Handgun fundamentals and safety training ii

CIVILIAN CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUN FUNDAMENTALS AND SAFETY

Randy Stensaas Professional Training/Instruction

INTRODUCTIONRandy Stensaas Professional Training/Instruction is

proud to offer this basic course in handgun fundamental and safety. This handbook and power point presentation is designed to assist you in covering the material presented in the class and to be a useful reference in the future.

We hope you find this class beneficial and enjoyable. Good luck and safe shooting.

Randy Stensaas Handgun Fundamentals and Safety

The Wyoming concealed carry law is under WY Statue; 6-8-104 (b) (c) (g)

It is from this law that you get your authority to carry a weapon concealed in this state and states that recognize WY law.


Wyoming state law concealed carry

1. What are the qualifications for obtaining a concealed firearm permit? Any Wyoming resident who has satisfied the requirements of W.S. § 6-8-104 (b) (c) and (g), may obtain a permit.

2. How do I apply for a permit? Application forms can be obtained at any

Wyoming sheriff's office. Upon completion, the application MUST be submitted to the sheriff's office in your Wyoming County of residence.

3. How much does a permit cost? W.S. § 6-8-104(e) in pertinent part

provides that a nonrefundable permit fee of $50.00 if not previously issued (new) or a nonrefundable permit fee of $50.00 for renewal of a permit. A new permit application must also include $24 for fingerprint processing fees charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Therefore, the total cost for a new permit will be $74.00. Local Sheriff Offices may also charge a fee for fingerprinting the applicant ranging from $5.00 to $15.00.

4. How long is the permit valid? 5 years from the date of issue.


Frequently Asked Questions

5. Where is my permit not valid for purposes of carrying a concealed firearm? No permit issued pursuant to Wyoming law or any permit issued from any other state shall authorize any person to carry a concealed firearm into:

* Any facility used primarily for law enforcement operations or administration without the written consent of the chief administrator;

* Any detention facility, prison or jail; * Any courtroom, except that nothing in this section shall preclude a

judge from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry a concealed weapon in the courtroom;

* Any meeting of a governmental entity;



* Any meeting of the legislature or a committee thereof; * Any school, college or professional athletic event not related to

firearms; *Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic liquor

and malt beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to that purpose;

* Any place where persons are assembled for public worship, without the written consent of the chief administrator of that place;

* Any elementary or secondary school facility; * Any college or university facility without the written consent of the

security service of the college or university; or * Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law

or regulation or state law.



6. How long does it take to obtain a permit? Approximately 90 days.

7. Can my permit be revoked? Yes. A permit shall be revoked if

the permittee becomes ineligible to be issued a permit under W.S. § 6-8-104, or for any conviction of any offense involving a controlled substance, alcohol abuse while carrying a concealed weapon or any crime of violence or a plea of no contest to any of these crimes.

8. What states recognize Wyoming concealed firearms permits? State firearms laws and agreements are subject to frequent change and court interpretations. Persons should always verify their permit status before traveling to another state. Most of these states have web pages dedicated to this subject.



9. If I am from out of state, is my concealed firearms permit recognized in Wyoming? The Wyoming concealed firearm permit statute provides that Wyoming will honor permits from other states, and issue Wyoming permits to holders of permits from other states, if:

1. the other state recognizes Wyoming permits; and 2. the permit from the other state is valid statewide. Under current law, if you are a permit holder from another state, if your permit is valid

statewide and your State recognizes (or honors) Wyoming permits; you can carry a concealed firearm in Wyoming. The current statute has resulted in a formal confirmation process with other states. Once the Division confirms which other States’ permit Wyoming honors or has reciprocity, those states are listed for convenience only. However, this listing has no legal effect. States recognized:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

If your State is not presently listed, you may also check with your own State’s regulatory agency.



10. Can a non-resident obtain a concealed firearm permit in Wyoming? No. 11. If I move to another state, is my Wyoming permit still valid in Wyoming? Yes, so long as the division has received written notification of your address change

within 30 days of your move. Concealed Firearm Permit-Address Change Form However your permit will not be renewed since a permit can only be issued to a

Wyoming resident. 12. Is my permit valid in national parks in Wyoming? Federal rule changes give

gun owners permission to carry concealed firearms in national parks, as long as their concealed firearms permit is recognized by the state in which the park is located. Issues pertaining to firearms on federal property, particularly in federal buildings or facilities, are subject to federal law and regulations. A person should always contact the appropriate federal authority when his travel plans involve federal properties.

13. Does my permit allow me to carry any concealed weapon other than a

firearm? No. The permit only encompasses the carrying of a concealed handgun.



14. Does my Wyoming permit allow me to purchase a firearm from a federal firearms licensee, without having to obtain a federal background check? Yes. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms has determined that Wyoming permits satisfy the requirements of federal law, in lieu of the purchaser having to undergo the instant check process for a firearms purchase.

15. What if my permit is lost or destroyed? Pursuant to W.S. § 6-8-104

(p), the permit shall be automatically invalid, and the person to whom the same was issued may pay a $5 fee, for a duplicate, upon furnishing a notarized statement to the division that the permit has been lost or destroyed. As a central “hub” for each of Wyoming’s 23 counties, the county Sheriff's Departments per policy maintain all required forms and collect all funds for Concealed Firearm Permits. The administrative staffs at the Sheriff’s departments may also have Notary Public’s so they can complete all forms, make copies for their records and send the fees and completed forms to the Division.

