HEADQUARTERS FM 3-23.

35
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
COMBAT TRAINING WITH PISTOLS, M9 AND M11
JUNE 23
DISTRIBUTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
N!"#$ Tis boo! contains te material found in te "apters and Sections of te ori#inal document.
Te inde$ %as reformatted& and lin!s to te "apters and Sections %ere added. 'inor formattin#
can#es %ere made as needed& and te font face (arial( %as used to enance readabilit) on *"D
screens.
PREFACE
Tis manual provides #uidance on te operation and mar!smansip of te '+& +,mm pistol& and
te '--& +,mm pistol. It reflects current arm) standards in %eapons .ualifications. It is a #uide for
te instructor to develop trainin# pro#rams& plans& and lessons tat meet te ob/ectives of te US
Arm) mar!smansip pro#ram for developin# combat effective mar!smen. Te soldier develops
confidence& !no%led#e& and s!ills b) follo%in# te #uidelines in tis manual.
Unless tis publication states oter%ise& masculine nouns and pronouns used in tis manual refer
to bot men and %omen.
Belo% are lin!s to te "apters and Sections in te manual. Te) are follo%ed b) a duplicate set of
lin!s plus a listin# of te contents of te "apters and Sections.
I-N-D-E-%
CHAPTER 1. COMPONENTS AND FUNCTIONS
S#&"'!( I... D#)&*'+"'!( ,(- C!.+!(#(")
S#&"'!( II.. M,'("#(,(&#
S#&"'!( III. O+#*,"'!( ,(- F/(&"'!(
S#&"'!( I0.. P#*1!*.,(&# P*!23#.)
CHAPTER 2. PISTOL MAR4SMANSHIP TRAINING
S#&"'!( I... B,)'& P')"!3 M,*5).,()6'+
S#&"'!( II.. C!.2," M,*5).,()6'+
S#&"'!( III. C!,&6'(7 ,(- T*,'('(7 A'-)
S#&"'!( I0.. S,1#"8
A++#(-'9 A. C!.2," P')"!3 Q/,3'1'&,"'!( C!/*)#
A++#(-'9 B. A3"#*(,"':# P')"!3 Q/,3'1'&,"'!( C!/*)#
A++#(-'9 C. T*,'('(7 S&6#-/3#)
A++#(-'9 D. R#+*!-/&'23# F!*.) - R#1#*#(&#)
0ere are te same lin!s plus a list of te contents of eac "apter.
I-N-D-E-%
CHAPTER 1. COMPONENTS AND FUNCTIONS
S#&"'!( I. D#)&*'+"'!( ,(- C!.+!(#(")
-,-. Description...
-,1. "omponents...
-,2. Ammunition...
S#&"'!( II. M,'("#(,(&#
-,3. "learin# 4rocedures...
-,5. 6eneral Dissemble...
-,7. Inspection...
-,8. "leanin#& *ubrication& and 4reventive 'aintenance...
-,9. 6eneral Assembl)...
-,+. :unction "ec!...
S#&"'!( III. O+#*,"'!( ,(- F/(&"'!(
-,-;. Operation...
-,--. *oadin#...
-,-1. Unloadin# and "learin#...
-,-2. ")cle of Operation...
S#&"'!( I0. P#*1!*.,(&# P*!23#.)
-,-3. 'alfunctions...
-,-5. Immediate Action...
-,-7. Remedial Action...
CHAPTER 2. PISTOL MAR4SMANSHIP TRAINING
S#&"'!( I. B,)'& P')"!3 M,*5).,()6'+
1,-. 6rip...
1,1. Aimin#...
1,2. Breat "ontrol...
1,3. Tri##er S.uee<e...
1,5. Tar#et =n#a#ement...
1,7. 4ositions...
S#&"'!( II. C!.2," M,*5).,()6'+
1,8. Tecni.ues of :irin#...
1,9. Tar#et =n#a#ement...
1,+. Traversin#...
1,-;. "ombat Reloadin# Tecni.ues...
1,--. 4oor >isibilit) :irin#...
1,-1. Nuclear& Biolo#ical& "emical :irin#...
S#&"'!( III. C!,&6'(7 ,(- T*,'('(7 A'-)
1,-2. "oacin#...
1,-3. Ball,and,Dumm) 'etod...
1,-5. "allin# te Sot...
1,-7. Slo%,:ire =$ercise...
1,-8. Air,Operated 4istol& .-88 mm...
1,-9. ?uic!,:ire Tar#et Trainin# Device ...
1,-+. Ran#e :irin# "ourses...
S#&"'!( I0. S,1#"8
1,1;. Re.uirements...
1,1-. Before :irin#...
1,11. Durin# :irin#...
1,12. After :irin#...
1,13. Instructional 4ractice and Record ?ualification :irin#...
A++#(-'9 A. C!.2," P')"!3 Q/,3'1'&,"'!( C!/*)#
A++#(-'9 B. A3"#*(,"# P')"!3 Q/,3'1'&,"'!( C!/*)#
A++#(-'9 C. T*,'('(7 S&6#-/3#)
A++#(-'9 D. R#+*!-/&'23# F!*.) - R#1#*#(&#)
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CHAPTER 1
COMPONENTS AND FUNCTIONING
This chapter describes the M9 and M11 semiautomatic pistols, their maintenance requirements,
and their operation and functioning.
S#&"'!( I. DESCRIPTION AND COMPONENTS
Te '+ @:i#ure -,-A and '-- @:i#ure -,1A pistols are +,mm& semiautomatic& ma#a<inefed& recoil,
operation& double,action %eapons cambered for te +,mm cartrid#e.
F'7/*# 1-1. 9-.. +')"!3, M9.
F'7/*# 1-2. 9-.. +')"!3, M11.
1-1. DESCRIPTION
Summaries of e.uipment data for bot pistols.
M9 PISTOL
"aliber....+,mm NATO
S)stem of Operation....Sort recoil& semiautomatic
*oc!in# S)stem....Oscillatin# bloc!
