The 9mm and Law Enforcement Today 0398055750, 9780398055752

Citation preview

THE OMM AND

fe CEMENT TOUAY ss

MASON WILLIAMS

HV 7936 Williams, The

9mm

.E7 W52

1989

my

Mason. and

law

| enforcement

today

|

DATE DUE

OWENS ERO! LLEGE LEARNIN PHD DIA CTR. P.O. Bok tod 0 OREGON ROAD TOLEDO, OHIO 43699

44

LAW

THE 9MM AND ENFORCEMENT TODAY

ABOUT

THE AUTHOR

Mason Williams commenced firing small bore and big bore rifles in competition in 1927. In 1928 he bought a Luger pistol for five dollars and has been hooked on firearms ever since. Mr. Williams is a Life Member of both the National Rifle Association and the United States Revolver Association. Prior to dropping out of NRA match shooting, he held a Master Rating for three handguns. In 1936 Mason bought two hundred acres in Dutchess County, New York—complete with handgun and rifle ranges. Mason knew Jim Harvey personally and was a licensed manufacturer of HARVEY BULLETS and AMMUNITION. After Harvey’s death, and the end of Lakeville Arms, he set up the DUTCHESS

GUN

EXCHANGE

and manufactured bullets of his own design, specializing in limited production of custom ammunition. Mr. Williams had the dubious honor of having been banned from all FBI bases by J. Edgar Hoover for asking too many embarrassing questions regarding handguns, holsters, ammunition and training procedures. He attended six FBI schools during 1940 and 1941. After the war, he spent a great deal of time shooting with and learning from FBI agents at the huge Peekskill base. Mason Williams is a ballistician, a photographer, and a writer for outdoor and firearms magazines. He has also been a frequent visitor to the New York State Police crime lab at State Campus, Albany. Mr. Williams went to Dale Millers’s School, Cooper’s Automatic Pistol Institute and learned much about competitive shooting from Ray Chapman. He trained personnel from federal, state, and local organizations.

During the Viet Nam War he created special ammunition and bullets for the CIA and the Air Force. He helped Charlie Smith of the FBI create the Smith and Wesson Academy. Mason is deeply involved in all phases of action handgun shooting and rifle silhouette. He has visited the factories involved with the firearm and ammunition industry and knows many of the important affiliated people including Chic Gaylord, Lee Jurras of Super Vel—who adapted Jim Harvey’s bullet concepts to Super Vel ammunition. Today, Mason Williams lives in Montana where he continues to work with law

enforcement personnel and to probe, question and evaluate firearms, ammunition and training procedures.

THE 9MM AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TODAY

By

MASON WILLIAMS

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Chapter 1

THE 9MM CARTRIDGE aliber and size specifications: Imm x 19mm; bullet diameter 0.355. Commonly known as the 9mm Luger or 9mm Parabellum, this cartridge was designed for use in the Model 1902 Luger pistol. By the end of the First World War just about all European nations issued this cartridge to its armed forces. It remains, to this day, the most popular military cartridge in the world. While originally designed for use in a pistol, it has been widely used in submachine guns. Ammunition for the latter was often loaded to higher pressures and bullet velocities than regular handgun ammunition. The 9 x 19 cartridge was one of the first high-velocity, high-pressure cartridges ever developed specifically for automatic pistols. It utilized the then new, smokeless, high-potency powders that had just come into commercial production. The case is strong. For its size, this cartridge produces considerably more power than any of the conventional black

and the 38 powder cartridges such as the 38 Colt, .38 Smith and Wesson,

Special, to name a few.

create, and The case is small, a feature that allows designers to design,

build pistols that are reasonable in size. Today, we have handguns that hold as many as nineteen cartridges in the magazine, something never caliber attainable with revolver/black powder cartridges. All that this it! needed was a good bullet for law enforcement work, and today we have amount of Another excellent feature of the 9mm cartridge is the small contend muzzle flash, so that an officer firing in the dark does not have to highof flash muzzle with the customarily large, long and brilliant inding velocity .38 Special ammunition or the brutally bright, eye-bl r. revolve muzzle and gap flash of the caliber .357 Magnum table and The handling characteristics of the 9mm are far more comfor . Threepistols r calibe manageable than that of most revolvers and larger distances can and four-shot bursts are controllable and at close firefight be placed into a small group. country The 9mm cartridge has never been generally accepted in this 3

4

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 1-1. The 9mm cartridge compared to the .45 ACP on the left, the .357 Magnum on its right and the .44 Magnum on the far right.

for two reasons. First, Americans have always liked large-caliber cartridges for defensive use. Second, the adoption of the caliber .45 ACP cartridge by the military kept this .45 ACP cartridge popular for both military and law enforcement use. Another drawback to the American use of the 9mm cartridge was the fact that just about the only ammunition readily available was loaded with full metal jacketed bullets. This strictly limited the potential of the cartridge. Further, so many 9mm pistols of dubious quality had been brought into this country from Europe that ammunition manufacturers loaded this ammunition far below its potential. Full metal jacketed bullet ammunition tends to overpenetrate, ricochet, and fail to expand, thus making it dangerous for street use, particularly in populated areas. These standard loadings were inadequate for hunting purposes. As a result, while it remained in general use and readily available, the 9mm cartridge never gained any great popularity in this country until Smith and Wesson brought out its Model 39 chambered for theg2x7 19" Another drawback to the cartridge was the fact that lead bullets, soft nose bullets, and hollow point bullets did not provide consistent reliability in pistols. If a bullet design did function reliably, then it probably would not expand. Conversely, if it did expand, then it could have a tendency to jam while being rammed up the pistol feeding ramp. Back in the 1950s and 1960s when I was working closely with Jim Harvey

The 9MM Cartridge

Figure 1-2. Two variations on the 9mm

5

cartridge. On the left is a round nose, jacketed, soft

point cartridge. On the right is a truncated nose, jacketed cartridge.

on ammunition. Figure 1-3. Shown here are various types of bullet noses in current producti

6

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

and his high-velocity, jacketed bullet concepts, I continually tried to develop a reliable expanding 9mm bullet loading. I recall sending hundreds down to George Nonte who had quite a few 9mm pistols. He would write back and tell me everything that had gone wrong. Finally, we mutually decided that the future of the 9mm did not look promising in America. I went back to the .38 Special and .357 Magnum, plus, of course, the classic .45 ACP. It is well known that the smaller the caliber, the more problems will arise. I could develop excellent .45 ACP loadings,

but trying to adapt them to the 9mm just did not work. While Smith and Wesson and Colt produced 9mm pistols, little thought was given to the ammunition. Finally, hollow point bullet ammunition came on the market. Gradually, improvements were made, but it was not

until recently that the large manufacturers of 9mm ammunition realized the potentials inherent in the market. During the past ten years more progress has been made in the practical development of 9mm ammunition for law enforcement than in the entire eighty-odd-year period since its original introduction. Today, we have superb ammunition, ammuni-

tion that equals the impact shock and stopping power of the caliber .45 ACP cartridge.

Figure 1-4. These are additional modern ammunition.

bullet nose variations in current production

Just as a 1980 automobile is basically slightly different from a 1988 automobile, so do manufacturer’s bullets vary. When Winchester first brought out the 9mm Silvertip loading the bullets had a tendency to expand too fast upon impact and then go to pieces. Winchester continually worked on this bullet, altering details, changing the composition of the lead and the jacket, plus modifications of the bullet design. The result has been constant improvement until today the Silvertip is a far better all-around bullet than it was when it first came on the market. All manufacturers continue this constant improvement, with the result that

The 9MM Cartridge

ii

yesterday’s bullet may be quite different from today’s bullet even though the name and code number remain the same. For these reasons, a department should evaluate bullet performance and then, if it proved to be correct for their use, buy for issue the same lot number. Doing this will prevent surprises. The men will know just about what to expect from their ammunition. All of this adds up to the fact that hollow point bullets are not all the same, nor are full metal jacketed bullets all the same, nor are soft point bullets all the same. Ammunition cannot and must not be bought by general rule. It must be evaluated, studied, and then purchased for issue only after extensive study. We will attempt to illustrate in detail what can be expected from various types of ammunition, but a department must not assume that the ammunition they purchase will give precisely the same results as we list further on.

Figure 1-5. The trend today in bullet noses is shown in the center cartridge nose. This type of carnose functions reliably through pistol mechanisms and also provides expansion. The cartridge The jacket. the tridge nose on the left is also jacketed and without any lead outside of to the nose on the right—hollow point, lead showing —will often fail to feed correctly due not should type latter This ramp. feeding pistol the upon nose impact of the lead hollow point be used.

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Chapter 2

AMERICAN

9MM

AMMUNITION

e Types e Velocities

|Gee recently, law enforcement had to purchase the same ammunition that was available to civilians over the counter of any sporting goods store. Some of the ammunition proved capable of handling law enforcement problems, but there has never been a guide, tomy knowledge, explaining the potentials of each type of ammunition. We will attempt to classify civilian ammunition so that a department may select those loadings that will potentially do the job. We will list this information as simply as possible. First, we will show the end of each box of ammunition containing data covering the enclosed cartridges, plus the manufacturer’s code. We will then list the velocity of this ammunition as fired from each of the five pistols and then averaged out. We will give the average velocity only. Next, we will present our comments regarding each specific loading. These comments must be taken as a guide only. Unfortunately, there are no specifics when we discuss what a cartridge will do. We can only state that “generally speaking” this cartridge can be expected to do this or that. As an example, if we discuss a 115-grain, full metal jacketed bullet loading we know that it should give maximum or even excessive penetration. But penetration in what? That is one of the keys to determining bullet performance. We can, however, be rather certain that this specific bullet will not expand. On the other hand, if we are discussing a hollow point, 115-grain Silvertip loading we basically know that this bullet will give only moderate penetration on most materials but that it will provide maximum expansion. We have found over the years that Remington’s jacketed, hollow point bullet loading in 115-grain weight gives rather good penetration, but quite often it will fail to expand. Provided here are examples and comments regarding cartridge box ends. Whenever possible, we will show pictures of actual recovered bullets to illustrate our comments.

10

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 1-6. Remington #R9MMI 115-grain JHP. Recommended (Average velocity 1145 fps, Variation in velocity 61 fps).

for law enforcement use

Figure 1-7. Remington #RIMM2 124-grain, full metal jacket. Not recommended enforcement work (Average velocity 1099 fps, Variation in velocity 19 fps).

for law

Figure 1-8. Remington #R9MM3 115-grain, full metal jacket. Not recommended enforcement work (Average velocity 1110 fps, Variation in velocity 51 fps).

for law

American 94M Ammunition

ah

Figure 1-9. Remington #R9MM5 88-grain JHP. Not recommended for general law enforcement work, but this ammunition could have application to special situations. Bullet tends to go to pieces upon impact (Average velocity 1484 fps, Variation in velocity 79 fps).

Figure 1-10. Federal #19022 Norma Manufacture 118-grain, full metal jacket. Not recommended for law enforcement work (Average velocity 1179 fps, Variation in velocity 40 fps).

9mm LUGER JACKETED Figure 1-11. Federal #9CP 95-grain JSP. Not recommended for general law enforcement, but this ammunition could have application to special situations. Lightweight bullet tends to go to pieces upon impact (Average velocity 1320 fps, Variation in velocity 49 fps).

12

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

124 GRAIN MET. oeCASE BULLET

Figure 1-12. Federal #9AP 124-grain, metal jacketed bullet. Not recommended for law enforcement use (Average velocity 1148 fps, Variation in velocity 54 fps).

Figure 1-13. Federal #9MP 124-grain, metal case SWC. Not recommended for law enforcement use. This is a match loading and bullet (Average velocity 1125 fps, Variation in velocity 40 fps).

Figure 1-14. Federal #9BP 115-grain, JHP bullet. A good law enforcement loading for allaround use (Average velocity 1128 fps, Variation in velocity 26 fps).

American 9MM Ammunition

13

9mm LUGER (+P+) 115 GR. LHP. —_=—NO. OBPLE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT USE ONLY Figure 1-15. Federal #9BPLE 115-grain, JHP bullet. This loading is specifically designed for law enforcement use. Excellent for all-around work (Average velocity 1300 fps, Variation in velocity 64 fps).

Figure 1-16. Federal #P9HS1 124-grain, Hydra-Shok loading. An excellent moderate-velocity loading with special bullet design and low recoil factor (Average velocity 1098 fps, Variation in velocity 45 fps).

Figure 1-17. Federal-American Eagle #AE9DP 115-grain, full metal jacketed bullet. Not recommended for law enforcement use. (Average velocity 1187 fps. Variation in velocity 59 fps).

14

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 1-18. Hornady #9025 115-grain JHP. A good all-around loading for law enforcement (Average velocity 1280 fps, Variation in velocity 151 fps).

Figure 1-19. Winchester (U.S.A.) #Q4172 115-grain JHP. A good all-around loading for law enforcement (Average velocity 1075 fps, Variation in velocity 68 fps).

Figure 1-20. Winchester #X9LP 115-grain, full metal jacket. Not recommended for law enforcement work (Average velocity 1081 fps, Variation in velocity 36 fps).

American IMM Ammunition

15

Figure 1-21. Winchester #X9MM SHP 115-grain, Silvertip HP bullet. An excellent all-around law enforcement loading (Average velocity 1203 fps, Variation in velocity 72 fps).

