Chapter IX is devoted to “Preliminary Drills; Position and Aiming Drills,
in which the soldier is trained in all the motions of aiming and firing, snapping the weapon. Exercises are provided for dismounted and mounted soldiers.
Chapters X, XI, and XII prescribe the actual practice shooting with complete rules, regulations, and methods of procedure, together with illustrations and diagrams.
The regulation target practice is divided into two courses: the dismounted course and the mounted course, each of which is separate and complete in itself.
The following schedule shows the general target practice scheme of each course, a score in all cases consisting of five consecutive shots.
TARGET PRACTICE SCHEDULE
DISMOUNTED COURSE
_Instruction Practice_: NO. OF SHOTS
Slow fire, at 15 and 25 yards, minimum of 1 score at each range. Target L. Time limit, none. 10
Rapid fire, at 15 and 25 yards, minimum of 2 scores at each range. Target L. Time, 20 seconds per score. 20
Quick fire, at 15 and 25 yards, minimum of 2 scores at each range. Target E--Bobbing. Time, 3 seconds per shot at 15 yards; 4 seconds per shot at 25 yards. 20
_Record Practice_:
Rapid fire, at 25 yards, 2 scores. Target L. Time, 20 seconds for each score 10
Quick fire, at 15 and 25 yards, 2 scores at each range. Target E--Bobbing. Time, 3 seconds per shot at 15 yards; 4 seconds per shot at 25 yards. 20
_Expert Test_:
Rapid fire, at 50 yards, 1 score. Target L. Time, 30 seconds per score. 5
Quick fire, at 15 and 25 yards, 1 score at each range. Target E--Bobbing. Time, 3 seconds per shot at 15 yards; 4 seconds per shot at 25 yards. 10 -- Total 95
MOUNTED COURSE
_Instruction Practice_:
_Dismounted_--
Slow fire, 15 yards, minimum of 2 scores. Target L. Time limit, none. 10
Quick fire, 15 yards, minimum of 2 scores. Target M--Bobbing. Time, 3 seconds per shot. 10
_Mounted_--
Halt; minimum of 2 scores; one to the right and one to the left. Target M--Bobbing. Range, 10 yards. Time, 3 seconds per shot. 10
Walk; minimum of 2 scores; one score firing to the right while moving to the left and one score firing to the left while moving to the right around the circumference of circle about 12 ft. in diameter tangent to the track at the firing point. Target M--Bobbing. Range, 10 yards. Time, 3 seconds per shot. 10
Gallop; minimum of 8 scores. Target M. Range, 10 yards. Time governed by gait of at least 12 miles an hour. 40
[_Note_:--Five M targets are placed 10 yards from the track and 10 yards apart (20 yards apart for the revolver). Each trooper makes eight circlings of the track (four in each direction) firing four scores to the right and four to the left.]
_Record Practice_:
Halt; quick fire. Target M--Bobbing. 2 scores 1 to the right, 1 to the left. Range, 10 yards. Time, 3 seconds per shot. 10
Gallop; Target M. Range, 10 and 14 yards. 4 scores--2, firing to the right while circling to the left; 2, firing to the left while circling to the right. 20
Time governed by gait of at least 12 miles an hour.
[_Note_:--Three of the five M targets (the first, the center, and the last targets) of the gallop stage, Instruction Practice, are set at an angle of 45 degrees to the track, and the trooper in making the run fires at each of these when facing them at about 14 yards range. The firing of the full score and the direction of the shots is therefore as follows: Right front, right, right front, right, and right rear. In making the left hand run, two targets are set at an angle and the firing is in the following order: Left, left front, left, left front, left.]
_Expert Test_:
Halt; 1 score. Five E targets--Bobbing; unknown angles. Range, 8½ to 15 yards. Time, 2 seconds per shot. 5
Gallop; 1 score; group of three M targets. Range, 10 and 14 yards; 3 shots to right advancing and 2 shots to left returning. Time governed by gait of at least 12 miles per hour. 5
[_Note_:--Two of the targets are set at an angle as in the gallop stage. Record Practice, the firing being right front, right, right rear, in advancing; and left front, left, in returning.]
Gallop, extended; 2 scores. Range, 5 to 15 yards. Time governed by gait. 10
[_Note_:--Targets arranged as follows: Target F, 5 yards to the right; 20 yards further along track, Target E, 7 yards to the right; 30 yards further, Target M, 10 yards to the left; 20 yards further, Target M, 10 yards to the left; 30 yards further, Target M, 15 yards to the right. Two runs are made firing at the targets in the order named.] --- Total number of shots. 130
_Explanatory Notes, etc._
_Timing_: --Intervals of time are measured from the last note of the signal or command, “Commence firing,” to the last note or word of “Cease firing.”
_Targets_:--Target L is illustrated on page 91. Targets E, F, and M are full size silhouette figures of men in the kneeling, prone and standing positions, respectively. When “bobbing” target is prescribed, it refers to an operating device for turning the targets 90 degrees on a vertical axis by means of ropes. The target is thus made to turn so as to appear edgewise and flatwise from the firing point and remains flatwise or “exposed” for the number of seconds stated in the time limit for each shot, and “turned from view” between shots for an interval of 3 to 5 seconds.
_Procedure_:--In quick fire the soldier stands at the firing point, pistol loaded with 5 cartridges, hammer down (in mounted practice hammer cocked at safe), weapon in holster, flap, if any, buttoned. Upon the first exposure of the target the soldier draws and fires, or attempts to fire, one shot at the target before it is turned from view and keeps the weapon in hand until he has fired five shots at successive exposures of the target to complete the score.