*en#t....1-8 mm @9.53 incesA
Bidt....29 mm @-.5 incesA
0ei#t....-3; mm @5.5- incesA
M,7,;'(# C,+,&'"8....15 R!/(-)
Bei#t %it =mpt) 'a#a<ine....+7; #rams @1.- poundsA
Bei#t %it -5,Round 'a#a<ine....-&-35 #rams @1.7 poundsA
Barrel *en#t....-15 mm @3.+1 incesA
Riflin#....Ri#t,and& si$,#roove @pitc 15; mm C+.93 incesDA
'u<<le >elocit)....285 meters per second @-&12;.2 feet per secondA
'u<<le =ner#)....57+.5 Ne%ton meters @32; foot poundsA
'a$imum Ran#e....-&9;; meters @-&+71.1 )ardsA
'a$imum =ffective Ran#e....5; meters @53.8 )ardsA
:ront Si#t....Blade& inte#ral %it slide
Rear Si#t....Notced bar& dovetailed to slide
Si#tin# Radius....-59 mm @7.11 incesA
Safet) :eatures....Decoc!in#Esafet) lever& firin# pin bloc!.
0ammer @alf,coc!ed notcA....4revents accidental discar#e.
Basic *oad....35 rounds
Tri##er 4ull....Sin#le,action: 5.5; pounds
Double,action: -1.22 pounds
M11 PISTOL
"aliber....+,mm NATO
S)stem of Operation....Sort recoil& semiautomatic
*oc!in# S)stem....Oscillatin# bloc!
*en#t....-9; mm @8.;9 incesA
Bidt....28 mm @-.37 incesA
0ei#t....-27 mm @5.25 incesA
M,7,;'(# C,+,&'"8....13 R!/(-)
Bei#t %it =mpt) 'a#a<ine....835 #rams @17.- o<A
Bei#t %it -5,Round 'a#a<ine....92; #rams @1+.- o<.A
Barrel *en#t....+9mm @2.97 incesA
Riflin#....Ri#t,and& si$,#roove @pitc 15; mm C+.93 incesDA
'u<<le >elocit)....285 meters per second @-&12;.2 feet per secondA
'u<<le =ner#)....57+.5 Ne%ton meters @32; foot poundsA
'a$imum Ran#e....-&9;; meters @-&+71.1 )ardsA
'a$imum =ffective Ran#e....5; meters @53.8 )ardsA
:ront Si#t....Blade& inte#ral %it slide
Rear Si#t....Notced bar& dovetailed to slide
Si#tin# Radius....-59 mm @7.11 incesA
Safet) :eatures....Decoc!in#Esafet) lever& firin# pin bloc!.
0ammer @alf,coc!ed notcA....4revents accidental discar#e.
Basic *oad....35 rounds
Tri##er 4ull....Sin#le,Action: 3.3; pounds
Double,Action: -1.-1 pounds
NOTE$ :or additional information on tecnical aspects of te '+ pistol& see T' +,-;;5,2-8,-;. :or
additional information on tecnical aspects of te '-- pistol& see T' +,-;;5,215,-;.
WARNING
T6# 6,31-&!&5#- +!)'"'!( &,"&6#) "6# 6,..#* ,(- +*#:#(") '" 1*!. 1'*'(7 '1 "6# 6,..#* ')
*#3#,)#- <6'3# .,(/,338 &!&5'(7 "6# <#,+!(. I" ') (!" "! 2# /)#- ,) , ),1#"8 +!)'"'!(. T6#
+')"!3 <'33 1'*# 1*!. "6# 6,31-&!&5#- +!)'"'!( '1 "6# "*'77#* ') +/33#-.
1-2. COMPONENTS
Te ma/or components of te '+ @:i#ure -,2A and '-- @:i#ure -,3A pistols are:
a. S3'-# ,(- B,**#3 A))#.238: 0ouses te firin# pin& stri!er& and e$tractor. "oc!s te ammer
durin# recoil c)cle.
b. R#&!'3 S+*'(7 ,(- R#&!'3 S+*'(7 G/'-#: Absorbs recoil and returns te slide assembl) to its
for%ard position.
c. B,**#3 ,(- L!&5'(7 B3!&5 A))#.238: 0ouses cartrid#e for firin#& directs pro/ectile& and loc!s
barrel in position durin# firin#.
d. R#&#':#*: Serves as a support for all te ma/or components. 0ouses action of te pistol trou#
four ma/or components. "ontrols functionin# of te pistol.
e. M,7,;'(#: 0olds cartrid#es in place for strippin# and camberin#.
F'7/*# 1-3. M,=!* &!.+!(#("), M9.
F'7/*# 1->. M,=!* &!.+!(#("), M11.
1-3. AMMUNITION
'+ and '-- pistols use several different t)pes of +,mm ammunition. Soldiers sould use onl)
autori<ed ammunition tat is manufactured to US and NATO specifications.
a. T8+# ,(- C6,*,&"#*')"'&). Te specific t)pe ammunition @:i#ure -,5A and its caracteristics are
as follo%s:
@-A "artrid#e& +,mm ball& '991 %itE%itout cannelureA.
@1A "artrid#e& +,mm dumm)& '+-8.
WARNING
D! (!" 1'*# 6#,:'38 &!**!-#- !* -#("#- &,*"*'-7#), &,*"*'-7#) <'"6 3!!)# 2/33#"), !* ,(8 !"6#*
*!/(-) -#"#&"#- ,) -#1#&"':# "6*!/76 :')/,3 '()+#&"'!(.
F'7/*# 1-5. A../('"'!(.
b. C,*#, H,(-3'(7, ,(- P*#)#*:,"'!(.
@-A 4rotect ammunition from mud& sand& and %ater. If te ammunition #ets %et or dirt)& %ipe it off at
once %it a clean dr) clot. Bipe off li#t corrosion as soon as it is discovered. Turn in eavil)
corroded cartrid#es.
