CHAPTER 8

ONE-HANDED TECHNIQUES

In combat, a situation may arise where the Marine must engage a target by using only one hand. A Marine fires the pistol one-handed when—

The Marine’s other hand is occupied.

A target presents itself so quickly and at a close range that the Marine does not have time to establish a two-handed grip and position.

One of the Marine’s hands is injured.

_Note_: The procedures in this chapter are written for right-handed Marines; left-handed Marines should reverse directions as needed.

Presentation and Shooting

Adjustment of the Standing Position

To fire accurately, the Marine must maintain the same stability and control of the pistol, manage recoil, and recover on target as effectively with one hand as with two. This is accomplished by adjusting the standing position as the pistol is presented to the target (see fig. 8-1).

The Marine’s angle to the target determines what adjustments are made to the standing position. This adjustment is made while the pistol is being presented to the target by moving or sliding the feet to orient the body to the target. For stability and balance, the right foot may be slightly forward of the left foot. The further to the right of the Marine the target is the farther forward the right foot will be. To adjust the standing position when firing one-handed—

Increase the muscular tension in the right arm and bend the elbow slightly to better manage the pistol.

_Note_: For some Marines, muscular tension in the firing arm and the position of the body in relation to the target causes them to cant the pistol inboard slightly. A slight inboard cant of the pistol and firing arm allows a natural bend in the elbow and allows a better management of recoil and recovery of the sights back on target. Any cant should be natural and not caused by excessive muscular tension. A slight cant does not affect shooting performance and should not alter the application of the fundamentals of marksmanship.

Apply controlled muscular tension throughout the body to better manage the effects of recoil.

Lean forward aggressively, roll the shoulders forward, and tuck the head into the shoulders.

_Note_: The following step is done only during training to demonstrate how to stabilize the position and to simulate the Marine’s other hand being occupied.

Place the left hand in a fist on the center of the torso to increase stability. If the left arm is swinging freely it causes a corresponding movement in the pistol, reducing stability and control. Placing the left hand on the torso also ensures it is not covered by the muzzle of the pistol as the pistol is presented.

[Illustration: Figure 8-1. One-Handed Presentation.]

Searching and Assessing After Firing

Following one-handed target engagement, the Marine must quickly decide if it is to his advantage and if it is possible to free his occupied hand in order to place both hands on the pistol to search and assess. Whenever possible, the Marine places both hands on the pistol to increase stability and to be ready for re-engagement if necessary.

Reloading

Dry Reload

When only one hand is available, the dry reload can be performed as follows:

Seek cover, if the situation permits.

Press the magazine release button and allow the magazine to fall to the deck. If using the right hand, press the magazine release button with the thumb. If using the left hand, press the magazine release button with the trigger finger.

Point the muzzle in a safe direction and position the pistol to facilitate loading the magazine. Depending on the firing position, this is accomplished using one of the following methods:

_Two-Knee Kneeling Position_

Rotate the pistol so the magazine well faces up and the muzzle of the pistol is pointed away from the body.

Place the pistol between the thighs or knees and apply pressure to hold the pistol in place.

Withdraw a filled magazine from the ammunition pocket and insert it into the magazine well, seating it with the heel of the hand. See figure 8-2.

[Illustration: Figure 8-2. One-Handed Dry Reload: Two-Knee Kneeling Position.]

_Standing Position_

Rotate the pistol so the magazine well faces up and the muzzle of the pistol is pointed away from the body.

Place the pistol between the thighs or knees and apply pressure to hold the pistol in place. Bend slightly at the knees to secure the pistol between the thighs.

Withdraw a filled magazine from the ammunition pocket and insert it into the magazine well, seating it with the heel of the hand. See figure 8-3.

[Illustration: Figure 8-3. One-Handed Dry Reload: Standing Position.]

_Kneeling Position (High, Medium, Low)_

Rotate the pistol so the magazine well faces outboard and the muzzle is pointed away from the body.

Place the rear portion of the slide in the bend of the right knee and apply pressure with the leg to hold the pistol in place. For additional control, the Marine may drop to a two-knee kneeling position and place the pistol between his knees.

Withdraw a filled magazine from the ammunition pocket and insert it into the magazine well, seating it with the heel of the hand. See figure 8-4 on page 8-4.

[Illustration: Figure 8-4. One-Handed Dry Reload: Kneeling Position.]

_Prone Position_

The Marine places the pistol on the deck in front of him and against his body with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Alternately, the Marine may roll on his side and place the pistol between his knees, with the magazine well facing out.