(Rev: 02-08-13 jdc)



1. “Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who did not.” Thomas Jerfferson

2. “Those who trade liberty for security have neither.” John Adams3. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.4. An armed man is a citizen, an unarmed man is a subject.5. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.6. Gun control is not about guns,,,,,it’s about control.7. You only have the rights you are willing to fight for.8. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, No peace, No safety.9. You don’t shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.10. Assault is a behavior, not a device.11. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.12. The United States Constitution © All Rights Reserved.13. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the

others.14. What part of ‘shall not be infringed’ do you NOT understand?15. Guns only have two enemies; rust and politicians.16. When you remove the people’s right to bear arms, you create slaves.17. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.


FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE

Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.

Safety rules, in themselves, never prevented an accident. It is the practice of safety rules that counts; practice of the rules to the extent that they become automatic—but even that is not enough. The mind of the shooter or gun handler must also be devoted to his/her actions. The person with a gun in his possession has taken on a full-time job. You cannot guess, you cannot forget.

Your objective is this: that you never have to say, “I didn’t know it was loaded”.

YOU MUST KNOWHow it worksWhether it’s loadedWhere it is pointingWhere the target isWhat the target isWhere the bullet will goWhere the bullet will stop


INTRODUCTION TO SAFETY

IT’S A FULL-TIME JOB! Under the discipline which is enforced on the range, the possibility

of an accident is greatly minimized. It is when yours are the only eyes devoted to the problem, when yours is the only brain thinking about it, that the accident has its greatest chance to happen. Carelessness on your part can bring about the injury or death of a member of your family or a friend.

Don’t allow yourself to acquire nervous habits related to your handgun. Wherever you may be, don’t remove it from the holster or carrying case for idle purposes such as flexing the trigger, spinning the cylinder, or swinging the cylinder in and out of the frame, pulling the slide back and forth. In short, don’t play with it.

Don’t let your newfound interest in your handgun make it become a “conversation piece” with your family or friends. Do not let them handle it. Be especially careful that your children don’t come to look on it as a toy.



I. GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONSA. Treat every gun as if it is loaded. This applies to weapons

which come into your custody under any circumstances. This applies as well to guns you know to be unloaded. This should be an absolute rule.

B. Open the action. With a double-action revolver, this involves swinging the cylinder out of the frame. With a semi-automatic pistol, lock the slide back. Never pass a “closed” gun to

another person; it’s poor gun manners and it isn’t safe.C. Unload. When you take possession of a handgun for any

purpose other than to fire it, unload it! 1. Unloading a double-action revolver involves four steps:

a. Swing the cylinder out of the frame.b. Eject the cartridges into the handc. Check the chambers in the cylinder to be sure they

are all empty.d. Count the number of rounds in the hand to be sure

they are all accounted for and clear of the revolver.



2. Unloading a semi-automatic pistol involves three steps:a. Remove the magazine.b. Lock the slide to the rear, ejecting any cartridge in the chamber.c. Visibly and physically check the chamber to be sure it is empty. 3. Remember, YOU are the one who is responsible. Don’t take anyone’s word for the handgun’s condition—check it yourself.D. Never point a firearm, loaded or unloaded, at anyone, nor in a direction where unintentional discharge could cause injury or damage. This rule is especially important in connection with dry firing. The person doing the dry firing may be tempted, because he knows the gun to be unloaded, to point it at another person. Don’t use a window as a dry firing target. Don’t use an inside wall. E. Keep the finger out of the trigger guard until you are ready to fire. Develop the habit of gripping the handgun without getting the fingers in contact with the trigger. This will be a valuable habit when you are carrying the weapon ready for use. Even stumbling may cause discharge. Remember: the trigger is for firing and the grip is for gripping.



F. Don’t pull the hammer back to the cocked position unless you intend to fire. When it is necessary to lower the hammer on a

live round, however, use this procedure: remove finger from trigger and point the weapon in a safe direction. Place the right thumb securely on the hammer spur to control fall of the hammer. Press the trigger with the right index finger and allow thumb and hammer to move forward slightly. Remove finger from trigger and keep it clear. With the right thumb, let the hammer down slowly.



A Firearm is a Mechanical Device, a Tool

Firearms Can Be Used Safely With Proper Training

Armed Citizens Must Act Responsibly to Ensure Accidental Discharges or Negligent Discharges Do Not Occur.



G. Built-In Mechanical Safeties in Handguns1. Most modern double-action revolvers contain a built-in

hammer block which is automatically interposed between the hammer and the frame, except when the trigger is to the rear. It is designed to prevent the firing pin from hitting the cartridge primer if the hammer struck or if the hammer slips during manual cocking.

a. EXAMPLE: To test the hammer block safety in a Colt double-action, open the cylinder and remove any cartridges. Leave the cylinder open. Without

touching the trigger, pull back the hammer until the revolver is almost cocked and release it. The firing pin should not project through the hole in the breech face. If it does, the hammer block is not functioning properly and the revolver should be repaired.

b. EXAMPLE: A Smith & Wesson double-action revolver can be tested in the same way. It is necessary, however, to hold the cylinder thumb latch to the rear while pulling back the hammer.



II. MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE OF HANDGUNSA. The revolver or semi-automatic pistol should be wiped

externally after each handling.B. The revolver or semi-automatic pistol should be cleaned

thoroughly after each firing.C. The revolver or semi-automatic pistol should be checked by

the firearms instructor or a gunsmith each time a person fires for qualification.D. The objective of this regular maintenance is to have the

weapon in efficient operating condition at all times.




III. BASIC NOMENCLATURE – DOUBLE-ACTION REVOLVER

To be intoxicated is to feel sophisticated, but not be able to say it.

A. There are two basic types of revolvers; single-action and double-action. A single-action revolver is fired by pulling the hammer back to the fully cocked position. A double-action revolver can be fired in the same manner; it can also be fired just by squeezing the trigger through its complete cycle. The hammer will rise and fall as a result of the trigger action alone. Whichever means of firing is used, the cylinder rotates as the hammer raise and another cartridge is brought into place for firing.

B. To swing the cylinder out, place the gun in the palm of the left hand and actuate the cylinder latch with the right thumb. (Colt cylinder latches are pulled back, Smith & Wesson latches are pushed forward, and Ruger latches are pressed in.) The cylinder is pressed out of the frame with two middle fingers of the left hand. The cylinder can then be turned the same fingers for loading. Cartridge cases are ejected by pushing the ejector rod with the left thumb. Generally speaking, operating a revolver is a two-handed operation. When all the chambers have been loaded, the cylinder is pressed back into the frame with the left thumb.


IV. REVOLVER OPERATION AND HANDLING



Push the cylinder release



Push cylinder out and push two fingers through the frame



Invert the gun and eject the cartridges

c. Built-In Revolver Safety Factors; 1. For single-action firing, it must be cocked by hand. 2. The heavy double-action trigger pull reduces the possibility of accidental firing.

D. Common Malfunctions (Caused mostly by inadequate maintenance and/or excessively rough treatment.)

1. Types of malfunctions:a. Cylinder fails to turn. (1) Causes;

a. Trigger not completely released from previous shot.

b. High primer.c. Cartridge not fully seated.d. Protruding bullet from squib load which fails

to enter the barrel completely.



b. Gun Fails to Fire; 1. Causes

a. Broken firing pinb. Worn firing pinc. Firing pin hole in recoil plate plugged.d. Accumulation of lint and dirt particles in working mechanism.

c. Lead and Power Particles Thrown to Side; 1. Causes;

a. Cylinder out of “time” and does not line up properly with barrel.

b. Leading at breech end of barrel.


IV REVOLVER OPERATION AND HANDLING

E. Special Emphasis Points on Operation and Use1. The revolver is not a club or hammer. Don’t use it as one.2. Don’t flip the cylinder open.3. Don’t slam the cylinder shut.4. Don’t toss the gun around, even in a holster.5. Don’t attempt any internal repair; such repairs should only be performed by a gunsmith. 6. Don’t loosen the mainspring strain screw.7. Remember that rough treatment can cause misalignment, inaccuracy, or malfunction.


IV REVOLVER OPERATION AND HANDLING

The parts of the semi-automatic pistol are similar to those of the revolver with a few important exceptions and additions.A. THE MAGAZINE – This is the device that holds the cartridges and from which they are fed into the chamber for firing. It may hold from six (6) to fifteen (15) rounds, depending on the make, model and caliber.B. THE FRAME ASSEMBLEY – The frame assembly or receiver performs basically the same function in the semi-automatic pistol as in the revolver. Instead of containing a cylinder, however, it contains a magazine. In addition, it supplies a platform on which the slide operates. C. THE SLIDE ASSEMBLY – Depending on the style of pistol, the slide assembly may contain the barrel, firing pin and spring, recoil spring, sights, and in all cases, the breech lock.D. THE SAFETY MECHANISMS – Semi-automatic pistols contain a number of manual safety levers not found on revolvers. These usually consist of a manual thumb lever mounted on either slide or frame and in some models, a half-cock position for the hammer. Some semi-automatic pistols are also equipped with a grip safety. Other semi-automatic pistols are also equipped with a safety which is activated when the magazine is removed.


V. SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOLS



V. SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOLS

A. Loading1. The magazine is loaded by pressing a number of cartridges into it against the spring pressure of the follower. The magazine is then inserted into the weapon where it locks in place. On most models the magazine is positioned in the grip. When the slide is manually pulled to the rear the first cartridge in the magazine rises to line up with the breech. When the slide is released, the cartridge is stripped from the magazine and carried forward into the chamber. The act of retracting the slide also cocks the hammer which may be an internal or external mechanism.

B. Firing Cycle1. When the trigger is pulled the hammer drives the firing pin forward which fires the cartridge. In a number of systems the backward pressure of the breech block drives the slide to the rear. As the slide travels to the rear, the extractor removes the fired cartridge case from the chamber and near the end of its travel the ejector flips the cartridge case out of the weapon. During the rearward travel of the slide the hammer is re-cocked. The recoil spring then drives the slide forward, picking up the next cartridge from the magazine and chambering it. The weapon is now ready to fire again and the cycle is repeated after each shot until the magazine is empty.

REMEMBER, THIS MEANS THAT THE WEAPON IS ALWAYS LOADED AND COCKED AS LONG AS THE MAGAZINE HAS CARTRIDGES IN IT.


