KEY POINTS IN NRA'S "FIRST STEPS PISTOL" COURSE =============================================== FIRST == Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training TRAINING AIDS NEEDED FOR THE ENTIRE COURSE: * Pistol and manual, normally supplied by shooter(s) * Appropriate dummy ammunition, empty cartridge box and fired case * NRA Training Course Student Registration Card(s) * The Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook(s) == BPSH * NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure(s) * NRA Basic Firearm Training Program brochure, * NRA Member Guide and NRA membership application. * Range session: ear and eye protection, blank targets, bench and benchrest, sandbags, chair, small screwdriver (for sight adjustments) Do NOT wear your best shoes and/or clothes! Women should wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts. Bring mosquito-repellant in spring and summer! * Gun-cleaning equipment * Lockable gun case/box BUREAUCRATIC DETAILS 1. Registration: Please complete the Course Registration. 2. Welcome: Introduce yourself and welcome participant(s) to the course. 3. Goal: To provide you with an INTRODUCTION to the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to own and use your specific pistol model safely. (Mostly about YOUR PARTICULAR firearm model(s), but I'll occasionally mention or discuss the "other" kinds (revolver/semi-automatic/ single-action/muzzle loading) where it seems important.) 4. Schedule: about 2+ sit-down hours and 1+ hour on the range 5. Special considerations: Brief rest breaks about every hour or as needed 6. Facilities: Location of rest room, kitchen (water), telephone, first-aid kit, fire exits, alarm, extinguishers, etc. 7. Firearms: MUST be unloaded (verify this with participant) 8. Ammunition: Generally, NO live ammunition is allowed in the classroom! 9. Gun fit: Check gun fit relative to the size/strength of participant, who should be able to hold it securely and comfortably, position it correctly, and reach and operate its parts safely and properly. 10. Distribute THE BASICS OF PISTOL SHOOTING handbook (BPSH). a. BPSH will be used during the course and you can use it afterwards as a reference to review the material covered in class. b. The handbook contains much more information than we can cover during this short course. c. The handbook is not a substitute for either hands-on or full training. (SET AN ALARM CLOCK FOR AN HOUR FROM NOW TO SIGNAL A REST BREAK!) Although "weapon" is the legal term, that word encompasses MORE than handguns (even more than guns! think knives, baseball bats, etc.), so we'll say "pistol" or "handgun" (or "gun" or "firearm" when talking more generally). Four "lessons" (they will NOT be presented totally in this order): Introduction to: 1) Safety, Pistols, and Operation (about 45 minutes) 2) Ammunition and Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting (45 minutes) 3) Pistol Shooting from the Benchrest Position (60 minutes) 4) Pistol Cleaning, Storage, and Further Training (30 minutes) ------------ cut here ------------ cut here ------------ cut here ------------ PAGE (in "The Basics of PISTOL SHOOTING" book) ---- 21. SAFETY: First, Last, and ALWAYS! The major causes of gun accidents are IGNORANCE and CARELESSNESS BEFORE we can discuss safety rules, you've got to know a LITTLE about a pistol: * BARREL -------- The long, thin, part that points AWAY from the shooter * MUZZLE -------- The end from whence the bullet exits * TRIGGER GUARD - protects/surrounds the trigger, etc. * TRIGGER-------- when pulled, SHOULD cause the gun to fire (if it is loaded) THREE MOST-IMPORTANT SAFETY RULES: 1) ALWAYS keep the MUZZLE pointed in a safe direction What are "safe direction(s)" HERE? 2) ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Where SHOULD the trigger finger be when not on the trigger? 3) ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use But a CC Handgun is "ready to use" when you strap it on So how does one unload a gun? 23. OTHER safety rules (there are a gazillion, and every organization puts them in a different order) 4) Treat every gun as if it were loaded. (Many organizations put this rule first, but I think it is USELESS because it doesn't suggest WHAT TO DO (or what NOT to do)! For example, someone might know this rule and still look into the muzzle while thinking "I wonder if I can see the bullet"! 