_Qualification Scores_: _Dismounted Course_--Sixty per cent. of the aggregate possible score of the Instruction Practice for advancement to Record Practice and 80 per cent. of the latter for advancement to Expert Test. In Expert Test, 50 out of a possible 60. _Mounted Course_--Fifty per cent. of the aggregate possible score of the Instruction Practice for advancement to Record Practice and 70 per cent. of the latter for advancement to Expert Test. In Expert Test, 13 out of a possible 20.
_Competitions_:--In every alternate year department pistol competitions are held simultaneously with the department rifle competitions at places designated by the department commanders.
ORGANIZED MILITIA TARGET PRACTICE
The prescribed course in effect in 1914 is adapted to the service revolvers. Five shots constitute a score. All shooting is on Target L. The course is divided into Instruction Practice and Record Practice.
_Instruction Practice_:
Slow Fire: Range 15, 25, and 50 yards; one score at each range. Time limit, none.
Rapid Fire: Range 15, 25, and 50 yards; two scores at each range. Time limit, 30 seconds per score.
Rapid Fire: Range 15 and 25 yards; two scores at each range. Time limit, 15 seconds per score.
_Record Practice_:
Rapid Fire: Range 25 and 50 yards; two scores at each range. Time limit, 30 seconds per score.
Rapid Fire: Range 15 and 25 yards; two scores at each range. Time limit, 15 seconds per score.
The rules, regulations, and procedure are the same as those governing the U. S. Army practice.
Qualification scores are as follows out of a possible 400: Second classman, 250; first classman, 300, and expert pistol shot, 320. Insignia badges and pins are awarded to those qualifying.
U. S. NAVY TARGET PRACTICE REGULATIONS
The revolver practice in the U. S. Navy consists of three classes, designated the Marksman’s Course, the Sharpshooter’s Course, and the Expert Pistol Shot’s Special Course. Each course is subdivided into “Instruction Practice” and “Record Practice.”
All shooting in the Marksman’s and Sharpshooter’s courses is done on Target A, which is a rectangle 6 ft. high by 4 ft. wide, with a circular black bull’s-eye 8 in. in diameter, counting 5, and concentric circles of count with diameters as follows: 4 ring, 26 in.; 3 ring, 46 in.; 2 rectangle, rest of target. Target L is used in the Expert Course.
MARKSMAN’S COURSE (SLOW FIRE)
_Instruction Practice_:
At least 1 string of 6 shots, each range: 25 yds., 50 yds.; no time limit.
_Record Practice_:
At least 1 string of 6 shots, each range: 25 yds., 50 yds.; time limit, 5 minutes.
SHARPSHOOTER’S COURSE (RAPID FIRE)
_Instruction Practice_:
6 shots, each range: 25 yds., 50 yds.; time limit, 30 seconds per score.
_Record Practice_:
6 shots, each range: 25 yds., 50 yds.; time limit, 30 seconds per score.
EXPERT PISTOL SHOT’S SPECIAL COURSE
_Instruction Practice_:
Slow Fire: 6 shots, each range: 15 yds., 25 yds., 50 yds. No time limit.
Timed Fire: One score of 5 shots, each range: 15 yds., 25 yds., 50 yds. Time limit, 30 seconds for each score.
Rapid Fire: Two scores of 5 shots, each range: 15 yds., 25 yds. Time limit, 10 seconds for each score.
_Record Practice_:
Timed Fire: Two scores of 5 shots, each range: 25 yds., 50 yds. Time limit, 30 seconds for each score.
Rapid Fire: Two scores of 5 shots, each range: 15 yds., 25 yds. Time limit, 10 seconds for each score.
Qualification scores are 80 per cent. of the possibles of each course.
In rapid fire practice the timing is done at the target. On a signal that all is ready at the firing point, the target appears and remains exposed during the time limit, then disappears.
In addition to the above regulation practice, the men are put through a thorough preliminary course of position, sighting, and aiming drill.
The more expert men are given advanced practice in snap, double-action, and left-hand shooting, also firing alternately at targets at different distances and at floating objects at unknown distances.
Excellent practical suggestions and information is contained in Chapter V, devoted to Pistol Practice, in “The Landing Force and Small Arms Instructions,” edition 1911.
APPENDIX IV
DIGEST OF WAR DEPARTMENT TESTS OF AUTOMATIC PISTOLS
The board of officers appointed by the Secretary of War (Special Order No. 305, Dec. 28, 1906) to test automatic pistols and revolvers met at the Springfield Armory, Springfield, Mass., on January 15, 1907. The board consisted of: Col. Philip Reade, 23rd Infantry; Maj. Joseph T. Dickman, 13th Cavalry; Capt. Guy H. Preston, 13th Cavalry; Capt. Ernest D. Scott, Artillery Corps, and Capt. John H. Rice, Ordnance Department.
The weapons referred to the board by the Chief of Ordnance for examination and test with their weights (unloaded) were as follows:
_Automatic Pistols, Caliber .45_ _Lbs._ _Oz._ The Colt 2 2½ The Luger 2 8 The Savage 2 3 The Knoble (single action) 2 11½ The Knoble (double action) 2 10½ The Bergmann 2 3½ The White-Merrill 2 6½
_Double Action Revolvers, Caliber .45_ The Colt 2 7 The Smith & Wesson 2 6
_Automatic Revolver, Caliber .45_ The Webley-Fosbury 2 10
PROGRAMME OF TESTS OF AUTOMATIC PISTOLS[21]
1. Examination of pistol as to design, appearance, balance, suitability for mounted troops, etc.
2. Special examination as to safety features.
3. Dismounting and assembling. The times required for each of the following operations:
(a) To dismount the breech and magazine mechanism, with the exception of the magazine catch.
