MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 247 



(g) Do not point the weapon in any direction where an acci- 

 dental discharge might do harm. 



(/i) After loading do not coclx tlie revolver or unlock the 

 pistol until ready to fire. 



(?) Keep the working parts properly lubricated. 



136. Position, dismounted: Stand firmly on both feet, body 

 perfectly balanced and erect and turned at such an angle as is 

 most comfortable when the arm is extended toward the target ; 

 the feet far enough apart to insure firmness and steadiness of 

 position (about 8 to 10 inches) ;* weight of body borne equally 

 upon both feet; right arm fully extended, left arm hanging 

 naturally. 



Remarks. — The right arm may be slightly bent, although the 

 difficulty of holding the pistol uniformly and of keeping it as 

 well as the forearm in the same vertical plane makes this 

 objectionable. 



137. The grip: Grasp the stock as high as possible with the 

 thumb and last three fingers, the forefinger alongside the trig- 

 ger guard, the thumb extended along the stock. The barrel, 

 liand, and forearm should be as nearly in one line as possible 

 when the weapon is pointed toward the target. The grasp 

 should not be so tight as to cause tremors of the hand or arm 

 to be communicated to the weapon, but should be firm enough 

 to avoid losing the grip when the recoil takes place. 



Remarks. — The force of recoil of the pistol or revolver is 

 exerted in a line above the hand which grasps the stock. The 

 lower the stock is grasped the greater will be the movement or 

 " jump " of the muzzle caused by the recoil. This not only 

 results in a severe strain upon the wrist but in loss of 

 accuracy. 



If the hand be placed so that the grasp is on one side of the 

 stock, the recoil will cause a rotary movement of the weapon 

 toward the opposite side. 



The releasing of the sear causes a slight movement of the 

 muzzle, generally to the left. The position of the thumb along 

 the stock overcomes much of this movement. The soldier 

 should be encouraged to practice this method of holding until 

 it becomes natural. 



To do uniform shooting the weapon must be held with 

 exactly the same grip for each shot. Not only must the hand 