Figure 1-22. Winchester #Q4174 115-grain, special jacketed HP bullet. Specifically designed for law enforcement use. For use only in pistols designed to handle this high-velocity loading. (Average velocity 1363 fps, Variation in velocity 70 fps).

9mm

115 GR. JHP

2)0.V 445

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ee

Figure 1-23. CCI—Blazer #3508 115-grain JHP. A good all-around law enforcement cartridge (Average velocity 1127 fps, Variation in velocity 31 fps).

16

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

115 GR.TMJ

Figure 1-24. CCI—Blazer #3509 115-grain, full metal jacketed bullet. Not recommended for law enforcement use (Average velocity 1162 fps, Variation in velocity 22 fps).

9mm LUGER 124 GR. TMJ. {9.V435

Figure 1-25. CCI—Blazer

"|

50 3578

#3578 124-grain, full metal jacketed bullet. Not recommended

for

law enforcement use (Average velocity 1138 fps, Variation in velocity 25 fps).

9mm LUGER 115 GR JACKETED

|

HOLLC

Figure 1-26. CCI— Lawman #3614 115-grain JHP. A good all-around law enforcement loading (Average velocity 1162 fps, Variation in velocity 18 fps).

American 9MM Ammunition

iV

Figure 1-27. Federal Nyclad 124-grain, HP loading. A good all-around loading for law enforcement due to bullet expansion (Average velocity 1109 fps, Variation in velocity 11 fps).

Figure 1-28. Hornady #9020 90-grain, JHP loading. Not recommended for law enforcement use (Average velocity 1280 fps, Variation in velocity 54 fps).

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Chapter 3

CAPABILITIES OF AMERICAN 9MM AMMUNITION e Penetration of Walls and Doors

e Penetration of Glass

@* a boy a bat and let him goof around with the kids during the summer. At the end of the summer does he know anything about professional baseball? He knows nothing. Give an officer a handgun, ammunition, and basic training in the handling of the handgun on a range. Does he know anything about what the combination of handgun and ammunition will do? He knows nothing! It is vital that an officer should know what his working tools will do

and what they cannot do. Tom Killham, with his in-depth background as

a combat military policeman plus his basic curiosity about equipment and the tools of his trade, kept asking me what would happen if such and such took place. What would happen if he fired into this or that. Like so many officers, the 9mm posed many questions for him. During our handson testing of the pistols, we decided that it would be necessary to find out what the cartridge would do first against Interruptions of the Bullet’s Flight and then against clothing. In other words, just how effective is the 9mm cartridge? _

of the We evaluated all available information to discover that most

tests that have been run using the 9mm cartridge were conducted from a bench rest, machine rest, through a chronograph and into a paper target. The sterility of these tests left much to be desired and did not answer any of the basic questions we wanted to know such as: Will the 9mm shoot through an exterior wall, will it shoot through an to interior wall? Will the bullet penetrate the human body deep enough to drive down into the vital organs? Will it deliver a hard enough blow the Will e? force a felon to cease and desist? Will the bullet overpenetrat h bullet fail to penetrate a door or barricade? Will the bullet smash throug 19

20

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

heavy plate glass (as found in a bank or store window) and still have enough residual energy to put a felon down? How much of an angle will drastically deflect a bullet? What type of glass will deflect a bullet more than another type of glass? What will a double storm sash do to the bullet’s path? In order to intelligently evaluate the tests and understand the results we obtained, I believe it would be wise to explain some ballistic facts. First of all, the handgun is merely a projectile launcher. It directs the bullet towards the ultimate target. It is not the handgun nor the cost of the handgun that puts down the felon. It is the bullet. What the bullet does upon impact with the target depends upon its construction, velocity, weight, and point of bullet impact. If the bullet is forced to penetrate an obstacle prior to impacting the target, an entirely new situation is created.

Figure 3-1. The ammunition that was used in the tests.

There are so many variables involved that it is impossible to make specific statements regarding a bullet’s potential. Also, supposedly identical bullets, identical weight, velocity, and shape from different manufacturers will produce varying results even though fired into precisely the same target material from the same distance. Distance affects bullet performance at target. Many lightweight, highvelocity bullets perform well at close range, but once they get out beyond ten or fifteen yards their performance can leave much to be desired. A bullet that will open well at twenty yards may fail completely, due to loss of velocity, when it impacts out at sixty yards. Over the years there have been many interesting and potentially good bullets created and designed. Most of them either quietly disappeared or became such special-purpose bullets that their use has been extremely limited such as the KTW

bullet, the 40-grain caliber .357 bullet, and

plastic and aluminum bullets. All these oddball projectiles come and go because they are incapable of handling the problems encountered on the street by the average officer. Conversely, the 115- to 125-grain full metal jacketed bullets, while

Capabilities of American 9MM Ammunition

21

often termed an ideal bullet by those who do not understand ballistics, are dangerous and should not be used by law enforcement. Their excessive penetration makes them dangerous to both the felon and any other people in the area. When they strike a hard surface they ricochet, thus endangering people within hundreds of yards from the original point of bullet impact. If fired inside a house, apartment, or in an area of flimsily built houses, they can penetrate several walls, doors, windows, and end

up a considerable distance from where they were fired. In our opinion, the full metal jacketed bullet is far too dangerous for basic law enforcement use. As a result, we will not furnish any data covering these full metal jacketed bullets. This is not to say that other types of bullets will not ricochet. They will if they strike a hard surface at a very low angle. Basically, a hollow point or soft point bullet will mush upon hitting a hard surface, but there are times when conditions are such that any bullet regardless of design will ricochet. Similarly, when a 115-grain hollow point bullet strikes half-inch sheathing, passes through an empty wall, and strikes plasterboard, it can continue through the room, through another wall, through another room.

On the other hand, the identical bullet can strike 2 x 4’s, an

electrical outlet and perhaps a pipe and never exit from the wall. As a result it is impossible to predict precisely what bullets will do. An officer can only evaluate the situation and then act accordingly, hoping for the best. As an example, many felons will fire from a window then drop down behind the wall beneath the window and consider themselves out of sight and out of danger. If the officer knows the wall construction and the capability of his ammunition, he can fire four or five shots into the wall area beneath the window and have a good chance of forcing the felon to quickly cease and desist. Several years ago an interesting “shootout” took place back east. A man in an old house became violently drunk and commenced trying to kill his wife and children. When the police arrived, the man retreated to the second-floor bathroom and went into a steel shower. Assuming that they had the man trapped, the police ordered him out of the bathroom. He laughed at them and fired a shot. The officers immediately returned fire, only to discover that their caliber .38 Special, 200-grain, lead, round

nose bullets merely dented the sides of the steel shower. Finally, common sense prevailed and tear gas brought the man out of the shower. It might be wise at this point to discuss why we did not consider firing

22

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

into automobile bodies. Car doors and car bodies are so filled with junk and reinforcements and motors and such like that there can be no consistency in bullet performance. One bullet may penetrate perfectly and lodge in the far car door. The next ten bullets may never penetrate the door or the trunk. Frankly, in my opinion, it is inadvisable to attempt to fire into a car body, door, trunk or hood. If it is necessary to

stop a car, the only way to do it effectively is to fire through the windshield or windows and attempt to disable the driver. For several years the Libby, Montana Police Department kept me constantly supplied with cars of all makes and sizes. The department would come to my range where we would spend hours shooting. Placing targets within the car body would tell us precisely what the bullet did or did not do. While this has nothing to do with this book, it is interesting to note that the most effective method of stopping a car and getting its occupants out onto the street is to fire a single 12-gauge Ferret through the glass, then stand back and watch.

During our discussions in setting up these tests of what bullets will and will not do, many of the officers asked whether a bullet that had penetrated a wall would actually have enough velocity left to put down a felon on the other side. In order to attempt to find out, we set up my Oehler #33 chronograph and whenever possible we obtained the residual bullet velocity. We could do this on walls and doors, but because of the flying glass fragments that would destroy the chronograph we could not obtain bullet velocities when firing through glass. Wherever possible we will give residual bullet velocities. The next obvious question is, Just how much residual velocity is necessary to put down a felon? Again, there can be no specific answer. If the bullet remains in one piece without separation of bullet core and jacket and if velocities run around 800 fps and if the point of bullet impact is either in a vital spot or sensitive spot, it is possible that the felon will surrender. Keep in mind that very few felons remotely resemble TV and movie heros who can absorb an indefinite amount of pain, wounds and such like. Repeated hits from an officer’s pistol can often quickly force the criminal to surrender even though none of the hits were serious. With this in mind, carefully evaluate the results of lightweight bullets and heavy bullets, noting that the lightweight bullets tend to go to pieces with the lead core separating from the jacket and with the jacket often

Capabilities of American 9MM Ammunition

23

breaking into several additional pieces. On the other hand, the 115-grain and 125-grain bullets generally remain intact giving varying degrees of expansion. In order that a department may duplicate our tests, we will list the details of wall construction, door construction, specifications on glass

and all other information that will help. Tom Killham personally built the exterior wall. The specifications are: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Vinyl-coated steel siding with °/s-inch fiberboard. Half-inch plywood sheathing. Three-and-one-half-inch fiberglass insulation. Half-inch sheetrock.

This is a typical exterior wall for an average wood frame house. (Obviously, there is no reason to consider brick, concrete, concrete blocks or stone,

since 9mm ammunition would be unable to affect these substances.) The total cost of this wall was three dollars. The large metal door came from the rear of a commercial building. Having been forced by a burglar, it ended up in the police department as evidence. At the end of the trial it was turned over to the department. As a result, this door did not cost anything. The glass panels and sheets of glass were given to the department for these tests.

Figure 3-2. Looking at the end of the wall partition showing the various layers of sheathing, insulation and plaster board.

In order to eliminate as many variables as possible, we used a single pistol, a Glock. Basically, the pistol muzzle was kept six feet from the

24

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 3-3. Tom Killham firing through the exterior wall partition and also chronographing for residual bullet velocity. At this time we used Oehler’s #33 chronograph, but since this picture was taken we have used the new Oehler #35P chronograph shown elsewhere in this book.

impact object. The chronograph was an Oehler #33 located two feet behind the impact object. The lock on the door was a special one to furnish more than normal protection to the entry. I was curious as to how long such a lock would stand up under fire from the Winchester +P+ loadings. I accordingly fired two rapid shots from a distance of about five feet with the following results: 1. Ammunition used: Winchester 4174, 115-grain JHP +P+. Two shots were fired into the door lock from a distance of six feet. The entire door lock was blown out of the door.

In order to determine the effect of 2 x 4’s upon Remington’s new high-velocity, lightweight 88-grain bullets, I stood off to one side of center and fired into the right edge of the wall panel, deliberately aiming for the side framing. The results are: 2. Ammunition used: Remington R9MM5, 88-grain JHP. Five shots were fired into the right edge of the exterior wall panel so that these bullets would go into the 4-inch depth of the 2 x 4 framing. All bullets exited the wood, but three of the bullets exited on an acute

angle without penetrating the full depth of the 2 x 4.

Capabilities of American 9MM Ammunition

Ammunition

rs)

Muz Vicy

Ext. Wall

= VicyLoss

= Vicy Door

Vicy Loss

Hornady 9020

gr JFP

1261 fps

1093 fps

168 fps

922 fps

339 fps

9025

gr JHP

1114 fps

906 fps

208 fps

723 fps

391 fps

Federal 9 CP 95

gr JHP

1338 fps

928 fps

410 fps

862 fps

476 fps

9 BP Hs

gr JHP

1153 fps

978 fps

175 fps

873 fps

280 fps

1126 fps

852 fps

264 fps

804 fps

322 fps

X9MM 115 - gr Silv

1234 fps

868 fps

366 fps

987 fps

247 fps

Q4174 115

1334 fps

1183 fps

151 fps

1037 fps

297 fps

Nyclad N9OBP 124

gr HP Winchester

gr JHP +P+

COMMENTS

Because all hollow point bullets, even the little 88-grain ones, penetrated the exterior wall plus the metal door, we did not bother to make an interior wall partition. This indicates that a felon behind a normal exterior wood wall or an interior partition wall is not safe. As far as we could determine, all bullets exited in one piece because of the consistent

readings off the chronograph and the lack of error readings. It would appear that if a felon is standing alongside an open door waiting for an officer to appear so that he would be shot or at least attacked, the officer can remain back from the open door and, moving to one side, fire through the area just to the right or left of the door, thus putting down the felon. A normal partition wall should not affect a 115-grain or 125-grain hollow point bullet. The metal door created interesting problems. The bullets commenced expanding as they struck the outside steel panel. As they passed through the door’s core they continued to expand. When they finally struck the inside steel panel, they tore and ripped holes in the metal as they exited. The resulting steel particles kept breaking the wires of the chronograph so that we had to repair them. This means that a man standing on the far side of the door would have been struck by pieces of metal and forced

26

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 3-4 and 3-5. These pictures show the recovered, fired, full metal jacketed bullets and their lack of expansion resulting in excessively deep penetration.

Figure 3-6. The special lock in the steel door.

Capabilities of American 9MM Ammunition

27

Figure 3-7. The lock was blown right out of the door.

Figure 3-8. The remains of the lock. Other pieces were scattered over the range.

to move well back or off to one side. The fact that two bullets from Winchester’s #Q4174 ammunition blew the lock out of the door indicates the power of this loading. I took a steel plate one-eighth-inch thick and set it up against a flat, solid concrete wall. I then backed off ten feet and fired one cartridge from each of the various loadings on hand. As may be seen in the accompanying pictures, none of the 9mm bullets penetrated, however, the difference between standard loadings and the high-velocity loadings is quite obvious. The following day we took the glass out to the range. Being invisible, glass can often be overlooked by an officer. Glass presents many problems for an officer who must understand these problems.

