s
cenes. But any gun owner or shooting enthusiast will be left with some opinions or question marks. Like the question we are looking at: does shooting like John Wick work if trained to shoot that way?
How Does John Wick Shoot?
John Wick uses the Center Axis Relock (CAR) style, which means he holds his gun or weapon at an angle. Doing this ensures that sights are aligned with the cross-eye.
The CAR method is ideal for close-range gunfights, as it is a method of Close Quarters Combat (CQC) shooting style. Many gun experts claim that this style boosts the gun man’s ability to retain their weapon. It also makes it possible to increase the speed of your target transition in close range situations.
The founder of this shooting style, Paul Castle, opined that the CAR follows a typical fighting stance’s biometrics. Think of it as two boxers standing at close range to each other. The stance makes it easier to absorb felt recoil while ensuring a more straightforward reaction to threats from close range.
Does It Work?
So, does this style work when trained to shoot that way? In other words, is this shooting method practical in the real world? Although some gun experts can be trained to shoot this way, the CAR method’s problem is that you hardly find anyone executing it successfully – of course, except John Wick and Paul Castle. But this does not make it an impossible shooting technique.
Being trained to shoot this way may not be enough to pull it off, as you will need constant John Wick Tactical training to perfect it. As we have already mentioned, the Center Axis Relock style is ideal for close quarters or close point shooting. However, another question remains, related to its comparison with traditional shooting techniques.
How Does the CAR Work?
The CAR system comes in two main parts; the high position and the extended position.
The high position allows you to draw in with your body perpendicular to your target; the weak foot stands at 90 degrees to your target with the barrel of your gun up. With the extended position, your support elbow rotates downwards while rotating your strong hand upwards. Doing this aligns the firearm with your dominant eye.
When properly trained, this style creates a very flexible yet sturdy or “locked-in” shooting position. Besides that, the CAR also makes you a smaller target for your attacker.
This system’s primary goal is to have your target in sight as soon as possible while maintaining a sturdy firing position and solid weapon retention.