(b) To complete dismounting.
(c) To assemble, except the breech and magazine mechanism.
(d) To complete assembling.
4. The number of--
(a) Pins and screws.
(b) Small springs.
(c) Other parts.
5. The number and kind of tools required to dismount and assemble.
6. Twenty rounds to be fired to observe working of pistol. The above tests will be made with the pistol in the hands of and operated by the inventor or his representative, if present.
7. Velocity at 25 feet, mean of 5 shots.
8. Accuracy and penetration at 75 feet; 10 shots for accuracy, 5 for penetration.
9. Rapidity with accuracy; target 6 by 2 feet, range 100 feet. Number of shots fired to be three times the capacity of clip. Pistol fired from hand. Time and number of hits to be noted in each case. To be conducted by representative of company, if present. Firing to begin with chamber and magazine empty, and clips or holders arranged as desired by firer.
10. Rapidity at will. Same as preceding test, except that the pistol will be fired without aim into a butt at short range, and hits will not be considered.
11. Endurance. Pistol will then be fired deliberately 500 rounds as a self-loader, cooling after each 50 rounds.
12. Velocity. Same as paragraph 7, above.
13. Decreased charges. Pistol to be fired 12 rounds as a self-loader with cartridge in which the powder charge has been decreased so that the first four will give pressure of 25 per cent. less, the second four 15 per cent. less, and the last four 10 per cent. less than the service pressure.
14. Excessive charges. Pistol to be fired 5 times as a single loader, with cartridges in which the charge of powder is increased to produce a pressure in the chamber 25 per cent. greater than the regular pressure.
15. Pierced primers. Pistol will be fired once with a cartridge in which the primer has been thinned so as to insure piercing. Two rounds will then be fired to observe action.
16. Dust. With the mechanism closed and both ends of the barrel tightly corked pistol will be exposed, in a box prepared for that purpose, to a blast of fine sand for one minute. The surplus sand may then be removed by blowing thereon, jarring the piece, or wiping with the bare hand only.
The Magazine should be--
(a) Empty when exposed to dust.
(b) Loaded when exposed to dust.
In both cases pistol should be used as a self-loader, and in the second the cartridge may be removed and wiped, then reloaded. In case of self-loading failures to work in either case the piece will be tried by operating by hand.
17. Rust. The mechanism will be thoroughly cleansed of grease by boiling in a solution of soda, the ends of the barrel tightly corked and the pistol then placed in a saturated solution of sal-ammoniac for five minutes. After being hung up indoors for 22 hours, five shots will be fired into a sand butt, using pistol as a self-loader. In case the self-loading mechanism fails to work, the pistol will then be tried by operating by hand.
18. Supplementary Tests. Any piece which successfully passes the foregoing tests may be subjected to such supplementary tests, or repetitions of previous ones, to further determine its endurance or other qualities as may be prescribed by the Chief of Ordnance or by the board.
General Remarks. During the above tests the pistol will be entirely in the hands of the board, except when specifically stated otherwise, and no alterations or repairs other than those possible on the ground will be allowed, except by special permission of the board. If the pistol fails in any test the remainder of the programme may be discontinued in the discretion of the board.
In case of misfires the cartridges will be opened to determine cause, and if due to the ammunition the test will be repeated.
The board thoroughly tested the merits of the various arms submitted to them, and reported in 1907 the conclusion that in principle the automatic pistol was better suited for service use than the revolver.
The board also recommended a .45-caliber pistol. At the same time it was stated that the automatic pistol had not been sufficiently developed in reliability to warrant its adoption. A service test was ordered, and the Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company and the Savage Arms Company submitted automatic pistols according to specifications.
Two troops of cavalry were assigned to make this test and the report showed that neither pistol had reached a desired proficiency. The matter was then turned over to the Ordnance Department for further experiment. Both of the arms companies were given time to improve their pistols under the direction of Brig.-Gen. William Crozier, Chief of Ordnance; Lieut.-Col. John T. Thompson, Ordnance Department, and Capt. Gilbert H. Stewart, Ordnance Department. After a number of informal tests by these officers, which demonstrated that the arms companies had approached the standard set by the Ordnance Department, a new board of officers was appointed to determine which of the two pistols should be adopted. This board consisted of Majors Kenneth Morton and Walter G. Penfield and Lieutenants C. A. Meals and Arthur D. Minick, Ordnance Department.
Two pistols were submitted to the board, one by the Savage Arms Company, the other by the Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, and the tests were conducted in March, 1911. The ammunition used was of recent manufacture by the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, had a jacketed 230-grain bullet, and was loaded to give a muzzle velocity of 800 f.s. The weight of the Savage was found to be 2 lbs. 8 oz.; the Colt 2 lbs. 7 oz. The mechanical safety of both is convenient for operation with the thumb of the firing hand. Time required to complete dismounting, Savage 29.6 seconds, Colt 24.5 seconds.; to assemble, except the magazine, Savage 5 min. 10.5 sec., Colt 4 min. 50 sec.; to complete assembling, additional time, Savage 28.5 sec., Colt 12.5 sec. The number of parts in each pistol was then counted, and found to be as follows: Total components, Savage 40, including four in magazine; Colt 61, including seven in magazine. The number and kind of tools required to dismount and assemble the pistols were: Colt, one screwdriver; Savage, one combination tool (one screwdriver, two drifts).
