Combat Operations With Firearms Volume 1 Chapter 1 Basic Gunnery Release 2014 0326

8/12/2019 Combat Operations With Firearms Volume 1 Chapter 1 Basic Gunnery Release 2014 0326

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Volume 1. Technical Reference.

Chapter 1. Basic Gunnery.

WARNING:

This media is not created ith the intent to descri!e the le"ality of hatis e#pressed in it. The content should not !e considered as a le"al

ad$ice. The reader is responsi!le for ensurin" any action ta%en inrelation to this document&s content is le"al in the reader&s 'urisdiction.

The document is ritten for research purpose.


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1. Basic Gunnery.

The purpose of "unnery is to hit a tar"et ith a pro'ectile.

Gunnery process defined:

A "unnery process is a process of usin" a "un to hit a tar"et. It startsafter a shooter ma%es a decision to shoot a tar"et. The order of the

process starts ith mo$in" a "un into aimin" position( folloed !y aimin"(firin"( e$aluatin" the effect of the "unnery. The shooter ill usually "o

!ac% to the sta"e of mo$in" the "un !ac% to aimin" position and stop theprocess at aimin" sta"e hile doin" the effect assessment( and resume the

cycle from there if the shooter determines that firin" another shot isnecessary. If the shooter determines it is not necessary to fire another

shot( the process ill end. Althou"h firin" occurs after aimin" sta"e(

aimin" and firin" is a concurrent tas%in".


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1.1. Aimin"

To hit a tar"et( the "un has to !e directed toard a certain direction andset in a certain attitude at the moment of firin". Aimin" is to set the

firearm ithin a certain ran"e of that direction and attitude.


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1.1.1. Instrument aided aimin".

)Terms defined:

Intended Aim *oint+IA*,: The area on the tar"et a shooter intends toma%e a pro'ectile impact on.

*ro!a!le impact area +*IA,: -stimated area here fired pro'ectile ill

impact in.

i"ht: Visual aimin" de$ice that pro$ides a reference point for theshooter to determine ho the firearm is oriented in relation to a

tar"et.

i"ht inde# point +I*,: Where the reference point of the si"ht

indicates.

i"ht reference line+R/,: The ima"inary line the I* is on( e#tendin"from the si"ht.

i"ht reference point+R*,: The point in an aimin" de$ice here R/crosses.

i"ht Aim *oint+A*,: This is the point here I* should inde# in

order to put *IA on IA*.

An instrument that "i$es shooters indications of direction and attitude of

the "un !y $isual reference is called a si"ht.

0se of si"hts to aim needs understandin" of the folloin" pro!lems.


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R/ is a strai"ht line( !ut a path of a pro'ectile fired ithin earth

"ra$ity influence ill !e an arc. Also( the ind ould influence

pro'ectiles fli"ht path. Also( si"hts ill !e installed ith the R/ha$in" an offset distance to the !ore !ecause si"hts cannot !e installed

alon" the path of the !ore.

The si"hts are usually placed o$er the !arrel ith R/ !ein" parallel tothe pro'ectiles tra'ectory on a hori2ontal plane. This ill simplify theR/ offset issue !y puttin" the tra'ectory and the R/ on the same $ertical

plane and %eep difference !eteen the I* and pro'ectile tra'ectory onhori2ontal plane minimal ith no side ind.


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Vertical path ise( the tra'ectory of the pro'ectile cannot !e parallel

ith R/ !ecause it ill alays !e an arc. To counter this pro!lem(

folloin" methods are employed. 3ost firearms are desi"ned so that theoffset distance of the si"ht from !ore line is no more than necessary. Guns

are usually desi"ned in a manner that the !arrel is positioned ith the

!ore line intersectin" the R/( so that the pro'ectile ill intersect the

R/ at some point. The set up is usually in a manner that the R/ can !ead'usted to ma%e the arc line of the tra'ectory as close to R/ at theran"e that the firearm is e#pected to !e used.


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All this re4uires the shooter to %no here the I* inde#es in relation tohere the IA* is in a "i$en distance.

The "unner pro'ects I* on A*( to !rin" *IA on IA*.

The "unner needs to trac% A* ith I* until the "un fires. I* and IA* may

or may not !e stationary( and !ecause of the "unner and the "un&slimitation in sta!ility( the trac%in" effort that in$ol$es continuous error

correction and sta!ili2ation needs to !e continuously e#ecuted until the"un is fired. This is aim trac%in".

ettin" the si"ht to set R/ in the desired relationship ith the

tra'ectory is usually done !y ma%in" the R/ intersect ith the !ullettra'ectory at a certain distance. That process is called 52eroin"6( and the

certain distance here the R/ is set to meet the tra'ectory is the ran"ethe "un is 52eroed6 to.

The tra'ectory ill intersect ith the R/ usually to times( first time

hen the !ullet tra$els upard and second time hen it tra$els donard.Where it intersects at the second time( hich is more far( ill !e the

distance the "un is 2eroed to.


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A* estimation at ran"es other than the 2ero ran"e ill !e done !y usin"

the "unner&s prior %noled"e of difference of pro'ectile&s fli"ht path from

the R/ at a "i$en distance to the tar"et.

1.1.1.1. 7eroin"

) *rocedure to ac4uire 2ero:

1.Ac4uire data of the pro'ectile&s fli"ht path.

8.Ac4uire data of en$ironmental factors that affects !ullet&s fli"ht(if the ma"nitude of the affect is si"nificant enou"h to !e rele$ant.

Those factors include: Air pressure( humidity( ind( temperature.Altitude( etc.

9.etermine 2ero ran"e.

;. etermine A* on the tar"et( and here IA* is e#pected to !e hen

the "un is 2eroed.

If the ran"e to the tar"et hen 2eroin" is performed is different from2ero ran"e the "unner ants to set the si"hts to( determine proper

relati$e location of I* and IA* on the tar"et at the ran"e the

2eroin" is performed accordin" to hat the tra'ectory ould !e henthe firearm is 2eroed to the desired distance.


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The usual method to deal ith the pro!lem of 2ero ran"e !ein" too short or

too lon" is to set the 2ero ran"e so that the "un ill !e 2eroed to thedistance here the operator considers is the ma#imum effecti$e ran"e of the

"un. Another ay is to set the 2ero in a manner that the !ullet tra'ectoryde$iation ill !e loest up to hat the operator considers the ma#

effecti$e ran"e of the "un. >or most non)speciali2ed "uns suited forsecurity operations discussed in this te#t( settin" the 2ero ran"e so that

the "un ill !e 2eroed to the distance here the operator considers is thema#imum effecti$e ran"e of the "un ill result in tra'ectory de$iation

close to loest up to the 2eroed ran"e.

The optimal 2ero ran"e ill also !e affected !y type of eapon( ammunition(and si2e of accepta!le impact area of the tar"et.

/ets ta%e a loo% at some e#amples:As of 81( 0.. military use 8=9m 2ero ith 3; or 31? and =.=?mm

cartrid"e com!ination hile many la enforcement a"encies in 0.. use 1m2ero ith similar confi"uration. It is !eneficial for all of them to !ea!le to en"a"e the tar"et from as far aay as possi!le. oe$er( !oth ha$e

limitation in hat the most effecti$e 2ero can !e.

/a enforcements tar"et en"a"ement ra"es are usually shorter. /aenforcement operators often need more detailed o!ser$ation of the tar"et in

order for them to ma%e a 'ustified decision to shoot. This can ma%e theshootin" distance limited to here the operator can identify a person they

contact and hat the contact is doin". o( those a"encies ith 1m 2eroha$e determined that most shootin"s ould !e limited to 1m and they ould

prefer to ha$e closer R/ and *IA relationship ithin that ran"e. Also( ifthe need to shoot a tar"et more distant than 1m( the upard *


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the tar"et appearance ran"e ould !e random( and the operator is unli%elyto ha$e enou"h time to o!ser$e the tar"et and ma%e a manual ad'ustment on a

si"ht.

ome si"hts ha$e multiple reference points( each correspondin" to differenttar"et ran"e( so that the shooter can select correspondin" reference point

accordin" to tar"et distance ithout re4uirin" the user to ma%e manualad'ustment. It usually comes in a form of a scope that has a reticle ith

multiple reference point.

1.1.1.8 Basic i"hts: Iron si"hts

The folloin" e#plains use of iron si"ht. Iron si"ht is the most commonaimin" de$ice. Because readers ha$e to %no ho a !asic form of si"hts

or%( iron si"hts as selected as an e#ample. And( its description ill !e"i$en here. or

ma#imum accuracy( the shooter&s eye should !e focused on the front si"ht(!ecause it has more correlation ith here the front end of the "un is

oriented toards and is closer to the tar"et.

Iron si"hts are made in $arious shapes( !ut ma'ority of them are one of the

folloin" to types:

>irst type: >ront and rear si"ht pair ith the front si"ht in a s4uare postform and a rear si"ht ith a flat surface facin" the rear that has an

aperture at the center that the shooter sees the front si"ht and the tar"et

throu"h.

R* of those si"hts are "enerally as follos: The top center point of thefront si"ht post is the front si"ht R*. >or the rear si"ht( the center of


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the aperture is the R* unless indicated otherise.


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econd type: >ront and rear si"ht pair ith the front si"ht in a s4uare

post form and a rear si"ht that has has a o$erall s4uare shape ith a frontto !ac% "roo$e( usually s4uare shaped( on the top side. The shooter sees

the front si"ht throu"h the hollo area of the "roo$e.

