PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP.

INTRODUCTION.

Purpose. The aim of this publication is to present the essentials of pistol training in clearly defined, successive steps that, followed in their proper sequence, will develop a uniform high standard of marksmanship.

Arrangement of text. The text has been arranged in three principal parts.

Part I is devoted to the instruction of the recruit, which will commence as soon as pistols have been issued. It includes simple nomenclature and functioning, precautions to avoid accidents, instruction in the care and cleaning of the piece and a short "Manual of the Pistol."

Part II takes up the development of individual dismounted marksmanship and passes through the successive stages to the final range firing and record practice. Part III contains miscellaneous reference matter and is followed by an appendix containing a detailed description of the pistol.

Courses. Instruction in pistol marksmanship has been divided into two distinct courses, dismounted and mounted. The dismounted course applies to all units armed with the pistol; the mounted course to cavalry only. The mounted course is omitted in this text.

Qualification. Soldiers are graded according to proficiency exhibited in record practice, dismounted course, as "pistol experts," "pistol sharpshooters,' "pistol marksmen," and "unqualified."

Period of instruction. The calendar year is the target year. Commanding officers will so order instruction and practice in marksmanship as to insure not only thorough training, but the maintenance of constant efficiency in pistol firing throughout their commands. These conditions will be obtained by firing the prescribed courses in the regular and supplementary seasons and by means of combat firing or local competitions distributed throughout the year.

Record practice. For any individual, record practice for qualification will be held but once annually. Although record practice is customarily held during the regular or supplementary seasons, local commanding officers may prescribe such practice whenever circumstances make it advisable.

Definitions. For reference purposes, definitions necessary in this course will be found at the end of the subject.

PART I. RECRUIT INSTRUCTION.

Simple Nomenclature and Functioning.

Limitation. The nomenclature and functioning of the pistol as herein presented under "Recruit instruction" is limited to that which is essential to the understanding of ordinary conversation, demonstrations, and preparatory instruction. A more detailed description may be seen in Appendix I, Pistol Marksmanship. This detailed and technical description will be required only under the most unusual circumstances.

Nomenclature. The parts of the pistol which are visible and frequently referred to and those which the soldier handles in partially dismounting his piece for cleaning are as follows: Breech, chamber, lands, grooves, muzzle and the words in italics under the heading " Component Parts."

These parts should be pointed out and their functions explained. There is no necessity of requiring the beginner to memorize the nomenclature at the outset. The names are ordinarily acquired from day to day during recruit instruction.

The automatic pistols, caliber .45. model of 1911, in the military service are marked on the right side," Model of 1911, U. S. Army "; on the left side, "United States Property." They are also marked with the serial number of the pistol.

Functioning. By means of demonstrations and short talks, the beginner should be given a general idea of the principles upon which the functioning and operation of the pistol are based.

The pistol is recoil operated. The force of recoil drives the slide and barrel backward together. A downward movement of the barrel then unlocks it from the slide, which continues its backward movement alone, opening the breech, cocking the hammer, and compressing the recoil spring. During this backward movement the empty shell is extracted by the extractor and thrown out by the ejector.

The slide having reached its rearmost position, the pressure of the recoil spring drives it forward again. During this return movement it carries a fresh cartridge from the magazine into the chamber. The hammer remains cocked and the pistol is ready to fire.

The trigger pressure must be released after each shot in order that the trigger may reengage. The trigger must be squeezed with the index finger. If the second finger is used on the trigger the index finger will be extended along the side of the receiver where it is apt to press again the projecting end of the slide stop pin, thus causing a jam when the slide recoils.

When the magazine has been emptied the magazine follower pushes up the slide stop, thereby locking the slide in the open position. This serves as an indicator to remind the firer that the last shot has been discharged.

Pressure upon the magazine catch releases the empty magazine from the handle and permits the insertion of a loaded one. In inserting the magazine, care must be exercised to push it home and to see that it engages the magazine catch. In no case should the base of the magazine be struck to force it home. A blow may spring the base or the inturning lips at the top; these changes will produce jams.

To release the slide from the open position it is only necessary to press down the slide stop with the right thumb; the slide will then move forward to its closed position, carrying a cartridge from the previously inserted magazine into the chamber. The pistol is again ready for firing.

Safety Precautions.