VI. SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL OPERATION

A. Cartridge Components

Modern ammunition can be separated into two general types; rim-fire and center-fire. (The only modern rim-fire cartridges are .22 caliber; all others are center-fire.) the names of these two types comes from the location of the primer, powder charge and bullet. This complete assembly is called a cartridge.

The powder ignition process bears a close resemblance to what happens in the cylinder of your automobile. The spark plug is the primer. Just as the spark plug ignites the fuel mixture, the primer ignites the powder and just as the burning and expanding fuel mixture drives the piston down, the ignited powder drives the bullet down the barrel.


VII. AMMUNITION - COMPONENTS

If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?

1. Firearms Should Always Be Considered Loaded.

or another way to say it: “All Guns Are Always Loaded”

2. Never Point a Firearm at Anything You are not willing to destroy

3. Keep your finger off the trigger and trigger guard until you intend to shoot

4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it


VIII. SAFETY RULES AND RANGE PROCEDURES


1. Firearms Should Always Be Considered Loaded

There Are No Exceptions To This Rule. Treat Every Firearm As If It Was Loaded

Whenever You Pick Up A Firearm, Check To See If The Firearm Is Loaded.

Whenever You Hand A Firearm To another Person, Check To See If The Firearm Is Loaded.


When Handing a Automatic Firearm To Someone, The Magazine Should Be Out And The Slide Locked Back.

When Handing a Revolver to Somebody, the cylinder should be open on the frame and your fingers should be through the cylinder frame.

Do Not Attempt To Handle A Firearm That You Are Not Familiar With. Secure It. Seek Assistance.

Do Not Experiment



2. Never Point A Firearm At Anything You Are Not Willing To Destroy

Muzzle Awareness

Never Allow The Muzzle To Cross Any Part Of Your Body Or Any Other Person.

Safe Direction


3. Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger And Out Of The Trigger Guard Until You Intend To

Shoot


Disregarding This Rule Accounts For The Majority Of Negligent Discharges.



FINGER

Unsafe Unsafe Safe


FINGER

Unsafe Safe


FINGER

Unsafe Safe


KEEP FINGER OFF TRIGGER!!

Why is it called tourist season if we can’t shoot at them?


4. Be Sure Of Your Target And What Is Beyond It.

The target must be positively identified prior to shooting.

The shooter must know what it is in front and behind the target.

You must be sure the area around and behind the threat is clear of innocent bystanders

Do not shoot at a sound or a form in the dark that you cannot identify.



Be Sure Of Your Target And What Is Beyound

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups?

Range Procedures

1. The strictest discipline must be maintained at all times on the firing range in order to prevent accidents and injuries.

2. No firing is allowed on the range unless a qualified instructor is present.

3. Only authorized firearms and ammunition may be used.

4. Obey all range commands instantly.

5. No one is to go forward of the firing line until the command is given to do so.

6. Use eye and ear protection when shooting guns.



Range Procedures

7. Do not attempt to use firearms when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

8. Dry firing is allowed on the firing line only. A range officer must be present.

9. Handguns must remain in holsters unless you are on the firing line. If a handgun is to be carried around the range, the cylinder must be open or the slide locked open, and magazine out.

10. If a misfire or malfunction occurs, keep the firearm pointed downrange, count to five and signal the Range Officer for assistance.



Range Procedures

11. After a malfunction, check the firearm for obstruction of barrel, chamber, etc. Never try to shoot an obstruction from the barrel.

12. Clean firearms in designated cleaning areas only.

13. Do not retrieve loading devices forward of the firing line or go forward of the firing line or leave your position until the command is given to do so.



A. Safety Notes1. A weapon being carried to and from the firing line should be

kept in a holster or gun case. When a double-action revolver is carried uncovered the cylinder should be opened and the weapon held

by hooking two fingers through the open frame. A semi-automatic pistol should be carried with the magazine removed and the slide locked back.

2. A weapon should remain in the holster or gun case unless you intend to fire it. Unnecessary handling of any handgun

increases the possibility of an accident. If you must permit someone else to examine your firearm, you should carefully unload it before handing it over. A person receiving a handgun from another person should inspect it closely to determine that it is unladed. Necessity for a careful unloading process cannot be overemphasized.


X. SAFETY AT THE RANGE

3. A handgun should not be cocked until the instant before it is to be fired. A cocked weapon is dangerous; while it requires about 8

pounds of pressure to fire a double-action weapon, only about 3 pounds is required for a weapon in single-action mode. A

person holding a cocked weapon may be startled and “accidentally” discharge the weapon.

4. Loading is always a problem for the new shooter. Practice is very helpful. Practice loading with live ammunition, however, is

potentially dangerous. There are several practice loading methods which are safe, however, such as practicing with dummy ammunition. The distinctive markings usually found on dummy ammunition helps prevent the possibility of mixing it up with live ammunition.



B. Unloading the Double-Action Revolver

1. The loading position is assumed. The handgun is brought from the firing position into the left hand just as it was for loading. The barrel is tilted upward, however. It is opened in the same way except that the thumb goes over the end of the ejector rod. The thumb actually exerts some pressure toward the frame of the revolver while it depresses the rod. This maintains the contact of the cylinder with the two middle fingers of the left hand. The thumb is pressed smartly downward toward the cylinder to create sudden pressure on the empty cartridges cases. This unseats them, despite the fact that they have swelled during firing. The ejector rod may need to be actuated several times, very quickly.