R* of those si"hts are "enerally as follos: The top center point of thefront si"ht post is the front si"ht R*. >or the rear si"ht( hori2ontal

center point of hollo area of the "roo$e that is on the same hori2ontalplane ith the top ed"e of the rear si"ht is the R/.


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oe$er( there are si"hts ith multiple R* the shooter can choose fromaccordin" to the situation. ome rear si"hts of either type may ha$e

multiple R* indicator mar%s indicatin" hich R* can !e chosen as rearsi"ht R* accordin" to distance. When rear si"ht R* is loer( the front

si"ht ith no chan"e in front si"ht R* ill "et relati$ely hi"her hen!oth R* is ali"ned( resultin" in distance the !ullet tra'ectory intersects

the R/ the second time lon"er. The distance of that intersection can !ead'usted !y hich rear si"ht R* is selected that ay.


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upplemental si"ht systems:

ome si"hts ill ha$e more than one separate pair of front si"ht and rearsi"ht R*. These are usually the case for lo li"ht condition supplement

si"ht in the form of inserts of paintin"s on the iron si"hts. There arecertain li"ht condition that does not allo the shooter to see the usually

dar% colored outlines of the iron si"hts clearly. There are 8 supplementalsi"ht system commonly in use.


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Another system consists of of one dot on the front si"ht on or near thecenter and a !ar or dot on the hori2ontal center of the rear si"ht. The

front and rear si"ht hori2ontal ali"nment is done !y placin" the center offront si"ht dot on the $ertical line ith the center of the rear si"ht dot

or s4uare. Vertical ali"nment is done !y placin" the ima"e of the frontsi"ht dot on top of the rear si"ht dot or s4uare. This system is often

called DBar)dotD system. It is also %non as DVon ta$enha"en.D


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*recision ali"nment ith the Bar)dot system is a pro!lem( !ecause theaimin" is not done !y a simple method of ali"nin" front si"ht R* ith rear

si"ht R*. The front si"ht R* is one the tar"et A*( !ut the shooter hasto then loo% don to see the front si"ht R*&s relationship to the rear

si"ht !ar or dot that is not in line ith the front si"ht R*. That means ashooter has to trac% multiple points in different directions durin" aimin".

*ayin" attention to to different center of focus on to differentplanes+R* and the $ertical ali"nment indicators that is no !elo the R*

on a different plane, for maintainin" ali"nment can re4uire more mentalprocessin" poer that ill reduce capacity for the mind to process other

shootin" and com!at tas%s.

Also( there is a pro!lem ith "ettin" consistent $ertical si"ht ali"nment.

>irst( if there is any chan"e in the distance !eteen the shooter&s eye and


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the si"hts( !ecause placin" the front si"ht dot or insert ima"e so that itill contact the top ed"e of the !ar ill not "et the same inclination

an"le of the "un hen the distance from the si"hts to the eye is chan"ed.

With Bar)ot type si"hts( si"ht reference point is not on the same plane as$ertical ali"nment indicators( hene$er there is a chan"e in si"ht&s

distance to the eye of the shooter( there ill !e an an"ular difference inline from the shooter&s eye to the si"ht reference point and line from

shooter&s eye and $ertical ali"nment indicators. And( the an"ular

difference ill chan"e if there is any chan"e in the si"ht&s distance from


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the aimin" eye.

The same las of physics and "eometry issue that creates the first pro!lemleast to the second pro!lem( that the system cannot !e used ith

consistency. The principles and method of ali"nin" a properly 2eroed ironsi"ht or 9 dot type supplemental si"ht system is the same ith $ast

ma'ority of "uns. That is not the case ith Bar)ot type system. A shootermay hit the intended aim point ith the front si"ht dot placed a!o$e the

rear si"ht !ar to a de"ree that !oth shapes appears as if touchin" eachother ith one "un( !ut the same shooter ould ha$e to place the dot some

distance a!o$e the rear si"ht !ar ith different "un ith the $ery sameBar)ot type si"ht. The pro!lem can !e manifested e$en ith the same "un

ith different shooters ho ould ha$e the si"ht placed at differentdistance from the aimin" eye !ecause of difference in !ody si2e( etc.

oe$er( some shooters may su!'ecti$ely feel that the Bar)ot type isfaster or more intuiti$e !ecause the front si"ht dot is $isually placed

closer to the rear si"ht !ar or dot compared to 9 dot type system. Closely"athered $ertically stac%ed dot and !ar shapes may !e faster to reco"ni2ethan shapes of 9 dot system here the shapes are more apart( in order to

reco"ni2e crude orientation of the "un toard a tar"et. But( !ecause of theissues mentioned( precision ali"nment can !e harder. ome si"ht systems

allo easier reco"nition at the cost of precision ali"nment indicationcapa!ility. Considerin" the fact that si"hts ith precision ali"nment

indication capa!ility can !e used in a crude manner to increase responsespeed( the difference in speed of achie$in" crude aim( hen crude aim ould

suffice( is ne"li"i!le.

*ro!lems ith supplemental si"ht system as primary aimin" tool:

The supplemental si"ht system is not meant to !e the primary aimin" de$ice.

It is only there for hen use of iron si"ht outline is not practical. 0sin"the supplemental si"ht system in place of iron si"ht outline hen the iron

si"ht itself can !e used presents pro!lems ith little to no !enefit.


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upplemental si"hts also ha$e pro!lems ith shooter&s $isual focus !ein"more spread in order to collect aimin" information.


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As illustrated here( use if iron si"hts ith top center of front si"ht as

aim reference point or usin" the center of front si"ht dot as the aim

reference point ith front si"ht system properly ali"ned ith rear si"htdots ma%es no difference in "un&s inclination an"le.

Gun aimed ith either method is completely parallel. o( other than the

si"ht reference points hei"ht difference hich is only a!out 89mm( thereill !e no difference in impact point re"ardless of the distance of thetar"et.

This is contrary to the claim of people ho claims usin" top center of iron

si"hts ill result in hittin" si"nificantly loer+lot "reater than 89mm,and difference increasin" as tar"et distance increases.


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hich is caused !y lac% of understandin".

There are also pro!lems ith people usin" one si"ht system for a2imuthali"nment and usin" part of another system for inclination ali"nment.


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needs consideration re"ardin" ho far the eye used for aim should !e placedfrom the rear si"ht. If placed too close( then the aperture openin" ould

appear $ery lar"e in relation to the front si"ht( and it may ma%e itdifficult to estimate here the e#act center of that aperture ould !e. If

it is too far( then it mi"ht delay the shooter from findin" the front si"htor tar"et throu"h the aperture that ould appear too small. Too close

positionin" ould also ma%e the aperture appear e$en more !lurry.

)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Iron si"ht caution points and pro!lems:

Iron si"hts are simple in desi"n( and does not ta%e much space or ei"h

much compared to others( and re4uires no electric poer. It is also thetype most resistant to impact driftin" the I* off proper settin". Because

of its compactness and simplicity( it is often retained on eapons that useother type of si"ht as a primary aimin" de$ice.

oe$er( there are some pro!lems that are specific to iron si"hts thatma%es its use harder than others. hooters need understandin" of that

pro!lem to !e effecti$e ith an iron si"ht.


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Another pro!lem is that the shooter need to ali"n 9 different o!'ects at 9different distances in front of the aimin" eye( hile only !ein" a!le to

ma%e the eye focused on one distance. 0sually( the front si"ht R/ should!e the point the shooter&s eye is focused on. The front si"ht that is

closer to the mu22le and the tar"et "i$es !etter indication of here themu22le is pointed in relation to the tar"et. Also( hen same de"ree of

mo$ement of front si"ht and rear si"ht presented on the ima"e the shooter&seye sees( same an"ular mo$ement from shooter&s point of $ie( the front

si"ht mo$ement indicates lar"er actual mo$ement. o( front si"ht de$iationmo$ement from proper si"ht ali"nment represents lar"er error. Because of

that( precision aimin" is !etter achie$ed ith the aimin" eye&s focus onthe front si"ht.

There is also a pro!lem of ima"e distortion accordin" to li"ht condition.


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ependin" on the amount of li"ht and direction it is comin" from( the frontsi"ht and rear si"ht R* may not appear ali"ned hen it is physically

ali"ned. Also( seein" an o!'ect near the ed"e of another o!'ect in front ofit may also cause distortion. >or e#ample( of the shooter sets the de"ree

of eye lid openin" so shooter can see the ed"e of the eye lid( ima"e nearthe ed"e of the shooter&s on eye lid can !e distorted. hooter&s head

attitude set in a certain manner may cause the pupil to !e close to theed"e of the eye openin"( causin" distortion of ima"e near the ed"e. That

can cause the front si"ht( or especially the !lurred rear si"ht or tar"et(to appear distorted.

As a shooter focus on the front si"ht here the I* is( shooter can loose

trac% of front si"ht I* and rear si"ht I* ali"nment hile the shooter&sfocus is on front si"ht I* and tar"et A* relationship. >or precision(

shooter needs to $isually maintain front and rear si"ht ali"nment.


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But( it !ecomes noticea!le hen the an"ular si2e of tar"et ima"e comescloser to the ima"e si2e of the of the front si"ht. When ad'ustin" the

si"ht reference point imposed on the tar"et ima"e to aim( this phenomenonhas to !e factored in( especially ith tar"et ima"e ith small an"ular

si2e.


