MIT Pistol and Rifle ClubBasic Marksmanship Course

Head InstructorJoe Foley

6:00-9:30PM

Introduction

• Head Instructor• About the Club• Student Introductions

Class Information

• Need ID & Writing Implement• Focus on Competitive not

Defensive• Satisfies State Safety

Requirements– Certificate to get a LTC or FID

Pistol Components

• Barrel– Front end where bullet exits

• Frame– Backbone where everything is

attached

• Action– Moving parts: load,fire, and unload

Pistol Concepts

• Double-Action– Pulling the trigger cocks then releases

hammer

• Single-Action– Pulling trigger only releases the hammer

• Hammerless– Hammer is not visible (internal

mechanism)

Pistol Types

• Revolver– Distinctive spinning cylinder to hold

cartridges

• Semi-Automatic– Uses the power released by the action of

firing to load the next shot from the Magazine

• Fully Automatic– Same as above, but continues to fire while

the trigger is pulled

Ammunition Types

• Huge Variety• Most common pistol:

– 22long rifle, 9mm, 45ACP

• Large calibers are Centerfire• 22lr still dangerous

– 12000PSI– 1 Mile

Smith & Wesson Model 41

• Semi-Automatic 22lr• Breaks down easily• Problem with Triggerlock• Adjusting sights with pennies

– 1/8” click elevation(50ft)– 5/64” click windage(50ft)– 12 clocks per turn

S&W Model 41(cont)

• Disassemble• Parts:

– Extractor, firing-pin– Slide-stop/ejector, trigger guard,

hammer, safety, fore & back straps• Magazine vs Clip

– Clip does not have contained spring• Demo feeding without barrel

Mechanical Safety

• A safety on a pistol is designed to reduce accidental discharge

• It can fail – don’t trust it

Golden Safety Rule

• Always treat the gun as though it were loaded, even if you know it isn’t.– Other factors can change the state of

the gun without your knowledge

• Dummy plug– Verify unfireable from a distance

Safety Rules• Always keep the gun pointed in a

safe direction• Always keep your guns unloaded

until you are ready to shoot• Always keep your finger off the

trigger until ready to shoot• Know your target and what is

beyond• These rules apply to Air Pistols also!

Cease Fire

• Stop Shooting Immediately• Remove your finger from the trigger• Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe

direction• Wait for further instructions from

the Range Officer• Anyone can call a “Cease Fire”

Lead

• Lead is Toxic if ingested• Wash hands before eating• One fatality known since 1820’s

– Don’t eat/drink on the range!

Eyes and Ears

• Gun discharge extremely loud– Esp. in enclosed spaces

• Wear Hearing protectors or Earplugs

• Wear Eye protectors– Flying brass

Shooting Fundamentals

• Natural Point of Aim• Grip• Breath Control• Sight Alignment• Trigger Squeeze• Followthrough

Natural Point of Aim

• Find dominant eye• Find comfortable position

– 45 degrees is good start– Feet at shoulder distance

• Hand points at the center of the target

• Lock wrist and elbow• Move back foot to adjust angle

Grip

• Grip should be firm– Not limp nor crushing

• “Holding a child’s hand”

– Consistent• Memorize how it feels• Non-shooting hand to adjust

Breath Control• Hold breath while making the shot

– Reduces body movement• 8-10 seconds before losing visual

acuity• Take deep breaths to slow down

heart-rate• Take a breath while lifting the gun• Let out small amounts of air to

adjust vertical position

Sight Alignment

• Demo with Sight Toy• Focus on the front sight with Dominant

Eye!• Tops should be even• Front sight in the middle of the notch

– Equal spacing on both sides

• Point of Aim– Center hold, 6-o’clock, sub-6, line of white– 8” sight radius: 1/16” = 5” at 50ft

Trigger Squeeze

• Smoothly• Straight to the Back

– Without disturbing sight alignment

• Finger placement• Dry firing

Follow through

• After making the shot, re-sight it• Hold it (1-2 seconds)• Call the shot• Minimizes unneccessary movement

before bullet leaves barrel• Build muscle memory and tone

– Rapid Fire training

Sight Adjustment

• Rear Sight in direction to move shots– Shooting high, move sights higher

• German “bei” means “if”

Ammunition Components• Case

– Precise brass container• Primer

– Senstive to shock• Powder

– Nitrocellulous aka. Smokeless Powder• Bullet

– Usually lead, sometimes with brass coating

Gunpowder

• Burns Fast and Produces Hot Gases

• Exponential Speed as Temperature Increases

• Demonstration• High Pressure Loads (+P, +P+)

Malfunctions• Misfire

– Fails after primer struck by firing pin

• Hangfire– Slow ignition

• Keep pistol pointed in safe direction 30 seconds before clearing the “dud”

• Squib load– Underpowered– Check for blockage in barrel

Cleaning

• Clean each time used• Make sure:

– Unloaded– Action Open– No Ammunition nearby

• Clean from rear to reduce muzzle wear– Avoid denting crown

Storage

• Need to be inaccessible to unauthorized persons– Trigger Locks– Gunsafes– Locked Boxes

Transportation

• Laws vary• Ask local law enforcement or legal

counsel for specific rules and regulations