Withdraw a filled magazine from the ammunition pocket and insert it into the magazine well, seating it with the heel of the hand. See figure 8-5 on page 8-4.

Grasp the pistol grip and remove the pistol from its secured location or from the deck.

Press the slide release to allow the slide to move forward and chamber a round. If using the right hand, press the slide release with the thumb. If using the left hand, press the slide release with the index finger.

[Illustration: Figure 8-5. One-Handed Dry Reload: Prone Position.]

Condition 1 Reload

When only one hand is available, a Condition 1 reload can be performed as follows:

Point the muzzle in a safe direction and position the pistol to allow for removal of the magazine (e.g., between the thighs, in the bend of the knee, in the holster, tucked in the cartridge belt, on the deck against the body). Any position is correct if it allows the magazine well to be exposed.

Withdraw a filled magazine from the ammunition pocket.

Press the magazine release button and remove the magazine from the pistol. If using the right hand, press the magazine release button with the thumb. If using the left hand, press the magazine release button with the index finger.

Insert the filled magazine into the magazine well, seating it with the heel of the hand.

Stow the partially-filled magazine (e.g., inside the cartridge belt, in the cargo pocket).

Grasp the pistol grip and remove the pistol from its secured location, keeping the trigger finger straight and off the trigger until ready to fire.

Remedial Action

Remedial action requires investigating the cause of the stoppage, clearing the stoppage, and returning the pistol to operation. When performing remedial action, seek cover if the tactical situation permits. Once a pistol ceases to fire, the Marine must visually or physically observe the pistol to identify the problem before it can be cleared. The steps taken to clear the pistol are based on what is observed:

Remove the finger from the trigger and place it straight along the receiver.

Lock the slide to the rear. To pull and lock the slide to the rear, push up on the slide stop and maintain pressure with the right thumb. (Push up on the slide stop with the left index finger if remedial action is being performed with the weak hand.)

Secure the rear sight on the top of the cartridge belt or any other surface that provides the resistance needed to stabilize the pistol. See figure 8-6. While applying pressure on the pistol to keep the rear sight secured, push downward on the pistol in one continuous motion to lock the slide to the rear.

_Note_: Ensure the pistol does not move to safe when locking the slide to the rear.

Place the pistol in a position to observe the chamber.

Correct the stoppage.

[Illustration: Figure 8-6. One-Handed Remedial Action.]

If there is a round in the magazine but not in the chamber, release the slide and observe a round being chambered. If you do not observe a round being chambered, tap, rack, and bang to perform remedial action:

_Tap_

Keep muzzle pointed in a safe direction and place trigger finger straight along the receiver.

Strike the bottom of the magazine against a hard surface to ensure it is seated. In the kneeling position, strike the magazine against the thigh (see fig. 8-7 on page 8-6). In the standing position, bring the right knee up while striking magazine against the right thigh (see fig. 8-8 on page 8-6). In the prone position, strike the magazine against the deck.

[Illustration: Figure 8-7. Tap the Magazine Against the Knee: Kneeling Position.]

[Illustration: Figure 8-8. Tap the Magazine Against the Knee: Standing Position.]

_Rack_

Rotate the pistol so the rear sight can be hooked on the top of the cartridge belt or any other surface (e.g., the edge of a table, wall, heel of the boot) that provides the resistance needed to rack the slide in a smooth, uninterrupted motion. Do not let the muzzle of the pistol cover the body. See figures 8-9 and 8-10.

Apply pressure on the pistol to keep the rear sight secured while pushing downward on the pistol to move the slide fully to the rear.

Release pressure on the pistol to chamber the round.

[Illustration: Figure 8-9. Rack Slide Against Cartridge Belt.]

[Illustration: Figure 8-10. Rack Slide Against Heel of Boot.]

_Bang_

Recover the pistol on target, re-establish sight alignment/sight picture, and attempt to fire.

Presentation From the Holster With the Weak Hand

During combat, the Marine must be prepared to engage targets at any time. Therefore, the Marine must have the ability to present the pistol from the holster with his weak (left) hand if circumstances prevent him from using his strong (right) hand. He must apply the same smooth, controlled movement to present the pistol to the target. There are three methods for withdrawing the pistol from the holster with the weak hand. The Marine should practice each method to determine which works best for him.

Method One: Pistol Rotation

Unfasten and release the D-ring with the left hand. See figure 8-11.

Wrap the fingers and thumb around the pistol grip so the index finger and thumb are around the base of the pistol grip. See figure 8-12.

