FUNDAMENTALS OF PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP
The fundamentals of pistol marksmanship are aiming, trigger control, and
breath control. Understanding and applying the basic pistol marksmanship
fundamentals ensures the Marine’s effectiveness in target engagement. The
fundamentals must be continually studied and practiced because they are
the means by which accurate shots are placed on target. A Marine with a
solid foundation in the fundamentals of marksmanship will be successful
in the application of these fundamentals during combat.
Aiming
Maintaining the correct relationship between the pistol sights is
essential for accurate target engagement. Because of the short distance
between the pistol sights, a small error in their alignment causes a
considerable error at the target.
Sight Alignment
Sight alignment is the relationship between the front sight and rear
sight with respect to the aiming eye. Correct sight alignment is the
front sight centered in the rear sight notch with the top edge of the
front sight level =aligned= with the top edge of the rear sight. There
should be equal space on either side of the front sight. See figure 3-1.
[Illustration: =Transcriber’s Note:= Although a caption exists for it,
this image was not printed in the original book.
Figure 3-1. Sight Alignment.]
Establishing Sight Alignment
The pistol is fired without benefit of bone support; therefore, the
pistol is in constant motion. The Marine must understand this, yet
continually strive to align the sights. To fire accurately, the sights
must be aligned when the shot breaks.
_Grip_
The grip is key to acquiring sight alignment. If the grip is correct,
the front and rear sights should align naturally. Dry fire during
presentation of the M9 service pistol aids in obtaining a grip that
allows sight alignment to be acquired consistently.
_Controlled Muscular Tension_
There must be enough controlled muscular tension in the grip, wrists, and
forearms to hold the pistol steady and level the barrel to maintain sight
alignment. Consistent tension stabilizes the sights and maintains sight
alignment.
Sight Picture
Sight picture is the placement of the front sight in relation to the
target while maintaining sight alignment. See figure 3-2 on page 3-2.
Because the pistol is constantly moving, sight picture is acquired within
an aiming area that is located center mass on the target. The aiming
area allows for movement of the sights on the target while maintaining
sight alignment. Each Marine defines an acceptable aiming area within his
own ability to stabilize the sights. Time, distance to the target, and
personal ability affect dictate the aiming area. As the Marine becomes
more proficient with the pistol, the aiming area becomes more precise.
The aiming area is determined by the Marine’s stability of hold. The
proper grip stabilizes the sights so sight alignment can be maintained,
but the sights move continuously within the aiming area of the target.
The Marine understands the pistol’s movement and learns to apply trigger
control as he is obtaining sight alignment/sight picture within the
aiming area so the shot breaks the moment sight picture is established.
[Illustration: Figure 3-2. Sight Picture.]
Relationship Between the Eye and the Sights
The human eye can focus clearly on only one object at a time. The Marine
must focus on the top edge of the front sight and fire the shot while
maintaining the relationship between the front and rear sights within the
aiming area. Focusing on the top edge of the front sight rather than the
target keeps the front sight clear and distinct, which allows the Marine
to detect minor variations in sight alignment. Secondary vision allows
the Marine to see the target (although slightly blurred) and maintain
sight picture within his aiming area.
Trigger Control
Trigger control is the Marine’s skillful manipulation of the trigger that
causes the pistol to fire while maintaining sight alignment and sight
picture. Proper trigger control aids in maintaining sight alignment while
the shot is fired.
Sight Alignment and Trigger Control
Aiming and trigger control are mutually supportive—one cannot be
performed without the other. Sight alignment and trigger control must be
performed simultaneously to fire an accurate shot. As pressure is applied
to the trigger, the sights may move, causing them to be misaligned. To
fire accurate shots, the sights must be aligned when the shot breaks.
Trigger control can actually assist in aligning the sights. With proper
trigger finger placement and consistent muscular tension applied to the
grip, the sights can be controlled as the trigger is moved to the rear.
If the sights move extensively while pressing the trigger, this can
indicate an improper grip or inconsistency in the muscular tension being
applied to the grip.
Grip
A firm grip is essential for good trigger control. The grip is
established before applying trigger control and is maintained throughout
the firing process. To establish the grip, the hand is placed around the
pistol grip in a location that allows the trigger finger to move the
trigger straight to the rear while maintaining sight alignment. Once
the grip is established, it should be firm enough to allow manipulation
of the trigger while maintaining sight alignment. The pressure applied
to the grip must be equal to or more than the pressure required to move
the trigger to the rear. If the pressure is not applied correctly, the
sights move as the trigger is pressed to the rear and sight alignment is
disturbed.