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If the an"ular si2e of the tar"et ima"e is smaller than the fadin" area( it

ill !e hard or impossi!le to reco"ni2e the tar"et for accurate aimin".

This pro!lem can induce error ith correct A* determination.


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1.1.1.9. etermination of A*

There are num!er of factors affectin" here an A* is in relationship toIA* ith a "i$en tar"et. At the start of the operation( the operator should

ha$e selected a firearm( ammo( and firearms si"ht 2eroed to a certaindistance. With all factors %non and constant( the shooter ould not ha$e

to continuously recalculate here the A* is( once the correct A* is%non.

oe$er( some $aria!le factors can only !e %non after operation has

started and an operator usually ould come in contact ith a tar"et in anunpredicta!le situation. *rimary $aria!les are as follos:

istance to the tar"et: hooter has to determine the distance to the tar"et

and ad'ust the A* accordin" to the difference of the *IA and I* at that

distance.

3o$ement of the tar"et: ittin" mo$in" tar"et in$ol$es estimatin" the pointhere tar"et course and !ullet tra'ectory needs to con$er"e in order forthe aim point on the tar"et and the !ullet to !e at the same place after a

!ullet&s tra$el time if the !ullet is fired at the moment. A shooter ouldthen ad'ust the si"ht aim point to here the si"ht needs to inde# in order

to hit the con$er"e point to "et the correct si"ht aim point. The shooterould fire to send a !ullet to the con$er"e point.

Wind: Airflo ould affect the pro'ectile( pushin" it in the direction of

its flo durin" the pro'ectiles fli"ht.


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A* ould !e determined after com!inin" A* ad'ustment for tar"et mo$ement(

distance( ind( and firearm mo$ement.

That can !e a difficult process. oe$er( certain process can !e simplifiedor i"nored ithout si"nificant affect on accuracy. >or tar"et mo$ement A*

ad'ustment( if the tar"ets distance remains the same( usually meanin" thetar"ets path is perpendicular to the operators line of si"ht to the

tar"et( it ould ma%e the !ullet fli"ht time a constant. Also( if the

tar"ets distance is close enou"h and speed is slo enou"h( the speed oftar"et mo$in" in or out may !e insi"nificant enou"h for the shooter to

i"nore its affect on !ullet&s fli"ht time to the tar"et&s predicted

location at impact point. This ould ma%e the process relati$ely easier.The shooter can assume the tar"et remains at the same distance and only

consider the tar"ets an"ular mo$ement.

Also( if the distance is short enou"h and tar"et speed is slo enou"h thatthere ill !e no si"nificant distance of mo$ement durin" the pro'ectiles

fli"ht time( then the shooter can i"nore the tar"et&s mo$ement durin"!ullet&s fli"ht time.


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usual distance in$ol$ed ma%es those factors insi"nificant( and time alloedfor reaction to an emer"in" opponent is too short for the operator to

consider all those factors and ma%e a calculation.


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1.8. hooter to "un interface.

*osture( position( and contact.

>or effecti$e "unnery( interface ith the "un needs to meet certainconditions. Guns need to !e held in a certain manner to facilitate that.

The "un in use needs to !e positioned on !ody securely( and in a manner

that facilitates folloin" conditions:

)3inimi2ed discomfort.)3a#imi2ed er"onomic efficiency.

)A!le to maintain aim sta!ility hen shootin".)A!le to resist displacement of rifle and aim desta!ili2ation from tri""er

pull force.

)A!le to resist displacement of "un from recoil force.)No interference ith mechanical operation of the "un.


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side of the "rip. The rear of pistol&s "rip "enerally ha$e an inard cur$eon the $ertical plane near the top( ith the top ed"e of that cur$e

e#tendin" to the rear that pre$ents the hand that contacts the rear ofpistol&s "rip from mo$in" up !eyond it. The ed"e of the cur$e that e#tends

to the rear is usually called 5"rip tan".6 The top rear of pistol&s "riprearard e#tension+5"rip tan"6,ould ha$e a surface facin" toard the

!ottom of the "rip( and that surface ill also "enerally ha$e it&s centercur$ed outard.

The part of the hand that contacts the rear of pistol&s "rip is the area of

the palm on or near here part of the palm that is the !ase of thum!transitions to the part of the palm that is not. oe$er( most of the

"rippin" poer re"ardin" pistol "rip&s rear area ill come from the areadescri!ed as follos:

The thum! and the part of the palm that is !ase of the inde# fin"er facin"each other( and the part of the palm that is the shortest path that connect

the to( hich consists of a certain portion of the part of the palm thatis !ase of the thum! and the part of the palm that transitions from the!ase of the thum! to !ase of the inde# fin"er( can form a cur$e that a rear

of pistol&s "rip can !e secured into. The cur$e is a letter 506 shaped !aseseen from a!o$e. That 0)shaped !ase is the ma'or "rip force area for the

rear of the pistol&s "rip. And( that part is also the part that is used assta!le !ase that resists tor4ue or displacement of the pistol caused !y

rearard force on or from the pistol. This ill !e called 5rear of pistol&s"rip ma'or contact area6 from no on.

The hori2ontal outard cur$e of the pistol "rip&s rear side ill !e pressed

into the rear of pistol&s "rip ma'or contact area ith the hori2ontalcenter of the rear of pistol "rip&s appro#imately !ein" centered on or

around the part of the palm here part of the palm that is the !ase ofthum! transitions to the part of the palm that is not. That ill secure

the rear of pistol&s "rip hori2ontally( ith the rear of pistol&s "ripma'or contact area actin" li%e a V)!loc% that the rear of pistol&s "rip&s

outard hori2ontal cur$e is pressed and fi#ed into.


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The top ed"e of rear of pistol&s "rip ma'or contact area should contact the

top rear of pistol&s "rip rearard e#tension( una!le to !e placed hi"her

due to the rearard e#tension( and fittin" inside the inard cur$e on therear of pistol&s "rip near its top. That ill press the cur$e of the

e#tension surface facin" toard the !ottom of the "rip donard on the

relati$ely soft s%in area of the hand !ehind the center of the rear of

pistol&s "rip ma'or contact area( ith that part of the hand also actin"li%e a V)!loc% the rear e#tension of the "rip is pressed and fi#ed into.Alon" ith pistol "rip&s front side contact ith the hand( that resists

pistol&s rotation on $ertical plane in the shooter&s hand( and alsominimi2es rear side "rip mo$ement in the shooter&s hand.


41/87

ince the thum! is the only thin" that can !e facin" the palm as far as

rear of pistol&s "rip is concerned( the rear of pistol&s "rip ma'or contact

area is the primary part of the tri""er hand that the rear of pistol&s "ripould !e secured into. Because the thum! is located near the top side of

the "rip( it lea$es the part of the "rip closer to the !ottom side

relati$ely insecure. The left or ri"ht side of the loer pistol&s "rip ill

only ha$e one of either side in si"nificant contact ith the tri""er handin relation to the part of the hand on the opposite side( hich isdifferent from the case ith the hi"h part of the "rip that is secured

!eteen palm and !ase of thum!. 3a'ority of the palm contact on the "rip ofthe pistol ould !e on the side of the pistol opposite of the side a

tri""er hand thum! ould !e.

oe$er( rearard pressure on the pistol&s "rip also causin" the loer rearside of the pistol&s "rip to !e pressed on the pad of the palm here the it


42/87

contacts so that the pad ill contact the rear side of the "rip as much aspossi!le( ithout o$ere#ertin" and causin" fati"ue( can help secure the

rear part of the "rip closer to the !ottom side.

It is !eneficial to ha$e the pistol&s "rip positioned and pressed on thepad of the palm to a de"ree that the pad of the palm ould contact the rear

side of the pistol&s "rip !eyond the hori2ontal center of it( so the palmould also !e in contact ith the rear side area of the pistol&s "rip on

the thum! side to some e#tent. *alm !ein" in contact on !oth left and ri"htside of the rear side of the "rip to some de"ree( in that manner( loers

the pro!a!ility of the loer rear side of the pistol&s "rip slidin" toardthe thum! side and out of the shooter&s "rasp.

Tri""er hand thum! and !ase of thum! should also !e positioned in a manner

to secure the pistol in "rasp of the tri""er hand pre$ent pistol from

shiftin" position inside the "rasp. -#ertin" force ith the !ase of thum!(as if thrustin" the thum! forard or forard and upard( alon" ith

correspondin" part of the palm on the opposite side of the pistol( can helpin that re"ard.

The rear surface of the pistol&s "rip needs to !e firmly pressed on thepart of the tri""er hand here it contacts( not only on the rear of

pistol&s "rip ma'or contact area( throu"hout the $ertical len"th of thecontact area. It is for the security of the "rasp of the pistol and pre$ent

tiltin" of the pistol in $ertical plane ith the rear of pistol&s "ripma'or contact area as a pi$ot point. It also increases resistance of the

loer part of pistol&s "rip from mo$in" aay from the part of the palm itcomes in contact ith.