The whole idea is to get the empty cases out of the cylinder without the help of the right hand. The right hand has its function during the unloading procedure; as soon as the cylinder is open, it reaches for more ammunition so that it may be loaded the instant the cylinder is empty. (Assuming that an instant reload is called for.)


SAFETY AT THE RANGE

2. The novice usually has most of his trouble with unloading because his actuation of the ejector rod is not brisk enough. He also has difficulty because of the necessity of doing several things at once and because the two hands are going in different directions at the same time. Again, practice is the only real solution to initial

clumsiness.

3. When no other rounds are to be loaded, the procedure is finished when the empty cases are ejected. The gun is checked to be certain all chambers are empty. The cylinder is closed gently. The gun is replaced in the holster by the right hand. (NOTE: Some revolver grips are designed – actually miss designed – so that they interfere with the free fall of cartridges during unloading.)



C. Drawing the Handgun

1. There are many methods for drawing a handgun from a holster. The method is dictated almost entirely by the design of the holster. Where a safety strap is involved, it must be unsnapped. The location relative to the shooting hand makes a difference. The holster should be worn so the gun can be drawn safely. The person in training has a mass of new skills to learn. Conditions should be such that the student can devote him or her self to learning the basic skills without undue handicaps.



2. The fundamental consideration in drawing the weapon is that once it is out of the holster, it is ready to fire a safe shot. For safety reasons, the weapon should be drawn – ALWAYS – with the finger outside the trigger guard. Your first consideration is safety. The pressure on the novice is such that some very peculiar things can happen unless this precaution is taken. For reasons of efficiency, the grip must be taken before the gun is removed from the holster. The necessity for having it in proper position in the hand dictates a slow, deliberate gripping and withdrawal.


C. Drawing the Handgun

3. Drawing the handgun properly should be standard procedure in all shooting exercises even if it is drawn just to be put on a shooting bench. Practice is equally important here; every time the handgun is drawn, the trainee comes closer to gripping it perfectly.

D. Dry Firing – Application and Safety

1. Dry firing involves going through all the motions of firing except that the handgun is unloaded. It is excellent practice provided it is not started before the shooter has a sound grasp of the fundamentals of shooting. In other words, fry firing can help to develop or solidify bad habits as well as good ones. It is especially helpful in developing strength and control in the muscles required to hold the gun in position and fire it. Dry firing is excellent practice for trigger control and sight alignment.



E. Safe Dry Fire Practice

1. Make sure the handgun is unloaded. When you are absolutely certain the weapon is unloaded, check it again.

2. Secure your ammunition in a separate location.

3. Select an appropriate backstop. a. The backstop should be capable of absorbing a bullet – just

in case. b. Consider basements, fireplaces, reinforced walls. Use good sense.

4. Be alone and without distractions. This is a serious activity; devote full attention to it.



5. Put yourself in a “practice mode” by placing yourself in an appropriate frame of mind by literally saying to yourself, “I am in practice mode; this is practice time.”

6. Conduct your dry fire practice.

7. Conclusion of practice: a. This is the time of greatest potential for accidents. b. Say to yourself, “practice is over, this is reality.” c. Reload the handgun and put it away immediately. Do

nothing else with it for at least an hour or so. The next time you handle the firearm there should be no trace of your

“practice mode” mind set to influence your handling of the handgun.



F. Ear and Eye Protection

1. Ear and eye protection are matters for concern because of safety and health reasons. First, of course, the instructor must be concerned with safeguarding the eyesight and hearing of the trainee. Safety glasses should be used by every shooter. If glasses are already being worn, the safety glasses should be worn over them unless the lenses are of tempered safety glass. Eye accidents with handguns are infrequent. However, handguns have blown up for various reasons, lead shavings are thrown off when they are not “in time”, and even one grain of glowing powder can cause serious eye damage. The risk isn’t worth it.

2. Hearing can be impaired by the sound of a few low – caliber cartridges being fired; there is a greater possibility of ear damage where a large number of people with heavy caliber weapons are practicing. Sonic “earphones” and various types of ear plugs are in wide use.

3. Sound is involved in teaching the novice as well. The unaccustomed sharp sound of firing frequently caused the new shooter to jump involuntarily. This reaction, although perfectly normal, is especially upsetting when it occurs in the midst of attempts at sight alignment and good, smooth trigger squeeze. Ear protection of some type takes the sharpness from the sound and is of appreciable help to the trainee.



If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest have to drown too?

Learning to shoot a revolver or pistol is a mechanical operation, the same as learning to drive an automobile. A so-called natural ability is no more vital to one than the other. The ability to do either depends on the sound application and interest of the person concerned.

It is true that some will learn quicker than others, while some will have difficulty passing beyond the mediocre stage. When a shooter falls into the last category, it is more than likely due to an inability to apply the correct fundamentals of basic handgun shooting. To help the beginner acquire the necessary knowledge for accurate shooting, he must first master all those factors that will develop the student into becoming a good shot.

Many volumes have been written over the years on handgun shooting fundamentals. Unfortunately, they often serve to confuse the beginner. Regardless of what has been written, the two most important factors in handgun shooting are CORRECT SIGHT ALIGNMENT and CORRECT TRIGGER CONTROL. Add to these factors the elements of grip, position (stance), and the ability to concentrate and you have the basics of handgun marksmanship.