@1A Do not e$pose ammunition to te direct ra)s of te sun. If te po%der is ot& e$cessive pressure
ma) develop %en te pistol is fired.
@2A Do not oil or #rease ammunition. Dust and oter abrasives tat collect on #reas) ammunition
ma) cause dama#e to te operatin# parts of te pistol. Oiled cartrid#es produce e$cessive
camber pressure.
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S#&"'!( II. MAINTENANCE
'aintenance procedures include clearin#& dissemblin#& inspectin#& cleanin#& lubricatin#&
assemblin#& and cec!in# te functionin# of te '+ or '-- pistol.
1->. CLEARING PROCEDURES
Te first step in maintenance is to clear te %eapon. Tis applies in all situations& not /ust after
firin#. Soldiers must al%a)s assume te %eapon is loaded. To clear te pistol& perform te
follo%in# procedures.
a. 4lace te decoc!in#Esafet) lever in te SA:= do%n position.
b. 0old te pistol in te raised pistol position.
c. Depress te ma#a<ine release button and remove te ma#a<ine from te pistol.
d. 4ull te slide to te rear and remove an) cambered round.
e. 4us te slide stop up& loc!in# te slide to te rear.
f. *oo! into te camber to ensure tat it is empt).
1-5. GENERAL DISASSEMBLE
To disassemble te pistol& perform te follo%in# procedures.
a. Depress te slide stop and let te slide #o for%ard.
b. 0old te pistol in te ri#t and %it te mu<<le sli#tl) raised.
c. 4ress te disassembl) lever button %it te forefin#er.
d. Rotate te disassembl) lever do%n%ard until it stops.
e. 4ull te slide and barrel assembl) for%ard and remove it from te receiver.
f. "arefull) and li#tl) compress te recoil sprin# and sprin# #uide. At te same time& lift up and
remove tem.
#. Separate te recoil sprin# from te sprin# #uide.
. 4us in on te loc!in# bloc! plun#er %ile pusin# te barrel for%ard sli#tl).
i. *ift and remove te loc!in# bloc! and barrel assembl) from te slide.
1-?. INSPECTION
Inspection be#ins %it te pistol disassembled in its ma/or components. Sin) surfaces do not
mean te parts are unserviceable. Inspect all surfaces for visible dama#e& crac!s& burrs& and cips.
1-@. CLEANING, LUBRICATION, AND PRE0ENTI0E MAINTENANCE
Te '+ or '-- pistol sould be disassembled into its ma/or components and cleaned immediatel)
after firin#. All metal components and surfaces tat ave been e$posed to po%der foulin# sould
be cleaned usin# "*4 on a bore,cleanin# patc. Te same procedure is used to clean te receiver.
After it as been cleaned and %iped dr)& a tin coat of "*4 is applied b) rubbin# %it a clot. Tis
lubricates and preserves te e$posed metal parts durin# all normal temperature ran#es. Ben not
in use& te pistol sould be inspected %ee!l) and cleaned and lubricated %en necessar).
CAUTION Ben usin# "*4& do not use an) oter t)pe cleaner. Never mi$ "*4 %it RB" or *SA.
a. "lear and disassemble te %eapon.
b. Bipe or brus dirt& dust& and carbon buildup from te disassembled pistol.
c. Use "*4 to elp remove carbon buildup and stubborn dirt and #rime.
d. 4a) particular attention to te bolt face& #uide rails on te receiver& #rooves on te slide& and
oter ard,to,reac areas.
NOTE$ Do not use mineral spirits& paint tinner& or dr) cleanin# solvent to clean te pistol. Use onl)
issued lubricants and cleaners& suc as "*4 or *SA.
e. "lean te bore and camber usin# "*4 and fres s%abs.
f. *ubricate te pistol b) coverin# all surfaces includin# te bore and camber %it a li#t coat of
"*4. In e$tremel) ot or cold %eater& refer to te tecnical manual for lubricatin# procedures and
materials.
1-A. GENERAL ASSEMBLY
To assemble te '+ or '-- pistol& simpl) reverse te procedures used to disassemble te pistol.
a. 6rasp te slide %it te bottom facin# up.
b. Bit te oter and& #rasp te barrel assembl) %it te loc!in# bloc! facin# up.
c. Insert te mu<<le into te for%ard end of te slide and& at te same time& lo%er te rear of te
barrel assembl) b) ali#nin# te e$tractor cutout %it te e$tractor.
NOTE$ Te loc!in# bloc! %ill fall into te loc!ed position in te slide.
d. Insert te recoil sprin# onto te recoil sprin# #uide.
CAUTION 'aintain sprin# tension until te sprin# #uide is full) seated in te cuta%a) on te
loc!in# bloc!.
e. Insert te end of te recoil sprin# and te recoil sprin# #uide into te recoil sprin# ousin#. At te
same time& compress te recoil sprin# #uide until it is full) seated on te loc!in# bloc! cuta%a).
CAUTION Do not pull te tri##er %ile placin# te slide on te receiver.
f. =nsure tat te ammer is unloc!ed& te firin# pin bloc! is in te DOBN position& and te
decoc!in#Esafet) lever is in te SA:= position.
#. 6rasp te slide and barrel assembl) %it te si#ts U4& and ali#n te slide on te receiver
assembl) #uide rails.
. 4us until te rear of te slide is a sort distance be)ond te rear of te receiver assembl) and
old. At te same time& rotate te disassembl) latc lever up%ard. A clic! indicates a positive loc!.
1-9. FUNCTION CHEC4
Al%a)s perform a function cec! after te pistol is reassembled to ensure it is %or!in# properl). To
perform a function cec!:
a. "lear te pistol in accordance %it te unloadin# procedures.
b. Depress te slide stop& lettin# te slide #o for%ard.
c. Insert an empt) ma#a<ine into te pistol.
d. Retract te slide full) and release it. Te slide sould loc! to te rear.
e. Depress te ma#a<ine release button and remove te ma#a<ine.
f. =nsure te decoc!in#Esafet) lever is in te SA:= position.
