Reference Point Downrange Swot Analysis
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
WEAPONS TRAINING BATTALION
MARINE CORPS MARKSMANSHIP CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
MARINE CORPS COMBAT DEVELOPMENT COMMAND
QUANTICO, VIRGINIA 22134‑5040
FUNDAMENTALS OF COMBAT PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP/
COACHES’ ANALYSIS
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE.
1) Given a M9 service pistol, holster, cartridge belt, magazines, ammunition pocket, ammunition, a target, and without reference aids engage a stationary target IAW MCRP 3-01B to achieve a qualifying score IAW MCO 3574.2_. (PMP.3.1)
2) Given range supplies, equipment, personnel to train and without reference aids, conduct dry fire Preparatory Training per Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Program (MCCMP) and Pistol Marksmanship Program (PMP) lesson plans and IAW MCRP 3-01A and …show more content…
MCRP 3-01B.
3) Given targets, range supplies and equipment, prepared shooters, a range, and without reference aids coach stationary target engagement with the M9 pistol to ensure personnel achieve a proficiency level IAW MCO 3574.2_. (8530.1.5)
ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE.
1) Given a M9 service pistol, holster, cartridge belt, magazines, ammunition pocket, ammunition, a target, and without reference aids apply the fundamentals of marksmanship IAW MCRP 3-01B. (PMP.3.1d)
2) Given personnel to train, targets, and without reference aids analyze the fundamentals of marksmanship during dry fire to ensure they are applied IAW MCRP 3-01A and MCRP 3-01B. (8530.1.1g)
3) Given personnel to train, targets, and without reference aids analyze the fundamentals of marksmanship during live fire to ensure they are applied IAW MCRP 3-01B. (8530.1.5c)
1. AIMING
a. Techniques
1) 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. The top edge of the front sight is level with the top edge of the rear sight. Equal space should exist on either side of the front sight.
2) Establishing Sight Alignment. The pistol is fired without benefit of bone support. Therefore, the pistol is in constant motion. The Marine must recognize this and accept this movement, but continually strive for aligned sights. Sights must align, when the shot breaks to fire accurately.
a) The grip is key to acquiring sight alignment. If the grip is correct, the front and rear sights should naturally align. Dry fire in presentation aids in obtaining a grip that allows a shooter to acquire consistent sight alignment.
b) A shooter must have enough control of muscular tension in the grip, wrists, and forearms to hold the weapon steady. This enables him to level the pistol sights and maintain sight alignment. Consistent tension allows sight stabilization and steady alignment.
3) Sight Picture. Sight picture is the placement of the front sight in relation to the target, while maintaining sight alignment.
4) Aiming Area. Because the pistol is constantly moving, sight picture is acquired within an aiming area center mass on the target. Aiming area is defined as the movement of the sights on the target, while maintaining sight alignment. Each individual must define an acceptable aiming area within his own capability to stabilize the sights. Time, distance to the target, and personal ability dictates what this aiming area is. As a shooter becomes more proficient, his aiming area becomes more precise.
a) The aiming area is based on the individual’s stability of hold. A proper grip stabilizes the sights so that sight alignment is maintained. However, the sights continuously move within the aiming area on the target. The Marine must accept this movement and learn to apply trigger control. After a shooter obtains sight alignment/sight picture within the aiming area, he needs to ensure the shot breaks at the moment the sight picture is established.
b) Correct sight picture is the placement of the aligned sights within an acceptable aiming area.
5) 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. Simultaneously, he must maintain the relationship between the front and rear sights within his aiming area. A focus on the top edge of the front sight rather than the target allows the Marine to detect minor variations in sight alignment. The sight should appear clear and distinct. The target should appear slightly blurred. The Marine’s field of view allows him to see the target and maintain sight picture within his aiming area.
b. Coaching Instruction. For a coach, sight alignment and sight picture are the most difficult of the fundamentals to analyze. They are not directly observable because the coach cannot see through the shooter’s sights. The coach must work closely with the shooter to determine and correct weaknesses in applying pistol fundamentals.