XI. TECHNIQUES OF HANDGUN SHOOTING

Since the one biggest secret to good shooting is doing the same thing the same way each and every time a shot is fired, the positioning of the hand(s) – the grip – is extremely important. The grip must be firm and consistent from shot to shot. Change or variation in grip will affect the ability to maintain sight alignment. The handgun should always be placed in the shooting hand by the non-shooting hand, making certain that the line of the barrel bisects the “V” formed by the thumb and forefinger. This also places the barrel in line with the forearm.

There will necessarily be variations in grip due to the size of a persons hand and the size of the handgun. The end result should be that the person has grip enough to control the handgun during recoil and recovery, will allow them to maintain sight alignment, and will allow the finger to be placed on the trigger so it can be pulled straight to the rear. This applies to single or double-action shooting.


GRIP


Grip


Grip

Simply put, position means the relationship of the shooter’s body to the target. It is often called stance. The shooter needs to form a shooting platform with his or her body; one which will achieve immobility of the body without an excessive strain on muscles. Good, accurate shots cannot be consistently fired from a strained position.

Improper position will affect your ability to establish or maintain the hold in the center of the aiming area. Before each shot or string of shots, it is necessary to check the correctness of the assumed position with respect to the target. Avoid unnecessary muscular tension in the effort to hold in the aiming area. Check position and change it when necessary.

Individuals are constructed differently and therefore stand differently. The instructor must accept this and be willing to work with the student.


POSITION (STANCE)

Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.

This term is applied to the relationship of the front and rear sights without any consideration of the target. The front sight, rear sight, and the eye are all in line. Proper alignment of the two sights means that the top of the front sight is even with the top of the rear sight, with an equal amount of light separating the front sight from the side of the notch in the rear sight.

There are several points which may help the trainee to understand sight alignment better. The student must be convinced of its importance because it is the key to the whole process. The eye, for instance, can only focus on one of the two sights at a time. It is fairly obvious that the choice of focus must be the front sight, since it is located at the muzzle end of the handgun and dictates where the shot will go.

In other words, if the front sight is low, the shot will be low. If the front sight is high, the shot will be high, and so forth. It must also be understood that although the rear sight is involved in sight alignment, it serves mainly as a sort of window through which he looks at the front sight. As in the case of a window, you don’t look AT it, you look THROUGH it, always aware of the frame but allowing it to remain out of focus at the edge of your vision.


SIGHT ALIGNMENT

The following slides demonstrate where your shot will go depending on what your sights look like when shooting.


Fundamentals of sight alinement


If your front and back sights are equal on the sides and the level across the top, your shot will be where you aim.




Proper sight alignment and sight picture


Sight alignment and shot placement


Proper handgun sight

This term includes the front and rear sight but also includes the target. It means achieving proper sight alignment and then putting the aligned sights into their proper relationship to the target.

With this achieved, the shooter must focus his attention on the front sight. If the shooter is too aware of the target, the front sight may drift into poor alignment with the rear. The target should not be clearly delineated. If it is, it means the shooter has let the sight go out of focus and a poor shot will almost certainly result. Again, when proper sight alignment has been achieved and placed on target, the shooter must focus his attention on the front sight.


SIGHT PICTURE


Your front sight should be clear, the rear sights and the target should be fuzzy

This term is meant to describe the way in which finger pressure is applied to the trigger. Some instructors prefer to use the term “trigger control.”

A new shooter will have made great progress if he learns, simply, to start a slow, steady pressure on the trigger and continues to increase it evenly until the gun fires.

Any early attempt to “control” the trigger in terms of varying the trigger finger’s pressure or holding up the pressure at some point will often result in flinching, jerking the trigger or healing the weapon. In short, the result will be a bad shot and establishment of bad habits in a student shooter.

Trigger squeeze for the novice is the same type of pressure that would be applied to a medicine dropper to expel one drop. The pressure is applied gradually and the drop finally falls.

The shooter should not be able to predict the precise instant the gun will fire any more than he could predict the falling away of the one drop.

The position of the finger on the trigger is quite important. Usually, the trigger should cut across the forefinger about halfway between the tip of the finger and the first joint. This will vary slightly according to each individual’s hand size.


TRIGGER SQUEEZE

This should be accomplished without having any other portion of the finger come into contact with any part of the gun during the process of squeezing the trigger. As the finger contracts, the flesh inside the top segment of the finger expands and, if it is in contact with the frame, exerts pressure which can disturb sight alignment. There is also much greater likelihood that the pressure on the trigger will be slightly to one side rather than straight back.

To sum up, pressure on the trigger must be smooth, straight back, and continuous.

Factors Providing for the Correct Control of the Trigger

The pressure put on the trigger must come from independent movement of the trigger finger only. The gripping fingers and the thumb do not move or tighten. Keep the grip pressure constant. Align the sight, settle into your normal aiming area, and exert positive, uninterrupted, increasing pressure straight to the rear until the hammer falls.

You must not look for a perfect sight picture combination of rear sight-front sight-target. Instead, focus your eye on the front sight, keeping it perfectly aligned in the rear sight notch. The blur of the out-of-focus target may move about slightly, but this movement is relatively unimportant.

