I live right by part of Moss Side and go through it at least twice a day, it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be.
That said, shootings aren't that uncommon around the city generally so it's probably different me saying it than someone who lives somewhere more rural as I'm more used to hearing about it. Mainly gangs shooting at each other or at property in feuds.
If anything, Salford has become far worse for shootings lately though thankfully it does seem to have calmed down a little recently.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/bbc-panorama-paul-massey-salford-10860576
There was a gangland shooting outside where I used to work once, quite some years ago now, two gangs ran in to each other and shots were fired in broad daylight in the middle of the day! Someone was hit but they drove off.