Part 43 (1/2)

The accompanying plates show the details and size of the targets:

[Ill.u.s.tration: TARGET A, TARGET B, TARGET C, TARGET D.]

=Section 13. Pistol and revolver practice.[11]=

[Footnote 11: Whenever in these regulations the word ”pistol”

appears the regulation applies with equal force to the revolver, if applicable to that weapon.]

=135.=[12] =Nomenclature and care of the weapon; handling and precautions against accidents.=--The soldier will first be taught the nomenclature of those parts of the weapon necessary to an understanding of its action and use and the proper measures for its care and preservation. Ordnance pamphlets Nos. 1866 (description of the Colt's automatic pistol), 1919, and 1927 (descriptions of the Colt's revolver, calibers .38 and .45, respectively), contain full information on this subject, and are furnished to organizations armed with these weapons.

[Footnote 12: The numbers refer to paragraphs in the Small Arms Firing Manual, 1913.]

Careless handling of the pistol or revolver is the cause of many accidents and results in broken parts of the mechanism. The following rules will, if followed, prevent much trouble of this character:

(_a_) On taking the =pistol= from the armrack or holster, take out the magazine and see that it is empty before replacing it; then draw back the slide and make sure that the piece is unloaded. Observe the same precaution after practice on the target range, and again before replacing the pistol in the holster or in the armrack. When taking the =revolver= from the armrack or holster and before returning it to the same, open the cylinder and eject empty sh.e.l.ls and cartridges. Before beginning a drill and upon arriving on the range observe the same precaution.

(_b_) Neither load nor unlock the weapon until the moment of firing, nor until a run in the mounted course is started.

(_c_) Always keep the pistol or revolver in the position of ”Raise pistol” (par. 147, Cavalry Drill Regulations, 1916), except when it is pointed at the target. (The position of ”Lower pistol” is authorized for mounted firing only.)

(_d_) Do not place the weapon on the ground where sand or earth can enter the bore or mechanism.

(_e_) Before loading the =pistol=, draw back the slide and look through the bore to see that it is free from obstruction. Before loading the =revolver=, open the cylinder and look through the bore to see that it is free from obstruction. When loading the =pistol= for target practice place five cartridges in the magazine and insert the magazine in the handle; draw back the slide and insert the first cartridge in the chamber and carefully lock the hammer.

In loading the =revolver= place five cartridges in the cylinder and let the hammer down on the =empty chamber=.

(_f_) Whenever the pistol is being =loaded= or =unloaded=, the muzzle =must be kept up=.

(_g_) Do not point the weapon in any direction where an accidental discharge might do harm.

(_h_) After loading do not c.o.c.k the revolver or unlock the pistol until ready to fire.

(_i_) Keep the working parts properly lubricated.

=136.= =Position, dismounted=: 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 to insure firmness and steadiness of position (about 8 to 10 inches); weight of body borne equally upon both feet; right arm fully extended, left arm hanging naturally.

REMARKS.--The right arm may be slightly bent, although the difficulty of holding the pistol uniformly and of keeping it as well as the forearm in the same vertical plane makes this objectionable.

=137.= =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 forearm 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 of the hand or arm to be communicated to the weapon, but should be firm enough to avoid losing the grip when the recoil takes place.

REMARKS.--The force of recoil of the pistol or revolver is exerted in a line above the hand which grasps the stock. The lower the stock is grasped the greater will be the movement or ”jump” of the muzzle caused by the recoil. This not only results in a severe strain upon the wrist but in loss of accuracy.

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 of the thumb along the stock overcomes much of this movement. The soldier should be encouraged to practice this method of holding until it becomes natural.

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.

=138.= (_a_) =The trigger squeeze=: The trigger must be squeezed in the same manner as in rifle firing. (See p. 193.) 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.

Only by much practice can the soldier become familiar with the trigger squeeze. This is essential to accurate shooting. It is the most important detail to master in pistol or revolver shooting.

(_b_) =Self-c.o.c.king action.=--The force required to squeeze the trigger of the revolver when the self-c.o.c.king device is used is considerably greater than with the single action. To accustom a soldier to the use of the self-c.o.c.king mechanism, and also to strengthen and develop the muscles of the hand, a few minutes'