I and some of the fic-writers I've read, including sarcasticbabble, assumed Jack was giving Ianto time to free himself by distracting the goons.
As I said, I need to rewatch it, but I'm pretty sure he tried aiming and gave up.
I think you're both right. Initially when Jack and Tosh are spotted and they step into view and drop their guns, I think that at that point Jack was talking so as to keep the bad guys distracted (and not shooting anybody) and to give Ianto a chance to get his hands free.
It's only after Rhys gets shot/Ianto gets free, that Jack has a chance to try and take a shot, but he can't get a clear shot, or at least not one that's clear enough for him to risk taking. So he gives up.
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As I said, I need to rewatch it, but I'm pretty sure he tried aiming and gave up.
I think you're both right.
Initially when Jack and Tosh are spotted and they step into view and drop their guns, I think that at that point Jack was talking so as to keep the bad guys distracted (and not shooting anybody) and to give Ianto a chance to get his hands free.
It's only after Rhys gets shot/Ianto gets free, that Jack has a chance to try and take a shot, but he can't get a clear shot, or at least not one that's clear enough for him to risk taking. So he gives up.