28

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 3-9. The backside of the metal door showing how the bullets ripped open the metal on the back of the door.

First of all, we dropped tempered glass panels %/16—inch thick into frames made to hold these panels. Tempered glass creates problems, because it is laminated and presents far more resistance to bullets than ordinary glass. A bullet striking this glass at right angles to the glass will be rapidly expanding when it exits the glass. This glass has a tendency to rip the bullet apart so that bullet core and bullet jacket both strike the target, providing, of course, that the target is only a few feet behind

the glass.

The glass shattered when stuck by the bullet and the entire panel simply fell into pieces. However, a substantial portion of the glass sprayed out into the target, set ten feet behind the glass, while another portion blew back onto the shooter. Tom Killham had to protect both head and face when firing. Because of these flying glass particles we could not chronograph residual bullet velocity. We discussed this continually but could come to no conclusion as to how damaging the glass particles, the bullet core and the bullet jacket would be to a felon standing ten feet behind the glass. It would appear that standing ten feet behind the glass a person would be badly cut up by flying glass splinters. As for the damage done by the bullet core and bullet jacket, much would depend upon the person’s clothing, mental attitude and which way the person was facing. It does not appear to be advisable to attempt to put down a felon by firing through tempered glass. Officers should basically check out the places where tempered glass is commonly used. When firing at a low angle through tempered glass it is nearly impossible to predict the point of bullet impact. This would indicate that if an officer is faced with the prospect of firing through tempered glass, he has two alternatives: fire to break the glass with no expectation of hitting the

Capabilities of American 9MM Ammunition

29

Figure 3-10. This shows how the tempered glass panels were set into wood frames to hold them securely.

Figure 3-11. Tom Killham has just fired. Note how the tempered glass shattered. The two holes made by the core and the jacket are visible in the target.

30

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 3-12. This is a close-up of the felon target shown in the preceding figure. Note the two holes.

Figure 3-13. This figure shows how the core and jacket separate.

felon and immediately firing two or more times through the opening in the glass. Possibly, he could have a fellow officer blow out the glass with a shotgun and then fire through it for a hit as a third option. In any event,

Capabilities of American 9MM Ammunition

31

és

Figure 3-14. In this figure, the flying glass and the resulting danger of being hit by particles 1s shown.

all choices are fraught with problems and should be avoided if at all possible. The Realistic Training Systems picture targets were slashed with glass particles, most of which are not visible in the pictures. We then turned to setting up window glass. First we shot through single panes of glass, leaving the targets ten feet behind the glass. Then we moved the targets back to thirty-five feet behind the glass. All bullets made a single hole in the glass. The glass did not shatter. At ten feet, the targets took hits just about at point of aim when Tom fired at right angles to the glass. By moving his position to fire from reduced angles, hits on target remained basically at point of aim. After moving the targets back to thirty-five yards, a single pane of glass did not basically affect point of bullet impact. However, when reducing the angle of bullet penetration it became increasingly difficult to hit the target. Since many homes today have both window glass and storm sash glass, we put up double panes of glass. This just eliminated being able to anticipate point of bullet impact. The first hole in the first pane of glass usually remained relatively small. The second hole in the second pane of glass was usually considerably larger, showing that the first pane started the bullet expanding and the second pane increased bullet expansion. Surprisingly, when firing through the two panes of glass at

32

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

right angles, point of bullet impact on target was not too far off point of aim. But firing at low angles through the glass produced misses at thirty-five feet.

Figure 3-15. Illustrated here are two panes of window glass and the felon target at ten feet. When firing at right angles to the glass, the point of bullet impact was generally placed where desired.

We then set up the metal door. It has a tempered glass panel in the top section. With this type of tempered glass, which we found out was Plexiglas, the angle of bullet penetration caused consistent misses. ring rapidly and at right angles did not always produce hits on target. It would appear that this specific glass definitely affects bullet expansion. Hiring five or six shots rapidly caused many misses, probably because the bullets were being touched by unbroken or splintered pieces of glass causing the bullets to fly wild. All officers should keep in mind that airplane windows and windshields are, as far as I know, made of Plexiglas. Attempting to fire through this glass with a pistol cartridge does not appear to be advisable.

Capabilities of American 9MM Ammunition

33

To sum this all up, let me simply suggest that you do not fire through glass of any kind ‘f there is any other alternative!

Figure 3-16. Note the small size of the bullet hole in the first pane of glass and the increase in size of bullet hole in the second sheet of glass.

Figure 3-17. Firing at 35 feet at right angles to the two panes of glass.

34

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 3-19. Firing through the glass in the metal door. Distance to target is 35 feet.

Capabilities of American 9MM Ammunition

35

Figure 3-20. When firing at a low angle we could never predict point of bullet impact. Note that the bullet penetrated the glass of the metal door on the far left side.

Figure 3-21. Note the bullet hole in the left side (right arm) indicating about 18 inches of . deflection.

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

36

NWS

Figure 3-22. Tom Killham firing slowly and aiming carefully at the felon target 35 feet away.

. Dy

Figure 3-23. As long as Tom Killham did not attempt to place all bullets through the same hole, he managed to obtain a five-shot group with only one flyer (above left shoulder in the white area).

Chapter 4

TERMINAL

BULLET

PERFORMANCE

ON DUMMY

he badly flawed RII tables have pointed up the need for some type of relatively factual bullet performance guide. In the past, prior to the RII tables, Duxseal had been widely used. It had some excellent points. When bullets struck the Duxseal they created a wound channel. This wound channel could then be filled with plaster of Paris, let dry and then the Duxseal could be peeled away from the plaster of Paris to reveal the size of the wound channel. This plaster of Paris cast could then be filed for future reference. These casts proved eye-catching displays, particularly the ones made by the caliber .44 Magnum bullets. I worked for years with Duxseal because it was the only constant medium

that I could find. Eventually,

I could “read” the results and

could predict pretty much what a bullet would do when it struck the human body. But all this remained pure guesswork. There is nothing in the human body that resembles Duxseal. I also used Duxseal for demonstration purposes. I would take an empty, paper quart oilcan and fill it with Duxseal. I would then set it against a double “V” holder I made for it so that the bottom of the quart can would be held by a “V” and the top of the can by another “V.” The holder was made of 1 x 8’s. About six inches behind the can I would place a balloon, blown up as large as possible. I would then stand about fifteen feet from the Duxseal-filled can and fire a single shot into the center of the can using the typical police loading of a 158-grain round nose lead bullet, factory ammunition. The bullet would penetrate the Duxseal in the can and break the balloon. I would then turn the can halfway around and again fire one shot, this time using a jacketed, hollow point, 125-grain bullet loading. The bullet would not exit the can. The balloon would remain intact. This simple demonstration would create talk and comments, but basically it would

illustrate the fact that hollow point, high-velocity,

jacketed bullets would strike, expand and remain within the terminal target. Again, all this proved merely a guide or an indication of what a 37

38

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

bullet may or may not do. However, after talking to officers over many years it turned out that my guesses were more or less right. As any experienced big-game hunter knows, it is impossible to predict what a bullet will do even though aimed at basically the same area on an animal. The only sure method of dropping big game is a shot to the spinal cord or to the head. I have watched “dead” animals run hundreds of yards. Fire the same shot to the same area from the same distance the next time and the animal could drop dead in its tracks. The same situations and problems exist down on the street. Aiming for the center of mass with an average handgun, particularly in caliber 9mm or smaller, will not necessarily put down an attacker. Blowing the heart to pieces does not necessarily mean the man will go down. He will, of course, go down in a few seconds but not necessarily instantly. Also, it is impossible to place the bullets in precisely the same spot under the stress conditions on the street. Even if a bullet goes into the same spot it most probably will end up in an entirely different place than a preceding one. Officers should understand that the blood vessels of the stomach area are at least six inches deep when approached from the front. A shot aimed from the side must pass through the arm and rib cage, then the bullet must drive down deeply enough to reach the critical blood vessels. The bullet must get far enough down into the vital body areas so that the permanent blood vessel and tissue destruction damage

will be effective. While the 9mm bullet remains a relatively modest-sized bullet, three or four impacting within the same area can often produce the desired results. Temporary cavities as demonstrated by firing into Duxseal must never be regarded as more than guides. Ordinance gelatin is merely another guide, all of which adds up to the simple fact that these artificial attempts to evaluate bullet performance remain inconclusive and often misleading. In order to permit a bullet to drive down deeply and yet remain within the human body, bullet manufacturers must devote a great deal of time, money and thought to producing such a bullet, and, frankly, in my

opinion, such a bullet is impossible to create. The variables are too many, and I include both physical variables and mental variables. I have known several excellent pathologists. After talking to them we always come back to the realization that center of mass consists basically of fluids and mush. This lies below the rib cage. Striking the rib cage will tend to force the bullet to expand providing it is a hollow point. But what will happen if an officer’s bullet impacts the stomach area?

Terminal Bullet Performance on Dummy

39

One day I sat and listened to officers tell me about firing bullets into motorcycle riders dressed all in leather; or into men in the North dressed in sheepskin coats, leather vests, heavy sweaters and wool underwear. Gradually, the two factors came together for me, and Tom Killham

and I discussed the situation in depth. We finally decided that what we needed to find out was the effect clothing had on bullet performance. At the same time we would try and duplicate the interior of the human stomach area. Add to all this the items that people carry in their clothing such as paperback books, wallets, glass cases, etc. How would these affect bullets and their performance when tied in with clothing? Would the bullets be able to create sufficient interior damage to prove effective? Now the problem arose as to what the stomach area would consist of. Having lived with dogs all my life I immediately said, “A fifty-pound sack of dog food saturated with water!” Tom Killham agreed. That might not be the answer, but at least it would be a reasonable simulation. Before

we get into the actual testing, I want to emphasize that there is no way to duplicate the mental state of the felon. They can be quiet, calm, and relaxed or they can be so physically stimulated and so mentally aroused that they are in a driving, killing state of mind entirely beyond any reasonable condition. Their bodies can be so drugged that bullet impact is not felt. They will stand and shoot until their bodies are forced to collapse. Obviously, we cannot duplicate such conditions. It is these conditions that an officer must understand and judge for himself. We cannot help him with these tests. We bought a fifty-pound bag of dog food, which was biodegradable so we would not have problems disposing of it after the tests. We dumped about forty pounds into a large garbage bag and this was placed inside a large, plastic-lined salt bag to simulate skin. Human skin resists punctures and we wanted to present the bullets with as many problems as possible. We stood the bag on a tabletop and commenced to pour in water. It took almost six gallons to liquify the dog food, turning it into a soft, moist mixture. This was stirred well with an iron rod, both during the application and afterwards. We then tied the top of the bag to hold the wet dog food firmly. Next we fitted a T-shirt, a shirt and a jacket onto the bag. Moving the bag to the end of the table we leaned it securely against three sheets of plywood to catch any bullets that might penetrate. Tom put a paperback book, a wallet and other miscellaneous items into the pockets. Our dummy was complete.

40

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 4-1. The bag of dog food used to simulate a human.

We termed this dummy the “Hot-Weather Dummy.” It would represent an average man in normal warm weather clothing. Unfortunately, we did not at that time measure the dummy’s waist, but doing it later on

it came to just under forty inches. In order to verify our thinking we fired one 124-grain full metal jacketed bullet into the dummy. Penetration was complete, the bullet being stopped by the last sheet of plywood. Another similar full metal jacketed bullet gave the same result. Next, we fired one cartridge from each of the boxes of hollow point and flat point bullets. None of these bullets penetrated the dummy. By this time we realized that the dummy would hold together so that a great many bullets could be fired into it without it going to pieces. We then removed the jacket from the dummy, replacing it with a heavy wool sweater and a down-lined winter coat. Again, we stuffed items into the pockets of the thick, heavy coat. We then fired one car-

Terminal Bullet Performance on Dummy

4]

Figure 4-2. Pouring the water into the sack of dog food.

tridge from each of the boxes of hollow point and flat point bullets. None of these bullets penetrated the dummy. With the dummy still basically intact we fired two shots from the box of Winchester +P+ ammunition. Both rounds lodged in the rear of the dummy, pressing the coat material against the first plywood sheet. We then removed the clothing from the dummy piece by piece, book by book, and wallet by wallet. All of these items had been pierced by the bullets. We then laid the bag flat on the tabletop and slit it open at the rear. We found quite an accumulation of bullets just below the rear portion of the bag. Most of them, we assumed, were fired at the dummy

dressed in

summer clothing. The two exceptions were the Winchester +P+ bullets. Further down into the mush we found the second string of bullets fired into the winter clothing. Penetration was basically half of that obtained by the bullets fired into the summer clothing. Several of the bullets showed signs that they had penetrated paper and leather. Examining the recovered bullets indicated that the 88-grain, 90-grain, and 95-grain bullets would separate core from jacket. One hundred grain bullets might or might not separate. These expanded well. The 115-grain expanded and tended to remain in one piece. The 125-grain bullets

42

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 4-3. Stirring up the dog food and the water.

remained intact but gave varying degrees of expansion. In other words, the lighter weight bullets cannot produce penetration and expansion and remain in one piece. This would appear to indicate that they should not be used for law enforcement work. The 115-grain and 125-grain bullets appear to produce more impact shock and more controlled expansion plus greater penetration. These appear to be acceptable for law enforcement use. Pocket contents definitely affect what the bullet does upon impact and upon its ability to penetrate. Clothing also affects bullet performance. Summer clothing does not appear to influence bullet performance to any major degree. Winter clothing definitely does influence bullet performance. As for the mush within the bag, it was surprising how well it affected bullet performance. This would again indicate that the heavier bullets are more effective and should be used for street work. In addition, this

factor points up the importance of penetration and appears to indicate

Terminal Bullet Performance on Dummy

43

Figure 4-4. Fitting the shirt on over the T-shirt.

that we need hollow point bullets with heavier jackets or harder lead or of a different design—bullets that will penetrate, expand, and yet not overpenetrate.