>ront of pistol&s "rip contact:With the rear of pistol&s "rip contact formed( 9 tri""er hand fin"er from

middle to little fin"er ill co$er the front side of the "rip and applyrearard pressure on it. ince the 9 fin"ers are pressin" the rear side of

the "rip on the 0 shaped ma'or contact area hich is close to the to sideof the "rip( the rearard force applied on the front side of the "rip ould

!e more effecti$e if it is close to in line ith the rear ma'or contactarea of the "rip. >or this reason( the top to of the 9 fin"ers hich are

closer to !ein" in line ith the ma'or rear contact area of the "rip

pro$idin" most of the "rippin" poer( ith the middle fin"er pro$idin" morepoer( ould !e effecti$e. 3ore poer on the little fin"er side ould !e

counter producti$e !ecause it is pressin" the loer part of the pistol "ripa"ainst the palm hich is only on ri"ht or left side of the "rip ith

nothin" on the opposin" side to secure it.

It is important that the rear of pistol&s "rip ma'or contact area form asta!le !ase that resists tor4ue or displacement of the pistol caused !y


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rearard force on or from the pistol.

or ma#imum aim sta!ility( any force that ma%es the pistol rotate to either

side or up or don needs to !e minimi2ed. Because of this( shooter needs toma%e the application of "rippin" force !y tri""er hand parallel in relation

to the pistol&s line of aim( and not ma%e the the curlin" in motion of the

"rippin" fin"ers cause rotation or side mo$ement of the pistol.

The o$erall "rip should feel comforta!le and firm at the same time. The


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le$el of force applied !y the tri""er hand to "rip the pistol should !esufficient to hold the pistol in hand ith sta!ility and security( and the

"rippin" poer may !e increased correspondin" to le$el of force applied onthe tri""er to maintain that sta!ility. oe$er( the le$el of "rippin"

force should not !e to a de"ree here it ould cause trem!le or faste#haustion of muscles that ould hinder the operator from holdin" the

pistol ith consistency for the duration of the operation. o ti"ht ashooter has to "rip the "un ill depend on each situation( !ut mostly it

ill !e a point here it&s firm enou"h to control the "un !ut not too ti"htenou"h to cause e#cessi$e fati"ue. Be cautious not to loosen firm "rip

hile tryin" to delicately manipulate the tri""er.

It is also important that the inde# fin"er must !e a!le to manipulate the

tri""er ithout si"nificant discomfort or causin" insta!ility in the pistol

that pre$ents hittin" the tar"et ith sufficient accuracy and speed. Theinde# fin"er must !e a!le to contact the front of the tri""er ith the pad

of the inde# fin"er !eteen the end of the fin"er and the first 'oint fromthe end. If that cannot !e achie$ed( the ay the shooter "rips the pistolhas to !e ad'usted. The ad'ustment that achie$es that may sometimes

conflict ith "rip comfort or "rip security or other factors. Generally(achie$in" the "rip that allos proper tri""er manipulation ill ta%e top

priority !ecause improper tri""er control is often the most si"nificantfactor that causes missed shots. Note that the center of the rear of

pistol&s "rip ma'or contact area here the rear of pistol&s "rip centeredon( the part of the palm that transitions from part that is !ase of thum!

to part of the palm that is not( is somehat distanced from the !ase ofthum! muscle and !ase of inde# fin"er area. i"nificant part of the thum!

that faces the palm and secures the rear outard hori2ontal cur$e of therear of pistol&s "rip !eteen it and the palm is the thum! and !ase of

thum! 'oint area that is relati$ely harder ith no muscle to mo$e o$er. Themost part of the thum! or the palm area that is !ase of the inde# fin"er

does not put much si"nificant side pressure on the side of the "rip. Thatis one reason a thum! pointin" upard "rip style that the thum! does not

ma%e any si"nificant contact ith the pistol can !e used.

There are num!er of "rip styles ith the tri""er hand thum! positioneddifferently and pointin" in different directions. If the shooter ants to

consistently "rip the pistol ith the thum! pointed in a certain direction

in relation to the pistol( it helps for the shooter to start the "rippin"process ith the thum! at an an"le in relation to the pistol that the

shooter ants to %eep hen "rippin" is completed( and position the fin"erson the front of the "rip in a manner to secure that position.

It also helps to a$oid "rippin" the pistol in a manner that allossi"nificant contact ith muscle or "roup of it in the palm that is li%ely

to ma%e mo$ement put pressure on the pistol&s "rip. The palm area that is!ase of the inde# fin"er can chan"e in its firmness hen the inde# fin"er


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is mo$ed to pull the tri""er. When in contact ith the "rip ith somede"ree of pressure( it can ad$ersely affect the "rip hen the inde# fin"er

is mo$ed disruptin" aim sta!ility hen precision is needed( especially henpullin" a hea$y tri""er. Relati$ely lar"e muscle of the palm in the !ase of

thum! area can also ad$ersely affect the "rip disruptin" aim sta!ility henthe thum! is mo$ed( hen in contact ith the "rip ith some de"ree of

pressure. This is the reason hy lar"e palm sell type accessories onpistol "rip can !e counter producti$e.

When supportin" arm is used to support the tri""er hand arm( supportin" arm

the hand is placed ith its fin"ers co$erin" o$er the fin"ers of the hand"rippin" pistol seen from the front. *alms of the to hands ill !e in an

attitude facin" each other. upport hand should not disrupt the "rip of the"rippin" hand in any ay. *rimary function of the support hand is to

pro$ide e#tra sta!ility to the "roup that consists of the pistol and the

hand "rippin" it. This includes aim sta!ility( and recoil mana"ement. Italso ser$es the function of supportin" a portion of the ei"ht of the

pistol the "rippin" hand is holdin" up. The recoil force ill causedisplacement of the tri""er hand arm. ependin" on the matter it is used(use of support arm ill add lateral( and to some de"ree $ertical(

resistance to the tri""er hand and arm displacement( and also aid in fasterreco$ery to aimin" position.

ue to human arm and hand structure( the !ore line of a pistol ill often

!e to the to the side of the rist tilt a#is point( most li%ely offset tothe side the palm is facin" hen the shootin" posture utili2ed is in the

form of arm and rist !ein" strai"ht or close to it. This causes tor4ueupon recoil of the pistol( causin" the pistol and the hand holdin" it to

rotate to the direction the palm is facin". The arm 'oint !ein" desi"nedrotate the forearm inard toard the torso and rist ha$in" more motion

ran"e tiltin" toard the direction the palm is facin" also ma%es therotation tendency more li%ely. a$in" a support arm ith its hand

supportin" the tri""er hand on the side of the tri""er hand palm is facin"(opposin" it&s mo$ement( resists the effect of the tor4ue.

)To handed pistol control method:

A shooter can use the non)tri""er hand ith the tri""er hand to control a

pistol. *rimary function of the support hand is to pro$ide e#tra sta!ility

to the "roup that consists of the pistol and the hand "rippin" it. Thisincludes aim sta!ility( and recoil mana"ement. It also ser$es the function

of supportin" a portion of the ei"ht of the pistol the "rippin" hand isholdin" up. The recoil force ill cause displacement of the tri""er hand

arm. ependin" on the matter it is used( use of support arm ill add

lateral( and to some de"ree $ertical( resistance to the tri""er hand andarm displacement( and also aid in faster reco$ery to aimin" position. The

other hand is usually placed ith its fin"ers co$erin" o$er the fin"ers ofthe tri""er hand fin"ers "rippin" around the front of the pistol "rip seen


46/87

from the front. *alms of the to hands ill !e in an attitude facin" eachother.

ue to human arm and hand structure( the !ore line of a pistol ill often

!e to the to the side of the rist tilt a#is point( most li%ely offset tothe side the palm is facin" hen the shootin" posture utili2ed is in the

form of arm and rist !ein" strai"ht or close to it. This causes tor4ueupon recoil of the pistol( causin" the pistol and the hand holdin" it to

rotate to the direction the palm is facin". The arm 'oint !ein" desi"nedrotate the forearm inard toard the torso and rist ha$in" more motion

ran"e tiltin" toard the direction the palm is facin" also ma%es therotation tendency more li%ely. a$in" a support arm ith its hand

supportin" the tri""er hand ith !oth hands& palm facin" each other resiststhe effect of the tor4ue.

There are different methods of usin" to hand for pistol control. ere( I

ill co$er three different methods: hared Grip( upported tri""er hand"rip( and y!rid.

With supported tri""er hand method( the shooter ma%es a tri""er hand "ripon the pistol that is complete in itself( and that complete and independent

tri""er hand "rip ill !e supported !y the other hand to enhance sta!ilityand recoil control. There is no s4uee2in" action of the support hand

in$ol$ed. The support hand only applies rearard pressure on the tri""erhand fin"ers it is co$erin". The de"ree of the pressure depends on ho much

contact poer the shooter ants( and that can !e used to add "rip stren"thof the tri""er hand. upport hand should not disrupt the "rip of the

tri""er hand in any ay.

With shared "rip method( !oth hands share the role of "rippin" the pistolin !oth hand&s palm. The contact ith the pistol&s "rip ould !y mostly

made !y the tri""er hand( hoe$er( the shooter ould ma%e deli!erate effortto ma%e the support hand palm contact any area not co$ered !y the tri""er

hand. Also the tri""er hand thum! area ill !e lifted upard to allo thesupport hand palm ider access.