Fifty rounds from each pistol were fired deliberately into a butt to observe the operation. The two pistols functioned normally. The Savage pistol ejected the empty shells upward and to the front, while the Colt ejected upward and to the right and rear. The velocity of each pistol was measured at twenty-five feet, and the mean of five shots was: Savage, 849.4 ft. per second; Colt, 828.0 ft. per second. Two targets of ten shots from each pistol were made for accuracy at seventy-five feet, using a muzzle rest, with the resulting mean radii of dispersion: Savage, first target 1.97″, second target 1.97″, mean 1.97″; Colt, first target .89″, second target .82″, mean 0.8555″.
Three magazines full of cartridges were fired from each pistol at a target six feet by two feet, 100 feet distant, to test the rapidity and accuracy. The firing was begun with the chamber empty and three full magazines for each pistol with it on the table. Results:
Savage Colt Time 35 sec. 28 sec. Number of shots 24 " 21 " Hits 22 " 21 " Mean radii 7.27 " 5.85 "
The pistols were next fired for rapidity by the same persons into a butt at short range and no hits considered: Savage, 24 shots, time 16 sec.; Colt, 21 shots, time 12 sec. In all the above tests the pistols functioned normally.
The two pistols were then thoroughly examined, oiled, and fired deliberately 6,000 rounds each, being cleaned thoroughly, examined and oiled after each 1,000 rounds. Wherever examination showed the least sign of deformation it was noted. Each pistol was fired 100 rounds and then was allowed to cool while the other was fired, giving each pistol at least five minutes to cool. Firing was not begun after cooling until the hand could be placed on the slide over the barrel without discomfort. There was an interval of about two seconds between shots in the same magazine when the pistol functioned normally.
During the firing of the first 1,000, in 1h. 29m., the magazine of each pistol dropped about an inch, due to the fault of the operator. Second 1,000, in 1h. 48m., the Colt functioned perfectly; while the Savage missed fire once, jammed twice and had trouble with the bolt twice. Third 1,000, in 2h. 2m. the Colt functioned perfectly; in round 2,924 the bolt stop of the Savage broke. Fourth 1,000, in 2h. 1m., the Colt functioned perfectly; with the Savage there was a slight jam and two misfires, the bolt stop was upset. Fifth 1,000, in 2h. 6m., the Colt functioned perfectly; the Savage magazine dropped five times, the bolt stop was further upset and there were two cracks in the bolt. Sixth 1,000, the Colt again functioned perfectly, and there were five misfires with the Savage, two jams, fourteen failures of the bolt to counter recoil fully, and a breakage of the bolt lock spring. Minute examination of the Colt pistol after this test failed to show any broken parts, the only defect being a minute bulging of the frame near the front end of the grooves and a slight upsetting of the bolt stop where it strikes the magazine follower.
The pistols were then fired five times as single loaders in a recoiling rest with cartridges in which the powder charge was increased to give a calculated chamber pressure of twenty-five per cent. greater than normal. The Colt pistol functioned normally. The sear of the Savage broke at the fourth round. A new sear was inserted, also a new sear spring, broken in removing the broken sear. The removal of the broken sear was difficult on account of the design of the pistol, and other parts were deformed in removing the breech plug. Upon reassembling, the pistol functioned normally in the fifth round. Each pistol was fired in a recoiling rest one round, in which the primer had been thinned so as to be pierced by the firing pin. Afterward two rounds were fired automatically. Both pistols functioned satisfactorily. The pistols were then disassembled, cleaned, and thoroughly examined. Both were found to be in good condition, with no broken parts. All misfire cartridges were examined and no defects found.
The shock of recoil of the Savage was found much more severe than of the Colt. The experienced operators who fired several thousand rounds in the endurance test, in alternate five hundreds, estimated the fatigue of firing 500 rounds with the Savage equal to firing 2,000 rounds with the Colt.
“Of the two pistols the board is of the opinion that the Colt’s is superior, because it is more reliable, the more enduring, the more easily disassembled when there are broken parts to be replaced, and the more accurate. It equals in these qualities the Colt caliber .45 revolver, model 1909, while being superior to that arm in balance, safety, rapidity, accuracy of fire, and interchangeability. The Colt pistol embodies all the features considered essential, desirable, and preferable by the board of officers convened by S. O. 305, W. D., Washington, December 28, 1906, except that there is no automatic indicator showing that the pistol is loaded or indicator showing the number of cartridges remaining in the magazine. There are, however, a few riveted parts, and the board is uncertain whether the pistol would function properly with non-jacketed bullets. The board therefore recommends that Colt caliber .45 automatic pistol of the design submitted to the board for test be adopted for use by foot and mounted troops in the military service in consequence of its marked superiority to the present service revolvers and to any other known pistol, of its extreme reliability and endurance, and of its fulfillment of all essential requirements.”
This report was approved March 23, 1911, by Col. S. E. Blunt, Ord. Dept., U. S. A., commanding Springfield Armory, Mass.
APPENDIX V
GUNSMITHING, REPAIRS, RELOADING EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, ETC.
Occasionally a firearm becomes disabled by the breaking of a spring or some other part of the mechanism. All the manufacturers carry a stock of duplicate parts and any broken or worn-out part can be obtained promptly from the makers of the weapon and the replacement made with a screwdriver and a few drifts. When any of the parts become worn, the simplest and most inexpensive course to follow is to substitute new parts in the same manner.
The most frequent source of difficulty is the wearing light of the trigger-pull. This may also be corrected by the substitution of a new hammer and a new trigger; or an experienced mechanic can generally correct the difficulty with an oil stone. Inexperienced persons are liable to ruin the parts if they attempt to do this work themselves.
The barrels of the weapons after long use, especially in the open on camping expeditions, etc., become rusted or they are worn out by extensive use so as to require renewal. In such cases a new barrel may be ordered from the maker of the weapon, which should be sent to the factory to have the substitution made and the necessary fitting and finish properly executed. In the case of high-priced barrels, and especially where the barrel is part of the action, it is sometimes less expensive to have a good gunsmith bore out the interior of the barrel and insert a new sleeve instead of replacing the entire barrel.
