MIT Pistol and Rifle Club Basic Marksmanship Course

MIT Pistol and Rifle Club Basic Marksmanship Course Head Instructor Joe Foley 6: 00 -9: 30 PM

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: – 22 long rifle, 9 mm, 45 ACP • Large calibers are Centerfire • 22 lr still dangerous – 12000 PSI – 1 Mile

Smith & Wesson Model 41 • • Semi-Automatic 22 lr Breaks down easily Problem with Triggerlock Adjusting sights with pennies – 1/8” click elevation(50 ft) – 5/64” click windage(50 ft) – 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 heartrate • 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 50 ft

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