During a discussion of these tests Tom Killham mentioned that perhaps a department in the northern tier of states should consider issuing summer ammunition and then winter ammunition, the latter designed for substantially more penetration than the summer ammunition. This winter ammunition would have the capability of penetrating heavy clothing plus giving the desired penetration.

44

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 4-6. The Hot-Weather Dummy.

Terminal Bullet Performance on Dummy

repeats

=

Figure 4-8. Firing at the Cold-Weather Dummy.

45

46

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 4-9. These bullets were recovered from the dummy. At the top, these four bullets were 115 grains. Below to the left are the remnants of 88-grain and 90-grain bullets. Note the separation of bullet cores and jackets. On the right top are four hollow point bullets, 115 grains. Below are four more 115-grain hollow point bullets. Note the variations of expansion.

Figure 4-10. This shows two 125-grain, hollow point bullets. Note the variation in expansion.

Terminal Bullet Performance on Dummy

47

Figure 4-11. On the right is an unfired, 125-grain bullet. On the left is the same bullet recovered from the Cold-Weather Dummy.

a

Figure 4-12. On the right is a fired and recovered 125-grain bullet. Note the lack of expansion. On the left is the same bullet that struck the paperback in the Cold-Weather Dummy.

48

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 4-13. Here are four entirely different 115-grain bullets that were all fired into the dummy.

Terminal Bullet Performance on Dummy

49

Wis

Figure 4-14. Note how these little, lightweight bullets go to pieces even in the dummy and without striking anything except clothing and the bag covers.

Figure 4-15. Same as Figure 4-14.

ee " / ie mae ae

ae) ,

—s

_

Po _

oe.a 7 ne

Tuy ;

gt

aft? Seon ba

Chapter 5

CURRENT AMERICAN 9MM AMMUNITION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ITS TERMINAL BULLET PERFORMANCE ON DUMMY if is gratifying to note now that law enforcement has the new 9mm pistols; that ammunition manufacturers have brought out new and more powerful types of ammunition specifically designed for use for law enforcement. Most of this ammunition is sold directly to departments. Departments must order it on their letterheads and write directly to the ammunition manufacturers: Attention Law Enforcement Division. At the present time this ammunition cannot be bought from jobbers, dealers, or through any normal distribution channel. Most of this ammunition is loaded with bullets in the 115-grain to 125-grain weight area. Pressures run about 20 percent higher than standard. Bullet velocities average out well over 1400 fps. As a result of these increases in pressures it is advisable to determine whether or not the department’s pistols are capable of handling these pressures. Functioning or is extremely vicious. The shooter never has any doubt as to what he she is shooting. If a department wishes to use this new high-pressure, high-velocity ammunition, I would recommend that the department contact the ammuy nition manufacturer in writing and obtain written information directl to from the manufacturer. It would also be advisable for the department write directly to the handgun manufacturer and obtain written informa tion from them. sers I understand that some ammunition manufacturers require purcha Winchester to sign a release form prior to shipping this new ammunition. release requires purchasers to sign a copy of the following release. This resented is given in full below. If any reader believes that I have misrep the situation, this release should dispel any doubts. 51

52

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Siam : roe GR 71 LUGER CPs ) : Lay ENFORCEM EY

NO. opp,

T USE oNcy

Figure 5-1. Out of all the ammunition we tested and fired, it appears that these seven loadings are among the best for law enforcement use, even though Federal’s Hydra-Shok lacks high velocity.

Figure 5-2. Federal’s Hydra-Shok loading utilizes a heavy 124-grain bullet of unusual design. Despite the relatively low velocity, 1098 fps expansion is excellent, penetration definitely acceptable and the heavy 124-grain bullet holds together. This should prove to be an excellent all-around street loading.

Current American 9MM Ammunition for Law Enforcement

53

Figure 5-3. CCI’s Lawman loading gives 1162 fps and the performance of the 115-grain bullet is acceptable. Expansion is good.

fps, Figure 5-4. This is Federal’s High-Velocity Law Enforcement loading that gives 1300 together. holds bullet the addition, In expansion. and penetration providing excellent

RELEASE

P.O. NO.:

The 9mm, 115-grain +P+ cartridges covered by this purchase order are specially than loaded to achieve a higher velocity. Therefore, the pressure level is higher which pressure achieve may s cartridge al standard 9mm Luger cartridges. Individu may have may approach or exceed the proof load pressure a particular pistol for nded recomme not is cartridge This been subjected to in factory proofing. to damage cause may and pistols cylinder use in any aluminum frame and/or DGES CARTRI THESE . pressures higher modern alloy steel pistols because of the ION SHOULD BE USED IN MODERN PISTOLS ONLY. CHECK THE CONDIT THESE OF USE THE TO AS EXISTS OF THE PISTOL OFTEN. IF DOUBT CTURER. CARTRIDGES IN YOUR PISTOL, CONSULT THE PISTOL MANUFA

54

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

9mm +P+ 115 gr. JACKETED-CONTROLLED EXPANSION PRESSURE LEVELS EXCEED INDUSTRY STANDARDS. USE ONLY IN PISTOLS NNING: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILOSEN —Sead Waroings on Package Before Using

Figure 5-5. Winchester’s + P+ loading has the highest bullet velocity of all the loads we tested (1363 fps). This is a viscious, powerful loading that should only be used in pistols specifically designed to handle this specific cartridge. Due to the high velocity and excellent expansion characteristics of this bullet, penetration is not excessive.

LUGER ~ 115 9mm GRAIN JACi-2TEL HOLLOW POINT BULLET NO. 9BP. Figure 5-6. Federal’s standard 115-grain HP loading gives 1128 fps. This bullet expands and does not penetrate excessively, making this load an excellent one for all-around use.

DO NOT USE IN UZI MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC PISTOLS.

FIREARMS, PISTOLS, OR FULLY

Purchaser hereby releases Olin Corporation, its subsidiaries, divisions, officers,

agents, and employees (hereinafter referred to as “Olin’) from any claims for personal injury or property damage resulting from the use of 9mm, 115-grain +P+ cartridges covered by this purchase order. Purchaser further agrees to defend, protect and save Olin harmless against any and all claims for property damage, personal injury or other liability which may be brought against Olin as a result of the use of said cartridges covered by this purchase order including the payment of all attorneys’ fees expended in the defense of any such suits or claims and the payment of any judgments rendered against Olin. Purchaser agrees to communicate all of the warnings contained in this release to

Current American 9MM Ammunition for Law Enforcement

DD

jacivencirersces

LUM) _ 9mm LUGER (PARABEL POINT TIP. HOLLOW GR. SILVER 415l l

Q9MMSHP

of 1203 fps, Figure 5-7. Winchester’s Silvertip 115-grain HP bullet loading gives a velocity peneexcellent, is Expansion placing it about in the middle of current production loadings. load. all-around excellent another is This tration acceptable and the bullet holds together.

9mm 415GR. JACKETEDH.P.

ROMM1 SSE

ERS

placing it in the standard Figure 5-8. Remington’s 115-grain HP loading gives 1145 fps, penetration. It is a good e velocity area capable of providing bullet expansion and moderat all-around load.

cartridges covered by this each of its employees who is issued or has access to the purchase order. or agent of purchaser The execution of this document by a duly appointed officer cartridges to purchaser. is a condition precedent to the sale by Winchester of these 1988 day of ______—_ — Signed this ———_

—~CS~tS StreetAddress Sauce, ZIP Co

NGncseo=) | deals Mae eee su lcaaes i aka oon Purchaser

release prior to Not only Winchester but Remington also requires a This Remington shipping their +P+ law enforcement ammunition. release form is given verbatim below:

56

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today SPECIAL CONDITION OF SALE 9MM LUGER (+P+) AMMUNITION

9mm Luger (+P+) ammunition is specifically loaded for law enforcement use to generate high-velocity and higher pressure than conventional 9mm Luger cartridges. This 9mm Luger (+P+) ammunition is designed for use only by law enforcement agencies, and only for use in modern firearms in good operating condition. The approximate 40,000 psi maximum average pressure is about 15 percent higher than the industry pressure for conventional 9mm Luger cartridges. Use of these cartridges will accelerate wear of the firearm. Prior to use, the buyer agrees to seek and to receive the approval of the applicable firearm manufacturer for the use of these 9mm Luger (+P-+) cartridges in the firearms in which the (+P+) cartridges are to be used by agency personnel. Also, prior to use, the buyer agrees to warn the individual users of this (+P+) ammunition that these cartridges generate higher velocity and higher pressure than conventional cartridges and are to be used only for law enforcement use in modern firearms in good condition which have been approved for such use by the firearm manufacturer. All (+P+) ammunition purchased is exclusively for your internal use and is not to be used, or allowed to be used, (1) in firearms which are not approved for (+P+) use by the firearm manufacturer, (2) for personal use, or (3) for resale. Purchases are subject to Remingtons’s Standard Conditions of Sale attached hereto and included in Remington’s invoices, which are incorporated by reference herein. The buyer hereby releases and agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Remington of and from any and all claims or liability for bodily injury, death, or loss of or damage to property and any damage or losses resulting therefrom, including reasonable attorney fees, which may result in any way from the furnishing by Remington to buyerof such (+P+) ammunition, except where the injury or damage is caused solely by the negligent manufacture of such ammunition by Remington. Please return a signed copy of this statement as your acceptance of this accord. Failure to have the document in our file will preclude shipment of (+P+) orders. After completion, please return this form to: Remington Arms Company, Inc. Attn: R.M. Porstman 1007 Market Street B-6377A Wilmington, DE 19898

Signature

Date

Name Agency City,

State,

Zip

It is interesting to note that Federal does not, at this time, require a release covering the issuance of their

+ P+ ammunition. However, there

is and will continue to be constant improvement in 9mm ammunition by all manufacturers for many years to come. One direction is towards heavier bullets and slower velocities; an interesting return to the old

Current American 9MM Ammunition for Law Enforcement

ay

British big bore, heavy bullet, low-velocity cartridges. Bullets of around 140 grains through 150 grains are currently being tested and developed. These would be subsonic loadings. I have no idea what pressures are or will be. There are so many powders and bullet designs in the works that law enforcement will have to wait and try; test and evaluate. It may be that an entirely new concept in handguns will come out of all this combined with entirely new concepts in ammunition. Only time will tell.

velocities, and working with Figure 5-9. Loading magazines, firing various pistols to check out prints velocities and prothat raph chronog Oehler t excellen the new, superbly simple and velocities given here were fired vides a complete printed summary of all shots fired. The final with the Ruger P-85 pistol.

58

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 5-10. Firing through the new Oehler chronograph and checking out the best firing area through the three screens.

Figure 5-11. Once we had the velocities recorded, we went back to the dog food mush for penetration and expansion testing. Here, Tom Killham is pouring water into the dog food bag.

Current American 9MM Ammunition for Law Enforcement

59

Figure 5-13. The mush thoroughly stirred and inside the heavy plastic-coated salt bag ready for testing.

60

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 5-14. Being a very practical person, Tom Killham insisted up using his “carry” Glock for the penetration and expansion tests: They were all fired from approximately this same distance.

Current American 9MM Ammunition for Law Enforcement

61

Figure 5-15. Searching through the final remnants of the mush for bullets. As was the case in the earlier testing, the back of the bag was first slit open and the area searched for bullets giving maximum penetration.

oN

Figure 5-16. This picture shows the recovered bullets. Note that they expanded perfectly and retained their basic original weight.

62

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 5-17. The same bullets but showing the bullet bases.

Chapter 6

CURRENT 9MM PISTOL SAFETY MECHANISMS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT PISTOLS

he purpose of this section is to factually demonstrate the advantages of pistols versus revolvers and, at the same time, guide the officer through the intricacies of learning how to safely, intelligently, and confidently handle the pistol. Each pistol, whether single-action, doubleaction, Glock concept, or Sig Sauer mechanism, demand that the officer

be subjected to a training course of fire applicable to the specific pistol he will carry. Even today, far too many top brass and longtime handgun instructors believe that a pistol can be issued to an officer who has carried a revolver most of his duty life, given an hour’s instruction and then turned loose on the street. The resulting lawsuits are tending to temper this thinking. I have legally carried a concealed handgun since 1937 and during this period of time I have experienced just about every problem that could arise with either revolvers or pistols. I have also spent many years deeply involved in the bullet and ammunition business. Before we get into a detailed discussion of pistols, I want to dispel a few of the myths that continue to confuse law enforcement personnel. First of all, revolver cartridges evolved from black powder cartridges resulting in large, long cartridges for today’s revolvers. Pistol cartridges, on the other hand, sprang fully developed from the discovery of smokeless powder and the accelerated development of automatic pistols in Europe. These smaller, more compact, and more efficient pistol cartridges produce far more power for the size of the case than any revolver cartridge. Today, we have 9mm loadings that give the officer a substantial choice of bullets combined with high velocity, small size and the ability to carry a large number of cartridges in his pistol. The myth that an officer will just spray an area with a large cartridge capacity pistol and waste ammunition continues to exist, and critics point to this as a fault. The fact remains to that an officer will tend to do what he is trained to do, and if permitted

63

64

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

fire large quantities of ammunition rather than two or three well-aimed shots, the fault lies with the instructor, not with the pistol.