Draw the pistol straight up until trigger guard clears the top of the holster. See figure 8-13.

Rotate the pistol so the magazine well faces the target and the trigger guard rests on the top of the holster. Ensure the trigger guard rests securely against the top of the holster. See figure 8-14 on page 8-8.

Maintain downward pressure on the pistol and slide the left hand around the pistol grip to establish a firing grip. See figure 8-15.

Grasp the pistol and continue to withdraw the pistol until the muzzle clears the holster and rotate the muzzle toward the target.

Sweep the safety off with the thumb of the left hand while moving the pistol out toward the target. At the same time, place the trigger finger on the trigger and establish sight alignment and sight picture within the aiming area.

Continue trigger pressure until the shot is fired.

[Illustration: Figure 8-11. Method One: Release D-Ring.]

[Illustration: Figure 8-12. Method One: Grasp the Pistol.]

[Illustration: Figure 8-13. Method One: Clearing Trigger Guard.]

[Illustration: Figure 8-14. Method One: Rotating the Pistol.]

[Illustration: Figure 8-15. Method One: Establishing the Firing Grip.]

Method Two: Hand Rotation

Unfasten and release the D-ring with the left hand.

Push the holster flap up and out of the way with the back of the left hand.

Push the right hip out to facilitate grasping the pistol grip. Grasp the pistol grip between the holster flap and the pistol grip, the thumb is wrapped around the other side of the pistol grip against the backstrap. See figure 8-16.

_Note_: The cartridge belt may be pulled with the left hand to bring the holster closer to the body’s center to facilitate grasping the pistol.

Draw the pistol straight up while rotating the pistol so the magazine well faces inboard. Continue to remove the pistol until the trigger guard rests on the holster. See figure 8-17.

Establish a firing grip and rotate the thumb to a position to operate the safety. See figure 8-18.

Continue to withdraw the pistol until the muzzle clears the holster and rotate the muzzle to the target. See figure 8-19.

Sweep the safety with the thumb of the left hand while moving the pistol out toward the target. At the same time, place the trigger finger on the trigger and establish sight alignment and sight picture within the aiming area.

Continue trigger pressure until the shot is fired.

[Illustration: Figure 8-16. Method Two: Grasping the Pistol.]

[Illustration: Figure 8-17. Method Two: Trigger Guard Rests on Holster.]

[Illustration: Figure 8-18. Method Two: Establish Firing Grip.]

[Illustration: Figure 8-19. Method Two: Rotating the Muzzle.]

Method Three: Knee Placement

This method is particularly effective when firing from the two-knee kneeling position and the standing position.

Unfasten and release the D-ring with the left hand.

Wrap the fingers and thumb around the pistol grip so the index finger and thumb are around the base of the pistol grip.

Draw the pistol straight up until the muzzle clears the holster and rotate the muzzle forward. The magazine well should face upward.

Place the pistol between the thighs, applying enough tension to keep the pistol in place. The Marine must ensure that he does not disengage the safety while performing this motion and that the muzzle of the pistol is clear of the body. In the standing position, the Marine bends slightly at the knees to facilitate securing the pistol between the thighs.

Remove the left hand from the pistol grip and rotate the hand around the pistol grip to facilitate establishing a firing grip.

Grasp the pistol grip and remove the pistol from the thighs, rotating the pistol until the muzzle is pointed toward the target.

Sweep the safety with the thumb of the left hand while starting to punch the pistol out toward the target.

Establish a firing grip and continue to punch the pistol out toward the target. At the same time, place the trigger finger on the trigger and establish sight alignment and sight picture within the aiming area.

Continue trigger pressure until the shot is fired.

Transferring the Pistol From One Hand to the Other

Situations may arise in combat where the Marine must transfer the pistol to the left hand to engage a target because the right hand or arm is injured. To safely transfer the pistol from one hand to the other, perform the following steps:

_Note_: This procedure is written to transfer the pistol from the right hand to the left hand.

Point the muzzle in the direction of the target and place the trigger finger straight along the receiver. See figure 8-20.

Place the web of the left index finger and thumb under the backstrap of the pistol. See figure 8-21.

Wrap the fingers of the left hand around the pistol grip while releasing the right hand grip.

Establish a firing grip with the left hand on the pistol. See figure 8-22.

[Illustration: Figure 8-20. Transferring the Pistol—Step 1.]

[Illustration: Figure 8-21. Transferring the Pistol—Step 2.]

[Illustration: Figure 8-22. Transferring the Pistol—Step 3.]