As for security of the pistol !ein" %ept in "rip( the shared "rip method

has the ad$anta"e. The independent tri""er hand "rip in supported tri""er

hand method cannot secure the loer part of the rear pistol "rip as ell asthe to opposin" palms of the shared "rip method. The shared "rip method

also can !etter utili2e added "rip stren"th from the support hand ithoutthe possi!ility of muscle mo$ement input affectin" the tri""er hand inde#

fin"er hile muscle mo$ement on tri""er hand can affect the inde# fin"er.

oe$er( the shared "rip method is dependent upon the non)tri""er hand

"ettin" a "rip on the pistol and the tri""er hand in a $ery specificmanner. It is $ery a%ard to achie$e if the el!o position and its an"le(


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the position and an"le of the forearm from the el!o leadin" to the non)tri""er hand is not !alanced ith el!o and forearm of the tri""er hand.

>or that reason( it is mostly utili2ed ith shootin" posture ith form thatis symmetrical side to side. To achie$e that( the pistol&s position ha$e to

!e in front of near center of the shooter&s !ody. This presents somepro!lems. It ma%es the shootin" a%ard ith this method if the situation

the shooter is in re4uires the pistol to !e offset from the plane thatcontains shooter&s center !ody line. It also presents pro!lem ith shooter

!ein" in area here near full arm e#tension is not feasi!le. It&s $erya%ard to shoot ith the %ind of "rip ith !oth arms e#tended in

symmetrical manner and pistol near plane of center !ody line hen thepistol is !rou"ht closer to the shooter&s face.

It re4uirin" the tri""er hand thum! to !e mo$ed up may also !e a pro!lem if

that fin"er positionin" interferes ith control le$ers or slide mo$ement of

a pistol a shooter is usin". ome pistols to not allo a secure "rip iththat %ind of thum! positionin". Coupled ith the "rip type re4uirin"

contact of !oth hands in $ery specific manner( feasi!ility of the shared"rip method can !e more affected !y specific "un in use.

The supported tri""er hand "rip has ad$anta"e in fle#i!ility. No matter hothe shootin" posture is chan"ed( hich often happens !y necessity durin"

operations( the independent tri""er hand "rip is not affected !y it. It&s$ery adapta!le to different shootin" postures( and also not affected if the

shooter needs to sitch to one hand only pistol control or sitch !ac% toto hand pistol control from one hand only pistol control.

Another ad$anta"e of the supported tri""er hand "rip method is that it is

affected less hen the support hand is used to operate a hand heldflashli"ht.

y!rid method is used to retain the ad$anta"es of hared Grip and upported

Tri""er and method ithout their disad$anta"es. The method and principlesin$ol$ed ith y!rid "rip method is similar to upported Tri""er and

method. oe$er( in y!rid method( support hand is used to au"ment thetri""er hand "rip to increase security of the pistol !ein" %ept in tri""er

hand "rip in addition to supportin" some of the ei"ht of the pistol. Thetri""er hand still forms a complete "rip that can !e used independent of

the support hand( and there ill !e no alteration of ho the tri""er hand

"rip is placed for the support hand effort( or $ery little if there is anyalteration. ince the tri""er hand alone has $ery limited capa!ility to

secure the loer part of the pistol&s "rip from mo$in" aay from the palm(the support hand palm can !e used to ma%e contact ith the side pistols&

"rip opposite to the tri""er hand and apply e$en side pressure on the

pistol&s "rip as that of the tri""er hand palm contact.

upport hand fin"er !ein" rapped around the tri""er hand fin"er ill applyrearard pressure to %eep the support hand in position. This ill also help


48/87

relie$e the shooter from ha$in" to secure the rear of the pistol&s "rip intri""er hand&s position !y middle to little fin"ers of the tri""er hands

alone hich may !e affected !y inde# fin"er mo$ement.

The shooter ould apply the pressure on the pistol&s "rip on the supporthand side !y applyin" force in a manner li%e rotatin" the hand ith the

inde# to little fin"er in steady position and palm mo$in" toard thepistols& "rip. This ill result in the support hand palm applyin" side

force on the pistol&s "rip toard the tri""er hand palm.

The le$el of pressure e#erted on the on !oth left and ri"ht side of thepistols& "rip !y support hand and tri""er hand contact ould !e

appro#imately e$en. If the pressure e#erted !y support hand increases( thetri""er hand also needs to e#ert more pressure in the similar manner in

in$erted direction.

/e$el of force applied ill !e to a de"ree here the "rip ill !e firm( !ut

not to a de"ree hat it ill trample or !e painful and do a de"ree that itould not cause fati"ue that ould ma%e it not possi!le to maintain the"rip for the period needed. >orce applied to the side of the pistol&s "rip

!y !oth hands& palm can !e li"ht to firm.


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contact ill resist the rifle&s lateral or $ertical rotation in relation toshooter&s !ody. It ill also help support some of the rifle&s ei"ht.

*art of tri""er hand that is rear to the rear side of tri""er hand "rip

contact point also !ein" in firm contact ith !ottom surface of therecei$er( hich ould !e the part of the rifle e#tendin" to the rear from

the top of the rear side of the tri""er hand "rip( can !e !eneficial toma%e the tri""er hand a sta!le platform for the inde# fin"er to manipulate

the tri""er. That can also assist sta!ility ith holdin" the rear portionof the rifle ith pressure applied !y chee% on the top of the stoc% and the

tri""er hand contact ith the rifle ith pressure applied in oppositedirection.

This is also the reason hy the !ottom surface of the recei$er of the rifle

that e#tends rearard from the top of the tri""er hand "rip&s rear side

should !e at a le$el here tri""er hand&s positionin" ith firm contactith the area ould position the hand in a manner that allos comfort and

"ood tri""er control. The shape that facilitates that is the !ottom surfacearea of the recei$er !e close to !ein" in line ith the top of the tri""er(hich places the inde# fin"er mo$ement direction close to parallel to the

!ore line and alloin" a pull direction that is strai"ht to the rear inclose to parallel line ith the !ore and si"ht reference line. If the

recei$er surface is offset to the top of the tri""er( it ould position theinde# fin"er in a ay that the pull direction and ho the inde# fin"er

reaches the tri""er ould !e less parallel to the !ore line or si"htreference line. >or e#ample( ori"inal AR)1= rifle has that area of the

!ottom surface of the recei$er placed hi"her than the top of the tri""erhen the rifle is upri"ht and aimed hori2ontally. If a shooter ould

position the tri""er hand in a manner that allos the tri""er fin"er to !eparallel ith the !ore line in $ertical plane( that ould often lea$e a "ap

!eteen the tri""er hand&s rear of "rip contact point and the !ottomsurface of the loer recei$er. That&s hy aftermar%et "rip parts that fill

in the "ap( hich loer the !ottom surface of the rifle recei$er rear ofthe "rip and fills the "ap( are popular.

A rifle also has a separate "rippin" area for the supportin" arm hand. Thisis due to the rifle&s ei"ht !ein" too hea$y to !e supported !y one or !oth

hand "rippin" the tri""er hand "rip area that is usually located to the

rear of rifle&s center of mass. o( additional "rip is placed forard ofthe tri""er hand "rip position. The support hand "rip is usually located on

the !ody of the rifle that surrounds the !arrel( or located under or nearthe !arrel. That location of the support hand on the rifle is "ood and

necessary for ei"ht support of the front part of the rifle and help

rotatin" the direction of the rifle in coordinated manner ith the rest ofthe shooter&s upper !ody.

oe$er( it also has an ad$erse effect. Any unintended mo$ement of the


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support arm ill result in the front of the rifle mo$in" in relation toit&s rear side that is secured !y stoc% contact. This is a different

situation from that of a pistol here utili2ation of support arm has littleto no ad$erse effect on sta!ility. To minimi2e that ad$erse effect( the

support arm !ein" used to rotate the rifle&s direction in relation to the!ody for aim control should !e minimi2ed( accordin" to feasi!ility. hooter

needs to train to use the support arm only in coordination ith the otherpart of the upper !ody. As the support hand !ears the load of the front

side if the rifle( support arm may pull the rifle toard the support sideshoulder as the support arm "ets fati"ued and !ends ithout shooter

intendin" to do so. That ould result in disruptin" aim. li"ht forardpressure ith the support hand toard the direction of the tar"et may

reduce the support arm mo$ement that can de$iate the front side of therifle from shootin" platform. With a support arm ith its el!o pointed

donard and positioned near the $ertical plane of the rifle as possi!le

ithout !ein" a%ard( rifle&s ei"ht !earin" don on the support hand cancreate and effect of support hand applyin" forard pressure on its "rip

area. This is an effect similar to hen a shooter is in prone position andthe shooter&s support arm el!o is fi#ed on the "round: a situation inhich a rifle&s ei"ht on the support hand ould act as a force that ould

ma%e the end of the forearm to mo$e don ith the support hand slippin"forard( if the support hand slips. upport hand placement on the support

hand "rippin" area ith the support hand thum! pointin" forard can alsohelp.

The shooter needs to ma%e the upper !ody ith the rifle positioned on it a

consistent form platform that mo$es as close to as a sin"ular unit.irection control of the rifle ill !e done !y sta!ili2ation or mo$ement of

that platform as a hole( as much as possi!le. The stoc% contact( hich ismost securely held( ould form the !ase to position the rifle on the

shooter&s !ody. And( the rifle&s rear side contact ith the shooter&stri""er hand( shoulder( and chee% ould !e the sta!le !ase the rifle aim

direction control actuation occurs ith the support arm and hand holdin"the front side of the rifle mo$in" in coordination ith it. oe$er( there

are e#ceptions. Those e#ceptions are mostly hen the shooter&s upper !odymotion is limited. >or e#ample( the support arm ill !e more acti$e in role

for $ertical aim direction control actuation that can in$ol$e acti$elymo$in" the rifle in relation to the shooter&s upper !ody. That is !ecause(

unli%e hori2ontal rotation that the shooter has no limitation( shooter&s

upper !ody has limitations rotatin" up or don.


