Final Exam Notes on Pistol Marksmanship Training Questions and Answers Study Guide

CHAPTER 2
MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING
Section I . BASIC MARKSMANSHIP


2- 1 . PHASES OF TRAINING
Marksmanship training is divided into two phases:
preparatory marksmanship training and range fi ring.
Each phase may be divided into separate
instructional
steps. All marksmanship training must be
progressive. Combat marksmanship techniques
should be practiced after the basics have been
mastered.


2 - 2 . FUNDAMENTALS
The main use of the pistol or revolver is
to engage an enemy at close range with quick,
accurate fi r e . Accurate shooting results from
knowing and correctly applying the elements of
marksmanship. T h e elements of combat pistol
or revolver marksmanship are:
o Grip.
o Aiming .
o Breath control.
o Trigger squeeze.
o Target engagement.
o Positions.


2 - 3 . GRIP
The weapon must become an extension of the
hand and arm. It should replace the fi nger in
pointing at an object. A firm, uniform
grip must be applied to the weapon. A
proper grip is one of the most important
fundamentals of quick fi re.

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,a. One-Hand Grip. Hold the weapon in the
nonfiring hand; form a V with the thumb and
forefinger of the strong hand (fi ring hand)
(see Figure 2-1). Place the weapon in the V
with the front and rear sights in line with the
fi ring arm. Wrap the lower three fi ngers
around the pistol grip, putting equal
pressure with all three fi ngers to the rear.
Allow the thumb of the firing hand to rest
alongside the weapon without pressure. Grip
the weapon tightly until the hand begins to
tremble; relax until the trembling
stops. At this point, the necessary pressure
for a proper grip has been applied.
Place the trigger fi nger on the trigger
between the tip and second joint so that
it can be squeezed to the rear. The
trigger finger must work independently of
the remaining fi n g e r s .
NOTE: If any of the three fi ngers on the
grip is relaxed the grip must be
reapplied.




b. Two-Hand Grip. The two-hand grip allows the
fi rer to steady the firing hand and provide
maximum support during fi ring. The nonfiring
hand becomes a support mechanism for the
firing hand by wrapping the fingers of the
nonfiring hand around the fi ring hand.
Two-hand grips are recommended for all
pistol and revolver fi ring.

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, WARNING
IF THE NONFIRING THUMB IS PLACED IN THE
REAR OF THE WEAPON THE RECOIL FROM THE
WEAPON COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL
INJURY.

(1) Fis t grip . Grip the weapon as described in
paragraph a above. Firmly close the fi ngers of
the nonfi ring hand over the fi ngers of the
fi ring hand, ensuring that the index finger
from the nonfiring hand is between the middle
finger of the firing hand and the trigger
guard. Place the nonfiring thumb alongside
the firing thumb. (See Figure 2-2.)
NOTE: Depending upon the individual fi rer, he
may choose to place his index fi nger of
the nonfi ring hand on the front of the
trigger guard of the M9 pistol since this
weapon has a recurved trigger
guard designed for this purpose.




(2) Palm-supported grip. This grip is commonly
called the cup and saucer grip. Grip the firing
hand as described in paragraph a above. Place
the nonfiring hand under
the firing hand, wrapping the

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, nonfi ring fi ngers around the back of the fi ring
hand. Place the nonfiring thumb over the
middle fi nger of the fi ring hand. (See
Figure 2-3.)




(3) Weaver grip. Apply this grip the same as
the fi st grip . The only exception is that
the nonfiring thumb is wrapped over the firing
thumb. (See Figure 2-4.)




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