CHAPTER 3
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.