Very often the marksman will conceive an idea or invent an improvement which will add to the convenience in manipulation or usefulness of the weapon, the reloading tools, etc. As he becomes interested in the sport he may want to try special sights, a different shape of trigger guard, matted trigger, and various other modifications and refinements, thinking they may improve his shooting. Without the necessary mechanical skill to execute their ideas successfully all such special work should be intrusted to a competent and first-class mechanic who is equipped and prepared to execute work of this character in the best manner. The following are the names and addresses of a few of the leading manufacturers and gunsmiths, with a brief statement as to the character of work that each undertakes and specializes on:
SMITH & WESSON, Springfield, Mass.
This company maintains a repair department, but undertakes repair, reblueing and replating only on arms of their own manufacture. A limited quantity of special work is also undertaken, provided it meets with the approval of the manufacturers as being useful, desirable, and in nowise a detriment to the weapon. All repair and special work is executed in the order in which it is received, and as a limited force is engaged in this department a delay of a week or more sometimes occurs before the work can be begun. In case of general repairs the cost of same is quoted before repairs are started.
COLT PATENT FIREARMS MANUFACTURING CO., Hartford, Conn.
This company maintains a repair department devoted exclusively to arms of Colt manufacture. Estimates of the cost of repairs are quoted before work is begun. Special work, reblueing and replating, is also executed in connection with Colt arms.
WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO., New Haven, Conn.
Reloading tools, bullet molds, bullets, shells, primers, etc.
UNION METALLIC CARTRIDGE CO., Bridgeport, Conn.
UNITED STATES CARTRIDGE CO., Lowell, Mass.
THE PETERS CARTRIDGE CO., Cincinnati, Ohio.
Shells, bullets, and primers.
H. M. POPE, 18 Morris Street, Jersey City.
Manufacturer of the famous “Pope” barrels for rifles, revolvers, and pistols. New barrels furnished for any of the leading makes of target arms. Pope graduated automatic powder measures and reloading tools. Telescope mountings. Special work and fine repair work of all kinds.
J. E. WILBURN, 403 Riverside Ave., Spokane, Wash.
Specializes on very accurate and high-grade pistol and revolver barrels of .22 and .38 caliber. Fine repair work of every description.
IDEAL MANUFACTURING CO. (Marlin Fire Arms Co., Successors), New Haven, Conn.
Reloading tools, powder measures, bullet molds, bullets, etc.
H. H. KIFFE CO., 533 Broadway, New York City.
J. P. DANNEFELSER, 19 Warren Street, New York City.
Carry a full line of smokeless powders for rifle and pistol ammunition.
(Nearly all the sporting goods dealers in the large cities carry a stock of black and smokeless powders.)
THE END
APPENDIX VI
ADDENDA AND CORRECTIONS
_Add to first paragraph page 25_:
The Colt Automatic Pistol is now supplied with the automatic grip safety in all models. This prevents the discharge of the weapon unless properly held.
_Insert before last paragraph page 29_:
The latest addition to the target arms is the Colt .22 cal. Automatic Pistol. It has a longer barrel than any other automatic pistol and is fitted with adjustable sights. It has good balance and the long distance between the sights makes excellent work at the target possible. (See Fig. 17a, facing page 32.)
_Add to first paragraph top of page 35_:
This model is supplied with an additional safety which prevents accidental discharge in the event a cartridge is left in the barrel when the magazine is withdrawn.
_Insert after Match F, page 177_:
The following new matches have been added to the annual contests of the U. S. R. A.:
MATCH G--NOVICE LIMITED RE-ENTRY MATCH.--Outdoor Event.--Open to all amateurs who have never won an important prize in our branch of sport.
Winners of honors in our National Championships, first and second place honors in our State Championships, National honors in this match, professional shooters and those who have won place in important matches other than those of the U. S. R. A. are barred.
SCORE: Twenty-five shots in five strings of five shots each.
TIME: Thirty minutes.
WEAPON AND AMMUNITION: Any allowed in Matches A and B.
PRIZES: National--As in Match A.
STATE: As in Match F.
An honor medal will be given for a score of 210 or better that wins no other prize.
ENTRANCE FEE: First entry $2. There may be four re-entries at $1.00 each. As yet we have a silver cup for only the Indoor Match.
MATCH H--REVOLVER HANDICAP.--Indoor and Outdoor Event.--Arm, any revolver within the rules for Match A. Ammunition any. Twenty-five shots in strings of five shots each. Time, thirty minutes per score. Entrance fee, $3 to paid-up members, $5 to all other persons.
The possible, 250, will be taken as a basis and a contestant allowed a handicap thought likely to be necessary to make his score in this match equal the possible. The fifty-shot and twenty-five shot revolver records of the contestants on file with the secretary will be taken as the basis of handicapping. The fifty shot records will be reduced to twenty-five shot equivalents.
PRIZES: National medals as in Match A. If the whole number of contestants in this match exceeds twenty, then state medals will also be awarded as in Match A.
A bronze honor medal will be awarded for the highest score less handicap if it wins no other prize.
Winners and Scores
Indoor Handicap Outdoor Handicap 1915--F. J. Dreher 25 I. B. Humphreys 45.5 1916--F. L. Simmonds 47.5
MATCH I--PISTOL HANDICAP.--Indoor and Outdoor Event.--Arm, Colt .22 automatic and any pistol allowed in Match B. Ammunition, any. Entrance fee, $3 to paid-up members, $5 to all other persons. Twenty-five shots in strings of five shots each. Time of score, thirty minutes.
