In addition to unarmed combat, Soldiers should be proficient in their individual weapons. 

 

Before you learn how to take an aimed shot with a pistol, you should know how to take a reactionary shot.  A reactionary shot is done at close range (up to 10 feet) when time is critical.  To take a reactionary shot, simply point at your target with your index (trigger) finger and squeeze the trigger.  When you point, you will be aiming the weapons in the same direction as you are pointing (this occurs naturally).  Always aim in the center of your target.

 

Your focus when taking a reactionary shot is on your target.  Do not even look at your weapon.  Simply point into the “center mass” of the target and continue to squeeze the trigger until the target is incapacitated or no longer posses a threat to you.

 

Besides the quick reactionary shot, all shots with the M9 should be aimed shots.  The main use of the pistol is to engage an enemy at close range with quick, accurate fire.  Accurate shooting results from knowing and correctly applying the elements of marksmanship.  The elements of combat pistol marksmanship are:

 

· Grip.

· Aiming.

· Breath control.

· Trigger squeeze.

 

Grip.  A proper grip is one of the most important fundamentals of quick fire.  The weapon must become an extension of the hand and arm; it should replace the finger in pointing at an object.  You must apply a firm, uniform grip to the weapon.

            

             a.  One-Hand Grip.  Hold the weapon in the nonfiring hand; form a V with the thumb and forefinger of the strong hand (firing hand).  Place the weapon in the V with the front and rear sights in line with the firing arm.  Wrap the lower three fingers around the pistol grip, putting equal pressure with all three fingers to the rear.  Allow the thumb of the firing hand to rest alongside the weapon without pressure.  Grip the weapon tightly until the hand begins to tremble; relax until the trembling stops.  At this point, the necessary pressure for a proper grip has been applied.  Place the trigger finger on the trigger between the tip and second joint so that it can be squeezed to the rear.  The trigger finger must work independently of the remaining fingers.

            

             b.  Two-Hand Grip. The two-hand grip allows you to steady the firing hand and provide maximum support during firing.  The nonfiring hand becomes a support mechanism for the firing hand by wrapping the fingers of the nonfiring hand around the firing hand.  Two-hand grips are recommended for all pistol firing.

 

                          Fist Grip.  Grip the weapon as with the one-hand grip.  Firmly close the fingers of the nonfiring hand over the fingers of the firing hand, ensuring that the index finger from the nonfiring hand is between the middle finger of the firing hand and the trigger guard.  Place the nonfiring thumb alongside the firing thumb.

 

                          Weaver grip.  Apply this grip the same as the fist grip.  The only exception is that the nonfiring thumb is wrapped over the firing thumb.

 

                          Palm-Supported Grip.  This grip is commonly called the cup and saucer grip.  Grip the firing hand as with the one-hand grip.  Place the nonfiring hand under the firing hand, wrapping the nonfiring fingers around the back of the firing hand.  Place the nonfiring thumb over the middle finger of the firing hand.

 

As you raise your arms to a firing position you apply isometric tension.  This is commonly known as the push-pull method for maintaining weapon stability. Isometric tension is when you apply forward pressure with the firing hand and pull rearward with the nonfiring hand with equal pressure.  This creates an isometric force but never so much to cause you to tremble.  This steadies the weapon and reduces barrel rise from recoil.  The supporting arm is bent with the elbow pulled downward.  The firing arm is fully extended with the elbow and wrist locked.  The firing hand should exert the same pressure as the nonfiring hand. If it does not, a missed target could result.

 

You should check your grip for use of your natural point of aim.  You grip the weapon and sight properly on a distant target.  While maintaining your grip and stance, you close your eyes for three to five seconds.  You then opens your eyes and check for proper sight picture.  If the point of aim is disturbed, adjust your stance to compensate.  If the sight alignment is disturbed, adjust your grip to compensate by removing the weapon from your hand and reapplying the grip.  You repeat this process until the sight alignment and sight placement remain almost the same when you open your eyes. 

 

Aiming.  Aiming is sight alignment and sight placement.

            

             a.  Sight alignment is the centering of the front blade in the rear sight notch.  The top of the front sight is level with the top of the rear sight and is in correct alignment with the eye.  For correct sight alignment, you must center the front sight in the rear sight. 

            

             b.  Sight placement is the positioning of the weapon's sights in relation to the target as seen by you when you aim the weapon.  A correct sight picture consists of correct sight alignment with the front sight placed center mass of the target.  The eye can focus on only one object at a time at different distances.  Therefore, the last focus of the eye is always on the front sight.  When the front sight is seen clearly, the rear sight and target will appear hazy.  You can maintain correct sight alignment only through focusing on the front sight.  Focusing on the front sight while applying proper trigger squeeze will also help you resist the urge to jerk the trigger and anticipate the moment the weapon will fire. 

 

Breath Control.  To attain accuracy, you must learn to hold your breath properly at any time during the breathing cycle.  This must be done while aiming and squeezing the trigger.  To hold your breath properly, take a breath, let it out, then inhale normally, lets a little out until comfortable, holds, and then fires. 

 

Trigger Squeeze.  Improper trigger squeeze causes more misses than any other step of marksmanship.  Flinching is an automatic human reflex caused by anticipating the recoil of the weapon.  Jerking is an effort to fire the weapon at the precise time the sights align with the target.

 

Trigger squeeze is the independent movement of the trigger finger in applying increasing pressure on the trigger straight to the rear, without disturbing the sight alignment until the weapon fires.  The trigger slack, or free play, is taken up first, and the squeeze is continued steadily until the hammer falls.  If the trigger is squeezed properly, you will not know exactly when the hammer will fall; thus, you will not tend to flinch or heel, resulting in a bad shot.  To apply correct trigger squeeze, the trigger finger should contact the trigger between the tip of the finger and the second joint (without touching the weapon anywhere else).  Where contact is made depends on the length of your trigger finger.  Follow-through is the continued effort to maintain sight alignment before, during, and after the round has fired.  You must continue the rearward movement of the finger even after the round has been fired.  Releasing the trigger too soon after the round has been fired results in an uncontrolled shot, causing a missed target.

Pistol Shooting Tips