5) Know your target and what is beyond Local hunter who shot at a deer atop a hill -- and missed! Backstop 6) Know (don't guess or experiment) how to use the gun safely: The "safety" may break, so do NOT trust it alone. Have a manual OR GET ONE. (Often for FREE) Then read it. Often! Know how to UNload and "make safe" (especially semi-automatics) If you don't KNOW, then find someone who DOES know. 7) Be sure the gun is safe to operate. They DO need occasional cleaning and MAY need repair. If in doubt, ask a gunsmith. 8) Use only the correct ammunition for your gun. The correct ammunition should be noted * ON THE GUN (maybe, if it is new enough) * ON THE CARTRIDGE BOX, and * ON THE CARTRIDGE BASE (maybe, if the base is big enough) 9) Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate. Noise WILL damage hearing. (NRA salute: Cup hand behind ear, say "Eh?"} Debris and hot gases can damage eyes (revolvers & "ported" guns can be more prone to this problem) Pieces of bullets CAN bounce back from the target. 10) Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting. 24. 10) Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons ESPECIALLY kids! Kansas Courts believe in "strict liability at the highest level" Gun cabinets, safes, hard & soft cases, trigger locks, flags, etc. Store ammunition SEPARATELY from firearms. (Ref: Wood v. Groh) 25. OTHER SAFETY SUGGESTIONS * Barrel obstructions (dirt, wasp nests, etc.) * Carry only ONE physical-size of ammunition at a time * Would you hand a "loaded" mousetrap to someone? * What might happen if you drop a cartridge on the ground? 26. * Do NOT fire at hard surfaces or flat water (think "ricochet") * Know maximum range of your ammunition * Never rush a shot * Do NOT load a cartridge directly into the chamber of a semi-automatic * Beware of fatigue * Always comply with all range regulations (CEASE FIRE being one of them) * Always comply with all federal, state, and local firearm laws 27. Special responsibilities for parents NRA "Eddie Eagle" program teaches kids age pre-kindergarten thru ??? Catchy jingle/rap: "If you see a gun: STOP! DON'T TOUCH. LEAVE THE AREA. TELL AN ADULT. Range safety. Range officer - THE ONE person in charge of the range But ANYONE who sees an unsafe situation can call "CEASE FIRE!" 28. Common range commands: SHOOTERS TO THE FIRING LINE (with hearing & eye protection) LOAD COMMENCE FIRING CEASE FIRE (ANYone can holler this if see an emergency situation) Other possible range commands: UNLOAD CYLINDERS OPEN (obviously for revolvers) MAGAZINES OUT (obviously for semi-autos) SLIDES BACK ( " " " " ) GUNS ON THE BENCH (or GROUND YOUR GUNS) PISTOL PARTS AND OPERATION -------------------------- PAGES 1-4 for REVOLVERS, 4-7 for SEMI-AUTOS There are three KINDS/TYPES of pistols [use lots of visual aids] * Muzzle loading - we'll NOT discuss further * REVOLVER - Basic operation (more details later) * SELF-LOADING - SEMI-AUTOMATIC (commonly called "semi-auto") - FULLY-AUTOMATIC (i.e., a "machine pistol") - Basic operation (more details later) They all have three major components: * FRAME - backbone which holds everything else together * BARREL - long, thin, usually-cylindrical part * ACTION - moving parts used to load, fire, and unload the firearm More about the BARREL: * MUZZLE - the end from whence the bullet exits * FRONT SIGHT - atop revolver barrel or semi-auto slide near the muzzle * BORE - the hole down the center of the barrel * CROWN - the little depression around the BORE which protects the edge * RIFLING - the grooves on the inside surface of the bore; - spiraling makes bullets spin (think "football pass") * LANDS - the flat spaces between grooves; - distance between LANDS across the BORE => CALIBER - CAL/KALiber measured in 100ths of an inch: .22, .50, etc. or in millimeters: 7.62mm 7.62 mm == 0.30 inch More about the FRAME: * GRIP - with grip panels (wood, rubber, molded plastic) * BACKSTRAP - rear vertical portion between grip panels * FRONTSTRAP - front vertical portion * REAR SIGHT - atop the frame (or slide) near the rear of the gun More about the ACTION: * HAMMER - may be inside the gun ("hammerless") * HAMMER SPUR - thumb-hold * FIRING PIN - may be part of hammer or separate * TRIGGER GUARD - protects the trigger from branches, etc. * TRIGGER - causes the gun to fire (if all is in place) * SINGLE ACTION - pulling trigger ONLY releases the hammer - cocking (defined