1) Importance of Coaching During Dry Fire. Shooter need to correct errors in acquiring sight alignment and sight picture during dry fire. Correct all errors prior to a shooter firing his first round.
2) Verbal Questioning
a) The coach must verbally question the shooter about what he sees through his sights. For example, often a shooter’s problem stems from focusing on the target rather than the tip of the front sight blade. If the shooter describes seeing a clear target and a blurry front sight, it indicates a problem focusing on the tip of the front sight blade. Ask the shooter to draw a picture of what he sees. If the shooter draws a clear target and a blurry front sight, there is a problem with focusing on the target. b) The coach should verbally reinforce shooters to obtain a clear front sight centered in the rear sight. This reinforcement reminds shooters of what they need to see in their sights.
c) Correcting For a Focus on the Target. If a shooter is having difficulty, the coach can look at the top edge of the front sight of the shooter’s weapon. The coach is checking for a mark, burr, or dent, or any other identifying feature on the front sight that the shooter can focus on.
(1) The coach should have the shooter focus on this mark, burr, etc., that is small enough to bring the shooter’s focus back to the top edge of the front sight.
(2) Paint or the white dot on the pistol’s front sight is not an acceptable point of focus. A shooter can easily see them, while still focusing on the target.
3) Observation of Stability of Hold. The coach can observe the shooter’s stability of hold, which may indicate problems in acquiring or maintaining sight alignment and sight picture.
a) The coach stands directly behind the shooter in a position where he can observe the pistol’s front sight. Ideally, the coach views over the shooter’s shoulder.
b) The coach then focuses his vision on the front sight blade with a reference point downrange (e.g., a target, a mound of dirt) in the background.
c) Through this process the coach identifies the amount of movement in the muzzle. From this, he can determine whether the movement is excessive. He can also analyze whether trends exist that may indicate “muscling” the weapon to bring it on target. The coach should observe the shooter’s wrists to determine whether movement is occurring to bring the weapon on target.
4) Observation of Head Position. The coach should observe the shooter’s head position. It needs to remain erect to enable the aiming eye to see directly through the sights. In an Isosceles position, shooters can incorrectly tilt the head up or down. Tilting the head makes it more difficult for the shooter to view through his sights. In a Weaver position, shooters can incorrectly tilt the head left or right.
2. TRIGGER CONTROL
a. Trigger Control. Trigger control is the 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 as the shot is …show more content…
fired.
b. Sight Alignment and Trigger Control. Aiming and trigger control are mutually supportive. One cannot be performed without the other. As pressure is applied to the trigger, the sights may move causing them to misalign. Sights must align properly when the shot breaks to achieve accuracy. Trigger control can actually assist in aligning the sights. With proper trigger finger placement and consistent muscular tension applied to the grip, a shooter can control the sights as the trigger moves rearward. Sights moving extensively as the trigger is pressed usually indicate an improper grip. It also indicates inconsistency in the muscular tension applied to the grip. A shooter must perform sight alignment and trigger control simultaneously to make an accurate shot.
c. Grip
1) Technique. A firm grip is essential for good trigger control. The grip is established before applying trigger control and is maintained throughout the shot-firing process. 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. The grip should be firm enough to allow manipulation of the trigger, while maintaining sight alignment. A shooter must apply equal or greater pressure to the grip than the amount used to move the trigger rearward. If not, the sights will move as the trigger is pulled to the rear.
2) Coaching Instruction
a) A common mistake made by shooters is to have a tight grip on the pistol with the right hand, while the left hand just wraps around the right hand with little or no tension. The grip of the left hand holds the pistol still; not the grip of the right hand. The coach must continually emphasize to shooters to ensure the left hand is applying consistent and firm pressure in the grip.
b) The coach should further ensure the shooter has a consistent amount of pressure on the grip of the right hand. If not, the shooter has the tendency to tighten his grip on the pistol grip as he is pulling the trigger. A coach can easily identify this. To correct the problem, the coach should ensure the shooter applies pressure on his grip, before applying trigger control.
d. Trigger Finger Placement
1) Technique. After establishing a grip, the finger is placed on the trigger. Placement of the finger should feel natural and allow free trigger finger movement.
a) A natural trigger finger placement allows trigger movement 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.
b) Each Marine must experiment with finger placement. He should select an effective finger placement that allows consistent trigger movement straight to the rear, while maintaining sight alignment.