The ability of a pistol to carry fifteen or even more rounds of 9mm ammunition should give the officer confidence, because he knows that finally he can meet the felon pretty much on equal terms since criminals can carry and use any firearm they wish. One of the training problems revolves around breaking the officer of this “six-shot” mentality. Again, correct training will handle this problem. Many officers are inclined to view the 9mm cartridge as “too small” and unable to do the job. Once again, we go back to the training instructor. Bullet projectile size has little to do with putting down the felon. It is not so much the bullet diameter and bullet weight that does the job as where the bullet hits. A felon struck by a .44 Magnum in the hand will continue to return fire. The same

felon struck in the throat, heart, or brain by a modern

high-velocity, 9mm bullet will usually go down and stay down. Accuracy and the ability to instinctively fire two or even three shots and to place all of them into the same vital area must be a result of intelligent pistol training. Tied in with the above is velocity. A bullet must penetrate clothing, bones, and drive deeply down into the felon’s body, otherwise it cannot get into the vital organs. The officer must learn what he can expect his ammunition to do insofar as penetration is concerned. Again, this goes right back to practical training and instruction. Just as the officer becomes excited and his adrenaline flows, so does that of a felon. Putting down the felon depends a great deal upon the mental state he is in. If under the influence of drugs or liquor, his body’s reaction will be entirely different from that of a man who is relaxed and caught abruptly by surprise. For this reason, the officer must be trained to fire, evaluate, fire, hold his fire, and yet be ready to fire again, perhaps four or five more times. The pistols give the officer sufficient cartridges so that he can generally handle a situation. He does not have to empty the magazine blindly. The question now arises: What pistol is best for law enforcement? This choice must be evaluated by each department along with the demands of correct and intelligent training for the specific pistol that the department is considering. Some pistols take more training. Each type of pistol requires an in-depth evaluation and should be passed around through the department

so that the consensus

of opinion,

the time

involved

in

Current 9MM Pistol Safety Mechanisms on Law Enforcement Pistols

65

training the officer, and the handling, maintenance and cleaning of the pistol will all be taken into consideration. One more myth must be discussed. In my opinion, far too many firearms instructors and top brass tend to place too much emphasis upon laboratory testing and, consequently, fail to factually relate these laboratory tests with the conditions under which their men work. One such example is the drop test. In this test, pistols holding fully loaded magazines, with the hammer cocked and safeties on, are dropped muzzle first from ever-increasing heights until the pistol fires when it strikes the concrete impact zone. No doubt but that this is an interesting test and one that has shown that the Colt Model 1911A1 pistol with its full floating firing pin can be made to fire even though the hammer is securely locked. The reason the pistol will fire is because the weight of the firing pin can, under certain conditions, override the firing pin spring, thus allowing the end of the firing pin to strike the primer. If the resulting impact blow is hard enough, the primer will fire. In order to prevent this from happening, Colt has installed a firing pin lock in recent years. This new addition prevents the firing pin from moving unless the trigger is pulled all the way back. Many critics condemn the pistol because of this. Stop and think. As a friend of mine questioned, “How many police officers sit on the tenth floor of a building in an open window and throw out pistols?” From a practical point of view, this type of criticism 1s flawed and unreasonable. Similarly, I know of personnel who have never factually evaluated the ammunition they purchased and issued to the officers. They buy ammunition by price and by running their fingers down a printed table of Foot Pounds of Energy, Feet Per Second Velocity and the badly flawed RII tables. Part of intelligent pistol training consists of allowing the officer to personally discover just what his ammunition and bullet will do against various obstructions, not just a single shot, but five or six, blowing a hole

through a brick wall, breaking a concrete block, or blowing a hole through a partition wall. Do these things so that the officer can say, “I know because I have done it.” When we discuss and evaluate the design of a pistol, we will have only one goal: to show how it works, why it works, how these mechanical variations affect training procedures and, finally, how to use the pistol safely. Pistol magazines will cause problems if they are abused, dropped, struck, or altered in any way. Magazines are inexpensive and every officer should have at least six in his possession: three for carrying and three for

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training. Training magazines must never be carried on the street or on duty. Similarly, never carry hand-loaded ammunition on duty. The following discussion of pistols must not be considered as an evaluation of their good points or faults. We have selected the following five pistols because they are basically service pistols that have been tested and found suitable for both military and law enforcement use. I have discussed this selection with several law enforcement officers, so the choices were not mine alone. These pistols represent the best of the single-action and double-action concepts, plus the superbly simple Glock concept and Sig Sauer side lever design. HANDGUNS

A handgun is merely a projectile launcher that contains, fires, and directs the bullet toward the target. In the case of the 9 x 19, law enforcement handguns are automatic pistols. As such, they give the officer about fifteen rounds of ammunition. These pistols function from the force of the cartridge gases once the officer has pulled the trigger. These gases function the pistol mechanically. There are a small number of 9mm pistols that function through the use of the gas generated by firing the cartridge, but, generally speaking, these gas-operated pistols cannot be considered as widely used in law enforcement. As a result, I will: discuss only those pistols that are mechanically operated. But I must modify this statement by saying that rather than attempt to evaluate each and every 9mm pistol available today, I will discuss only the various types of pistol safety mechanisms. There are five basic types of pistol safety mechanisms that will be considered: The Ruger P-85

The Sig Sauer The Colt Model 1911A1

The Beretta, because it is the current issue to the armed forces. be ee Shs The Glock I cannot justify firing, evaluating, and testing similar pistols whose

safety devices are basically identical. Nothing can be gained by doing so.

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PISTOL MECHANISMS

Ruger P-85

Bill Ruger built a new plant in Prescott, Arizona in which to produce the P-85 that is the newest of the 9mm’s to appear on the police market. By the time you read this the P-85 should be available. The P-85 is a double-action, semiautomatic pistol with a magazine capacity of fifteen cartridges. The barrel 1s conventionally rifled with deep grooves and high lands. There is no barrel muzzle bushing. The rear of the barrel locks up into the ejection port of the slide cammed into place by a barrel link. Forcing up the rear of the barrel forces the barrel muzzle down. The result is a tightly locked into battery barrel that cannot be moved by pressing down on the top of the breech.

Note the ambidextrous safety and Figure 6-1. The right side of the Ruger P-85 pistol. magazine-release buttons.

frame at the The magazine-release catches are on both sides of the release the to rd bottom of the trigger guard. They must be pressed forwa ine release button magazine. The reason for this is to prevent the magaz . This forwardfrom releasing the magazine when holstering the pistol nates any chance moving ambidextrous magazine-release mechanism elimi

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 6-2. The left side of the Ruger P-85 pistol.

of ejecting or partially releasing the magazine when holstering or during violent body movements. The manual safety is ambidextrous. Camming down the levers located on each side of the rear of the slide makes the pistol safe. Camming down the safety levers rotates a steel block into place alongside the rear of the firing pin, then drops the hammer into his steel block. The hammer face cannot touch the rear of the firing pin. A firing pin safety is located inside the rear of the slide released by a spring-loaded plunger. The firing pin safety can only be released by pulling back the trigger all the way. This final movement of the trigger allows a stud to rise and cam up the firing pin safety. There is no grip safety on the P-85; therefore, most hands can hold the handgun securely, especially when firing with a two-handed hold. The pistol grip is conventionally large in order to take the fifteen-shot magazine. After the first shot has been fired double action, the trigger continues to move forward; however, trigger let-off is actually single action, since the trigger must be moved to the rear under little or no pressure until the firing pin safety plunger can be cammed up by final movement of the stud that is activated by the final motion of the trigger.

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is in the safe position, Figure 6-3. A close-up of the manual safety, which, in this picture, hammer down.

Figure 6-4. The rear of the barrel locks up into the ejection port.

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 6-5. Another picture showing how the top of the breech locks up into the ejection port.

Figure 6-6. A close-up of the Ruger magazine release that must be pushed forward to eject the magazine.

The P-85 has excellent handling characteristics, allowing easy control of the handgun while firing three- or four-shot bursts. Functioning is soft so that women can fire it without problems. Both the slide release lever and the manual safety on the left side of the pistol can be reached with the left thumb without complications. Manipulation of both is easy.

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Figure 6-7. Looking down into the top of the receiver. Note that the takedown pin and lever do not leave the receiver. This helps prevent their being lost.

lock at the rear of the slide. Figure 6-8. The slide assembly. Note the round, shiny firing pin pin. firing the release to up This must be pushed

Sig Sauer

The P-226 pistol is a double-action pistol for the first shot and single grips. action afterwards. It is basically an all-metal pistol with plastic The action is mechanically

locked, with the rear of the barrel being

cammed up into the ejection port.

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 6-9. The slide stripped for basic cleaning.

The left side of the pistol contains three “levers,” plus the magazinerelease button. The magazine-release button is located at the rear of the trigger guard. The rearmost lever is located at the top of the grips above the swell in the grips. This lever is the slide hold open lever and requires the average shooter to shift his grip in order to press down the lever and release the slide. The center lever located above the front of the grips is the decocking lever that, when pressed down, permits the hammer to fall. This lever is

located at the front of the grip swell mentioned above and again forces the average shooter to shift his grip in order to press down the lever. The third lever is located above the trigger guard. This is the takedown lever. Press this down into the vertical position and the slide may be pulled forward and off the receiver. The magazine holds fifteen cartridges. Sig Sauer also shipped a twentyround magazine that, when seated into the pistol grip, extends below the bottom of the grip. An officer should carry the fifteen-round magazine in the pistol and the twenty-round magazine in a belt pouch. Like all modern pistols, the Sig Sauer has a firing pin lock activated by pulling the trigger. Unless the trigger is pulled all the way to the rear, the firing pin remains locked/blocked regardless of the position of the hammer.

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Figure 6-10. The Sig Sauer, hammer cocked, ready to fire.

is This pistol does not have adjustable sights. If an elevation change needed, the existing sight may be exchanged for various height front be and rear sights. As for windage, both the front and rear sights may driven right or left. The barrel is cammed up into the ejection port or cammed down out breech of the ejection port by interlocking surfaces at the bottom of the This e. and within the top of the receiver. Lockup is tight and positiv pistol pistol has a series of fail-safe safety features that tend to make this can extremely safe mechanically. Whether or not the average officer intelligently and rapidly handle these features is debatable.

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Figure 6-11. Press down on the decocking lever. When pushed all the way down, the hammer drops and which makes the pistol safe.

Colt Model 1911A1

The mechanism of the Model 1911A1 is complicated and demands a thorough study by the shooter. It is a single-action pistol, giving the officer precisely the same trigger feel and pull for every shot so that he does not have to compensate in any way.

Current 9MM Pistol Safety Mechanisms on Law Enforcement Pistols

aD

le Figure 6-12. The hammer is just about to fall. Decocking is a long, deliberate movement.

This pistol has two safeties: one automatic and one manual. The manual safety lies on the left side of the rear of the frame and when shoved up with the hammer cocked, it locks the hammer and prevents it from moving. This is a solid engagement of safety and hammer. When moved down, this manual safety disengages from the hammer and permits the hammer

to fall and fire the pistol, providing, of course, that the

automatic safety has also been released. The automatic or grip safety extends outward from the top of the rear of this grip under spring tension blocking the trigger and preventing the trigger from moving all the way to the rear to release the hammer. Being the upper part of the rear of the pistol grip, this grip safety is pushed in

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 6-13. Like most new pistols, the Sig Sauer does not fully eject the magazine, thus allowing the officer to remove the empty magazine.

when the hand grasps the pistol butt. On paper, this type of safety is excellent. In practice, it can cause problems. In order to completely release the trigger block, this safety must go all the way in so that it is flush with the rest of the back strap. Many times, small hands cannot shove the grip safety all the way. Even large hands can often fail to free the trigger. The result is that the pistol cannot fire even though the manual safety has been pushed down and off. I have seen many instances and heard and read about others where the officer has thumbed down the manual safety but has been unable to fire because his hand has not forced the grip safety all the way in. There is no doubt but that these two safeties make the Model 1911A1 extremely safe for all practical purposes. However, the firing pin remains

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Figure 6-14. To insert a magazine, always guide it into the pistol butt with the finger of the left hand, then ram it home with the butt of the left hand.

free floating. The firing pin is shorter than the distance from the rear of the slide to the face of the breech. When struck by the hammer, the force of the blow slams the firing pin forward against the tension of the firing pin spring. Immediately upon firing the cartridge the firing pin returns within its housing in the rear of the slide, forced to do so by the firing pin spring. However, as is the case with all such designs, there is nothing to prevent the firing pin from moving forward. Critics complain that the

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 6-15. Another view of seating a new magazine.

Model 1911A1 can be fired by dropping it muzzle down onto concrete, but, once again, such treatment must be considered as basically academic on the street. In today’s world, the Model 1911A1 is an anachronism and

yet it has withstood the tests of time and the military over a period of more than 75 years. Its basic problem is that its design was frozen and never altered despite the progress of engineering design, metallurgy and modern methods of working with steels. Learning to correctly handle this pistol requires repeated in-depth training procedures.