Rules for safety. Before ball ammunition is issued the soldier must know the essential rules for safety with the pistol. The following rules will be taught as soon as the recruit is sufficiently familiar with the pistol to understand them. They should be enforced by constant repetition and coaching until their observance becomes the soldier's fixed habit when handling the pistol. When units carrying the pistol are first formed, the officer or non-commissioned officer in charge will cause the men to execute "Inspection pistol."

a. Execute "Unload " every time the pistol is picked up for any purpose. Never trust your memory. Consider every pistol as loaded until YOU have proven it otherwise.

b. Always unload the pistol if it is to be left where some one else may handle it. c. Always point the pistol up when snapping it after examination. Keep the hammer fully down when the pistol is not loaded.

d. Never place the finger within the trigger guard until you intend to fire or to snap for practice.

e. Never point the pistol at anyone you do not intend to shoot, nor in a direction where an accidental discharge may do harm. On the range, do not snap for practice while standing back of the firing line.

f. Before loading the pistol, draw back the slide and look through the bore to see that it is free from obstruction.

g. On the range, do not insert a loaded magazine until the time for firing.

h. Never turn around at the firing point while you hold a loaded pistol in your hand because, by so doing, you may point it at the man firing alongside of you.

i. Do not load the pistol with a cartridge in the chamber until immediate use is anticipated. If there is any delay, lock the pistol and only unlock it while extending the arm to fire. Do not lower the hammer on a loaded cartridge; the pistol is much safer cocked and locked. A man with small hands must be very careful in lowering the hammer with one hand.

j. In reducing a jam, first remove the magazine.

k. To remove a cartridge not fired, fire remove the magazine and then extract the cartridge from the chamber by drawing back the slide.

1. In campaign the pistol should be carried with a fully loaded magazine in the socket, chamber empty, hammer down. The extra magazines should also be fully loaded.

m. When the pistol is carried in the holster, loaded, cocked, and locked, the butt of the pistol should be rotated away from the body when drawing the pistol in order to avoid displacing the safety lock.

n. Mounted men should never, under any circumstances, use both hands on the reins when the pistol is drawn.

o. Safety devices should be frequently tested. A safety device is a danger device if it does not work when expected.

Test of safety lock. Cock the hammer, and then press the safety lock upward into the safe position. Grasp the stock so that the grip safety is depressed and squeeze the trigger three or four times. If the hammer falls, the safety lock is not safe and must be repaired.

Test of grip safety. Cock the hammer and, being careful not to depress the grip safety, squeeze the trigger three or four times. If the hammer falls the grip safety is not safe and must be repaired.

Test of half-cock notch. Draw back the hammer until the sear engages the halfcock notch and squeeze the trigger. If the hammer falls, the hammer or sear must be replaced or repaired. Draw the hammer back nearly to full cock and then let it slip. It should fall only to half cock.

Test of disconnector. Shove the slide one-quarter inch to the rear; hold slide in that position and squeeze the trigger. Let the slide go forward, maintaining the pressure on the trigger. It the hammer falls the disconnector is worn on top and must be replaced. Pull the slide all the way to the rear and engage the slide stop. Squeeze the trigger, and at the same time release the slide. The hammer should not fall. Release the pressure on the trigger and then squeeze it. The hammer should then fall. The disconnector prevents the release of the hammer unless the slide and barrel are in the forward position safely interlocked. It also prevents more than one shot following each squeeze of the trigger.

Care of the Pistol.

Cleaning the pistol. Careful, conscientious work is required to keep the automatic pistol in a condition that will insure perfect functioning of the mechanism and continued accuracy of the barrel. It is essential that the entire mechanism be kept cleaned and oiled to avoid jams.

The magazines also require care to prevent rust or an accumulation of sand or dirt in the interior. They aret easily dismounted for cleaning and oiling.

To clean the pistol after firing, remove the slide from the receiver and the barrel from the slide; this is usually all the dismounting required, but, after prolonged firing, the extractor and firing pin should also be removed. When the pistol has been exposed to sand or water, it is necessary to dismount it completely for thorough cleaning and oiling. The details of dismounting the pistol may be found in Appendix I.

Care of the bore. Briefly stated, the care of the bore consists in removing fouling resulting from firing and then coating the cleaned surface with a film of rifle oil (sperm oil) or rifle grease (cosmic) or a mixture of both to prevent rust. Fouling is of three kinds: Powder fouling, the product of combustion of the powder; primer fouling, the product of the combustion of the primer; and metal fouling or