#. Depress te slide stop. Ben te slide #oes for%ard& te ammer sould fall to te for%ard
position.
. S.uee<e and release te tri##er. Te firin# pin bloc! sould move up and do%n and te ammer
sould not move.
i. 4lace te decoc!in#Esafet) lever in te fire 4OSITION.
/. S.uee<e te tri##er to cec! double action. Te ammer sould coc! and fall.
!. S.uee<e te tri##er a#ain. 0old it to te rear. 'anuall) retract and release te slide. Release te
tri##er. A clic! sould be eard and te ammer sould not fall.
l. S.uee<e te tri##er to cec! te sin#le action. Te ammer sould fall.
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S#&"'!( III. OPERATION AND FUNCTION
Tis section provides detailed information on te functionin# of '+ and '-- pistols.
1-1. OPERATION
Bit te %eapon loaded and te ammer coc!ed& te sot is discar#ed b) pullin# te tri##er.
a. Tri##er movement is transmitted b) te tri##er bar& %ic dra%s te sear out of re#ister %it te
full,coc! ammer notc via te safet) lever. Bit a sli#t timin# la#& te safet) lever also cams te
safet) loc! up%ard to free te firin# pin immediatel) before te ammer drops. Te ammer forces
te firin# pin for%ard to stri!e and detonate te cartrid#e primer.
b. Blo%bac! reaction #enerated b) te e$plodin# car#e trusts te loc!ed barrelEslide s)stem
rear%ard a#ainst te recoil sprin#. After recoilin# about 2 mm @-E9(A& te barrel and slide unloc!&
allo%in# te barrel to tilt do%n into te loc!ed position. Te slide continues rear%ard until it abuts
a#ainst te receiver stop.
c. Durin# slide recoil& te ammer is coc!ed; te spent case is e$tracted and e/ected as it stri!es
te e/ector. In te initial recoil pase& te safet) lever and safet) loc! separate& automaticall)
renderin# te firin# pin safet) loc! effective a#ain. As recoil continues& te slide depresses te
tri##er bar& disconnectin# it from te safet) lever. Sear sprin# pressure returns te sear and safet)
lever to teir initial positions.
d. After contactin# te receiver stop& te slide is trust for%ard b) te compressed recoil sprin#&
strippin# a round from te ma#a<ine and camberin# it on te %a). Fust before reacin# te
for%ard end position& te slide a#ain loc!s up %it te barrel. Te complete s)stem is ten trust
full) into te for%ard batter) position b) recoil sprin# pressure. Releasin# te tri##er allo%s te
tri##er bar and safet) lever to re,en#a#e.
e. Te %eapon is no% coc!ed and read) to fire. After firin# te last sot& te slide is loc!ed in te
rearmost position b) te slide catc lever. Tis catc is actuated positivel) b) te ma#a<ine
follo%er& %ic is raised b) ma#a<ine sprin# pressure.
1-11. LOADING
To load te pistol,,
G 0old te pistol in te raised pistol position.
G Insert te ma#a<ine into te pistol.
G 4ull te slide to te rear and release te slide to camber a round.
G 4us te decoc!in#Esafet) lever to te SA:= position.
a. Al%a)s ma!e sure te mu<<le is pointin# in a safe direction& %it te fin#er off te tri##er.
b. Never attempt to load or unload an) firearm inside a veicle& buildin#& or oter confined space
@e$cept a properl) constructed sootin# ran#e or bullet trapA. =nclosed areas fre.uentl) offer no
completel) safe direction in %ic to point te firearm; if an accidental discar#e occurs& tere is
#reat ris! of in/ur) or propert) dama#e.
c. Before loadin#& al%a)s clean e$cess #rease and oil from te bore and camber& and ensure tat
no obstruction is in te barrel. An) forei#n matter in te barrel could result in a bul#ed or burst
barrel or oter dama#e to te firearm and could cause serious in/ur) to te sooter or to oters.
1-12. UNLOADING AND CLEARING
To unload and clear te pistol,,
G 0old te pistol in te raised pistol position.
G Depress te ma#a<ine release button and remove te ma#a<ine.
G 4ull te slide to te rear and loc! it in its rear%ard position b) pusin# up on te slide stop.
G 4oint te pistol s!)%ard and loo! into te camber to ensure it is clear.
G *et te slide #o for%ard and pull te tri##er to release te sprin# tension.
a. 4erform tis tas! in an area desi#nated for tis process.
b. Heep )our fin#er off te tri##er& and al%a)s ma!e sure te mu<<le is pointed in a safe direction.
c. Remember to clear te camber after removin# te ma#a<ine.
d. Never assume tat a pistol is unloaded until )ou ave personall) cec!ed it bot visuall) and
p)sicall).
e. After ever) sootin# practice& ma!e a final cec! to be certain te firearm is unloaded before
leavin# te ran#e.
1-13. CYCLE OF OPERATION
=ac time a cartrid#e is fired& te parts inside te %eapon function in a #iven order. Tis is !no%n
as te functionin# c)cle or c)cle of operation. Te c)cle of operation of te %eapon is divided into
ei#t steps: feedin#& camberin#& loc!in#& firin#& unloc!in#& e$tractin#& e/ectin#& and coc!in#. Te
steps are listed in te order in %ic functionin# occurs; o%ever& more tan one step ma) occur at
te same time.
a. A ma#a<ine containin# ammunition is placed in te receiver. Te slide is pulled full) to te rear
and released. As te slide moves for%ard& it strips te top round from te ma#a<ine and puses it
into te camber. Te ammer remains in te coc!ed position& and te %eapon is read) to fire.
b. Te %eapon fires one round eac time te tri##er is pulled. =ac time a cartrid#e is fired& te
slide and barrel recoil or move a sort distance loc!ed to#eter. Tis permits te bullet and
e$pandin# po%der #ases to escape from te mu<<le before te unloc!in# is completed.
c. Te barrel ten unloc!s from te slide and continues to te rear& e$tractin# te cartrid#e case
from te camber and e/ectin# it from te %eapon. Durin# tis rear%ard movement& te ma#a<ine
feeds anoter cartrid#e& te recoil sprin# is compressed& and te ammer is coc!ed.
d. At te end of te rear%ard movement& te recoil sprin# e$pands& forcin# te slide for%ard&
loc!in# te barrel and slide to#eter. Te %eapon is read) to fire a#ain. Te same c)cle of
operation continues until te ammunition is e$pended.
e. As te last round is fired& te ma#a<ine sprin# e$erts up%ard pressure on te ma#a<ine follo%er.
