Figure 3-54.--Gripping the pistol (one hand).
exaggerated half left face (about 50 degrees). Spread
your feet about shoulder width apart until you stand
comfortably. Your legs should be straight, but not stiff,
and your hips should be level. Extend the index finger
of your shooting hand and point it at the target. Adjust
your stance until your finger points naturally, without
muscle tension, at the center of the target. Pick the
pistol up with your other hand and place it in your
shooting hand. The mainspring housing should rest
firmly in your palm with the grip safety pressed into
Figure 3-55.--Standing position (pistol), two-handed grip.
the Y, formed between the thumb and forefinger. Hold
your hand as high as possible on the receiver without
STANDING
POSITION
TWO-HANDED
squeezing the flesh between the hammer and grip
GRIP.-- In this position (fig. 3-55), you face the
safety.
target squarely with your feet placed comfortably about
Grip the receiver firmly with the hand and fingers.
shoulder width apart. Keep your legs straight without
Wrap the three lower fingers around the receiver, and
stiffness and your hips level and slightly forward.
place the trigger finger inside the trigger guard. Hold
Relax the muscles of your diaphragm, and make no
your thumb up and along the side of the pistol with
effort to hold in your abdomen.
enough pressure to steady the pistol and to equalize
any pressure from the other side by the palm and
Grasp the pistol in the same manner as if you were
forefinger (fig. 3-54). Once a firm grip is obtained,
firing one-handed. Next, with your free hand extended
maintaining the same degree of firmness throughout
forward, palm up, place the butt of the weapon into
firing is important. A change in your grip will change
your extended palm. Place the little finger of your
the location of the shot group on the target. A tight grip
shooting hand between the index and middle finger of
tends to cause the bullet to strike low and a loose grip
your other hand. The thumb of your free hand is
to strike high. Keep your trigger finger away from the
straight up alongside the pistol grip with the thumb of
receiver.
your shooting hand locked over the top of the other
With a proper grip on the pistol, the muscles of
thumb. Bring the last three fingers of your other hand
your arm should be firm, but not rigid. Your arm
up and over the back of your shooting hand, locking
should be straight with your wrist and elbow locked.
the weapon firmly in both hands (fig. 3-56). Bring the
This will prevent excessive up-and-down movement of
weapon onto the center of the target by shifting your
the weapon. When the weapon is fired, the recoil will
feet.
be absorbed through the arm to the shoulder. If you are
MISCELLANEOUS.-- In both the one-handed
in the correct position, the pistol will return to
and two-handed positions, you position your head so that
approximately the same sight picture after each shot.
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