PISTOL OPERATIONS

Basic operations of pistols

Firing – basic mechanism of the handgun

1. Loading
- the slide (pistol) is cycled or pulled to the rear in order to load a round in the chamber of
the gun.
 Proper insertion of magazine:
o Trigger finger out
o Raise gun chin level
o Eyes in the magazine well
o Hold magazine while finger is pushing the head of the cartridge before inserting
 After inserting magazine twist the FA facing safety direction then pull the slide in the area
with serrations
- In revolver, this is done by putting cartridge in the cylinder.
 Trigger Finger out
 Point gun in safe direction
 Release cylinder
 Point it downward if possible
 Hold the gun using support hand then load with dominant hand
 After loading return cylinder
2. Cocking - the hammer of the gun is put under tension.
It is done by pulling the slide to the rear on a pistol and by pulling the hammer back
in a revolver.
This operation puts the gun ready for firing.
NOTE: Cocking is specifically the pulling of the hammer and is different with loading but is only
combined with the action of loading by pulling the slide.
- Cocking is only done when the gun is loaded but the hammer is not down
3. Uncocking - the hammer of the gun is relaxed so it is not in a position to fire.
It is done by squeezing the trigger to release the hammer being held or controlled so that it
will not be in firing condition.
 Hold the hammer before holding the trigger
 Slowly pull the trigger while gently pulling up the hammer to control it and avoid striking.
4. Unloading - done by removing the inserted magazine and cycling the slide to the rear in
order to extract the cartridge previously loaded to the chamber.
In revolver, the cylinder is released and swings it out then the chamber is emptied by
manipulating the ejector rod.