51/87

use. 3ore muscle poer is used( "reater the possi!le affect from fati"ueand unintended muscle mo$ement. Also( it helps minimi2in" insta!ility if

shootin" platform in$ol$es less !endin" of 'oints that in$ol$es muscle useto maintain( such as !endin" at the rist toard the little fin"er or thum!

direction ith the support hand "rip. Also( tri""er hand arm ise( thisould also ma%e a the part of the upper arm near arm pit ha$e firm contact

ith the torso and hich may help the rifle stoc% contact point of theshoulder formed for !etter contact.

If support hand el!o can !e placed directly under the rifle( the heel of

support hand palm contactin" the rifle ould in$ol$e minimi2ed rist muscleuse to support the rifle&s ei"ht. oe$er( since the support arm shoulder

is offset to the rifle to one side of rifle&s !ore line( the support armthat has a strai"ht line on hori2ontal plane holdin" a rifle that is le$el

to the hori2on ould also ha$e the el!o also some distance offset to one

side from the rifle&s !ore line. If the support arm is rotated to place theel!o directly under the rifle( it may result in an unnatural tist that

re4uire constant muscle tension to maintain( hich is not desira!le.

Also( the support hand rist tilted in an a%ard manner to "rip the

support hand "rippin" area should !e a$oided. When the rist is %ept"enerally in a strai"ht line ith the forearm( the support hand contact

under the rifle&s front "rippin" area ould li%ely in$ol$e the part of thepalm that is !ase of the inde# fin"er to near center of palm heel near

!order of palm and rist in contact ith the !ottom center line of that"rippin" area.


52/87


53/87

i

The positionin" of the rifle on the shooter&s !ody ill "enerally startith the shooter "rippin" the tri""er hand "rip and support hand "rip

ma%in" the stoc% contact the shoulder contact area. The tri""er hand illapply rearard pressure on the rifle&s tri""er hand "rip( pressin" the end

of the stoc% secured into the shoulder contact. With the upper !ody&s frontleanin" motion( the shooter ill ma%e contact ith the top of the stoc%

ith the aimin" eye side chee%( puttin" donard pressure on the stoc%.This ill also !rin" the "unner&s tri""er hand side eye to the position to

use the rifle&s si"ht. The rifle&s rear side !ase is secured that ay( andthe support hand ill support the ei"ht of the rifle&s front side ith the

rifle directed toard here the rifle&s rear side !ase is orientin" therifle toard in coordination ith the rear side !ase.

Chee% contact ith the rifle&s stoc% also ser$es the purpose of sta!ili2in"


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head in relation to the stoc% that ill help eliminate or minimi2eappearance of rear si"ht driftin" !eteen the aimin" eye and the front

si"ht the eye is focused on.

>or the rear end of the stoc% to !e secured( it ill !e efficient for it to!e pressed into a surface ith an inard cur$e. The area of the shoulder

!eteen the chest and arm !elo the collar !one has an inard cur$e( andtop of the !ac% of stoc% can !e secured into that cur$e. The top side of

the !ac% of stoc% is secured !ecause it is usually closest to the !ore lineof most rifle( here ma'ority of the recoil force ill !e transferred

throu"h hen in contact ith shoulder( and rear end of stoc% !ein" placedany hi"her ould result in the stoc% contactin" the collar !one area that

can cause pain or in'ury. oe$er( the stoc% contact point on the shoulderis decided !y factors that affects hate$er location on the shoulder !est

meets the purpose of rifle hold and a$aila!ility of the area. >or e#ample(

!ody armor co$erin" the cur$ed area of the shoulder may ma%e that area notthe most ideal location for stoc% contact. Bac%pac% shoulder strap or other

shoulder or chest area mounted e4uipment may also limit hat area a riflestoc% may properly come into contact.

The side of shoulder that rifle stoc% come in contact may ha$e to !ead'usted( raised hen a shooter is in re"ular standin" or %neelin" posture(

in order to !rin" the rifle in proper position for a shooter to ma%e chee%contact ith the stoc% and "et the si"ht of the rifle in line !eteen the

shooter&s eye and a tar"et. oe$er( simply mo$in" one side of the shoulderould cause strain and fati"ue. 3o$in" the entire shoulder in a dia"onal

positionin"( raisin" one side and loerin" the other side ould reduce suchstrain and fati"ue. In addition to shoulder position ad'ustment( shooter

may also need to ad'ust the head position( since it may !e !etter tocom!ine head and shoulder positionin" ad'ustment instead of relyin" on

shoulder positionin" ad'ustment alone hich ould !e more strainin". Whenad'ustin" head toard the rifle stoc% to ma%e chee% contact( forard

leanin" motion com!ined into the motion ould !e less strainin" then simplytryin" to mo$e the head closer to the stoc% ith nec% motion.


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Base of the rifle shootin" platform is formed !y the rifle and its contact

ith the tri""er hand( chee%( and the tri""er hand side shoulder that

contacts the stoc%. To hands ould hold the rifle in proper "rippin"areas( and the end of the stoc% ill !e pressed on the shoulder contact

area. The end stoc% to shoulder contact area of the shootin" platform is

formed in a manner that the stoc% contact area is somehat perpendicular to

the rifle&s !ore line re"ardless of the rest of the shootin" platform form.As rifle comes into aimin" position( chee% ill press on the top of thestoc%. The shoulder( chee%( and the tri""er hand contact ith the rife ill

form the rifle&s rear !ase of the shootin" platform.

The tri""er hand can pull the tri""er hand "rip( formin" a tension !eteenthe front of the tri""er hand "rip and the shoulder contact area( and that

can allo the tri""er pull to !e done !y pull of the tri""er pressin" therifle into the shoulder contact area( usin" the hole rifle&s rear !ase of


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the shootin" platform as a !ase for tri""er control( rather thancontrollin" inde# fin"er&s pull !y tri""er hand "rip alone.

The support hand "ra!!in" the support hand "rip area( and supportin" the

front of the rifle&s ei"ht ith the rifle&s rear !ase of shootin" platformforms the !ase of shootin" platform.

3ore consistency of the !ase of shootin" platform( the !etter. oe$er(

ad'ustment may ha$e to !e made to adapt to different shootin" postures andsurroundin"s( etc. The rifle&s rear !ase of shootin" platform ill stay the

most consistent form that ould !e oriented toard or sta!ili2ed in are4uired direction or attitude. The support hand placement of the !ase of

shootin" platform also needs consistency( !ut li%ely need to !e ad'ustedmore than rifle&s rear !ase of shootin" platform. The rifle&s rear !ase of

shootin" platform needs to !e structurally sound enou"h to operate the

rifle( e$en hen support hand is not used. The tri""er hand and the chee%can apply pressure on the rifle from !oth sides to aid in hori2ontal

sta!ility as needed. The rest of the shootin" platform is formed to assistith sta!ili2in" or orientin" this !ase in a certain direction.


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An alternati$e method of stoc% to shoulder contact is to ma%e the loer

side of the rear stoc% surface( sometimes referred to as 5toe of stoc%(6 to!e the primary contact point instead of the hi"h side of the rear stoc%

surface. This !rin"s the rifle&s R/ upards hen a shooter is in standin"position( hich allos the shooter to ha$e a shootin" platform ith proper

chee% contact on the rifle stoc% ith less forard lean of the upper !odyor loerin" of head. It can also reduce the re4uired amount of ele$atin"

the side of the shoulder the rifle stoc% contacts for proper chee% contact.

oe$er( since most rifles are confi"ured in a ay that the top side of thestoc% is more closer to !ore a#is( recoil mana"ement may !e less effecti$e

that ay. Also( it can ma%e part of the rear stoc% surface contact the

collar !one area. Those can !e a pro!lem ith type of rifles that fire hi"h


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poer ammunition such as @.?8mm NAT< hich has stron" recoil. It is lessof a pro!lem ith relati$ely lo recoil ammunition such as =.=?mm. Another

potential pro!lem is that hen the loer part of rear stoc% surfacecontacts the shoulder cur$e area( it can raise the hi"her side rear surface

of the stoc% a!o$e the shoulder( meanin" less surface contact ith theshoulder. That can !e a pro!lem ith %eepin" the stoc% in place.

-#actly here the stoc% contacts the shoulder cur$e area affects ho much

o!li4ue an"le shooter&s torso is facin" in relation to here the rifle is

pointed toard ill !e. As the stoc% contact point on the shoulder "ets farfrom the shooter&s nec%( the shooter may need to position the upper !ody in

more o!li4ue an"le in relation to the rifle&s front to !ac% line to !rin"

the aimin" eye side chee% o$er the top of the stoc%.

The direction shooter&s torso is facin" in relation to the rifle&s mu22ledirection is also affected !y support hand "rip placement. If the shooter

is illin" to place the support hand more toard the front of the rifle(


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the shooter may ha$e to position the torso in a more o!li4ue an"le so thatthe support arm shoulder ill !e more closer to the front of the rifle.

