U.S. Army Combat Pistol Training Handbook

g. Weapons are loaded and unlocked only on command from the tower operator except during conduct of the courses requiring automatic magazine changes.

h. Weapons are not handled except on command from the tower operator.

i. Firers must keep their weapons pointed downrange when loading, preparing to fire, or firing.

2-22. During Firing

The following requirements apply during marksmanship training.

a. A firer does not move from his position until his weapon has been cleared by safety personnel and placed in its proper safety position. An exception is the assault phase.

b. During Table 5 of the CPQC, firers remain on line with other firers on their right or left.

c. Firers must fire only in their own firing lane and must not point the weapon into an adjacent lane, mainly during the assault phase.

d. Firers treat the air-operated pistol as a loaded weapon, observing the same safety precautions as with other weapons.

e. All personnel wear helmets during live-fire exercises.

f. Firers hold the weapon in the raised position except when preparing to fire. They then hold weapons in the ready position, pointed downrange.

2-23. After Firing

Safety personnel inspect all weapons to ensure they are clear. A check is conducted to determine if any brass or live ammunition is in the possession of the soldiers. Once cleared, pistols are secured with the slides locked to the rear.

2-24. Instructional Practice and Record Qualification Firing

During these phases of firing, safety personnel ensure that:

a. The firer understands the conduct of the exercise.

b. The firer has the required ammunition and understands the commands for loading and unloading.

c. The firer complies with all commands from the tower operator.

d. Firers maintain proper alignment with other firers while moving downrange.

e. Weapons are always pointed downrange.

f. Firers fire within the prescribed range limits.

g. Weapons are cleared after each phase of firing, and the tower-operator is aware of the clearance.

h. Malfunctions or failures to fire that are due to no fault of the firer are reported immediately. On command of the tower operator, the weapon is cleared and action is taken to allow the firer to continue with the exercise.

NOTE: For training and qualification standards, see Appendixes A through D.

APPENDIX A* COMBAT PISTOL QUALIFICATION COURSE

This appendix explains the combat pistol qualification course. If it is unavailable, the alternate pistol qualification course (APQC) may be used to sustain training and to qualify firers. The tower operator is completely responsible for and in charge of the range and the course. He controls absolutely all activities related to firing. The tower operator tells the scorers what to do when, for example, when to issue the preloaded magazines to firers. Only the tower operator may issue the order to fire. Scorers and firers must await the tower operator’s orders.

A-1. Course Information

The CPQC (shown in TC 25-8) requires the Soldier to engage single and multiple targets at various ranges using the fundamentals of quick fire.

a. Extra Rounds. For each table of the CPQC, the firer is given extra rounds to reengage missed targets. Although only 30 targets will be exposed during the entire course, each firer will receive 40 rounds of ammunition. Hitting a target with an additional round during the exposure time is just as effective as hitting it with the first round. Consequently, the firer is not penalized for using or not using the extra ammunition. However, any unused ammunition must be turned in at the end of the table, and may not be used in any other table.

b. Magazine Changes. Only three magazine changes are required during this course: one change in Firing Table II, and two changes in Firing Table V. For safety, each of these two tables begins with a magazine loaded only with one round. The first target appears, and the firer engages it with that round. By the time another target appears eight seconds later, the firer must have reloaded and prepared to engage. He will receive no commands to reload. Failure to reload in time to engage the second target is scored as a miss. This teaches the Soldier to change magazines instinctively, quickly, and safely under pressure. In Table V, a second magazine change is commanded by the control tower.

c. Double-Action Mode. When firing the 9-mm pistol, the Soldier uses double-action to fire the first round in every table.

d. Range to Target. The range to exposed targets must not exceed 31 meters from the firer. Table A-1 shows target exposure times for each firing table.

^{Table A-1. Target-exposure times.}

A-2. Standards by Firing Table

The following qualification tables apply for day, night, and CBRN qualification. The standing firing position is used throughout the qualification.

NOTE:

1. The range OIC determines a common target sequence for all lanes. This keeps a firer from getting ahead of adjacent firers.

2. Target sequences vary in distance from the firer, starting with no more than two targets at 7 meters and the farthest targets at 31 meters.

a. Table I—Day Standing. For this table, the firer receives one magazine with seven rounds in it. Five targets (single) are exposed. The firer assumes the standing firing position at the firing line. He holds the weapon at the ready. The tower operator sets the target sequence.

b. Table II—Day Standing. For this table, the firer receives two magazines: one containing one round, and the other containing seven rounds. Six targets (four single and one set of two) are exposed. The firer takes the same position on the firing line as he did in Table I.

(1) First Magazine. The firer loads the first magazine