Chapter III

APPLY THE
FUNDAMENTALS
Whether you’re shooting the combat
pistol, shotgun or assault rifle, apply
the same fundamentals:

1) Sight Alignment –
center the front sight
vertically and
horizontally within the
rear notch.
2) Trigger Control release the trigger
without disturbing the sight picture.
3) Follow Through concentrate on your
sights long enough after the gun goes off to
be able to “call your shot”.
Careful, consistent application
of these basic skills is the key
to accurate shooting and if you
can shoot a pistol well using
the basics, you should have
little or no difficulty with the
shotgun or assault rifle.
SAFET
Y
FIRST
1. Before firing any gun,
make certain your shots
will land in a safe place.

2. Be “muzzle conscious” –
know where the pistol is
pointing at all times and
never point it at anything
you don’t want to harm or
 3. Make sure your
holster does not
allow the muzzle to
point at any part of
your body.

4. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard

unless the pistol is pointed down range and
you’re ready to fire.
 5. Make sure you
have a solid grip with
drawing hand before
you begin the draw.

6. Keep the weak hand away from the

muzzle when drawing and re-holstering.
7. Make sure you have both hands on
the pistol before you thrust it at the
target.

8. Do not disengage the safety or move

your finger towards the trigger until you
have a proper grip and the muzzle is
pointing completely down range.
SINGLE
ACTION
TRIGGER
CONTROL
For precision action shooting, hold and
squeeze:
1. Establish a good sight and
gradually apply pressure to
the trigger with the pad of the
trigger finger. It should be a
smooth, steady motion with
the finger moving straight
back. If the sights drift off the
target, stop applying pressure
and realign them.
2…. Then continue
applying pressure
until the trigger
breaks. Don’t try to
make the gun go off.
Avoid what is called the “five finger
squeeze”. If you gradually apply more
pressure to the pistol with your finger
gripping as you’re squeezing the gun
firmly and evenly with the gripping
fingers while the trigger operates
independently.
THE
BASIC
PRACTIC
AL AUTO
PISTOL
Complete reliability the first requirement of a
combat pistol, whether it’s intended for
competition of self-defense. Here are the basic
modifications recommended:
1. Throating job
2. Lower the ejection point
3. Adjust the polish extractor
4. Install high-visibility sights (fixed or
adjustable)
5. Trigger job: a crisp, 3-3/4 to 4-1/2
pounds pull is good for most shooters
These are the basics. Reveled magazine
wells and speed safeties are helpful but not
essential. Some modifications are definitely
not helpful.
For example. Deactivating or pinning
the grip safety eliminates a needed
safety features and promotes a sloppy
grip, And squaring or putting a “hook”
on the front of the trigger guard is no
more useful than good checkering.
 THANKS!
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