This depends on the relati$e si2e of shooter and the rifle( ho much reachthe shooter ha$e( and the from of the shooter&s preferred shootin" posture.

When direction the torso is facin" is $ery o!li4ue in relation to R/( thefront shoulder area may !e too an"led to meet the end of the rifle stoc%.

In such case( the ed"e of the shoulder here it transitions to the arm mayha$e to !e used.


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o close the area !ein" held !y support hand is to the rear or front ofthe rifle( ithin the len"th of the support hand "rip area( also has

folloin" effects:

When an arm is holdin" up an o!'ect on a person&s shoulder le$el( itre4uires more muscle poer for the person to hold the same load if the armis e#tended more aay from the shoulder. Also( more the arm is hori2ontally

e#tended forard( ith the hand on the shoulder le$el( more muscle poer isre4uired to hold the arm strai"ht forard a"ainst "ra$ity.

If an o!'ect is sta!ili2ed ith its ei"ht is supported !y multiple points(

the point that is closer to the o!'ect&s center of mass ill support"reater portion of the o!'ect&s ei"ht.


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It&s easier to turn an o!'ect hen the force is applied to the point of the

o!'ect that is more far from it&s fi#ed pi$ot point or center of mass.


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Because of those characteristics of physics( if the shooter&s support hand"ra!s the support hand "rip area closer to the shooter( the shooter ill

ha$e the folloin" effect:

/ess effort is re4uired to hold the support arm up.upport arm ill ha$e more le$era"e to hold the load of the rifle.

upport arm ill !e loaded ith increased portion of rifle&s ei"ht.upport arm ill need more poer to mo$e the direction of the front part of

the rifle.


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If the shooter&s support hand "ra!s the support hand "rip area closer tothe front of the rifle( the shooter ill ha$e the folloin" effect:

3ore effort is re4uired to hold the support arm up.

upport arm ill ha$e less le$era"e to hold the load of the rifle.upport arm ill !e loaded ith decreased portion of rifle&s ei"ht.

upport arm ill need less poer to mo$e the direction of the front part ofthe rifle.

In most cases( the increased load on the support hand hen the support hand

"rips the part of the rifle closer to the shooter&s torso usually is lesssi"nificant compared to le$era"e "ain and less arm ei"ht that has to !e

held up !y muscle poer compared to hen the support hand "rips the part of

the rifle more far from the shooter&s torso. >or this reason( support hand"ra!!in" the part of the rifle that is closer to the shooter&s torso has

!etter sta!ility and sustaina!ility. This is the reason many shooter tendto !rin" the support hand closer to the !ody and rotate the torso to "etthe support hand side shoulder e$en more closer to the support hand hen

they are $ery fati"ued hile holdin" up a rifle in hori2ontal position.This is also the reason hy the shootin" posture ith support hand close to

the shoulder is often seen utili2ed in


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rifle&s rear contact ith the shoulder !ein" the ma'or recoil transferpoint( closer the contact area "ets to the center of the torso( it ill

create less tor4ue that can disrupt shootin" posture. oe$er( the de"reethat contact point can !e close to the center of the torso ill !e limited

!y other conditions the positionin" of the rifle on the shooter&s !ody hasto meet.

)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Issue of different indi$iduals adaptin" to a "un:

-ach indi$iduals may ha$e a !ody of different si2e( stren"th. A "ood

shootin" platform achie$ed !y one indi$idual can differ from that ofanother indi$idual in e#act positionin" of !ody parts or "un( e$en if $ery

same principles and mechanics are used. >or the same reason( imitatin" theform of another shooter ho has formed an effecti$e shootin" platform maynot yield the same result for the imitatin" person.


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1.9. hootin" platform and posture: 3ana"ement of sta!ility( recoil( andmo!ility.

)hootin" *osture( position and contact.

*urpose of hootin" posture is to set the !ody and the "un in a certain

manner to facilitate effecti$e shootin" hile meetin" operationalre4uirements. Those operational re4uirements include mana"in" sta!ility(

recoil( and mo!ility. To hat de"ree sta!ility and mo!ility is re4uiredchan"es accordin" to situation. and there are situations here the a!ility

to mana"e some of those needs to !e increased at the cost of sacrificin"a!ility to control others.

) Initiation of aimin".

hooter loo%s at the tar"et and select a IA* and A*. While doin" so( theshooter !rin"s the "un si"ht on line of si"ht from the aimin" eye and the

tar"et. As the si"hts come in near the line of si"ht( the shooter forms ashootin" platform. If iron si"ht is used( front si"ht and rear si"htali"nment ill !e completed. If the A* is mo$in"( then the si"hts ill !e

mo$in" also as this process is !ein" done. The shooter ill then use theformed shootin" platform to "et the I* on A*.


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1.9.1. Aim trac%in"

To aim a "un in a certain direction ith !est sta!ility and sustaina!ilitythere ill !e a certain manner of posture and "un positionin" in re"ards to

the shooter&s !ody and the "un. >or security operations( the manner ofposture and "un positionin" also must meet certain re4uirements of the

operation. That in a consistent form ill !e called a shootin" platform.

>or directional ad'ustment of aim( the shootin" platform chan"in" directionas a hole ould !e optimal. oe$er( since the shooter has to mo$e the

shooter&s !ody in order to ma%e direction chan"e( the shooter needs to ma%ea choice re"ardin" hat part of the !ody to mo$e( and in hat manner. It&s

harder to ma%e $ery fine ad'ustments !y mo$in" the entire shootin"platform+entire !ody, 4uic%ly. If the directional aim correction needed is

$ery small( li%e fe de"rees or less than one de"ree( it is hard to mo$e

the entire !ody shootin" platform or 'ust the upper !ody platform ith thede"ree of a"ility to ma%e the shot in a limited amount of time a$aila!le to

shot a tar"et in com!at.

If the shooter has unlimited time to hit a tar"et( then the shooter can

ad'ust the entire !ody to ma%e to ma%e the entire shootin" platform placedin the !est matter for that particular tar"et. oe$er( for security

operations( that is unli%ely to !e the case. The tar"et e#posure time andtime indo of opportunity to shoot is li%ely to !e limited.

0pon determination to shoot( the shooter ill orient the R/ of the "un

toard the tar"et. As the R/ approaches the A* 2one( the shooter illtransition from ready posture to formin" a shootin" platform. The formin"

of the shootin" platform ill !e completed hile the "un&s I* is !ein"sta!ili2ed in the A* 2one. I* ill !e trac%in" the A*.

)hootin" platform supported !y shooter&s le"( such as standin" or %neelin"

posture.

When directional chan"e in aim is re4uired for aim trac%in"( the holeupper !ody part of the shootin" platform !ein" maintained as much as

possi!le hile !ein" rotatin" hori2ontally or tiltin" up or don ould !e!etter than turnin" the hole !ody( if the tra$erse of direction chan"e

does not e#ceed the upper !ody&s sta!le and uninterrupted motion ran"e(

since the loer !ody that supports the upper !ody mo$in" ould mean theupper !ody&s sta!ility ill !e reduced.

When that upper !ody motion ran"e is e#ceeded( the hole platform may need

to turn.

If the direction chan"e needed for ad'ustment is too small for delicatemo$ement of upper !ody shootin" platform mo$ement to trac% 4uic%ly enou"h(

the shooter may choose to mo$e the "un and the arm in relation to the restof the upper !ody shootin" platform in a de"ree small enou"h to not ha$e a


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si"nificant disruptin" effect on the shootin" platform then ad'ust the !odyaround the "un ith the aimin" de$ice that is trac%in" the aim to form an

ad'usted shootin" platform. This may !e a continuous process. hooter mayalso need to mo$e the arm and the "un in relation to the rest of the upper

!ody shootin" platform if the upper !ody mo$ement is restricted( and it isnot a situation here the hole !ody turnin" ould !e !etter.

>or initial R/ orientation to tar"et hile formin" a shootin" platform(

the hole !ody should mo$e to form the shootin" platform hile the shootin"platform to !e formed is continuously trac%in" the tar"et( instead of

formin" a shootin" platform that is oriented toards the tar"et positionhen the shootin" platform formation has started then tryin" to trac% the

tar"et ith the shootin" platform.

If the an"ular speed of the tar"et is lar"e that turn of the hole !ody

shootin" platform !ein" needed is anticipated( it is !etter to trac% aimith hole !ody shootin" platform mo$ement from the start than start the

hole !ody mo$ement as the upper !ody reaches motion limit. The latermethod results in desta!ili2ation hen the upper !ody reaches near motionlimit and possi!le further delay in trac%in" hen loer !ody mo$ement

follos late. The shooter can alays stop the hole !ody mo$ement henthere is a determination that the shot can !e made ith in upper !ody

shootin" platform&s "ood motion ran"e( and sitch to upper !ody shootin"platform motion only mode to "ain further sta!ility.

)hootin" posture ith !ody upper and loer !ody on "round or floor( such

as prone posture.

hooter&s upper !ody motion ran"e is $ery restricted in this posture type.3ore utili2ation of arm and "un mo$in" in relation to the rest of the

shootin" platform may !e needed( althou"h upper !ody shootin" platformturnin" ould !e !etter if motion ran"e and time to ma%e the ad'ustment

allos. >or situation here 4uic% aim direction chan"e that e#ceeds arm andupper !ody motion ran"e is needed( the shooter either needs to "et out of

that posture or utili2e uncon$entional shootin" posture that allos motionran"e to that ne aim direction.


