HANTTAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 107 



154. The hammer is always lowered preparatory to placing 



the pistol in the arm rack or other place of deposit. 



155. Being at raise pistol, to lower the hammer: 



(a) Using both hands: Push down the safety lock; assume 

 the position of load ; seat the right thumb firmly on the ham- 

 mer and hold it there; raise the left hand to the right and 

 press the grip safety with the left thumb ; insert the fore- 

 finger inside the trigger guard ; press the trigger and carefully 

 let the hammer down with the right thumb. Resume raise 

 pistol. 



(&) ITsing but one hand: Raise the right hand until the 

 muzzle of the pistol is well above the head ; disengage the 

 safety lock ; seat the ball of the right thumb firmly on the 

 hammer ; bear down the gi'ip safety by pressure on the ham- 

 mer ; press the trigger and carefully let down the hammer 

 with the right thumb. 



156. To charge the magazine: Hold the magazine in the left 

 hand, open end up, rounded side to the right. Take the car- 

 tridge in the right hand, tliumb on the rim, bullet end pointing 

 to the right ; place the rim on the end of the magazine fol- 

 lower ; force down the magazine spring and slip the cartridge 

 to the left of the magazine. The next cartridge is similarly 

 slipped in by placing it on the cartridge just inserted and 

 forcing down the spring. 



The magazine may be charged with any number of cartridges 

 from one to seven. ^ 



Before dismissing the squad, pistols will be inspected, and 

 if found loaded, will be unloaded and magazines withdrawn 

 to prevent loaded or partially loaded magazines being left in 

 the pistol. Except at target practice, on guard duty, or active 

 service, the pistol is habitually carried unloaded with empty 

 magazine. 



EMPLOYMENT OF THE PISTOL. 



157. The pistol is primarily a weapon for use at very close 

 range. Its characteristic employment by cavalry is in mounted 

 firing, from a horse moving at a rapid gait. Under such con- 

 ditions its effectiveness is almost negligible at ranges over 25 

 yards against individuals or over 50 yards against a line In 



