Nose on the charging handle AR shooting style?

[Prion]

I have not tried the 'nose on the charging handle' shooting technique because it doesn't seem particularly comfortable to me. It does seem fairly popular though. I shoot my AR fully extended in t-shirt weather and collapsed one or two notches depending on my jacket in cold weather. What are the reasons for the 'nose on the handle style'. Can those who use this technique explain to me why?

 

[Hoppy590]

the reason? it puts your eyes at the same place every time.

it provides a reference point for your forward and back position. just as a solid cheek weld determines your vertical.

 

[rangerruck]

also prefered for room clearing, shooting on the move, close quarters battle, etc. you can fire head up, both eyes open, while your peripheral vision is still working.

 

[Float Pilot]

It all depends on the eyes of the shooter, the size of their head and how they originally learned to shoot peep sights.

When firing for match-competition type accuracy, I place three fingers from my left hand between the charging handle and my cheeck. It gives me an exact measurement every time and works well for my eyes. For night firing and close rapid fire I move my nose right up and keep both eyes open. (unless I am using an aim-pont then I just keep both eyes open and hope the battery does not die.)

When I met my lovely bride, many years ago, she was shooting her M-16A1 with her eye super close to the rear apeture. It looked weird, but she could shoot just fine. I was going over to give her a hard time about it when some other GI decided to use his rifle to make an inappropriate gesture towards the back end of her BDUs. She took offense and butt-stroked him so hard his helmet went flying across the range. That really got my attention...
Now 5 kids and many years later she still shoots that way....But she has not butt-stroked anyone for several years now.

 

[HorseSoldier]

What are the reasons for the 'nose on the handle style'. Can those who use this technique explain to me why?

What other people said -- it provides a consistent index point for your cheek weld and head placement. Also, I did it for years because that's what they taught me to do in basic training.

Doesn't work as well with some optics, mounted, however.

 

[Coronach]

It is also much easier to do with a collapsible stock. You can do it with a fixed stock, but it is not comfortable for a lot of people. If you shoot the modern "squared up" style, as opposed to the traditional "bladed" off-hand style, it almost requires a collapsible stock.

Mike