Prizes as in Match H.
Each entrant may name his own handicap. It must be claimed and mailed in a letter bearing a post mark prior to the shooting of the match.
Scores with handicaps exceeding the possible will be penalized three points for each point of excess.
Winners and Scores
Indoor Handicap Outdoor Handicap 1915--Rich’d Henderson 75 J. H. Snook 16 1916--Stanley Runck 30
MATCH J--POLICE TEAM MATCH.--Indoor Only.--Limited to members of a uniformed police force who must furnish credentials to the effect that they have been enrolled one year or more. Five men teams.
Arm, any revolver with a barrel not more than 4½ inches long, trigger pull not less than three pounds, calibre not less than .32. Twenty shots per man. Five-shot strings. Time two minutes per string. Time to be entered on target and signed by timer. Ammunition, the full factory charge for the most powerful cartridge the arm will chamber. Entrance fee, $10 per team.
PRIZES: Medals for the members of the first three teams. Gold and silver; silver; bronze. Six or more entries required to fill the match. Entry fees refunded if “No contest.” With ten or more teams entering, silver medals emblematic of state championship honor will be awarded for three contesting teams from one state. With four or more teams from one state, silver medals will be given the first team, bronze medals the second. National medals take precedence.
Ties will be decided by the fewest shots of low count.
Winners and Scores
1915--Portland, Ore.
R. H. Craddock 162 J. H. Young 157 W. D. Humphrey 155 L. K. Evans 151 J. T. Moore 146 --- 776
1916--San Francisco, Calif.
S. Carr 165 W. R. Proll 157 J. M. Mann 157 T. J. Sullivan 143 E. C. Lange 140 --- 762
_Substitute for subject matter under U. S. Navy Target Practice Regulations, pages 204 and 205, the following_:
The new firing regulations and prescribed course of practice with the automatic pistol are as follows:[22]
Each officer or man may fire the pistol course for credits once per year while attached to each division.
The firing in the pistol course may be done at any range.
Any target may be used.
The course is as follows:
Position Slow fire Rapid fire Prone 5 shots 1 string of 5 shots Kneeling 5 shots 1 string of 5 shots Squatting 5 shots 1 string of 5 shots Standing 5 shots 1 string of 5 shots Total number of shots 20 20
Aggregate number of shots 40 Possible aggregate score 200
All men are eligible to compete for prizes in this course once per year while attached to each division.
The value of a prize in the pistol course is $1.
When scoring in the pistol courses, in order to prevent the markers from knowing the names of the individuals who are firing, the name of the firer will not be announced by the scorer, but the number of the target he fires upon will be substituted for his name.
Before automatic pistols are brought to a range, the magazines should be removed and kept removed at all times except while the pistol is in actual use at the firing point.
Under no circumstances should any one handle a pistol, loaded or unloaded, except when he is on the firing line fully abreast of the firers, and the pistol should never be pointed in any other direction than the front.
NOTES ON PISTOL PRACTICE
When a pistol is first taken in hand it should be examined to make sure that it is not loaded.
Both the front sight and the rear sighting groove should be blackened. When the pistol is aimed the front sight should be seen through the middle of the rear sighting groove and the top of the front sight should be flush with the top of the groove. The part of the target to be aimed at must be determined by practice. With most pistols at 25 yards the aim is usually taken at the bottom edge or in the bottom part of the bull’s-eye, and at 50 yards in the center or in the upper part of the bull’s-eye.
Grasp the stock of the pistol as high up as you can so that the barrel, hand, and arm are as nearly as possible in one straight line. The thumb should be extended along the upper part of the frame. The second joint of the forefinger should be on the trigger.
Start with a light grip and gradually squeeze with the whole hand, the trigger finger squeezing gradually back as the grip is tightened, and continue squeezing without a jerk until the pistol fires. Decide to call the hold and to keep the right eye open.
If the hits are bunched to one side they can be moved to the right by increasing the pressure of the thumb against the left side of the pistol or to the left by decreasing the pressure.
Snapping--that is, aiming and squeezing the trigger with the pistol not loaded--is most valuable practice. No man should load and fire until he has snapped several times to get acquainted with the trigger pull of the pistol. Expert pistol shots do a great deal of snapping instead of a great deal of firing. Steady holding can be acquired only by much snapping practice.
In the prone position the right elbow has excellent support on the ground. In the kneeling position the firer may kneel on either knee. Kneeling on the left knee affords an excellent rest on the right knee for the elbow. In the squatting position both elbows rest on the knees. In the standing position face the target squarely, or nearly so. Stand upright, not craning the head forward, and extend the arm to its full stretch.
A coach should be at each firing point. In addition to the general duties of a coach, his specific duties in pistol practice are: (1) to stand slightly behind the right side of the firer in order to prevent the pistol being pointed away from the front, (2) to see that the pistol is not loaded until the proper time, (3) to require the firer to explain the line of sight, (4) to see that the firer takes the proper position and holds the pistol properly, (5) to require the firer to snap several times and to call the hold, (6) to see that the firer loads properly, and (7) to see that the pistol is unloaded before it leaves the firer’s hands.