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1.9.8. 3ana"ement of recoil:

Recoil is produced !y force of the e#pandin" propellant thrustin" thepro'ectile forard pushin" the firearm to the opposite direction. Because

of that( once a firearm and the ammunition it fires ha$e !een selected(there is no ay to reduce the recoil( unless the condition of the firearm

of the ammunition has chan"ed.3ana"ement of recoil aims for to thin"s: To minimi2e disruption of the

shootin" platform( and to facilitate 4uic% reco$ery of shootin" platformand its return to aimin" trac%in" if the shooter needs to hit the tar"et

a"ain.

The recoil force from the "un ill !e transferred to the shooter&s !ody( sothere is no ay around the fact that there ill !e some de"ree of

disruption. What can !e controlled is the ay it occurs. ependin" on the

relationship of the "un&s recoil force and the !ody parts that recei$e therecoil( the recoil ill rotate or shift the position of those !ody parts.

o( the ay to minimi2e the disruption is to ta%e a posture that isresistant to displacement ( !ut also minimi2e the impulse of the recoil !ya$oidin" e#cessi$e ri"idity.

When multiple ri"id !one sections of !ody connected !y !endin" 'oints( such

as arm( recei$es force at one end( the !endin" 'oints !ein" close tostrai"ht line as possi!le and ali"ned ith the $ector of the force as much

as possi!le ill result in the least displacement of the sections of !ody.oe$er( it ill also result in that part of the !ody !ein" most ri"id in

recei$in" the force( and the force impulse transferred to that part of the!ody and the force and its impulse that part of the !ody ill transfer to

the rest of the !ody ill !e ma#imi2ed.If a !endin" 'oint ithin that part of the !ody is out of ali"nment ith

the $ector force( certain portion of the force ill !e used to !end the'oint that is out of line( resultin" in the section of the !ody the 'oint

connects to !e displaced. oe$er( less force ill !e transferred throu"hthat part of the !ody from the "un to the rest of the !ody( and the impulse

of the force ill !e reduced. 3ore a 'oint is out of ali"nment( the de"reeof the displacement ill increase( and the amount of force transferred and

impulse ill !e reduced.


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The total force "enerated from an ammunition cartrid"e !ein" dischar"ed

ill alays !e the same no matter hat the shooter does( unless theammunition is chan"ed. What the shooter can control is the manner the

shootin" platform created !y the shooter&s !ody and the "un recei$es thatforce.

3ore ri"id the total structure of the platform( the same amount of force

ill act upon the shootin" platform in a shorter amount of time. Theacceleration of the shootin" platform from the recoil force ill !e more

a!rupt. The ri"id part of the shootin" platform ill retain its form!etter( !ut the more ri"id shootin" platform as a hole ould !e displaced

hich may !e more time consumin" to reco$er for the shooter to reco$er itsposition. Also( the force may accumulate on actin" on any non ri"id part or

part of the platform that the force has a le$era"e on and not so resistant

to the le$era"e.


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/ess ri"id the total structure of the platform( the same amount of forceill act upon the shootin" platform in a lon"er amount of time. The

acceleration of the shootin" platform from the recoil force ill !e lessa!rupt. 3ore a!out of the force ill !e used in deformin" the less ri"id

platform itself. That means displacement of the part of the shootin"platform( resultin" in deformation of the shootin" platform to some de"ree(

ill !e lar"er. But( the displacement of the shootin" platform as a holecan !e lessened.

Increased shoc% from ri"idity( displacement of shootin" platform as a

hole( and deformation of the shootin" platform itself are all ne"ati$e forshootin". In order to reduce shoc% and displacement of the shootin"

platform as a hole( the shooter needs to ta%e some measure to dampen therecoil. The measure must incorporate ays to facilitate fast reco$ery and

%eep fati"ue minimum.


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0sually most shootin" in$ol$e the an"le of the round !ein" fired ha$in"some de"ree of hori2ontal $ector. That means the shooter&s !ody ill !e

pushed ith some de"ree of hori2ontal force. When shootin" in a standin"position( the shooter should ha$e feet some de"ree apart for a ider !ase

to resist the force. o the feet needs to !e some distance apart in thedirection the "un is pointed at( althou"h it does not mean !oth feet should

!e on a strai"ht line in the direction. With the direction the "un ispointin" !ein" front( feet needs to !e certain distance apart front to !ac%

ise. Also it needs to !e apart certain distance one to left and the otherto the ri"ht for shootin" platform&s side to side sta!ility.

The ider the distance( more resistance and sta!ility it ill ha$e( ithe#ception to any force applied to the shooter&s !ody that is perpendicular

in direction( or close to it( to the line that connects the shooter&s feet.This needs to !e ta%en into account hen the upper !ody shootin" platform

rotates( !rin"in" the "un&s !ore direction closer to perpendicular an"le in

relation to the line connectin" the feet( hile trac%in" aim.

Gun&s recoil is transferred to the shoulder area of the upper !ody. i"herthe position and narroer the !ase of the shootin" platform in relation toits idth( more le$era"e the recoil ill ha$e in displacin" the shootin"

platform. o( ele$ation ise( standin" position is the most affected.>orard lean of the torso and !endin" the %nee helps loer the recoil

transfer point( ma%in" standin" posture more resistant to hori2ontal recoilforce $ector. ittin" or %neelin" position loers the recoil transfer point

e$en further.

With a proper hold of a eapon in proper shootin" posture( the !asic frame


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for recoil mana"ement is formed. A shooter has to find out hat posturefeels most natural hen the eapon is aimed at a tar"et. If there is a

muscle tension needed to tist the !ody or %eep part of a !ody in certainposture ith a%ardness( effort ill !e needed for the operator to

maintain the posture( and it is more li%ely that recoil ill disrupt theposture. If the posture does not ha$e that a%ardness or muscle tension to

%eep that a%ardness( recoil mo$in" the operators !ody out of thatposture may create an a%ard tension or tist( so the !odys tendency to

return to eased muscle or tendon state ill assist the reco$ery of theposture. o( a shooter should de$elop a shootin" platform ith any tension

re4uired to %eep the posture ith a%ardness minimi2ed.

The "unner should a$oid a!ruptly forcin" the eapon !ac% in position.Because of the short distance in$ol$ed( and pro!a!le reduced a!ility for

fine control of muscle under stress( the "unner may mo$e the eapon past

the intended point( resultin" in the "unner oscillatin" the eapon until itsta!ili2es in the intended stop point. The "unner should a$oid mo$in" the

eapon in the opposite direction of anticipated recoil mo$ement !efore theeapon fires( anticipatin" the recoil. It is !etter for the "unner not toanticipate direction and ma"nitude of the displacement and a!ruptly force

the eapon in the opposite direction upon the eapon firin". The reco$erymotion needs to me smooth.

)Recoil mana"ement of a pistol:

If a shooter ali"ns the arm of the tri""er hand parallel ith the pistol&s!ore a#is on a same $ertical plane( ith rist 'oint( el!o 'oint and

shoulder 'oint in perfect strai"ht line( ith arm muscle ri"idly holdin" itin place( the arm itself ould !e most resistant to recoil force !endin"

any part of the arm 'oint. oe$er( most amount of force ill !etransferred throu"h that arm to the shoulder and shoc% ill !e ma#imi2ed.

Also( the strai"ht ri"id arm itself as a hole ould !e displaced a!ruptly(li%ely to D!ounceD upard.

If the shooter sli"htly !ends the el!o of the tri""er hand arm( part of

the ener"y from recoil force ill !e used to the !end the el!o 'oint that

is out of ali"nment ith the strai"ht line parallelin" the recoil force$ector. The shooter can control the muscle tension around the arm to

control the de"ree of resistance of the el!o 'oint to !ein" !ent !y recoilforce. The shooter ill also control ho much the el!o is !ent in the

ori"inal shootin" platform position. That ay the shooter can control ho

much the arm can !e displaced from the ori"inal position in shootin"platform( de"ree of el!o&s resistance to displacement( and the de"ree of

shoc% a!sor!ed. Also( e#tendin" the arm to "et el!o !ent from recoilreco$er to its ori"inal shootin" platform position is relati$ely easier and


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4uic%er( compared to reco$erin" hole strai"ht and ri"id arm or the entireupper !ody that as more a!ruptly displaced !ac% to its ori"inal position.

oe$er( if the el!o is !ent too much or the muscles around it are toorela#ed( the de"ree of !endin" and displacement of the el!o position ill

"et lar"er( re4uirin" more time to reco$er.

In case of a pistol( the point of the !ody that first a!sor!s the recoil isthe hand pullin" the tri""er. The hand ill !e alays loer than the !ore

a#is hen a "unner aims a tar"et at hori2ontal le$el. Because of that( therecoil ill !e mostly a!sor!ed !y the area of the tri""er pullin" hand that

contacts the part of the !ac% of the pistols "rip( and is closest to the!ore a#is. Because of this( the recoil force( "enerated on the !ore a#is(

ill create a tor4ue. The tor4ue ill !e perpendicular to the plane the!ore a#is and the contact point of the hand ith the !ac% part of the

pistols "rip close to the !ore. If the pistol is not held properly( t

Combat Operations With Firearms Volume 1 Chapter 1 Basic Gunnery Release 2014 0326

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Transcript of Combat Operations With Firearms Volume 1 Chapter 1 Basic Gunnery Release 2014 0326