2) Coaching Instruction
a) Trigger finger placement is dependent upon where the right hand is placed on the pistol to sweep the safety with the right thumb. When analyzing trigger finger placement, the coach must ensure the shooter can sweep the safety. The shooter may have to rotate his grip around the backstrap of the pistol, enabling his thumb to reach the safety.
b) 1) During dry fire practice of trigger control, the coach should always have the shooter sweep the safety, before placing his finger on the trigger.
(2) The hand should not move off the grip, once the safety is swept. If more than a slight hand adjustment is made, the shooter has a poor grip.
c) If the shooter must adjust his hand to sweep the safety, he may think he cannot adequately get his finger on the trigger. If the shooter is still having difficulty getting his finger on the trigger, have him adjust his trigger finger placement.
(1) The coach can experiment with the shooter to achieve a finger placement that works best.
(2) If the shooter is having difficulty getting his finger on the trigger, experiment with placing the finger lower on the trigger. This provides more leverage to pull the trigger to the rear. Some shooters place their finger on the bottom of the trigger. As the trigger is being pulled to the rear, the finger moves along the inside of the trigger guard
d) The coach and shooter must recognize that trigger finger placement during double action firing differs from that used during single action firing. During trigger control with the pistol, the finger actually rolls over the trigger as it pulls the trigger rearward. The higher the finger is on the trigger, the more it moves across the trigger. This means that the finger’s placement on the trigger changes during trigger control.
(1) Have the shooter bring his grip in close to his body so that he can observe his finger placement. From this position, have the shooter dry fire several shots double action. Then, thumbcock the pistol and dry fire several shots single action.
(2) In most cases, there is less finger on the trigger at the start of a double action pull. There is more finger on the trigger by the time the shot breaks. Finger placement at the end of a double action pull is more similar to finger placement on a single action pull.
e) To confirm good trigger placement, the coach should look at the shooter’s finger placement on the trigger. Again, during dry fire the coach stands behind the shooter and focuses on the tip of the front sight against a reference point (e.g., target) down range. The coach should observe the front sight as the hammer falls to look for movement, indicating poor trigger finger placement.
(1) If the muzzle moves to the left or right when the shooter is pulling the trigger, this may indicate too much or too little finger on the trigger.
(2) The coach can then observe the shooter’s finger placement on the trigger while he pulls the trigger to confirm this.
(3) To correct this, a shooter moves his finger on the trigger to allow its straight and rearward movement without moving the front sight.
f. Types of Trigger Control. The two types of trigger control are as follows:
1) Uninterrupted Trigger Control. Using this method, the Marine applies a steady, unchanging pressure to the trigger, until the shot is fired. Uninterrupted trigger control is particularly effective at close range. It works when the target area is large and stability of hold is not as critical to accuracy. Apply uninterrupted trigger control as follows:
a) Apply pressure on the trigger, while maintaining focus on the top edge of the front sight.
b) Continue pressure on the trigger to begin moving the trigger straight to the rear, while obtaining sight alignment and sight picture.
c) Move the trigger straight to the rear in a single smooth motion with no hesitation.
2) Interrupted Trigger Control. Interrupted trigger control is particularly effective at longer ranges. When the target is small, and the stability of hold is critical to maintaining sight picture in the aiming area. This method is used if the pistol sights move outside the aiming area when applying trigger control.
a) Using this method, the Marine applies initial pressure to the trigger to begin rearward movement.
b) If the sight picture is outside the aiming area, the Marine stops and holds the rearward movement on the trigger until sight picture is reestablished.
c) When sight picture is reestablished, the rearward movement of the trigger is continued until the shot is fired.
e. Coaching Instruction for Analyzing Trigger Control. A shooter must master trigger control with the pistol during dry fire. Therefore, the coach must concentrate his efforts on working with shooters during dry fire. If the shooter has not mastered trigger control during dry fire, it is more difficult to master during live fire with limited training rounds available. In addition, the recoil of the weapon during live fire masks some trigger control problems, making it even more difficult to analyze and correct problems.