later) the hammer is a separate job - visualize cowboys "fanning" their gun * DOUBLE ACTION - pulling trigger cocks AND fires the gun - also rotates a revolver's cylinder but still called D.A. - Most DA's can also be hand-cocked * D.A. ONLY - the hammer canNOT be manually cocked * CHAMBER - place where a cartridge lies at firing time - slightly-enlarged rear end of barrel for a semi-auto - top hole in cylinder for a revolver * CYLINDER - revolver only - holds cartridges before firing - usually several chambers (5 or 6 common, 9 for some .22's) - holds cases after firing * CYLINDER RELEASE LATCH - revolver only - releases cylinder to swing out for loading and unloading - revolver IS SAFE when the cylinder is out! * EJECTOR/EJECTOR ROD/EXTRACTOR - revolver only - helps remove cartridges and/or fired cases from cylinder * SAFETY - semi-auto only - mechanical device to reduce chance of accidental discharge - CAN FAIL (Ref: my BB gun demonstration) * MAGAZINE - holds cartridges before firing - spring-loaded (called a "clip" if doesn't have a spring) * M. RELEASE - device that releases the magazine so it can be removed * SLIDE - gizmo which moves relative to the barrel - recoil or gas pressure from firing causes it to move - on rearward stroke, ejects fired case - and (usually; not in D.A.ONLY) cocks the hammer - on forward stroke, moves cartridge from magazine into chamber - locks into place ("battery") prior to next cartridge firing * SLIDE STOP/SLIDE LOCK/SLIDE RELEASE - semi-auto only - causes slide to remain open after last cartridge is fired * SPEED LOADER - a revolver accessory which holds multiple cartridges in the proper relationship for inserting them into the cylinder ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Some DEFINITIONS we'll need later: * COCKING - the act of placing the hammer or internal firing mechanism under spring tension to prepare it to strike the firing pin and fire the gun * UNCOCK - relaxing the spring tension on the hammer or internal firing mechanism so that it is not in a position to strike the firing pin and fire the gun Note that SOME guns can NOT be cocked and SOME can NOT be UNCOCKED! Revolvers MUST be unCOCKED before they can be unLOADED, but semi-autos MUST be unLOADED before they can be unCOCKED (unless they have a "decocker") AMMUNITION ---------- PAGE 11. Pistols and rifles shoot a CARTRIDGE - also often called a ROUND - even more commonly (but ERRONEOUSLY) called a "bullet" as in "I loaded 6 bullets into my gun" CARTRIDGEs are composed of four parts: * CASE - holds everything together - usually brass or nickel-plated brass (both are reloadable) - have seen steel and aluminum (NOT reloadable) * BULLET - projectile which leaves via the muzzle - usually made of lead - may be totally or partially covered with copper - if LOTS in one case, then called "shot" (think "shotgun") * POWDER - fast-burning chemical makes gas to push bullet out the muzzle - blackpowder EXPLODES, but - smokeless powder just burns VERY FAST (there IS a difference!) * PRIMER - impact-sensitive (think "end of 'strike-anywhere' match") - converts action of firing pin into heat/fire * RIMFIRE - primer is inside the rim of the base of the case vs. * CENTERFIRE - in a small metal "cup" in center of the case's base A round containing NO powder and NO primer is called a DUMMY ROUND. Such rounds should LOOK DIFFERENT! (generally orange in color) 12. Firing sequence * Trigger is pulled (this may also cock the hammer) * Releases hammer * Hammer strikes (or is part of) the firing pin * Firing pin impacts primer * Primer ignites the powder * Powder burns rapidly to produce a high volume of gas * Gas pushes bullet (or shot) out of case * and down the bore * and out the muzzle * at a high rate of speed (about the speed of sound for a .22 caliber cartridge, twice that for an "assault rifle", about three times that for an ordinary "deer rifle", and maybe even more for the .17 caliber) The damage caused by a bullet hitting something is a function of bullet * SPEED - actually, the SQUARE of the velocity! * SIZE - a bigger bullet obviously makes a bigger ENTRANCE hole * WEIGHT - measured in "grains", where 7000 grains make one pound * CONSTRUCTION - broad-nose and "expanding" bullets (think "hollow point") make bigger EXIT holes -- or may not exit at all! * SHOW my demo chunk of wood As noted earlier, the correct ammunition should