Current 9MM Pistol Safety Mechanisms on Law Enforcement Pistols

Figure 6-17. Note that the right side does not have a manual safety.

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 6-18. Another look at the right side. Note that the magazine release is only on the left side and not on the right side.

Figure 6-19. Looking down into the top of the receiver.

Beretta Model 92-F

The Beretta Model 92-F pistol is a double-action pistol for the first shot, hammer down position and then it becomes a single-action pistol for all following shots, with the hammer in the full-cock position. The

Current 9MM Pistol Safety Mechanisms on Law Enforcement Pistols

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Figure 6-21. The 9mm barrel muzzle is a new twist that improves accuracy with its large swell. Note the traditional double-locking lugs on the barrel top ahead of the breech.

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

magazine holds fifteen cartridges. The pistol comes with two fifteen-shot magazines. This pistol has a manual safety located at the rear of the slide and this safety is ambidextrous. In the up position (horizontal), the safety is off. With the levers in the down position (vertical), the pistol has been made safe. Turning the levers into the down or safe position rotates the rear of the two-piece firing pin so that it is impossible for the hammer face to touch the rear of the firing pin. After this movement has been completed, the final motion of the safeties into the down position drops the hammer onto the rear of the slide.

Figure 6-22. The Beretta has ambidextrous manual safety levers. The levers are easy to reach and to manipulate. In this picture the safety is on.

The trigger cannot be made to function with the pistol in this situation, and any pulling of the trigger cannot affect the firing of the pistol. With the manual safety in the down or safe position, hammer down against the rear of the slide, the safety may then be pushed back into the up or fire position. When this is down, the hammer is activated. All that happens is that the rear section of the two-part firing pin is rotated back into firing position, its rear lightly touching the hammer face. In this position, the front end of the firing pin does not extend beyond the breech face,

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Figure 6-23. The thumb is about to shove the manual safety up and make the pistol ready to fire.

up position. Figure 6-24. The pistol is now ready to fire with the manual safety in the

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 6-25. The Beretta should not be carried with the safety on and hammer down. In an emergency, the officer would be forced to push up the safety prior to firing.

making the pistol safe. Pulling the trigger slightly into a “safety” notch where it rests retracted about the rear of the firing pin. In addition to the preceding “safety” features, pin safety connected with the trigger mechanism.

cams back the hammer one-quarter inch from this pistol has a firing As the trigger is pulled

to the rear, a small block rises out of the slide just forward of the rear

sight but offset just enough so that it does not interfere with the sights. This is the firing pin block that, when down, locks the firing pin. When moved up by the trigger moving to the rear, it keeps the firing pin locked until the last moment before the hammer falls. An evaluation of the above safety features appears to indicate that in order to protect both the officer and the department from lawsuits and potential problems, this pistol should be carried loaded, with the manual safety in the down position. This makes full use of all safety features incorporated into the pistol. The pistol is completely inoperative in this condition. Since it is inoperative, the officer must learn how to make the pistol operative so that he can fire it. Carrying the pistol in this condition is basically psychological, because it makes the pistol extremely difficult

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to fire and places the officer at a disadvantage, which is something that I cannot recommend. Once the hammer has been dropped and the manual safety is in the down position, it is advisable from a practical point of view to raise the manual safety and to carry the pistol in this fashion. Not only is the hammer down and incapable of firing the pistol, but there is also the firing pin safety that prevents the pistol from being fired. With the pistol in this condition, it may be drawn and fired double action for the first shot, without the officer having to push up the manual safety. Perfectionists may criticize this thinking, but keep in mind that all officers do not have large hands, nor can many of them readily, easily, and without thinking push up the manual safety and still concentrate upon the problems at hand. Because of this, we will run the courses of fire, with the officer carrying

the pistol with manual safety off and hammer down. Glock

Like so many products in this world that have been created, designed _ and put into production by people who had no previous knowledge of the product, the Glock pistol is a superb concept of this thinking. People who do not know what cannot be done often do the impossible. This is definitely the case with the Glock pistol concept that has been damned, condemned, criticized and laughed at by people whose knowledge of handguns is either limited or else they remain brainwashed by a revolver mentality. In my opinion, the Glock shows the way to future handguns. The receiver is plastic. Into this plastic has been set the component parts of the receiver mechanism. The result is an extremely lightweight plastic casting into which thin steel parts have been imbedded. This lightweight design results in an extreme reduction in overall handgun weight. Both magazines that come with the pistol are also plastic and lined with thin steel. When fully loaded with eighteen cartridges, the magazine walls have a tendency to bulge slightly, thus making magazine ejection slow, forcing the shooter to pull out the magazine. Once four or five shots have been fired, the magazine will eject easily. The trigger cannot be pulled until a small locking lever located in the center of the trigger is pulled, thus freeing the trigger lock. This eliminates the possibility that the trigger can be forced to the rear if the pistol is struck, dropped, or otherwise jolted severely. When the trigger moves

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rearward,

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

it forces a bar to the rear

and upward

so that the small

projection on the bar top will contact a small spring-loaded plunger set into the bottom of the slide. The trigger moves back slightly from this point with a clean, easy pull.| Then there is a slight hesitation. The moment the trigger moves further rearward it shoves the spring-loaded plunger up, thus disconnecting the firing pin safety. At the same time, another steel bar, also activated by the trigger, moves a flat steel plate down, which in turn releases the firing pin allowing it to go forward activated by the firing pin spring, thus firing the cartridge. Upon releasing pressure upon the trigger, the trigger moves forward4 There is no conventional safety mechanism in the Glock. There is the trigger lock, of course, and the firing pin lock but no safety in the customary sense of the word. The fact that the firing pin safety cannot be disengaged until the trigger has been pulled all the way can be considered as a safety feature. Also, the fact that the trigger must be pulled all the way to the rear in order to fire the pistol must be considered and the Glock examined basically as a double-action pistol.

Figure 6-26. The Glock pistol, right side with trigger to the rear, thus indicating that the chamber is empty and the pistol safe.

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Figure 6-27. The left side of the Glock. Note the clean, simple lines.

As a result of this design concept, the Glock may be drawn from a holster and fired just like a revolver. There is nothing to push, pull, or think about. Draw and fire. Each shot is fired the same way. There is no long trigger pull and then a short trigger pull. There is no hammer to let down or to cock. Actually, the Glock has no hammer. Releasing the firing pin fires the pistol. Lock time is very fast. As the slide moves to the rear after firing, the stud on the rear of the firing pin is caught and held securely by the sear that cannot move until the trigger is pulled all the way back. While these factors indicate that the Glock is a simple, foolproof - mechanism, it does create a few training problems due to the simplicity. These will be examined in the training section. The only protrusion on ge the side of the Glock is the slide hold open lever. After the last cartrid slide run has been fired, the lever holds the slide back. To let the

forward, merely press down on this small lever. The Glock has been tested and accepted by the Austrian government nd for issue to the troops. It has been fired repeatedly for ten thousa rounds without malfunction. It is a tough, rugged pistol. The Glock has polygonal rifling. This type of rifling leaves the barrel

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 6-28. The Glock ready to fire with the trigger forward and the trigger lock engaged. This is the condition the Glock should be in for carrying —safe, yet ready to fire double action.

Figure 6-29. Looking down into the top of the receiver.

smooth, completely lacking the sharp edges, corners, and grooves inherent in normal deep-groove rifling. This means that it is difficult to foul or lead the barrel, enabling the department to issue lead bullet reloads for training and practice that closely resemble factory loads in both handling and recoil. Point of bullet impact should also be about the same.

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Figure 6-30. Field stripped. Note the firing pin lock just to the rear of the ejection port. When cammed up, it releases the firing pin just as the hammer commences to fall.

This polygonal rifling makes it much easier to clean the barrel and to remove whatever slight fouling and debris that might accumulate in the barrel. COMMENTS

As of this writing, there are three distinctly different types of locking mechanisms for these pistols. I refer to the barrel and slide lockup. The Beretta locks up similar to the Walther P-38. A block holding two lugs, one on either side of the barrel, is cammed up or down by an angled plane. As the barrel/slide unit moves to the rear, the block is cammed down, pulling the lugs out of their cuts in the slide, thus stopping barrel movement and allowing the slide to move all the way to the rear. As the slide moves forward again, the block is cammed up, ramming the two lugs back into full contact with the cuts in the slide. Smith and Wesson, Colt and Springfield Armory, with their Model 1911A1 pistol, continue to use barrel lugs. These are part of the barrel top and engage the cuts in the top of the receiver. When the barrel/slide moves to the rear, the rear of the barrel is jerked down by link pins, thus pulling the recoil lugs out of contact with the slide. When the slide again moves

forward and strikes the barrel breech, the rear of the barrel is

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

cammed up by the link so that the barrel lugs again make full contact with the cuts in the top of the slide. The Glock, P-85, and the Sig Sauer use the ejection port as a single lockup. The breech area of these three pistols is huge in relation to the caliber. The top of the breech area is high. When locked into battery, this area fits tightly into the entire ejection port. As the barrel/slide moves to the rear the barrel breech is jerked down by cams, or by a link in the case of the P-85. The slide then moves to the rear. Upon moving forward and meeting the rear of the barrel, the barrel breech is rammed up into the ejection port. Engineers tell me that the mating of the ejection port and the top of the barrel breech is handled by special machines that gauge, figure, and then instantly cut metal so that fit of barrel to ejection port is always perfect. This type of design locks the barrel to the entire slide, providing a tremendous

amount of strength far in excess of what is needed. This,

plus the large barrel breech area, gives the shooter an excessive amount. of safety. I believe that with the continuing research into the development of high-velocity 9mm ammunition, within a few years all new pistols will utilize this type of lockup.

Chapter 7

A BASIC FAMILIARIZATION COURSE OF FIRE FOR CONVERTING PERSONNEL FROM REVOLVERS TO 9MM PISTOLS THE CLASSROOM

have been accused of being idealistic when I commenced putting this section together. Perhaps. In any event, I believe it is important that a department insist upon a classroom session prior to issuing pistols to personnel. Even though personnel may have had years of experience handling weapons, revolvers, shotguns, the issuance of pistols, their ammunition and their leather demands a classroom session. state I do not wish to recommend one over another, so I will merely

that there are many excellent weapons training advisory firms. These firms will send their men to departments to instruct the department's firearms instructors in modern training techniques and in the psychology of changing over from revolvers to pistols. In my opinion, a three-day can session can prove to be one of the best investments a department make. Then the firearms instructors should have the ability to hold what I term a classroom session for department personnel. s I would like to quote from the brochure put out by Protective Service International,

Ltd.,

10097 Tyler Place,

Ijamsville,

Maryland

21754,

sion telephone: 301-831-8331. This firm offers consulting services, conver rs training, firearms training and legal and liability guidance. Its membe lo, Ciamil are three of the most highly regarded men in these fields: Lou tor; and Edward Master Gunsmith; Robert Crovatto, Jr., Hrearms Instruc

lly H. Kerman, Attorney. All three are specialists and internationa recognized for their expertise. In their brochure they state: sted in the Perhaps the greatest strength of firearms training, is manife

care taken to ensure that correct methods taught, tested and reinforced.

of firearms handling are

s should Any department considering changing from revolvers to pistol 91

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contact Protective Services International and have the department attend a three-day session conducted by PSI. The classroom session should be planned to take a full morning. It should be held in a large, well-lit room, using long tables and comfortable chairs. It should be set up so that there will be no interruptions. Attendance should be confined to around twenty to twenty-five officers per class. This enables the firearms instructor to deal on a one-to-one basis. It is impractical to expect that all officers will grasp the basics on equal terms. In my opinion, this session can be, and should be, one of the most

important sections of the changeover from revolvers to pistols. Tabletops should be bare. The instructor should then begin discussing the changeover, touching upon such salient reasons as firepower, discussion of incidents where officers armed with six-shot revolvers were gunned down due to being outgunned by criminals, the development of new and potent ammunition for the 9mm, plus the issuance of modern, welldesigned holsters and magazine pouches. Once these basics have been discussed and questions answered, then the pistols should be distributed one to an officer. Each pistol should have the magazine inserted in the pistol butt. It would be advisable to have a full box of ammunition placed alongside the pistol, however, and note carefully that this ammunition would consist of a case and a lead bullet, commonly known as dummy ammunition: NO POWDER OR PRIMER. All areas of the country have. commercial handloaders who can furnish this dummy ammunition. The firearms instructor would then slowly and carefully lead the officers through ejecting the magazine, examining the magazine, stripping the magazine for cleaning, and reassembling the magazine. Then they would be instructed in loading the magazine with the dummy ammunition. Finally, they would be shown how to unload the magazine. Next, the instructor would have each man field strip the pistol, examine the parts carefully and reassemble the pistol. The men would repeat this many times until each man can quickly and easily strip and reassemble the pistol. Once the officers understand the operation, they should then be instructed, in-depth, in the use of the sights. Most modern pistols have a white dot inserted into the rear of the front sight and one similar dot on either side of the rear sight notch. This arrangement speeds up the “sighting in” on target. After the men understand this, they should be asked to simulate, draw

