CORRECT SIGHT PICTURE

front sight in the rear sight, the bullet will miss the point of aim by almost 15 inches at 25 yards of range. AIMING POINT.—The correct aiming point, when you fire at a bull’s-eye target at 25 yards, is a 6 o’clock sight picture. At 15 yards, bring the aiming point well up into the black. When you fire at an “E” type of silhouette target, the aiming point is in the center of the target. CORRECT SIGHT PICTURE.—A sight picture is the pattern of the pistol sights in relation to the target as you aim the pistol. A correct sight picture combines correct sight alignment and correct aiming point (fig. 11-31). When you are aiming, your eye cannot focus simultaneously on three objects (rear sight, front sight, and bull’s-eye) at different ranges. Therefore, the last focus of the eye should always be on the front sight. You will see the front and rear sights sharp and clear, but the bull’s-eye will appear to be a bit hazy. NOTE If sight alignment is correct, the bullet will strike the bull’s-eye even if the sight picture is partially off center but still touching the bull’s-eye. Since it is physically impossible to hold the weapon perfectly still, you must learn to apply trigger squeeze and to maintain correct sight alignment while the weapon is moving around the bull’s-eye. This movement is referred to as the wobble area. You must accept this wobble area, or movement, trying to keep it to a minimum. Position To position yourself properly for firing the pistol, you need to know how to grip the pistol correctly and how to position your body in relation to the target. Only the standing position will be covered in this section because it is the one used in qualification. However, the pistol can also be fired accurately from the kneeling, standing, and sitting positions. The pistol may be gripped with either a one-hand grip or a two-hand grip. STANDING POSITION ONE-HAND GRIP.— To assume the standing position using the one-hand grip (fig. 11-32), face the target squarely and then execute an exaggerated half-left face (about 50°). Spread your feet about shoulder width apart until you’re standing comfortably. Your legs should be straight, but not stiff, and your hips should be level. Extend the index finger of your shooting hand and point it at the target, forming a V with the thumb and forefinger. Adjust your stance until your finger points naturally, without muscle tension, at the center of the target. Pick the pistol up with your other hand and place it in the V of your shooting hand. 11-21 Student Notes: Figure 11-31.—Correct sight alignment and sight picture. Figure 11-32.—Standing position (pistol).