be found * ON THE GUN (if it is new enough) * ON THE CARTRIDGE BOX, and * ON THE CARTRIDGE BASE, i.e., a "headstamp" (if it is big enough) SOME cartridges are loaded to produce a higher-than-normal gas pressure, and the boxes for these cartridges will carry a special designation: "+P" (aloud: "Plus P") or "+P+" (aloud: "Plus P Plus") and this designation may even be stamped on the cartridge base. Such cartridges should be used ONLY in firearms designed for higher pressures! Check your gun manual BEFORE firing these more-powerful rounds in your gun! 14. POPULAR PISTOL CARTRIDGES .17 - .22(plinking) - .380/.38Sp/.357/9mm(concealed carry) - .40 - .45 (and even bigger in some single-shot pistols) 17. CARE AND STORAGE OF AMMUNITION * Keep in original/factory box/carton * Store where UNauthorized persons (especially kids) can't get to them * Store SEPARATELY from firearms (Wood v. Groh again) * Store where temperature and humidity are relatively constant * World War I ammunition is still often fired, so it can last a LONG time * Do NOT store where very high temperatures may occur (such as in an attic or in the trunk of a car) * Do NOT submerge in water (although military ammo is often sealed against short-dunkings) * Do NOT expose to solvents, petroleum products (INCLUDING gun oil!), bore cleaner, ammonia, or other chemicals (reloaders often use a single drop of oil to DEactivate a primer when the need arises) Ammunition can fail: * SQUIB load - cartridge produces less-than-normal pressure or velocity - sounds more like "phhft" instead of a loud BANG! - bullet MAY NOT exit the barrel (What happens when the NEXT cartridge is fired?) - unload the firearm - ensure the bullet is NOT in the barrel or chamber * MISfire - cartridge FAILS to fire at all * HANGfire - cartridge firing is DELAYED HOW can one tell the difference between a MISfire and a HANGfire? VERY CAREFULLY: 1) Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction 2) Wait AT LEAST 30 seconds 3) If hasn't fired yet, pray it was a MISfire! 4) Unload CAREFULLY 33. Operating a pistol: LOAD SINGLE-ACTION REVOLVER COCK (where applicable) DOUBLE-ACTION REVOLVER SHOOT (or change mind) UNcock (where applicable) SEMI-AUTOMATIC UNload MUZZLE-LOADER SHOOTING FUNDAMENTALS --------------------- 57. DOMINANT EYE: define/describe: * What it is (the eye which does the most work) * Why it is important to use it for aiming * How to determine one's dominant eye * Books method: make hole, look at something, bring hands to face * Make hole, LOOK AT THIS EYE (point to one of my eyes), tell them * Hold one finger vertically at arm's length between you and something (clock on wall, bird on fence, etc.) that is at some distance, blink eyes oppositely, decide which eye is doing the work * What to do if it is not OBVIOUS * What to do if it is NOT on the same side as your dominate HAND? * Use BOTH eyes when aiming * Depth perception is better * "Squinching" is abnormal and tenses some body muscles 58. FUNDAMENTALS OF TAKING AN ACTUAL SHOT * Position ("stance": Isosceles, Weaver, Modified Weaver, etc.) 59. * Grip (Where should the trigger finger be NOW?) 60. * Breath control * Breathe normally * Take a slightly-bigger breath * Let it out about halfway * Hold it * Finish the following (sight alignment/picture, squeeze, follow). This should take only 2-3 seconds, but if you can NOT "finish" before your lungs say you need air or before your heart starts pounding, relax your trigger finger and start over from the top * Resume breathing normally 63. * SIGHTS * Open (U, V, post, etc.) * Peep (aperture) * Optical (telescopic) * Electronic (red dot) * Laser (projects a dot ONTO THE TARGET) * Adjusting the sights (if possible) 60. * Sight ALIGNMENT vs. sight PICTURE (use DEMO sights from white gun) BOTH eyes should be OPEN! (Do NOT squint with one eye!) 64. * Trigger SQUEEZE - NOT a jerk - Use the PAD of your trigger finger, NOT the joint - Be surprised! 65. * Follow through - give the bullet time to leave the barrel * Try to "call" the shot (i.e., tell where it went without looking) The TWO MOST-IMPORTANT fundamentals in shooting are sight alignment/picture and trigger squeeze, and the other four fundamentals combine to assist in achieving proper sighting and trigger squeezing. ---------- cut here ---------- cut here ---------- cut here ---------- This page was last modified on Saturday, 14 November 2009.