THE END
INDEX
INDEX
A
Accidents, 100, 107, 126, 133, 135
Accuracy of Cartridges, 39
Accuracy of Revolvers, 23, 46, 50
Accuracy of Pistols, 29
Accuracy Muzzle loading Pistols, 14
Adjusting sights, 132-133
Aiming, 127-128
Air space for dense powders, 157
Annual Matches, 97, 171-180, 197-205
Ammunition, 37-61, 182
“Any” Pistol defined, 180
“Any” Revolver defined, 180
Arms, 18-36, 182
Arguments and Controversies, 139
Artificial Light, 66, 118
Automatic Pistol, 18, 25, 26, 34, 35
Automatic Pistol defined, 19
Automatic Pistol Tests, 206
Automatic Revolver, 24
B
Balance of Arms, 125
Ballistical Table, 60-61
BB Caps, 135
Bisley, 93
Blacking Sights, 141
“Blazing away” ammunition, 138
Bore, to measure, 153-154
Bullet holes, clean cut, 50
Bullets, exact diameter of, 60, 61
Bullets, 44, 149-155
Bullets, flat pointed, 41
Bullets, hollow pointed, 42
Bullets, mantled, 44
Bullets, soft nosed or “dum-dum,” 55
Bullets, self-lubricating, 52
Bullets, weight of, 60, 61
Bullets stuck in barrels, 134
C
Care in handling arms, 107, 126, 127, 135
Carlin-Reynolds tests, 74-75
Carrying arms, 105
Cartridges, automatic pistol, 54-58
Cartridges, center fire, 43-61
Cartridges, rim fire, 39, 43, 60
Championship matches, 171-180, 197-205
Charges, 60-61
Cheap arms to be avoided, 122
Classification of arms, 180
Cleaning and care of arms, 143-146, 181
Cleaning fluids, 144
Clubs and Ranges, 111-121
Coaching, 132
Colt, Colonel, 14
Competing in matches, 138-143
Confinement of powder, 158
Corrosion, 145-146
Cowboy shooting, 137
Crimping shells, 39
D
Disputes, 139
Disqualification, 139
Double actions, 126
Drawing arms, 136
Duelling, 14
“Dum-dum” bullets, 55
E
Equipment and paraphernalia, 140-146
Exhibition shooting, 18, 31
Exact diameter of bullets, 60-61
F
Finish of arms, 124
Firing, 128-132, 181
First Pistols, 13
First Revolver, 14
Fit of arms, 121
Fit of bullets, 155
“Flinching,” 26, 110, 125
Fluids, cleaning, 144
Fluxing lead, 150
Fouling, 37, 52, 54
Franco-American matches, 79-83
“Freak arms,” 31
G
Gallery charges, 47-51
Gallery ranges, 116-121
“Gas cutting,” 153
Gould, A. C., 72
“Grained gunpowder,” 13
Grand aggregate medals, 171
“Gun men,” 137
Gunsmithing, 213
H
Handles or stocks, 123-124
Hardening bullets, 154
Hat for shooting, 141
Hints for beginners, 122-146
Holding position, 131
Holster weapons, 23
Hunting charges, 42, 55
I
International matches, 79-85
Indoor Revolver championship, 178
Indoor Pistol championship, 179
Indoor Pocket Revolver championship, 179
Indoor Novice match, 180
Instructions to Officers in charge of U. S. R. A. championship contests, 187
K
Keeping records, 138
L
Ladies’ clubs, 109
Ladies, pistol shooting for, 107-110
Large calibers, 32, 35, 90, 92
Leading of barrel, 134
League, U. S. R. A., 97
Lesmok Powder, 156
Long range shooting, 94-95
Lubricant, 155
Lubricating bullets, 154, 155
M
Manipulation, 126-128
Mantled bullets, 44
Marking, 114-116, 183
Match shooting, 139
Matches and Competitions, 96-98, 138-143, 171-180
Measuring powder, 161, 162
Metal cased bullets, 44
Methods and Customs in conducting U. S. Revolver Association competitions, 184
Military arms, 20-26
Military arms, requirements of, 20, 21, 55, 56, 181
Military championship match, 175
Military record match, 174
Military revolver team match, 175
Misfires, .22-cal., 134
Moulding bullets, 149-155
Muzzle loading Pistol, 13
Muzzle velocities, 58, 60, 61
Muzzle energy, 60, 61
N
National Guard revolver practice, 204
National organizations, 31
National pistol match, 107-199
National Rifle Association, 97
Night shooting, 65-66
Novice Re-entry match, 180
O
Oils, 145
Olympic Games Matches, 83-85
Opening mouth of shells, 161
Organized Militia target practice, 204
Outside lubrication, 41
P
Paine-Bennett match, 73
Paine sights, 63
Patridge sight, 63
Penetration, 60-61
Physical condition important, 143
Pistol championship match, 172, 179
Pistols, 27-29
Pistol, definition of, 18-19
Pistol muzzle loading, 13
Pistol shooting for ladies, 107-110
Pocket arms, 31-35, 181
Pocket Revolver championship match, 176, 179
Police, Revolver practice for, 99-106
Position, 127-128, 182
Possibles, 92
Powders, 37, 155-159
Powder charges, 60-61
Powder measures, 161
Practice shooting, 94-98
Practical shooting, 136-137
Primer difficulty, 42
Primers, 147
Proportion of charges, 38
Protection from rust, 145-146
Protests, 139, 183
Pulling the trigger, 129-130
Pull of trigger, 133
Q
Qualifications for shooting, 16
Quick drawing of weapons, 135
R
Rapidity of fire in automatic pistols, 25
Rapid fire shooting, 126, 142
Ranges, 111-121
Range officers, 139
Records, 77, 184, 191-196
Record, definition of, 76
Reduced charges, 60, 61, 163, 165
Reloading ammunition, 147-166, 213
Repairs, 215
Revolver championship match, 170, 178
Revolver practice, 94-98
Revolver practice for the police, 99-106, 132-138
Revolver, definition of, 18
Rim fire cartridges, 39-43, 60
Round bullets, 164
Rule to correct sights, 132
Rules, shooting, 106, 120, 121, 127
Rules and Regulations of the U. S. Revolver Association, 180-191
Rust, 42, 145, 146
S
Score, defined, 86
Scoring, 92, 183
Second-hand arms, 122
Selecting arms, 122-123
Self-lubricating bullets, 52
Shells, 148, 149, 160
Shelter for contestants, 112
Shooting matches, 139, 171-180
Shooting equipment and paraphernalia, 140-146
Shooting position, 67-69
Shooting rules, 106, 120, 121
Sights, 21, 59, 62, 67, 132, 133, 141, 182