1) Single Action. The shooter is taught to relax and slow down, while practicing rifle trigger control. These are good principles, when teaching single action trigger control with the pistol.
a) The coach should have the shooter begin by practicing single action trigger
control.
b) The shooter can practice slowly moving the trigger to the rear during single action firing. The trigger weight is not too great to cause problems in pulling the trigger to the rear.
c) Once the shooter can master single action trigger control, he can learn to apply double action trigger control.
2) Double Action. On double action firing, applying trigger control slowly is not a good technique. The trigger weight is greater and it takes longer to move the trigger to the rear. This can actually lead to anticipation which, in turn, can lead to jerking the trigger. When a shooter pulls the trigger slowly, he has the tendency to jerk the shot. He anticipates the shot because it seems as if it takes longer for the shot to fire.
a) Most anticipation occurs because the shooter is trying to keep the sights aligned throughout the trigger pull. When firing a double action shot, the shooter will most likely not have perfect sight picture, while pulling the trigger. However, sight picture only matters at the moment the shot breaks.
b) As a coach, it is simply not enough to tell the shooter to quit anticipating the shot. Anticipation is a mental act that the shooter can only overcome by correcting a physical act of trigger control.
c) The coach should work with his shooters to quickly pull the trigger to the rear and concentrate on maintaining a sight picture on the end of the trigger pull. Then, the shooter should pull the trigger slowly to find a range in which he can effectively pull the trigger without disturbing the sights.
d) Have the shooter practice pulling the initial weight of the trigger up quickly. The shooter should pull to a point, where the final trigger weight pulls more slowly with a concentration on sight alignment and sight picture. However, the trigger pull should not be stopped as in interrupted trigger control.
e) The coach should further remain aware of another problem brought on by anticipation. If a shooter is anticipating, he may not offer enough resistance to recoil in his grip or position.
(1) This will cause the pistol to not function and not fully chamber the next round, causing a stoppage. This happens because the pistol is moving, while the slide is moving to the rear. It is designed to function being held relatively still.
(2) Often, an inexperienced coach will give a shooter an incorrect alibi, when a round does not chamber under this circumstance. The coach should have eliminated mechanical failure of the weapon during the shooter’s user serviceability inspection of his pistol.
3) Laser Pen Method. Illustrate to a shooter his lack of stability of hold during trigger control and to work on refining his stability of hold with the Laser Pen Method.
a) Draw a reduced target on a piece of paper. The target must be reduced to appear as it would from 25 yards. (If the laser pen emits 25 yards without distortion, the target does not need reducing.)
b) Have the shooter assume a position at a range from the wall corresponding to the scaled target. c) Tape the target to the wall at a height that allows the shooter to aim on the target. d) The coach works with the shooter to refine his stability of hold. He helps the shooter, until the laser projects within an acceptable aiming area in the target’s center. It is not enough to hold on the target. The shooter must hold within the center of the target.
3. BREATH CONTROL
Breathing causes movement of the chest, abdomen, and shoulders. This movement, in turn 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. Breath control allows the sights to be stabilized while firing a shot.
a. Technique
1) The object of breath control is to stop breathing just long enough to fire the shot, while maintaining sight alignment and establishing sight picture. A shooter should hold his breath at the same point in the breathing cycle (i.e., the natural respiratory pause) for consistency.
2) Breathing should not stop for too long as it can have an adverse effect both visually and physically. Holding a breath longer than is comfortable, results in a lack of oxygen. This in turn, causes a shooter’s vision to deteriorate and affects his ability to focus on the sights.
b. Coaching Instruction. The coach should look for movement of the chest, abdomen, and shoulders when the shot breaks to indicate breathing. Another problem is breathing just before or after the shot breaks because the sights will not return to the same place.