A Basic Familiarization Course of Fire

and fire. Next, load magazines with dummy

93

ammunition,

insert the

magazines into the pistol butts, rack back the slides, make the pistols safe, holster, then draw and fire. The next step would be to draw, fire, close their eyes and eject the

magazine, reach for the spare magazine and insert that into the pistol butt. This can be repeated many times until the officers can handle this detail without problems while keeping their eyes closed at all times. (Note: Several firms market glasses that completely black out all light, making them excellent for night training, and these glasses can replace the “eyes closed” instruction.) It would also be advisable for the officers to load magazines with their eyes closed and then ram the magazine into the pistol butt and rack back the slide, going into the “ready” position. I suggest that each man, at the end of the classroom session, keep the

box of dummy ammunition that must be so labeled, so that he can practice what he has learned in the classroom on his own without becoming a danger to himself or others. The only way an officer can do these exercises under stress on the street is by repeated practice so that the motions become automatic reflexes. I cannot emphasize the importance of this classroom session as an introduction to the issuance of pistols to personnel. The quality of instruction and discussion depends entirely upon the proficiency of the firearms instructor. He must be competent and able to psychologically handle men, guiding them well and intelligently. The old days of, “This is the way to do it, Stupid, now

do it this way!”,

are gone. Now we come to the clearing of jams. The firearms instructor must determine how he will create jams during firing sessions. He can do so through having handloads altered. Some without powder, some with half loads of powder, or he can alter handguns by replacing normal recoil _ springs with extra-heavy springs. These latter will often cause jams due to failing to allow the slide to go all the way to the rear. He can also load magazines with special cartridges that have bulged cases, bullets seated too far out and many other similar details. The importance of all this is to give the officer, during firing session practice, an opportunity to learn ions firsthand, under pressure, how to clear all of these jams and malfunct

without becoming panicky. Another positive factor in the above is that quite often the firearms the instructor can see an officer jerk or yank the trigger even though

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

9mm cartridge, when fired in modern pistols, should not contribute towards flinching or jerking. The cartridge/pistol combination has proven to be easy to handle with soft recoil, however, some officers will always tend to close their eyes and yank the trigger. Before dismissing the officers the firearms instructor should state: No officer in this department will be permitted to pick up fired brass. There is no point in having another Newhall Disaster! Regardless of the range, firing conditions, or financial controls, no officer should ever be permitted

to worry about brass. His fired cases will be retrieved by someone else later. A BASIC INTRODUCTION

Before we get into the basic training and familiarization course of fire, I would like to point out some details culled from talking to men whose lives have been involved in weapons, firefights and whose experiences have proven or disproved the many myths regarding knockdown power, instant incapacitation and other similar half-truths. A single incident does not prove that the handgun, ammunition, bullet placement or weapons training was correct. It simply indicated that under that specific and seldom repeatable situation this or that happened. I am drawing upon dozens of incidents over many years. Obviously, any result can be questioned or accepted based upon the experiences of the person doing the questioning. The basic training course below has been set up through long discussions with Tom Killham and has been based upon my experiences in training personnel over a period of thirty-odd years. There are certain factors that must be included in any basic training course of fire, some of which may appear unnecessary, some even stupid, but once again their value

lies in the eyes and mind of the observer. First of all, the handgun must suit the officer, whether male or female.

If the officer can correctly handle the handgun, then the officer should be able to control it and place the bullets close to where they should impact the target. Thus, we should have the proper relationship between the officer’s physical characteristics and the design of the handgun. The moderate recoil and movement of the 9mm handgun should permit the officer to fire three rapid shots, with all shots striking the target within a few inches of each other and in the basically desirable place on target. By doing so, the severity of the resulting wounds will be greatly increased

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through the almost instantaneous triple impact shock of the three bullets. Three impact shocks definitely produce far more bullet energy into the target than three shots fired over a period of perhaps ten seconds. The energy deposited into the body/target by three bullets all striking at almost the same moment can definitely influence incapacitation which is what the officer wishes to do: incapacitate the felon as rapidly as possible. Next, these three bullets must penetrate deeply enough so that they reach vital organs, thus completing the incapacitation of the felon. Since the ability of any one bullet to do this is questionable, volume of fire can be extremely desirable. If the first shot puts down the felon, fine. It may take five or even ten shots, each striking the felon, to force him to

cease and desist. Anyone who has hunted big game knows that heart shots are not always instantly effective. I have had animals run hundreds of yards after a single shot to the heart and when cleaned out, the innards are found to have been destroyed. Yet, the animal ran a considerable distance. Why? This brings up an absolutely uncontrollable factor —mental and physical condition at the time of being shot—and applies not only to animals but to people. A man sitting quietly in a chair reading his newspaper can be instantly killed by a caliber .22 cartridge with the bullet placed through the ear. The same man who is violently angry, knife in hand, mentally disturbed, and physically excited can take seven caliber .45 automatic, 185-grain, hollow point bullets and still kill the officer. What does this prove? Simply that in most instances the key to potential incapacitation is bullet

placement. The human brain, as well as the animal brain, controls what

the body does. Place three 9mm bullets into a man’s brain and he theoretically should go down. Unfortunately, such shooting is limited to a tiny group of professionals and cannot be expected from the officer on the street. _ Multiple shots, fired rapidly, are possible and justified with the 9mm pistol and cartridge, but should the officer simply draw and spray the area with bullets? I have deliberately included draw and fire from hip level in the Basic Course of Fire to show the officer that it is difficult to draw and fire from the hip and place shots where they should go into the target. It is often far better to bring the handgun up to eye level, taking just a bit more time, and then place three or four shots into a potentially lethal area. Obviously, the variations on this are limitless, but basically As one or two well-aimed shots are better than six or seven wild shots.

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

one agent commented, “I drew and fired five times. All I did was make

the man mad at me!” It is important to appreciate the fact that what really matters is not so much the size, weight, caliber, or shape of the projectile as what the projectile/bullet struck and how deeply it penetrated. If it is passed entirely through the body as a result of the officer having fired at center of mass, the bullet loses a great deal of its potential impact shock by not expanding and remaining within the body. Unfortunately, there are no specifics in this area of incapacitation, and an officer must be trained to understand this and be able to react instantly to a rapidly changing situation. If he fires three shots and nothing happens, then what? Most of the time an officer cannot see the point of bullet impact upon clothing. Cloth tends to contract after having been pierced by a bullet. Light conditions may be variable and often in evening hours bullet holes in clothing just cannot be seen. As a result, the officer must never assume that the felon is down and out. If the felon, after receiving five shots into center of mass, never alters his attack or position, the officer must continue firing. I have tried to work all these

details into the following course of fire. The officer must learn that anything can happen and that his aiming and firing his handgun cannot necessarily force the felon to cease and desist. A classic example of this is the case of the highway patrol officer who stopped a motorcycle rider for some minor infraction. The man was dressed in leather pants, leather boots, leather jacket, wool underwear, wool sweater, and a helmet. The man drew a handgun and fired at the

officer. The officer responded by putting nine shots into the man. Nothing happened. The officer carried his spare magazine on the seat of his car. By the time he managed to reach it, he was shot twice in the back. Shortly afterwards, the motorcycle rider collapsed from loss of blood. He was still alive when backup arrived. The inability of the bullets to penetrate the leather and the wool and their failure to retain sufficient residual energy to drive down deeply into the man’s body nearly cost the officer his life. One of the problems with full metal jacketed bullets is that they will tend to overpenetrate, thus endangering the lives of other people, and their ricochet factor is extreme. The concept of hollow point bullets is excellent, providing the bullets are correctly designed and constructed to partially open after impact and then to continue to drive down into vital organs. Far too many expand and stop. A partially expanded bullet

A Basic Familiarization Course of Fire

97

of 125 grains in caliber 9mm impacting at high velocity should prove ideal. Keep in mind that bullets revolve spinning as they gradually open. If they open too rapidly, they cannot penetrate sufficiently. I understand that ten inches of bullet penetration is advisable. By continuing to rotate as they drive down through the body they should tend to become

extremely, destructive.

However,

there can

never

be any

assurance of any predictable results. To sum up, bullet placement combined with penetration are the two most important factors. Along with these is the officer’s confidence in his handgun and its ammunition as well as the officer’s psychological state of mind. TRAINING

The purpose of this training is to familiarize the officer with the manipulation of the safety devices inherent in each type of pistol. Some types are extremely simple to handle. Others require constant practice in order for the officer to react correctly when he needs to draw and fire the pistol. In addition, holstering certain types of pistols also requires in-depth training. When the officer encounters a situation requiring the use of a handgun, he must be able to react automatically and without thinking and yet not become a danger to either himself or the public. We have accordingly developed a basic course of fire and will take each pistol through this course to illustrate in detail precisely what must be done to safely handle that specific handgun. We have no intention of saying that one type of pistol is better than another. This is not an evaluation of the functioning of the pistols nor a comparison. All we wish to do is illustrate precisely what steps must be a taken to ensure that the pistol, regardless of type, is carried safely in

and then ~ holster, drawn safely, aimed and fired safely, handled safely

holstered safely. We present these details and leave the determination of which pistol type to purchase up to the individual department.

knowing I would like to mention here, before I am criticized for not

1s better, that my inclusion of “raise pistol” in this basic training course trained easily deliberate. I personally believe that an officer can be more by in the ejection, insertion of a pistol magazine, and loading of a pistol fired bullet a using this position. Also, it eliminates any chance of in a through an accidental discharge from leaving the pistol muzzle

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

horizontal flight path in which it might strike innocent persons. Muzzle in the air generally has proven to be safer. Obviously, if training is to be conducted on an inside range, then “raise pistol” must be altered to keeping the pistol muzzle pointed downrange. The insertion of the magazine into the pistol butt remains the same and must be practiced repeatedly so that it becomes automatic and can be done with the eyes closed, either at “raise pistol” or with the muzzle downrange and the handgun held around hip level. Because these pistols are functioned mechanically and depend upon both bullet inertia and grip resistance in order to function reliably and consistently, the officer must grasp the pistol butt tightly with both hands. This prevents the pistol from moving within the hands, thus eliminating wild shots and potential malfunctions. BASIC FAMILIARIZATION

PISTOL COURSE

OF FIRE

1. The officer must understand the details inherent in loading each type of pistol magazine. He should be given two 15-shot magazines or three 8- or 9-shot magazines and a box of ammunition. One magazine must go into the pistol butt. The other must go into his belt pouch or pouches. 2. The pistol chamber must remain empty. The pistol is in its holster. 3. Upon command, the officer must draw the pistol, holding it muzzle up, trigger finger against the right side of the slide. This will be known as the “raise pistol” position. (Note: The only time the raise pistol position should be used is in the basic course of fire. It may be desirable to eliminate it completely, going directly to the “ready” position. The firearms instructor should determine this.) Upon command, the officer will reach over with his left hand and rack back the pistol slide. He will then release the slide, allowing it to go forward by itself. He must absolutely understand that he cannot ease down the slide. 4. The officer then holsters the pistol, continuing to keep his trigger finger flat against the side of the slide until the pistol actually enters the holster. 5. Upon command, the officer draws the pistol, keeping his trigger finger flat against the side of the slide until the pistol is pointing at the target and he has gone into a two-handed Weaver stance. He then fires on a felon target located fifteen yards in front of him, aiming for the chest

A Basic Familiarization Course of Fire

99

area. Officer fires slowly. He is firing to learn the feel, recoil, and handling characteristics of the pistol. After firing five or six shots, he

comes back to raise pistol and holsters. 6. Upon command,

officer draws the pistol and fires one shot, then

holsters. He repeats this until the magazine is empty. This allows the officer to get the feel of draw and fire. 7. Coming to raise pistol with the magazine empty and the slide back, the officer presses the magazine-release button ejecting the empty magazine, then reaches for a loaded magazine in his belt pouch, withdraws it

and rams it into the pistol butt with the butt of his left hand. All this time, his trigger finger remains flat against the right side of the slide. With the thumb of his right hand the officer pushes down the sliderelease lever, thus loading the pistol. Making the pistol safe, he holsters it.

8. The officer moves to within five yards of the target. Upon command, he draws the pistol and, firing from the hip, fires one shot, then holsters

the pistol. This gives him the feel of draw, ram out, and fire; also teaching him whether or not to cock his wrist in order to place his shots within the kill zone of the target. 9. This is repeated until the magazine is empty. 10. Officer comes to raise pistol, ejects the empty magazine. If necessary, he reloads his magazines, places one in the belt pouch and reloads the pistol at raise pistol and holsters. 11. Upon command, officer draws pistol, goes into two-handed Weaver stance, fires one shot into target and holsters. He repeats this until the magazine is empty, thus giving him a factual comparison between the one-hand point/shoot hold and the Weaver two-handed stance and hold. It also gives him additional draw-and-fire experience. 12. At this point, the instructor should evaluate the officer’s capability and handgun handling, and if there is any question of the officer’s

~ ability to understand and fire the pistol, he should be taken back over the

course of fire and safety handling features of the pistol. 13. Officer moves back to ten yards.

14. Upon command, the officer draws, goes into the two-handed hold

and fires five shots as rapidly as possible from hip level. Officer then holsters pistol. 15. Upon command, officer draws pistol and goes into the two-handed Weaver stance bringing the pistol up to eye level and fires five shots as rapidly as possible.