Te stop on te follo%er stri!es te slide stop& forcin# it into te recess on te bottom of te slide
and loc!in# te slide to te rear. Tis action indicates tat te ma#a<ine is empt) and aids in faster
reloadin#.
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S#&"'!( I0. PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS
4ossible performance problems of '+ and '-- pistols are slu##is operation and stoppa#es. Tis
section discusses immediate and remedial action to correct suc problems.
1-1>. MALFUNTIONSTe follo%in# malfunctions ma) occur to te '+ and '-- pistols. Ta!e tese
corrective actions to correct an) problems tat ma) occur.
a. S3/77')6 O+#*,"'!(. Slu##is operation is usuall) due to e$cessive friction caused b) carbon
build up& lac! of lubrication& or burred parts. "orrective action includes cleanin#& lubricatin#&
inspectin#& and replacin# parts as necessar).
b. S"!++,7#). A stoppa#e is an interruption in te c)cle of operation caused b) fault) action of te
pistol or fault) ammunition. T)pes of stoppa#es are:
G :ailure to feed.
G :ailure to camber.
G :ailure to loc!.
G :ailure to fire.
G :ailure to unloc!.
G :ailure to e$tract.
G :ailure to e/ect.
G :ailure to coc!.
1-15. IMMEDIATE ACTION
Immediate action is te action ta!en to reduce a stoppa#e %itout loo!in# for te cause. Immediate
action is ta!en %itin -5 seconds of a stoppa#e.
a. =nsure te decoc!in#Esafet) lever is in te :IR= position.
b. S.uee<e te tri##er a#ain.
c. If te pistol does not fire& ensure tat te ma#a<ine is full) seated& retract te slide to te rear&
and release.
d. S.uee<e te tri##er.
e. If te pistol a#ain does not fire& remove te ma#a<ine and retract te slide to e/ect te
cambered cartrid#e. Insert a ne% ma#a<ine& retract te slide& and release to camber anoter
cartrid#e.
f. S.uee<e te tri##er.
#. If te pistol still does not fire& perform remedial action.
1-1?. REMEDIAL ACTION
Remedial action is te action ta!en to reduce a stoppa#e b) loo!in# for te cause.
a. "lear te pistol.
b. Inspect te pistol for te cause of te stoppa#e.
c. "orrect te cause of te stoppa#e& load te pistol& and fire.
d. If te pistol a#ain fails to fire& disassemble it for closer inspection& cleanin#& and lubrication.
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CHAPTER 2
PISTOL MAR4SMANSHIP TRAINING
Marksmanship training is divided into two phases: preparatory marksmanship training and range
firing. ach phase may be divided into separate instructional steps. !ll marksmanship training must
be progressive. "ombat marksmanship techniques should be practiced after the basics have been
mastered.
S#&"'!( I. BASIC MAR4SMANSHIP
Te main use of te pistol is to en#a#e an enem) at close ran#e %it .uic!& accurate fire. Accurate
sootin# results from !no%in# and correctl) appl)in# te elements of mar!smansip. Te elements
of combat pistol mar!smansip are:
G 6rip.
G Aimin#.
G Breat control.
G Tri##er s.uee<e.
G Tar#et en#a#ement.
G 4ositions.
2-1. GRIP
A proper #rip is one of te most important fundamentals of .uic! fire. Te %eapon must become an
e$tension of te and and arm; it sould replace te fin#er in pointin# at an ob/ect. Te firer must
appl) a firm& uniform #rip to te %eapon.
a. O(#-H,(- G*'+. 0old te %eapon in te nonfirin# and; form a > %it te tumb and forefin#er
of te stron# and @firin# andA. 4lace te %eapon in te > %it te front and rear si#ts in line %it
te firin# arm. Brap te lo%er tree fin#ers around te pistol #rip& puttin# e.ual pressure %it all
tree fin#ers to te rear. Allo% te tumb of te firin# and to rest alon#side te %eapon %itout
pressure @:i#ure 1,-A. 6rip te %eapon ti#tl) until te and be#ins to tremble; rela$ until te
tremblin# stops. At tis point& te necessar) pressure for a proper #rip as been applied. 4lace te
tri##er fin#er on te tri##er bet%een te tip and second /oint so tat it can be s.uee<ed to te rear.
Te tri##er fin#er must %or! independentl) of te remainin# fin#ers.
NOTE$ If an) of te tree fin#ers on te #rip are rela$ed& te #rip must be reapplied.
F'7/*# 2-1. O(#-6,(- 7*'+.
b. T<!-H,(- G*'+. Te t%o,and #rip allo%s te firer to stead) te firin# and and provide
ma$imum support durin# firin#. Te nonfirin# and becomes a support mecanism for te firin#
and b) %rappin# te fin#ers of te nonfirin# and around te firin# and. T%o,and #rips are
recommended for all pistol firin#.
WARNING D! (!" +3,&# "6# (!(1'*'(7 "6/.2 '( "6# *#,* !1 "6# <#,+!(. T6# *#&!'3 /+!( 1'*'(7
&!/3- *#)/3" '( +#*)!(,3 '(=/*8.