WEAPONS TRAINING BATTALION
MARINE CORPS MARKSMANSHIP CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
MARINE CORPS COMBAT DEVELOPMENT COMMAND
QUANTICO, VIRGINIA 22134‑5040
FUNDAMENTALS OF COMBAT PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP/
COACHES’ ANALYSIS
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE.
1) Given a M9 service pistol, holster, cartridge belt, magazines, ammunition pocket, ammunition, a target, and without reference aids engage a stationary target IAW MCRP 3-01B to achieve a qualifying score IAW MCO 3574.2_. (PMP.3.1)
2) Given range supplies, equipment, personnel to train and without reference aids, conduct dry fire Preparatory Training per Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Program (MCCMP) and Pistol Marksmanship Program (PMP) lesson plans and IAW MCRP 3-01A and …show more content…
MCRP 3-01B.
3) Given targets, range supplies and equipment, prepared shooters, a range, and without reference aids coach stationary target engagement with the M9 pistol to ensure personnel achieve a proficiency level IAW MCO 3574.2_. (8530.1.5)
ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE.
1) Given a M9 service pistol, holster, cartridge belt, magazines, ammunition pocket, ammunition, a target, and without reference aids apply the fundamentals of marksmanship IAW MCRP 3-01B. (PMP.3.1d)
2) Given personnel to train, targets, and without reference aids analyze the fundamentals of marksmanship during dry fire to ensure they are applied IAW MCRP 3-01A and MCRP 3-01B. (8530.1.1g)
3) Given personnel to train, targets, and without reference aids analyze the fundamentals of marksmanship during live fire to ensure they are applied IAW MCRP 3-01B. (8530.1.5c)
1. AIMING
a. Techniques
1) 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. The top edge of the front sight is level with the top edge of the rear sight. Equal space should exist on either side of the front sight.
2) Establishing Sight Alignment. The pistol is fired without benefit of bone support. Therefore, the pistol is in constant motion. The Marine must recognize this and accept this movement, but continually strive for aligned sights. Sights must align, when the shot breaks to fire accurately.
a) The grip is key to acquiring sight alignment. If the grip is correct, the front and rear sights should naturally align. Dry fire in presentation aids in obtaining a grip that allows a shooter to acquire consistent sight alignment.
b) A shooter must have enough control of muscular tension in the grip, wrists, and forearms to hold the weapon steady. This enables him to level the pistol sights and maintain sight alignment. Consistent tension allows sight stabilization and steady alignment.
3) Sight Picture. Sight picture is the placement of the front sight in relation to the target, while maintaining sight alignment.
4) Aiming Area. Because the pistol is constantly moving, sight picture is acquired within an aiming area center mass on the target. Aiming area is defined as the movement of the sights on the target, while maintaining sight alignment. Each individual must define an acceptable aiming area within his own capability to stabilize the sights. Time, distance to the target, and personal ability dictates what this aiming area is. As a shooter becomes more proficient, his aiming area becomes more precise.
a) The aiming area is based on the individual’s stability of hold. A proper grip stabilizes the sights so that sight alignment is maintained. However, the sights continuously move within the aiming area on the target. The Marine must accept this movement and learn to apply trigger control. After a shooter obtains sight alignment/sight picture within the aiming area, he needs to ensure the shot breaks at the moment the sight picture is established.
b) Correct sight picture is the placement of the aligned sights within an acceptable aiming area.
5) 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. Simultaneously, he must maintain the relationship between the front and rear sights within his aiming area. A focus on the top edge of the front sight rather than the target allows the Marine to detect minor variations in sight alignment. The sight should appear clear and distinct. The target should appear slightly blurred. The Marine’s field of view allows him to see the target and maintain sight picture within his aiming area.
b. Coaching Instruction. For a coach, sight alignment and sight picture are the most difficult of the fundamentals to analyze. They are not directly observable because the coach cannot see through the shooter’s sights. The coach must work closely with the shooter to determine and correct weaknesses in applying pistol fundamentals.
