108 MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OmCERS. 



close order except in the hands of exceptionally skilled shots, 

 and the effectiveness rapidly decreases at ranges over 5 to 10 

 yards. These limitations on the use of the pistol are due not 

 to its short range as a weapon but to the difficulties of direct- 

 ing it accurately under the conditions of use. While the pistol 

 is a weapon employing fire action, its tactical employment is 

 more nearly analogous to that of either the saber or bayonet 

 than to that of the rifle. 



158. From the preceding paragraph it results that there is 

 no need, in connection with the employment of the pistol as a 

 weapon of mounted combat, for commands that purport to 

 designate a target or to indicate range or other details for the 

 direction of fire. The only commands ordinarily needed are 

 those required for instruction purposes. (See Small-Arms 

 Firing Manual.) 



159. The effectiveness of the individual trooper in mounted 

 pistol combat depends upon: 



(a) Thorough familiarity with the weapon and facility in 

 manipulating its mechanism under all conditions. This is 

 acquired by training in the Manual of the Pistol. Constant 

 practice is necessary in rapidly drawing the pistol from its 

 holster, loading it, withdrawing magazine, and inserting mag- 

 azine, at first at a halt, later in motion, and finally at rapid 

 gaits. 



(&) Skill in firing the pistol. This is acquired by actual 

 practice in the preliminary exercises and range firing as pre- 

 scribed in the Small-Arms Firing Manual. 



(c) Control of the horse. This is acquired in the School of 

 the Trooper. 



(d) The thorough inculcation in the trooper of the habit of 

 withliolding his fire until loithin close range. This can well 

 be accomplished in individual training by exercises in firing or 

 simulating fire at one or more silhouette targets. The trooper 

 approaches at a gait graduated in accordance with his state 

 of training and is required to withhold his fire until he passes 

 a certain line. 



160. The other elements that enter into effective use of the 

 pistol as a mounted weapon relate to the formations and tac- 

 tics employed rather than to individual training. They per- 

 tain, therefore, to collective rather than individual instruction. 