@-A Fist Grip. 6rip te %eapon as %it te one,and #rip. :irml) close te fin#ers of te nonfirin#
and over te fin#ers of te firin# and& ensurin# tat te inde$ fin#er from te nonfirin# and is
bet%een te middle fin#er of te firin# and and te tri##er #uard. 4lace te nonfirin# tumb
alon#side te firin# tumb @:i#ure 1,1A.
NOTE$ Dependin# upon te individual firer& e ma) cose to place te inde$ fin#er of is nonfirin#
and on te front of te tri##er #uard since '+ and '-- pistols ave a recurved tri##er #uard
desi#ned for tis purpose.
F'7/*# 2-2. F')" 7*'+.
@1A Palm-Supported Grip. Tis #rip is commonl) called te cup and saucer #rip. 6rip te firin#
and as %it te one,and #rip. 4lace te nonfirin# and under te firin# and& %rappin# te
nonfirin# fin#ers around te bac! of te firin# and. 4lace te nonfirin# tumb over te middle
fin#er of te firin# and @:i#ure 1,2A.
F'7/*# 2-3. P,3.-)/++!*"#- 7*'+.
@2A Weaver grip. Appl) tis #rip te same as te fist #rip. Te onl) e$ception is tat te nonfirin#
tumb is %rapped over te firin# tumb @:i#ure 1,3A.
F'7/*# 2->. W#,:#* 7*'+.
c. I)!.#"*'& T#()'!(. Te firer raises is arms to a firin# position and applies isometric tension.
Tis is commonl) !no%n as te pus,pull metod for maintainin# %eapon stabilit). Isometric
tension is %en te firer applies for%ard pressure %it te firin# and and pulls rear%ard %it te
nonfirin# and %it e.ual pressure. Tis creates an isometric force but never so muc to cause te
firer to tremble. Tis steadies te %eapon and reduces barrel rise from recoil. Te supportin# arm
is bent %it te elbo% pulled do%n%ard. Te firin# arm is full) e$tended %it te elbo% and %rist
loc!ed. Te firer must e$periment to find te ri#t amount of isometric tension to appl).
NOTE$ Te firin# and sould e$ert te same pressure as te nonfirin# and. If it does not& a
missed tar#et could result.
d. N,"/*,3 P!'(" !1 A'.. Te firer sould cec! is #rip for use of is natural point of aim. 0e #rips
te %eapon and si#ts properl) on a distant tar#et. Bile maintainin# is #rip and stance& e
closes is e)es for tree to five seconds. 0e ten opens is e)es and cec!s for proper si#t
picture. If te point of aim is disturbed& te firer ad/usts is stance to compensate. If te si#t
ali#nment is disturbed& te firer ad/usts is #rip to compensate b) removin# te %eapon from is
and and reappl)in# te #rip. Te firer repeats tis process until te si#t ali#nment and si#t
placement remain almost te same %en e opens is e)es. Bit sufficient practice& tis enables
te firer to determine and use is natural point of aim& %ic is te most rela$ed position for oldin#
and firin# te %eapon.
2-2. AIMING
Aimin# is si#t ali#nment and si#t placement @:i#ure 1,5A.
a. Si#t ali#nment is te centerin# of te front blade in te rear si#t notc. Te top of te front
si#t is level %it te top of te rear si#t and is in correct ali#nment %it te e)e. :or correct si#t
ali#nment& te firer must center te front si#t in te rear si#t. 0e raises or lo%ers te top of te
front si#t so it is level %it te top of te rear si#t. Si#t ali#nment is essential for accurac)
because of te sort si#t radius of te pistol. :or e$ample& if a -E-;,inc error is made in ali#nin#
te front si#t in te rear si#t& te firerIs bullet %ill miss te point of aim b) about -5 inces at a
ran#e of 15 meters. Te -E-;,inc error in si#t ali#nment ma#nifies as te ran#e increases,,at 15
meters& it is ma#nified -5; times.
b. Si#t placement is te positionin# of te %eaponIs si#ts in relation to te tar#et as seen b) te
firer %en e aims te %eapon @:i#ure 1,5A. A correct si#t picture consists of correct si#t
ali#nment %it te front si#t placed center mass of te tar#et. Te e)e can focus on onl) one
ob/ect at a time at different distances. Terefore& te last focus of te e)e is al%a)s on te front
si#t. Ben te front si#t is seen clearl)& te rear si#t and tar#et %ill appear a<). Te firer can
maintain correct si#t ali#nment onl) trou# focusin# on te front si#t. 0is bullet %ill it te tar#et
even if te si#t picture is partl) off center but still remains on te tar#et. Terefore& si#t ali#nment
is more important tan si#t placement. Since it is impossible to old te %eapon completel) still&
te firer must appl) tri##er s.uee<e and maintain correct si#t ali#nment %ile te %eapon is
movin# in and around te center of te tar#et. Tis natural movement of te %eapon is referred to
as %obble area. Te firer must strive to control te limits of te %obble area trou# proper #rip&
breat control& tri##er s.uee<e& and positionin#.
F'7/*# 2-5. C!**#&" )'76" ,3'7(.#(" ,(- )'76" +'&"/*#.
c. :ocusin# on te front si#t %ile appl)in# proper tri##er s.uee<e %ill elp te firer resist te ur#e
to /er! te tri##er and anticipate te moment te %eapon %ill fire. 'aster) of tri##er s.uee<e and
si#t ali#nment re.uires practice. Trainers sould use concurrent trainin# stations or ave fire
ran#es to enance proficienc) of mar!smansip s!ills.