1) Importance of Coaching During Dry Fire. Shooter need to correct errors in acquiring sight alignment and sight picture during dry fire. Correct all errors prior to a shooter firing his first round.
2) Verbal Questioning
a) The coach must verbally question the shooter about what he sees through his sights. For example, often a shooter’s problem stems from focusing on the target rather than the tip of the front sight blade. If the shooter describes seeing a clear target and a blurry front sight, it indicates a problem focusing on the tip of the front sight blade. Ask the shooter to draw a picture of what he sees. If the shooter draws a clear target and a blurry front sight, there is a problem with focusing on the target. b) The coach should verbally reinforce shooters to obtain a clear front sight centered in the rear sight. This reinforcement reminds shooters of what they need to see in their sights.
c) Correcting For a Focus on the Target. If a shooter is having difficulty, the coach can look at the top edge of the front sight of the shooter’s weapon. The coach is checking for a mark, burr, or dent, or any other identifying feature on the front sight that the shooter can focus on.
(1) The coach should have the shooter focus on this mark, burr, etc., that is small enough to bring the shooter’s focus back to the top edge of the front sight.
(2) Paint or the white dot on the pistol’s front sight is not an acceptable point of focus. A shooter can easily see them, while still focusing on the target.
3) Observation of Stability of Hold. The coach can observe the shooter’s stability of hold, which may indicate problems in acquiring or maintaining sight alignment and sight picture.
a) The coach stands directly behind the shooter in a position where he can observe the pistol’s front sight. Ideally, the coach views over the shooter’s shoulder.
b) The coach then focuses his vision on the front sight blade with a reference point downrange (e.g., a target, a mound of dirt) in the background.
c) Through this process the coach identifies the amount of movement in the muzzle. From this, he can determine whether the movement is excessive. He can also analyze whether trends exist that may indicate “muscling” the weapon to bring it on target. The coach should observe the shooter’s wrists to determine whether movement is occurring to bring the weapon on target.
4) Observation of Head Position. The coach should observe the shooter’s head position. It needs to remain erect to enable the aiming eye to see directly through the sights. In an Isosceles position, shooters can incorrectly tilt the head up or down. Tilting the head makes it more difficult for the shooter to view through his sights. In a Weaver position, shooters can incorrectly tilt the head left or right.
2. TRIGGER CONTROL
a. Trigger Control. Trigger control is the 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 as the shot is …show more content…
fired.
b. Sight Alignment and Trigger Control. Aiming and trigger control are mutually supportive. One cannot be performed without the other. As pressure is applied to the trigger, the sights may move causing them to misalign. Sights must align properly when the shot breaks to achieve accuracy. Trigger control can actually assist in aligning the sights. With proper trigger finger placement and consistent muscular tension applied to the grip, a shooter can control the sights as the trigger moves rearward. Sights moving extensively as the trigger is pressed usually indicate an improper grip. It also indicates inconsistency in the muscular tension applied to the grip. A shooter must perform sight alignment and trigger control simultaneously to make an accurate shot.
c. Grip
1) Technique. A firm grip is essential for good trigger control. The grip is established before applying trigger control and is maintained throughout the shot-firing process. 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. The grip should be firm enough to allow manipulation of the trigger, while maintaining sight alignment. A shooter must apply equal or greater pressure to the grip than the amount used to move the trigger rearward. If not, the sights will move as the trigger is pulled to the rear.
2) Coaching Instruction
a) A common mistake made by shooters is to have a tight grip on the pistol with the right hand, while the left hand just wraps around the right hand with little or no tension. The grip of the left hand holds the pistol still; not the grip of the right hand. The coach must continually emphasize to shooters to ensure the left hand is applying consistent and firm pressure in the grip.
b) The coach should further ensure the shooter has a consistent amount of pressure on the grip of the right hand. If not, the shooter has the tendency to tighten his grip on the pistol grip as he is pulling the trigger. A coach can easily identify this. To correct the problem, the coach should ensure the shooter applies pressure on his grip, before applying trigger control.
d. Trigger Finger Placement
1) Technique. After establishing a grip, the finger is placed on the trigger. Placement of the finger should feel natural and allow free trigger finger movement.
a) A natural trigger finger placement allows trigger movement 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.
b) Each Marine must experiment with finger placement. He should select an effective finger placement that allows consistent trigger movement straight to the rear, while maintaining sight alignment.