Any time the weapon is fired with good sight alignment within the normal arc of movement and it is a surprise shot, the shot will be a good one, and will hit the target within your ability to hole.


TRIGGER SQUEEZE

Proper breathing plays an important part in good shooting. It is obvious that the shooter cannot breath normally through the shooting cycle. The movement involved would make proper sight alignment and sight picture virtually impossible. For that reason, breathing must be controlled.

A fairly deep breath will draw a little extra oxygen into the lungs. The shooter can then refrain from breathing again for the few seconds required to bring the gun into alignment and fire it.

Holding the breath too long will cause a tremor to start; it also causes the sights to get fuzzy because the eyes begin to water slightly. In either case, the gun should be brought down to the rest position and the whole cycle begun again.

Many a shot has gone astray because the shooter didn’t have the good judgment to put the gun down. There is a sort of compulsion which makes it very difficult to put the gun down once the cycle has started.


BREATH CONTROL

A person can hold his breath comfortable for 15-20 seconds, without any special labor and without experiencing unpleasant sensations. This time is more than adequate to produce a shot or shots.

Experienced shooters usually take a deep breath gradually, then relax and concentrate their attention upon sight alignment and smooth application of pressure on the trigger.

In order to make sure that during prolonged firing the interruption of the rhythm does not have an influence on the shooter, the breath must not be held for an excessive period when trying to fire a slow-fire shot. If the shooter does not produce a shot within 8-10 seconds, he must stop aiming and take another breath.


BREATH CONTROL

Almost every physical action has natural follow-through. For instance, when a ball is kicked the leg continues in the same arc as when the foot met the ball. The same is true of the bat and ball. Some follow-through occurs because physical mass which is in motion tends to continue in motion in the same direction in which it is already traveling.

True follow-through occurs, however, when the natural physical phenomenon is not resisted but actually helped along with a little extra effort on the part of the individual. In its specific relationship to shooting, follow-through involves continuing to do for two or three seconds afterward, everything that is done at the time shot is fired.

This amount of time is variable, of course, but idea of follow-through is to prevent any sudden movement immediately after the shot is fired. The time mentioned, two or three seconds, will vary, but even in rapid-fire strings the same sequence takes place – it is merely accelerated.

You are following through when you are continuing to maintain concentration on sight alignment even after the shot is on the way. Following through is not to be confused with recovery. Merely recovering from recoil and reestablishing the hold and sight alignment after the shot is fired is no indication that you are following through.


FOLLOW-THROUGH

Unless the shooter practices follow-through and keeps his mind entirely free of thoughts concerning the way his arm feels and the consideration of getting the gun down, he will not maintain sight alignment until the shot is fired.

Since the thought of getting the gun down must precede the act of taking it down, it is clear that the shooter who drops the gun immediately after the shot has diluted his concentration on sight alignment and trigger squeeze.

Follow-through, then, begins BEFORE the shot is fired and continues AFER it is fired. An old saying goes, “Be sure the bullet has left the barrel before you quit looking at the front sight.”


FOLLOW-THROUGH

As was stated earlier, good shooting demands consistency in the shooter. The goal is a pattern wherein each element of delivering a shot on target is done in the same way each time. This might be called “habit”.

However, each of these things must be done at the same cadence – in the same length of time – each time the act is repeated. This even involves such simple things as bringing the sights to bear on the target from the same direction at the same time.

It is especially important, as well, that the same amount of care and patience be expended on each shot. There is no such thing as a lucky shot. The shot goes exactly to the point where all the conditions which surround its firing dictate that it will go.

The rhythm and habit pattern used in slow-fire shooting are simply speeded up for faster shooting. The habits stay the same. The rhythm pattern stays the same. Only the pace quickens.


RHYTHM AND HABIT

If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it?

A. Holsters

Holsters have one real function and that is to contain the sidearm. In selecting a holster, there are two considerations: it must be safe and it must be secure. In order to be safe and secure, a holster’s design must protect against accidental dropping and minimize accidental discharge when drawing or re-holstering.

Holsters should be provided with a safety strap or secured in some other positive manner. Holsters should fit the belt tightly enough to stay in place.


IX. HOLSTERS AND CARRYING CASES

Commercially manufactured carrying cases are available and generally resemble briefcases in size and style. They are usually foam pad for protection of the weapon and are equipped with locks for security. They are an excellent means to transport or carry a handgun in public and/or in vehicles.

REMEMBER THAT ALL HANGUNS SO TRANSPORTED MUST BE UNLOADED.


B. Carrying Cases

A. The issue of gun safety at home presents a vexing problem. There are various solutions; some people believe it is vital to instruct all family members in the use of firearms and make it a matter of honor that no one will handle the firearms without parental permission. Other parents maintain that firearms should be locked up, out of sight, and if possible, “secret” from other occupants of the home. Since there is not one best method of dealing with the problem, then general guidance seems preferable to inflexible rules.