2-3. BREATH CONTROL
To attain accurac)& te firer must learn to old is breat properl) at an) time durin# te breatin#
c)cle. Tis must be done %ile aimin# and s.uee<in# te tri##er. Bile te procedure is simple& it
re.uires e$planation& demonstration& and supervised practice. To old is breat properl)& te firer
ta!es a breat& lets it out& ten inales normall)& lets a little out until comfortable& olds& and ten
fires. It is difficult to maintain a stead) position !eepin# te front si#t at a precise aimin# point
%ile breatin#. Terefore& te firer sould be tau#t to inale& ten e$ale normall)& and old is
breat at te moment of te natural respirator) pause @:i#ure 1,7A. Breat control& firin# at a sin#le
tar#et.A Te sot must ten be fired before e feels an) discomfort from not breatin#. Ben
multiple tar#ets are presented& te firer must learn to old is breat at an) part of te breatin#
c)cle @:i#ure 1,8A. Breat control must be practiced durin# dr),fire e$ercises until it becomes a
natural part of te firin# process.
F'7/*# 2-?. B*#,"6 &!("*!3, 1'*'(7 ," , )'(73# ",*7#".
F'7/*# 2-@. B*#,"6 &!("*!3, 1'*'(7 ," "'.#- !* ./3"'+3# ",*7#").
2->. TRIGGER SQUEEBE
Improper tri##er s.uee<e causes more misses tan an) oter step of preparator) mar!smansip.
4oor sootin# is caused b) te aim bein# disturbed before te bullet leaves te barrel of te
%eapon. Tis is usuall) te result of te firer /er!in# te tri##er or flincin#. A sli#t off,center
pressure of te tri##er fin#er on te tri##er can cause te %eapon to move and disturb te firerIs
si#t ali#nment. :lincin# is an automatic uman refle$ caused b) anticipatin# te recoil of te
%eapon. Fer!in# is an effort to fire te %eapon at te precise time te si#ts ali#n %it te tar#et.
:or more on problems in tar#et en#a#ement& see para#rap 1,5.
a. Tri##er s.uee<e is te independent movement of te tri##er fin#er in appl)in# increasin#
pressure on te tri##er strai#t to te rear& %itout disturbin# te si#t ali#nment until te %eapon
fires. Te tri##er slac!& or free pla)& is ta!en up first& and te s.uee<e is continued steadil) until te
ammer falls. If te tri##er is s.uee<ed properl)& te firer %ill not !no% e$actl) %en te ammer
%ill fall; tus& e %ill not tend to flinc or eel& resultin# in a bad sot. Novice firers must be trained
to overcome te ur#e to anticipate recoil. 4roper application of te fundamentals %ill lo%er tis
tendenc).
b. To appl) correct tri##er s.uee<e& te tri##er fin#er sould contact te tri##er bet%een te tip of
te fin#er and te second /oint @%itout toucin# te %eapon an)%ere elseA. Bere contact is
made depends on te len#t of te firerIs tri##er fin#er. If pressure from te tri##er fin#er is applied
to te ri#t side of te tri##er or %eapon& te stri!e of te bullet %ill be to te left. Tis is due to te
normal in#e action of te fin#ers. Ben te fin#ers on te ri#t and are closed& as in #rippin#&
te) in#e or pivot to te left& tereb) appl)in# pressure to te left @%it left,anded firers& tis
action is to te ri#tA. Te firer must not appl) pressure left or ri#t but sould increase fin#er
pressure strai#t to te rear. Onl) te tri##er fin#er sould perform tis action. Dr),fire trainin#
improves a firerIs abilit) to move te tri##er fin#er strai#t to te rear %itout crampin# or
increasin# pressure on te and #rip.
c. :ollo%,trou# is te continued effort of te firer to maintain si#t ali#nment before& durin#& and
after te round as fired. Te firer must continue te rear%ard movement of te fin#er even after
te round as been fired. Releasin# te tri##er too soon after te round as been fired results in an
uncontrolled sot& causin# a missed tar#et.
@-A Te firer %o is a #ood sot olds te si#ts of te %eapon as nearl) on te tar#et center as
possible and continues to s.uee<e te tri##er %it increasin# pressure until te %eapon fires.
@1A Te soldier %o is a bad sot tries to (catc is tar#et( as is si#t ali#nment moves past te
tar#et and fires te %eapon at tat instant. Tis is called ambusin#& %ic causes tri##er /er!.
NOTE$ Te tri##er s.uee<e of te pistol& %en fired in te sin#le,action mode& is 5.5; pounds;
%en fired in double,action mode& it is -1.22 pounds. Te firer must be a%are of te mode in %ic
e is firin#. 0e must also practice s.uee<in# te tri##er in eac mode to develop e$pertise in bot
sin#le,action and doubleaction tar#et en#a#ements.
2-5. TARGET ENGAGEMENT
To en#a#e a sin#le tar#et& te firer applies te metod discussed in para#rap 1,3. Ben
en#a#in# multiple tar#ets in combat& e en#a#es te closest and most dan#erous multiple tar#et
first and fires at it %it t%o rounds. Tis is called controlled pairs. Te firer ten traverses and
ac.uires te ne$t tar#et& ali#ns te si#ts in te center of mass& focuses on te front si#t& applies
tri##er s.uee<e& and fires. 0e ensures is firin# arm elbo% and %rist are loc!ed durin# all
en#a#ements. If e as missed te first tar#et and as fired upon te second tar#et& e sifts bac!
to te first and en#a#es it. Some problems in tar#et en#a#ement are as follo%s:
a. R#&!'3 A("'&'+,"'!(. Ben a soldier first learns to soot& e ma) be#in to anticipate recoil. Tis
reaction ma) cause im to ti#ten is muscles durin# or /ust before te ammer falls. 0e ma) fi#t
te recoil b) pusin# te %eapon do%n%ard in anticipatin# or reactin# to its firin#. In eiter case&
te rounds %ill not it te point of aim. A #ood metod to so% te firer tat e is anticipatin# te
recoil is te ball,and,dumm) metod @see para#rap 1,-3A.
b. T*'77#* J#*5. Tri##er /er! occurs %en te soldier sees tat e as ac.uired a #ood si#t
picture at center mass and (snaps( off a round before te #ood si#t picture is lost. Tis ma)
become a problem& especiall) %en te soldier is learnin# to use a flas si#t picture @see
para#rap 1,8bA.
c. H##3'(7. 0eelin# is caused b) a firer ti#tenin# te lar#e muscle in te eel of te and to !eep
from /er!in# te tri##er. A firer %o as ad problems %it /er!in# te tri##er tries to correct te
fault b) ti#tenin# te bottom of te and& %ic results in a eeled sot. 0eelin# causes te stri!e
of te bullet to it i# on te firin# and side of te tar#et. Te firer can correct sootin# errors b)
!no%in# and appl)in# correct tri##er s.uee<e.