2) Coaching Instruction
a) Trigger finger placement is dependent upon where the right hand is placed on the pistol to sweep the safety with the right thumb. When analyzing trigger finger placement, the coach must ensure the shooter can sweep the safety. The shooter may have to rotate his grip around the backstrap of the pistol, enabling his thumb to reach the safety.
b) 1) During dry fire practice of trigger control, the coach should always have the shooter sweep the safety, before placing his finger on the trigger.
(2) The hand should not move off the grip, once the safety is swept. If more than a slight hand adjustment is made, the shooter has a poor grip.
c) If the shooter must adjust his hand to sweep the safety, he may think he cannot adequately get his finger on the trigger. If the shooter is still having difficulty getting his finger on the trigger, have him adjust his trigger finger placement.
(1) The coach can experiment with the shooter to achieve a finger placement that works best.
(2) If the shooter is having difficulty getting his finger on the trigger, experiment with placing the finger lower on the trigger. This provides more leverage to pull the trigger to the rear. Some shooters place their finger on the bottom of the trigger. As the trigger is being pulled to the rear, the finger moves along the inside of the trigger guard
d) The coach and shooter must recognize that trigger finger placement during double action firing differs from that used during single action firing. During trigger control with the pistol, the finger actually rolls over the trigger as it pulls the trigger rearward. The higher the finger is on the trigger, the more it moves across the trigger. This means that the finger’s placement on the trigger changes during trigger control.
(1) Have the shooter bring his grip in close to his body so that he can observe his finger placement. From this position, have the shooter dry fire several shots double action. Then, thumbcock the pistol and dry fire several shots single action.
(2) In most cases, there is less finger on the trigger at the start of a double action pull. There is more finger on the trigger by the time the shot breaks. Finger placement at the end of a double action pull is more similar to finger placement on a single action pull.
e) To confirm good trigger placement, the coach should look at the shooter’s finger placement on the trigger. Again, during dry fire the coach stands behind the shooter and focuses on the tip of the front sight against a reference point (e.g., target) down range. The coach should observe the front sight as the hammer falls to look for movement, indicating poor trigger finger placement.
(1) If the muzzle moves to the left or right when the shooter is pulling the trigger, this may indicate too much or too little finger on the trigger.
(2) The coach can then observe the shooter’s finger placement on the trigger while he pulls the trigger to confirm this.
(3) To correct this, a shooter moves his finger on the trigger to allow its straight and rearward movement without moving the front sight.
f. Types of Trigger Control. The two types of trigger control are as follows:
1) Uninterrupted Trigger Control. Using this method, the Marine applies a steady, unchanging pressure to the trigger, until the shot is fired. Uninterrupted trigger control is particularly effective at close range. It works when the target area is large and stability of hold is not as critical to accuracy. Apply uninterrupted trigger control as follows:
a) Apply pressure on the trigger, while maintaining focus on the top edge of the front sight.
b) Continue pressure on the trigger to begin moving the trigger straight to the rear, while obtaining sight alignment and sight picture.
c) Move the trigger straight to the rear in a single smooth motion with no hesitation.
2) Interrupted Trigger Control. Interrupted trigger control is particularly effective at longer ranges. When the target is small, and the stability of hold is critical to maintaining sight picture in the aiming area. This method is used if the pistol sights move outside the aiming area when applying trigger control.
a) Using this method, the Marine applies initial pressure to the trigger to begin rearward movement.
b) If the sight picture is outside the aiming area, the Marine stops and holds the rearward movement on the trigger until sight picture is reestablished.
c) When sight picture is reestablished, the rearward movement of the trigger is continued until the shot is fired.
e. Coaching Instruction for Analyzing Trigger Control. A shooter must master trigger control with the pistol during dry fire. Therefore, the coach must concentrate his efforts on working with shooters during dry fire. If the shooter has not mastered trigger control during dry fire, it is more difficult to master during live fire with limited training rounds available. In addition, the recoil of the weapon during live fire masks some trigger control problems, making it even more difficult to analyze and correct problems.