Trigger Finger Placement
Once the grip is established, the finger is placed on the trigger.
Placement of the finger should be natural and allow free movement of the
trigger finger. A natural trigger finger placement allows the trigger to
be moved straight to the rear while maintaining sight alignment. If the
finger presses the trigger to the side, it can cause an error in sight
alignment and shot placement.
Each Marine must experiment with finger placement in order to determine
effective placement on the trigger. Once established, effective trigger
finger placement allows the trigger to be consistently moved straight to
the rear while maintaining sight alignment.
Types of Trigger Control
_Uninterrupted Trigger Control_
During uninterrupted trigger control, the Marine applies a steady,
unchanging pressure to the trigger until the shot is fired. Uninterrupted
trigger control is particularly effective at close range, when the target
area is large, and when stability of hold is not critical for accuracy.
To apply uninterrupted trigger control, apply pressure on the trigger
while maintaining focus on the top edge of the front sight. Continue
pressure on the trigger to begin moving the trigger straight to the rear
while obtaining sight alignment and sight picture. Move the trigger
straight to the rear in a single, smooth motion with no hesitation.
_Interrupted Trigger Control_
Interrupted trigger control is particularly effective at longer ranges,
when the target is small, and when stability of hold is critical to
maintaining sight picture in the aiming area. This method is also used
if the pistol sights move outside the aiming area when applying trigger
control. If the sight picture is outside the aiming area, the Marine
stops and holds the rearward movement on the trigger until sight picture
is re-established. When sight picture is re-established, the rearward
movement of the trigger is continued until the shot is fired.
Breath Control
Breathing causes movement of the chest, abdomen, and shoulders, which
causes the pistol sights to move vertically while attempting to aim and
fire. Therefore, it is necessary to stop breathing for a period of time
while firing a shot or a series of shots.
The object of breath control is to stop breathing just long enough to
fire the shot while maintaining sight alignment, stabilizing the sights,
and establishing the sight picture. To be consistent, the breath should
be held at the same point in the breathing cycle; i.e., the natural
respiratory pause.
Breathing should not be stopped for too long because it has adverse
visual and physical effects. Holding the breath longer than is
comfortable results in a lack of oxygen that causes vision to deteriorate
and then affects the ability to focus on the sights.
Application of Marksmanship Fundamentals in Field Firing
Compression of the Fundamentals
Pistol engagements typically occur over close distances and are short in
duration. Because an immediate response to the threat is required, the
application of the fundamentals must be a conditioned response that is
executable in a compressed time. The goal of successful, quick target
engagement is the application of the fundamentals of marksmanship while
firing the shot the moment weapon presentation is complete.
The time required to move the trigger to the rear while acquiring and
maintaining sight alignment and sight picture is unique to each Marine
and is based on his capabilities. Each Marine should know his abilities
and fire only as quickly as he is capable of firing accurately. The
Marine must not exceed his shooting skills in an effort to get rounds off
quickly.
Aiming
In field firing, the fundamentals are applied in a compressed time so
sight alignment and sight picture are achieved as the shot is fired.
Although the target must be quickly engaged in combat, sight alignment is
still the first priority: strive for a clear front sight. Distance to the
target and the size of the target affects sight aligmnent as follows:
As the distance to the target increases and the size of the
target decreases, sight alignment becomes more critical to
target engagement. Accurate sight picture/sight alignment
cannot be compromised for speed.
Sight alignment is critical to the effective engagement of
smaller targets such as partially exposed targets.
As the distance to the target decreases, perfect sight
alignment is not as critical, but there must be a relationship
between the sights and their placement on the target within the
aiming area to ensure accuracy.
Trigger Control
Proper trigger control aids in maintaining sight alignment while the
shot is fired. As pressure is applied to the trigger, the sights may
move, causing them to be misaligned. Therefore, the Marine is constantly
re-aligning the sights as pressure is applied to the trigger. Sight
alignment and trigger control must be performed simultaneously to fire an
accurate shot.
Breath Control
During combat, the Marine’s breathing and heart rate often increase due
to physical exertion or the stress of battle. The key to breath control
in field firing is to stop breathing just long enough to fire an accurate
shot or a series of shots.