BASIC PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING

Phases of Training Preparatory Marksmanship Training Range Firing

Fundamentals of Marksmanship

1. The gun must be aligned with the target

2. The hammer must fall without disturbing the lay of the gun

Fundamentals of Marksmanship

1. The gun must be aligned with the target

2. The hammer must fall without disturbing the lay of the gun

Two Components of Pistol Marksmanship A. Aiming The Act of pointing to hit The desired target. B. Steady Hold Factor The techniques of holding the pistol as steady as possible while aiming, breathing, and pulling the trigger.

1st Components of Pistol Marksmanship

Elements of Aiming

A. Front Sight Placed on top of the barrel attached to the front part of the slide. The position of the front sight determines the direction of the barrel B. Rear Sight Attached at the rear portion of the slide where the front sight is aligned to produce imaginary straight line towards a target. C. Aiming Point Reference point on the target where the front sight post is aligned.

Phases of Aiming

A. Sight Alignment Proper relationship between the front and rear sights. - Most important factors in attaining accurate shot. B. Proper Placement of the Aiming Point The Tip of the front sight post should be placed on the desired aiming point on the target C. Sight Picture The proper relationship between the rear sigh , front sight and the aiming point.
a. Align sights with the aiming point on the target. b. Front sight clear or distinct, while rear sight & aiming point blurred/hazy, why? Our eyes cant focus on 2 or more objects at different distances at the same time

Error in Sight Alignment

A. Angular Shift Error Improper position of the front sight post.

B. Parallel Shift Error Improper placement of the sight alignment on the aiming point

2nd Components of Pistol Marksmanship

Elements of the Steady Hold

( to be taken one by one)
A. Stable Position - The proper positioning of the feet in relation to the body weight of the firer to obtain equilibrium. B. Breathing control and Relaxation Proper holding of breath at the right time of the breathing cycle to obtain accuracy. C. Trigger Control Application of pressure on the trigger to fire the weapon.

1st Elements of the Steady Hold Elements of a Good Position

A. Bone Support Just like a house, strong good foundation to effectively withstand the repeated recoil and weight of the pistol to make it stable. B. Muscular Relaxation Relax as much as possible to avoid unnecessary muscle tension. C. Natural Point of Aim on the Target The most relaxed position for holding and firing the weapon. For precision shooting.

Factors In Attaining A Stable Position

A. Stance the peculiar position of the firers body while holding the pistol and keeping it aimed at a particular target. Individual differences due to indifferent body configuration. B. Position the relationship of the direction of the shooters body to the target. General Rule, the gun must be pointed squarely or perpindeculary to the target. C. Grip provides the shooter maximum control of the weapon and maintaining natural sight alignment.

- Maximum control of the weapon - The weapon must be held firmly and the shooter must be able to apply positive straight rearward pressure on the trigger without disturbing the sight alignment.

1st Factor in Attaining Stable Position

Two (2) Types of Stances

* A. Weaver/Isometric Stance developed by an

American Jack Weaver, instead of facing the target squarely, the weak side foot is placed slightly forward to so as to point the weak shoulder slightly towards the target.

B. Isosceles Stance the weapon is held by two hands with the arms fully extended forward and locked at the elbow forming an isosceles triangle with the body as the base. (Ideal for multiple targets).

Steps in Getting the Proper Grip (Positive Grip) Five Points of Contact
1. Spread the index finger & the thumb of the shooting hand apart to form a V shape 2. Bend the wrist slightly downward to obtain proper angle of contact and easier locking. 3. Stretch the trigger finger forward, letting it come to rest flat against the pistol frame just above the trigger guard. The thumb of the shooting hand should make contact with the safety catch of the pistol.

 5. The lower three grip fingers should come to rest closely touching with each other, with the center bone of each finger resting on the curved front surface or front strap of the receiver to provide good control of the grip as they put direct primary pressure on the front strap straight to the rear.

6. By wrapping the weak hand around the strong hand, better control is achieved.

Functions of the Other Parts of the Shooting Arms

A. Right Thumb This is primarily use to control the safety lever and depress the magazine release. * B. Trigger finger It is used for pulling the trigger only. For left-handed shooters, this can also be used to depress the magazine release. C. Weak Hand It supports the shooting or strong hand, for cocking the weapon and inserting the magazine into the magazine well. D. Thumb of the Supporting Hand It is used to apply rearward pressure to the hammer spur to cock it and release the slide stop if in case the slide is opened.

2nd Elements of Steady Hold Breathing Control

Take a breath, lets it out, then inhales normally, lets a little out until comfortable, hold and then fires (inhle, exhale normally and hold your breath at the moment of the natural pause, then the shot must be fired before feeling any discomfort from not breathing). It is difficult to maintain a steady position keeping the front sight at the specific aiming point while inhaling and exhaling . Prolong respiratory: 8 10 sec