B. Common experience demands that all firearms should be kept out of the reach of children and immature or irresponsible adults. Unloaded rifles, shotguns, and handguns should at all times be in a rack, cabinet, closet, or drawer that is locked. Under some circumstances the method of storage should be such that the firearms cannot be seen. Likewise, cartridges and shells should be locked away and preferably out of sight. While it may seem that instructions and cautions to youngsters are sufficient, in cold reality, the gun that is out of sight and behind a proper lock is less likely to be the cause of trouble than a gun more readily available. In short, in the matter of home gun security, it is safe to be overly careful, and to combine instruction and admonitions with a strong lock or substantial storage place


XII. SAFETY AT HOME

C. Loaded guns in any household present a greater potential for danger than unloaded guns. A common reason given for having a loaded gun in the home is for protection against criminal intruders. Some say that no gun should be kept loaded in a home. Instead, it is maintained

when the gun is needed it and the ammunition can be taken from storage and brought together at the that time. However, an

equally convincing argument can be made for the likelihood that if a gun is needed, there will be no time to go through these motions.

D. The safe disposition of guns at home is a matter of real concern. For example, even when the gun and ammunition are in separate, locked storage, many law enforcement agencies advise utilizing a padlock or other mechanical device to lock up each gun itself.


XII. SAFETY AT HOME

Periodically, newspaper headlines proclaim the unfortunate fact that a child has been injured by a gun kept in the home. In spite of several deaths and serious injuries among families of gun owners, people continue to court disaster by leaving guns and ammunition where they are accessible to children.

Children today are exposed to guns and gun activity constantly. Radio, films, and television have glorified the “gun-totting” cowboy, private detective, and policeman. Such hero’s have made the gun an almost indispensable part of a child’s world.

Most children have toy guns and know that no one is injured by them. They also know that the movie villain, shot in one picture, recovers to ride again the next Saturday.

Consequently, the child who has not seen or felt the damage a real firearm can inflict, finds it hard to believe that a handgun belonging to the family is dangerous.


XIII. CHILDREN AND GUNS

“The advent of “video games” has opened a new door of debate on the ‘guns and violence’ issue. The new generation of action video games is so realistic that the player becomes part of the action. There is also a strong possibility that they are desensitizing people from what is real life and death and video life and death. The United States military discovered this concept during the Vietnam War. During this period the military went from training soldiers to shoot at circular targets to training them to shoot at targets in human silhouette shape, thus starting the process of desensitizing soldiers to the thought of shooting another human being. Law enforcement trains with this very concept now.”



A child’s curiosity may cause him to disregard a direct order forbidding him to touch a firearm. Most children will play with any available gun if they have an opportunity to do so. Even though one’s own children seem trustworthy, other children may not be. The desire to “show off’ may prompt a child to obtain a firearm and let others play with it.

To forestall such disobedience, a gun should be kept beyond the reach of any child. You cannot safely assume that your child is too young to fire a gun. In one instance, a three-year-old child climbed up a dresser and took his father’s revolver from the top drawer, and by using both hands to pull the trigger, fired the gun and critically wounded himself.

Older children may be given gun instructions. The extent of this training should be dependent on the child’s maturity and the parent’s judgment of the value of such training.



If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why isn’t it #1?

QUESTION: “Besides a firearm, what is the most effective

weapon a person could have?”

ANSWER: A dog. Personal preference: a German Shepherd. Way more effective than a firearm for keeping people out of your home -- or anywhere else.


SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT HOME SECURITY

QUESTION: “What is the best gun for home defense,

Handgun or Shotgun?” “If handgun is best, then what caliber and

semi-auto or revolver?” ANSWER: Shotgun, if you can store it properly.As for the handgun, it depends on your training: - 100+ hours per year training


QUESTION: “All bedrooms in my house are on the second floor, we have a security

system, but if an intruder was drug induced, or really motivated to get in and do harm, what is the best tactic?

“If he cut power and was in the house, is it best to grab a flashlight/gun

and go looking for him which is what I would do, or secure my family to one room and wait for him to make the wrong move looking for us?”

ANSWER: Stay put with the family. If you're all upstairs, you can hold a bottleneck

at the stairs -- assuming there's only one staircase. Your best resource is a dog. Almost any dog will do. The dog will do the

risking for you. But, more likely, nobody would break in if you had a decent hound.


QUESTION: “What tips do you have to help improve gun handling skills

at home?” ANSWER: Dry practice. It's really the key to great shooting. PERFECT

dry practice. Great shooting skills start there. The range is only to

CONFIRM your dry practice. Also, practice your malfunction drills. Again: PERFECTLY.


QUESTION: “When the gun battle comes to me or my family, ie: home

invasion with single or multiple assailants, in your opinion what is the best ...method for "cover, concealment, and protect" within the home?”

BEST ANSWER: from USCC Create a family plan where everyone can get on the other side

of a choke point. Practice the plan a few times. Ideally, you'll have a dog and an alarm system. The

combination is deadly against an intruder.


Going looking for someone in your home is impossible to do without great risk to yourself.

Even a dumb, drug-addled crazy person can lay down behind

your couch and smoke you as you pass. There is no safe way to clear a house. It's horribly dangerous,

especially alone. Only clear my home when you’re 95% sure that there's no

intruder, and you want to go to sleep without worrying about it. With dogs in the house, there's no way that an intruder is

hanging out without the dogs going nuts. So, you can generally tell that it's safe to clear.


Thank you for attending this class and I hope that you have found it to be educational and helpful. Hunting and target shooting is a great sport if done responsibly and safely. Now go out and have fun, but remember:

BE SAFE

&BE RESPONSIBLE


QUESTIONS


Self Improvement

Handgun fundamentals and safety training ii