1) Single Action. The shooter is taught to relax and slow down, while practicing rifle trigger control. These are good principles, when teaching single action trigger control with the pistol.
a) The coach should have the shooter begin by practicing single action trigger
control.
b) The shooter can practice slowly moving the trigger to the rear during single action firing. The trigger weight is not too great to cause problems in pulling the trigger to the rear.
c) Once the shooter can master single action trigger control, he can learn to apply double action trigger control.
2) Double Action. On double action firing, applying trigger control slowly is not a good technique. The trigger weight is greater and it takes longer to move the trigger to the rear. This can actually lead to anticipation which, in turn, can lead to jerking the trigger. When a shooter pulls the trigger slowly, he has the tendency to jerk the shot. He anticipates the shot because it seems as if it takes longer for the shot to fire.
a) Most anticipation occurs because the shooter is trying to keep the sights aligned throughout the trigger pull. When firing a double action shot, the shooter will most likely not have perfect sight picture, while pulling the trigger. However, sight picture only matters at the moment the shot breaks.
b) As a coach, it is simply not enough to tell the shooter to quit anticipating the shot. Anticipation is a mental act that the shooter can only overcome by correcting a physical act of trigger control.
c) The coach should work with his shooters to quickly pull the trigger to the rear and concentrate on maintaining a sight picture on the end of the trigger pull. Then, the shooter should pull the trigger slowly to find a range in which he can effectively pull the trigger without disturbing the sights.
d) Have the shooter practice pulling the initial weight of the trigger up quickly. The shooter should pull to a point, where the final trigger weight pulls more slowly with a concentration on sight alignment and sight picture. However, the trigger pull should not be stopped as in interrupted trigger control.
e) The coach should further remain aware of another problem brought on by anticipation. If a shooter is anticipating, he may not offer enough resistance to recoil in his grip or position.
(1) This will cause the pistol to not function and not fully chamber the next round, causing a stoppage. This happens because the pistol is moving, while the slide is moving to the rear. It is designed to function being held relatively still.
(2) Often, an inexperienced coach will give a shooter an incorrect alibi, when a round does not chamber under this circumstance. The coach should have eliminated mechanical failure of the weapon during the shooter’s user serviceability inspection of his pistol.
3) Laser Pen Method. Illustrate to a shooter his lack of stability of hold during trigger control and to work on refining his stability of hold with the Laser Pen Method.
a) Draw a reduced target on a piece of paper. The target must be reduced to appear as it would from 25 yards. (If the laser pen emits 25 yards without distortion, the target does not need reducing.)
b) Have the shooter assume a position at a range from the wall corresponding to the scaled target. c) Tape the target to the wall at a height that allows the shooter to aim on the target. d) The coach works with the shooter to refine his stability of hold. He helps the shooter, until the laser projects within an acceptable aiming area in the target’s center. It is not enough to hold on the target. The shooter must hold within the center of the target.
3. BREATH CONTROL
Breathing causes movement of the chest, abdomen, and shoulders. This movement, in turn 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. Breath control allows the sights to be stabilized while firing a shot.
a. Technique
1) The object of breath control is to stop breathing just long enough to fire the shot, while maintaining sight alignment and establishing sight picture. A shooter should hold his breath at the same point in the breathing cycle (i.e., the natural respiratory pause) for consistency.
2) Breathing should not stop for too long as it can have an adverse effect both visually and physically. Holding a breath longer than is comfortable, results in a lack of oxygen. This in turn, causes a shooter’s vision to deteriorate and affects his ability to focus on the sights.
b. Coaching Instruction. The coach should look for movement of the chest, abdomen, and shoulders when the shot breaks to indicate breathing. Another problem is breathing just before or after the shot breaks because the sights will not return to the same place.