Sizing bullets, 154-155
Small bullseyes undesirable, 93
Smokeless charges, 60-61
Smokeless powder, 156-159
Spectacles, 141
Splatter of bullets, 118
Sport of pistol shooting, 15
Spotting, 115
Squadded competitions, 141
Standard American target, 86
Stopping power, 20, 57
Strain in match shooting, 139
Supervision, 183
Supplies, 213
T
Targets, 86-93, 183
Target arms, 26-31
Target, definition of, 86
Target practice, 94-98, 102-104, 132-138
Target shooting, 70-85
Tests, 74-75, 206-212
Ties, 183
Timing, 181
Tin for bullets, 150
Training, 143
Trick shooting, 18
Trigger pull, 124-125, 182
“Trolleys,” 116
U
United States Army Medals, 199
United States Army regulation practice, 200-203
United States Army Pistol target, 91
United States Navy regulation practice, 204
United States Revolver Association, 78-79, 167-191
U. S. R. A. _Bulletin_, 167
" " Constitution, 168
" " League Contest, 167, 189-191
V
Ventilation, 120
W
War Department Tests of Automatic Pistols, 206-212
Weather conditions, 141-142
Winan’s trophy, 76
Wind, 141, 142
Winners and scores in past championship matches, 171-180
Wrong ammunition, 133
FOOTNOTES:
[1] The first pistols of which there is any authentic information were made about 1540 by one Caminelleo Vitelli at Pistoia, Italy, from which place the arm took its name.
[2] For a detailed history of the evolution of the pistol and revolver, the reader is referred to “Text-book for Officers at Schools of Musketry,” Longman & Co., London; “Kriegstechnische Zeitschrift,” Heft I and II, 1901, Mittler & Sohn, Berlin; “The Modern American Pistol and Revolver,” Bradlee Whidden, Boston. Many interesting specimens of ancient and modern pistols and revolvers are owned and exhibited by the United States Cartridge Company of Lowell, Mass.
[3] See Ordnance Reports, Department of War, Washington, D. C., for complete details of tests, etc.
[4] See Appendix for digest of these tests.
[5] The United States Revolver Association, The National Rifle Association of Great Britain, and the United Shooting Societies of France. For programmes and details, address the secretaries of the respective organizations.
[6] For descriptions and illustrations of this style of shooting, see “The Art of Revolver Shooting,” by Walter Winans (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York and London). This elaborate work contains also much detailed information, valuable suggestions, and many interesting personal experiences in relation to revolver shooting.
[7] The difficulty is probably caused by the priming composition used at the present time in smokeless rim-fire ammunition. These compositions vary with different manufacturers, but most of them contain fulminate of mercury, chlorate of potash, powdered glass, etc. The trouble is probably caused principally by the chlorate of potash and perhaps by the fulminate of mercury. At any rate, a corrosive residue is left which attacks the barrel and causes it to rust. A priming composition free from deleterious substances, and which will not leave a corrosive residue, is urgently needed for both rim-fire and center-fire ammunition.
[8] So named after its adoption as the service ammunition of the Russian cavalry.
[9] California Powder Works. This brand of powder is not retailed to small consumers.
[10] Sold by American Specialty Co., 198 Fifth Avenue, New York City.
[11] See “The Modern American Pistol and Revolver,” by A. C. Gould (Bradlee Whidden, Publisher, Boston, Mass.).
[12] See Appendix for Constitution, Annual Matches, Rules and Regulations, etc.
[13] The position of a shot accurately indicated by a marker from a pit or safe place near the target. A disc of sufficient size to be seen easily from the firing point attached to the end of a pole is used for this purpose, the marker placing the disc over the shot hole for a few seconds immediately after each shot is fired.
[14] For a complete detailed description of range construction, including illustrations, practical working drawings, etc., the reader is referred to “Rifle Range Construction,” published by the E. I. du Pont Powder Company, Rifle Smokeless Division, Wilmington, Del.
[15] See Appendix.
[16] Under this subject the author aims to give helpful practical information and advice for the benefit of all who wish to acquire skill in pistol and revolver shooting.
[17] The Ideal Manufacturing Company (Marlin Firearms Co., successors) of New Haven, Conn., publishes a handbook containing full information in regard to moulding bullets, reloading ammunition, tables, and other useful information relating to shooting.
[18] See Gunsmithing, Repairs, etc., in the Appendix.
[19] In 1900 and 1901 the military target with a 4x5-inch elliptical bull’s-eye was used. The bull’s-eye counted 5 and the possible was 375. Since then the Standard American target with the 8-inch bull’s-eye has been used. Prior to 1904 twenty-five shots were fired at each of three ranges--25, 50, and 75 yards. That year the other ranges were discontinued and the 75 shots have since been fired at 50 yards only.
[20] Penalized best shot in this string for over time.
[21] The tests for revolvers were similar, with suitable slight modifications.
[22] Reproduced from “Small Arms Firing Regulation U. S. Navy, 1917.”
Transcriber's Notes:
Passages in italics are indicated by _italics_.
Superscripted characters are indicated by {superscript}.