Military Instructors Manual eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 372 pages of information about Military Instructors Manual.

Military Instructors Manual eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 372 pages of information about Military Instructors Manual.

POSITION

Stand firmly on both feet, body perfectly balanced and erect and turned at such an angle as is most comfortable when the arm is extended toward the target; the feet far enough apart (about 8 to 10 inches) as to insure steadiness; weight of body borne equally upon both feet; right arm fully extended but not locked; left arm hanging naturally.

THE GRIP.—­Grasp the stock as high as possible with the thumb and last three fingers, the forefinger alongside the trigger guard, the thumb extended along the stock.  The barrel hand and fore-arm should be as nearly in one line as possible when the weapon is pointed toward the target.  The grasp should not be so tight as to cause tremors but should be firm enough to avoid losing grip.  The lower the stock is grasped the greater will be the movement or jump of the muzzle caused by recoil.  If the hand be placed so that the grasp is on one side of the stock, the recoil will cause a rotary movement of the weapon toward the opposite side.

The releasing of the sear causes a slight movement of the muzzle, generally to the left.  The position and pressure of the thumb along the stock overcomes much of this movement.

To do uniform shooting the weapon must be held with exactly the same grip for each shot, not only must the hand grasp the stock at the same point for each shot, but the tension of the grip must be uniform.

THE TRIGGER SQUEEZE.—­The trigger must be squeezed in the same manner as in rifle firing.  The pressure of the forefinger on the trigger should be steadily increased and should be straight back, not sideways.  The pressure should continue to that point beyond which the slightest movement will release the sear.  Then when the aim is true, the additional pressure is applied and the pistol fired.  When the pistol is fired the greatest effort should be taken to hold the pistol to the mark as nearly as possible.  This will be of great benefit in automatic firing.

POSITION AND AIMING DRILLS.—­The Squad is formed with an interval of one pace between files.  Black pasters are used as aiming points.  The pasters are ten paces distant from the squad.  The instructor command, 1.  Raise, 2.  Pistol and cautions “Position and Aiming Drill.”  The men take the position prescribed in paragraph 3.  At the command, 1.  Squad, 2.  Fire, slowly extend the arm till it is nearly horizontal, the pistol directed at a point; about six inches below the bull’s-eye.  At the same time put the forefinger inside the trigger guard and gradually feel the trigger.  Inhale enough air to comfortably fill the lungs and gradually raise the piece until the line of sight is directed at the point of aim, i.e., just below the bull’s-eye at six o’clock.  While the sights are directed upon the mark, gradually increase the pressure on the trigger until it reaches that point where the slightest additional pressure will release the sear.  Then, when the aim is true, the additional pressure necessary to fire the piece is given so smoothly as not to derange the alignment of the sights.  The weapon will be held on the mark for an instant after the hammer falls and the soldier will observe what effect, if any, the squeezing of the trigger has had on his aim.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Military Instructors Manual from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.