2-?. POSITIONS
Te .ualification course is fired from a standin#& !neelin#& or crouc position. Durin# .ualification
and combat firin#& soldiers must practice all of te firin# positions described belo% so te) become
natural movements. Tou# tese positions seem natural& practice sessions must be conducted to
ensure te abitual attainment of correct firin# positions. 4ractice in assumin# correct firin#
positions ensures tat soldiers can .uic!l) assume tese positions %itout a conscious effort.
4istol mar!smansip re.uires a soldier to rapidl) appl) all te fundamentals at dan#erousl) close
tar#ets %ile under stress. Assumin# a proper position to allo% for a stead) aim is critical to
survival.
NOTE$ Durin# combat& tere ma) not be time for a soldier to assume a position tat %ill allo% im
to establis is natural point of aim. :irin# from a covered position ma) re.uire te soldier to adapt
is sootin# stance to available cover.
a. P')"!3-R#,-8 P!)'"'!(. In te pistol,read) position& old te %eapon in te oneand #rip. 0old
te upper arm close to te bod) and te forearm at about a 35,de#ree an#le. 4oint te %eapon
to%ard tar#et center as )ou move for%ard @:i#ure 1,9A.
F'7/*# 2-A. P')"!3-*#,-8 +!)'"'!(.
b. S",(-'(7 P!)'"'!( <'"6!/" S/++!*". :ace te tar#et @:i#ure 1,+A. 4lace feet a comfortable
distance apart& about soulder %idt. =$tend te firin# arm and attain a t%oand #rip. Te %rist
and elbo% of te firin# arm are loc!ed and pointed to%ard tar#et center. Heep te bod) strai#t
%it te soulders sli#tl) for%ard of te buttoc!s.
F'7/*# 2-9. S",(-'(7 +!)'"'!( <'"6!/" )/++!*".
c. 4(##3'(7 P!)'"'!(. In te !neelin# position& #round onl) )our firin#,side !nee as te main
support @:i#ure 1,-;A. >erticall) place )our firin#,side foot& used as te main support& under )our
buttoc!s. Rest )our bod) %ei#t on te eel and toes. Rest )our nonfirin# arm /ust above te elbo%
on te !nee not used as te main bod) support. Use te t%o,anded #rip for firin#. =$tend te
firin# arm& and loc! te firin#,arm elbo% and %rist to ensure solid arm control.
F'7/*# 2-1. 4(##3'(7 +!)'"'!(.
d. C*!/&6 P!)'"'!(. Use te crouc position %en surprise tar#ets are en#a#ed at close ran#e
@:i#ure 1,--A. 4lace te bod) in a for%ard crouc @bo$erIs stanceA %it te !nees bent sli#tl) and
trun! bent for%ard from te ips to #ive faster recover) from recoil. 4lace te feet naturall) in a
position tat allo%s anoter step to%ard te tar#et. =$tend te %eapon strai#t to%ard te tar#et&
and loc! te %rist and elbo% of te firin# arm. It is important to consistentl) train %it tis position&
since te bod) %ill automaticall) crouc under conditions of stress suc as combat. It is also a
faster position from %ic to can#e direction of fire.
F'7/*# 2-11. C*!/&6 +!)'"'!(.
e. P*!(# P!)'"'!(. *ie flat on te #round& facin# te tar#et @:i#ure 1,-1A. =$tend )our arms in front
%it te firin# arm loc!ed. @Jour arms ma) ave to be sli#tl) unloc!ed for firin# at i# tar#ets.A
Rest te butt of te %eapon on te #round for sin#le& %ell,aimed sots. Brap te fin#ers of te
nonfirin# and around te fin#ers of te firin# and. :ace for%ard. Heep )our ead do%n bet%een
)our arms and beind te %eapon as muc as possible.
F'7/*# 2-12. P*!(# +!)'"'!(.
f. S",(-'(7 P!)'"'!( <'"6 S/++!*". Use available cover for support,,for e$ample& a tree or %all to
stand beind @:i#ure 1,-2A. Stand beind a barricade %it te firin# side on line %it te ed#e of
te barricade. 4lace te !nuc!les of te nonfirin# fist at e)e level a#ainst te ed#e of te barricade.
*oc! te elbo% and %rist of te firin# arm. 'ove te foot on te nonfirin# side for%ard until te toe
of te boot touces te bottom of te barricade.
F'7/*# 2-13. S",(-'(7 +!)'"'!( <'"6 )/++!*".
#. 4(##3'(7 S/++!*"#- P!)'"'!(. Use available cover for support,,for e$ample& use a lo% %all&
roc!s& or veicle @:i#ure 1,-3A. 4lace )our firin#,side !nee on te #round. Bend te oter !nee and
place te foot @nonfirin# sideA flat on te #round& pointin# to%ard te tar#et. =$tend arms alon#side
and brace tem a#ainst available cover. *oc! te %rist and elbo% of )our firin# arm. 4lace te
nonfirin# and around te fist to support te firin# arm. Rest te nonfirin# arm /ust above te elbo%
on te nonfirin#,side !nee.
F'7/*# 2-1>. 4(##3'(7 )/++!*"#-.
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S#&"'!( II. COMBAT MAR4SMANSHIP
K.......................................................
Tis %ole e,boo! is available via %%%.pointsootin#.com for under L5.;; Dollars US. It also can
be found at e,boo! sellers.