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

This gives the officer experience in rapid-fire handgun handling and control from both the low position and the Weaver stance position. 16. Officer holsters pistol. 17. Officer draws upon command and empties magazine into target using two-handed hold Weaver stance. Upon emptying the magazine, he ejects it, rams in a loaded magazine from his belt continuing to use the butt of his hand to seat the magazine and stands covering the target, pistol held in both hands, pistol held at near eye level. Upon command, officer holsters pistol. 18. Two targets are set up ten yards in front of officer who stands facing the targets. 19. Upon command, officer draws pistol, goes into Weaver stance and fires one shot into each of the two targets. Officer holsters. 20. Upon command, officer draws pistol, goes into Weaver stance and fires two shots into each of the two targets. Officer holsters. 21. Upon command, officer draws, goes into Weaver stance and fires two shots on each target, alternating until pistol is empty. 22. Officer reloads both magazines, places one in belt pouch and reloads pistol with second magazine. Officer holsters. 23. Once again, instructor should evaluate officer’s ability to handle pistol and to place shots into felon target. If there is any question, officer should be taken back through those areas he has trouble handling. 24. Officer stands facing three targets: two felons, one no-shoot. One felon is twenty yards distant off to the right. One felon is directly in front at fifteen yards. The no-shoot target is between the two at fifteen yards. This forces the officer to fire across a no-shoot target and hit the felon targets at different distances. Upon command, officer draws and fires one shot on each felon target, two-handed Weaver stance and remains covering targets. Upon command, he fires one more shot on each felon target and stands covering the targets. Upon command, he fires two shots on each felon target. 25. Upon command, officer places trigger finger flat against side of slide, pushes up manual safety with thumb of right hand, comes to raise pistol and holsters. 26. Officer makes certain that all his magazines are loaded. He then walks ten yards to his right and stops. He continues to face to his right with the targets to his left. Upon command he draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against slide. Officer turns to his left, going into the two-handed hold and keeping pistol in two-handed hold pointed at the

A Basic Familiarization Course of Fire

101

ground ahead of him in the ready position, officer runs to his left and when facing the first felon target on the far left, officer stops, turns to his right, rams pistol into felon target, wipes off safety and fires three shots into each felon target. Officer then comes to raise pistol, with thumb of right hand presses magazine-release button ejecting empty/fired magazine, reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, rams magazine into pistol butt with butt of hand to securely lock it into place, pushes up manual safety. The pistol slide has remained in battery, since only six shots were fired. 27. Continuing to hold the pistol in two hands, muzzle pointed into the ground ahead of him in the ready position, officer walks rapidly to his left past left felon target and stops. Upon command, with handgun still held in two hands pointed into the ground ahead of him, trigger finger still flat against the side of the slide, officer turns to his right and runs until he is opposite right felon target and stops. Officer rams pistol into felon target, wipes off manual safety and fires three shots on each felon target. Officer then comes to raise pistol with trigger finger flat against side of slide, presses magazine-release button with thumb of right hand and, as magazine ejects, reaches for his third and last loaded magazine in belt pouch, draws it, rams it into pistol butt with butt of left hand and goes

back into Weaver stance covering both felon targets. Upon command, officer pushes up on manual safety, comes to raise pistol and holsters. Officer then reloads empty magazines. 28. Officer walks towards single felon target. At about five to eight yards distant, upon command he stops, draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against side of the slide, goes into two-handed Weaver stance, pistol rammed into target, wipes off manual safety and empties magazine into felon target. Officer instantly comes back to raise pistol, presses magazine-release button with thumb of right hand, ejects empty magazine, reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, draws loaded magazine, rams it into pistol butt to locked position with butt of left hand, presses down with thumb of right hand on slide-release lever, lowering slide and chambering cartridge. Officer then goes into twohanded hold Weaver stance covering felon target. Upon command he shoves up manual safety with thumb of right hand, comes to raise pistol and holsters. 29. Officer goes to patrol car and, leaning over hood, draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against side of slide, goes into comfortable

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

two-handed hold resting body weight against car hood, wipes off safety and fires two shots at felon target thirty yards distant. Officer pushes up manual safety and holsters. Officer goes forward to examine point of bullet impact. Returning to car, he again leans upon car hood, draws pistol keeping trigger finger flat against slide, goes into two-handed hold, wipes off manual safety and slowly and precisely empties his pistol into target. Officer comes to raise pistol, presses magazine-release button with thumb of right hand, ejecting empty magazine. Officer then reaches up with thumb of right hand and presses down on slide-release lever dropping slide onto empty chamber. Officer pulls trigger and holsters. 30. Officer reloads all three magazines. Reloads pistol and holsters. 31. Officer enters patrol car, sits behind wheel, seat belt fastened, both

hands on steering wheel. 32. Upon command,

officer leaves car and, standing behind

door,

engages four felon targets placed from five to twenty-five yards in front of him and to both sides. Upon emptying magazine, officer reaches up with thumb of right hand and presses magazine-release button, ejects magazine, reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, rams loaded magazine into pistol butt with butt of left hand and, going down on one knee into two-handed hold, officer fires around front of car

into the four felon targets, using car body as a solid rest and exposing as little of his body as possible. At this point, the officer should be familiar enough with both pistol, point of bullet impact and handgun handling to turn in a respectable score. If he has any weak points, the instructor should take him back over these weak areas. If possible, all his firing should be videotaped so that upon return to the office, he can be shown precisely what he did and how he did it. Then he can concentrate upon improving his weak points. There is no shortcut to training personnel with a pistol. Each officer must understand how to handle all safety features of the pistol he is issued. He must also forget the six-shot revolver mentality and understand that he now has fifteen cartridges at his disposal in his pistol; but that does not entitle him to waste ammunition.

However,

this backlog of

ammunition should give him far more confidence than a six-shot revolver. This basic course of fire will be dealt with, showing how each pistol fits into this pattern of training. In addition, each pistol has its own safety mechanisms that tend to control a definite variation in the training program. As an example, the Glock has no manual safety so that teaching

A Basic Familiarization Course of Fire

103

an officer to handle this pistol will demand entirely different approaches than teaching an officer to correctly handle a Sig Sauer P-226. Each pistol will be taken through this basic course of fire in detail in the following sections of this article. Keep in mind that single-action pistols require different training details than double-action pistols, despite the fact that all five pistols will be taken through the above single basic course of fire. These differences will control the training details. Attention

There is no such thing as an inclusive, perfect, completely safe course of fire. The preceding course of fire touches upon many important details but must never be considered as the ultimate or the best. It must be regarded as a guide for firing factory issue, unaltered pistols. This course of fire will not turn out trained handgun shooters. It will not necessarily turn out or produce proficient handgunners out of novices. The key to the success of a training course of fire is the firearms instructor. He must be competent. Webster’s dictionary defines competent as “legally qualified, capable, answering to all requirements, rightfully belonging.” It is not enough to select a man and then tell him that he is now the department firearms instructor. The safety of the trainees, the legal standing of the department in the event of a suit, and many other details rest upon the shoulders of the firearms instructor. Where can a department obtain a competent firearms instructor? I have no idea. There are firms that specialize in firearms training, but their men are paid by the firm and in most instances would not leave needs a their position and go to work for the department. A department of permanent, competent firearms instructor who will develop courses ory mandat out lay fire for each level of officer competency and who will to firing schedules that will maintain and improve an officer’s ability a not is g trainin safely and intelligently handle his weapons. Kirearms varles one-shot deal. It is a continuing training program that continually The . flexible be with situations on the street as they arise. He must red preceding suggested basic training course of fire must never be conside as a merely as a permanent course of fire. It is presented in this book instructor can guide, a suggested basic program on which the firearms the situations build new and varied courses of fire that apply directly to to guide the encountered in his area. It is up to the firearms instructor

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

officer through this suggested course of fire with constructive criticism, commenting and discussing the officer’s ability to handle each section. Once again, it is absolutely vital to remember that the firearms instructor

is the key to safe and intelligent weapons training in any department. During the writing of this book we have run both men and women through the above course of fire. We believe it to be a practical course of fire, but we cannot, in any way, be responsible for any problems or accidents that may occur when fired in other places by other people. Two days prior to going out onto the range for actual firing and instruction, we laid the pistols out on a table in the police station and passed the word around that officers could come in and look over the various types of pistols. I believe that about fourteen officers came from various organizations (fish and game, highway patrol, sheriff's office, police, etc.) Keep in mind that we did not ask professional shooters or weapons instructors to come and view the guns. If I remember correctly, a few years ago a survey revealed that 87 percent of law enforcement officers had no interest in firearms. They carried firearms and trained with them because they had to in order to hold down their jobs. We deliberately went out and asked these men who made up the 87 percent figure to come in and look at the weapons, then we invited them to participate in firing and training with these pistols. We did not want comments from professionals, since professionals do not make up the bulk of law enforcement personnel. We only wanted the men who were representative of the 87 percent group. These would be the men who have problems both physically and mentally handling pistols. We also did not ask questions of these men as they wandered in and out of the room looking at the pistols. We wanted them to volunteer their comments. We did not want to influence their thinking or reactions at that time. The results were extremely interesting. On the other hand, if we were asked questions, we answered them in depth and several times

ended up giving short lectures. Let me list some of the reactions to the five pistols: 1. Wander around the table, eye the pistols, pick up the Beretta and comment that it looks nice. 2. Glance at the Model 1911-Al from Springfield Armory, pat it. Good old gun. Kind of like an old friend. No one picked it up. 3. Stop and look at the Sig Sauer. Wander on around. Come back and stare at the Sig Sauer with vague interest.

A Basic Familiarization Course of Fire

105

4. Ruger P-85. Stop, eyeball it. Pick it up. Curious. Put it down. Then somehow it dawns that this is THE Ruger P-85. The NEW pistol. Pick it up, look around, put it down. Maybe they should not be touching it. Go off. Come back around again. 5. Stop and stare. What’s that? Glock! Shuffle their feet. Wander on around the table. Come back. Stare. How do you shoot it? Pick it up gently. Put it down cautiously. Not sure what they are looking at. 6. Go back and pat the Model 1911A1. An old friend! Then we commenced, in answer to questions, showing how each pistol is stripped, assembled, put together and fired. This brought out many questions and comments. Once the men began handling the stripped pistols and putting them back together again for themselves the comments increased as did the interest in everything except the Model 1911A1 Springfield Armory pistol. There was a definite lack of interest in this pistol. This give and take, show and tell continued for a couple of hours. By the time it ended, all of the men stated that, if at all possible, they would be on the range to fire and work with these pistols. The next day, Tom

Killham, Chuck Bulsom, and I went out to the

range and fired several boxes of the various makes and types of ammunition through each pistol. There were no malfunctions or problems of any kind. Quite early the following morning we went back out onto the range and set up for the testing and training session. We laid out the handguns on a table and then dumped all of the ammunition into a bucket, mixed it up and then kept pouring it onto the table all day as long as the men used it up. This meant that they would be firing many different types, makes, and bullet designs in the pistols. By 9:30 A.M. we had commenced firing, with the men coming when they could and staying as long as possible. There were always empty magazines lying on the tabletop and everyone, when arriving or coming back from firing, spent several minutes loading magazines. This kept the men firing all the time and allowed the range officers to keep the courses of firing going. of I will now list in detail the routine each man followed in firing each n rizatio familia the five pistols. This is the Basic Course of Hire, the course listed earlier in this article.

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Micon. oe

Figure 7-2. The cartridge mix in the pail.

A Basic Familiarization Course of Fire

107

Figure 7-3. We then dumped the contents of the pail onto the tabletop inside the circle of pistols that were to be shot.

Figure 7-4. Instructing the officers in how to ram in a clip while at the ready position.

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 7-6. Then stand at the ready position with the pistol held tightly in two hands.

A Basic Familiarization Course of Fire

109

Figure 7-6B. This picture shows the Ruger P-85 with manual safety down and hammer down against a steel block. The pistol cannot now be fired.

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 7-6C. The manual safety has now been pushed up. The hammer remains in the down position. The pistol cannot be fired unless the trigger is pulled all the way back. This is the carry position for all of the pistols utilizing this type of safety.

CHES

Figure 7-6D. This picture shows the Colt Model 1911A1 with hammer cocked and ready to fire. Safety off.

A Basic Familiarization Course of Fire

a0)

Figure 7-6E. The manual safety is on, thus locking the hammer. This is the carry position for the Colt Model 1911A1.

off. Figure 7-6F. This picture shows the Colt Model 1911A1 with hammer cocked, safety below directly safety grip the as long as pistol the fire to pulled be cannot trigger the However, the hand, the rear of the hammer remains in the out position shown here. When pressed in by fire. to pistol the and the grip safety then permits the trigger to be pulled

112

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

a

Figure 7-7. To draw, first, stand loosely, weight on both feet, ready to move, draw, stand or

advance. Note the loose hang stance of Tom Killham.

A Basic Familiarization Course of Fire

Figure 7-8. As the right hand goes for the pistol, the left hand moves forward.

113

114

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 7-9. As the pistol comes out of the holster, both hands grasp it tightly.

A Basic Familiarization Course of Fire

115

stance. Figure 7-10. The officer can then remain at ready or come up into the basic Weaver

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

Figure 7-11. Note the stiff right arm and the left arm and hand pulling back against the right arm and hand. Also note the slightly cocked head and neck. This position ensures that the pistol will move only slightly during firing.

Figure 7-12. A felon’s eye view of Tom Killham ready to fire with the pistol completely under control.

A Basic Familiarization Course of Fire

LV)

Figure 7-13. The ready position as an officer moves forward against and towards a situation. Note that the trigger finger remains flat against the side of the pistol.

him and the Figure 7-14. The raise pistol position used when the officer has people between felon and he does not wish to holster the pistol.

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Chapter 8

FIRING THE BASIC COURSE OF FIRE TO FAMILIARIZE PERSONNEL WITH EACH OF THE FOUR BASIC TYPES OF PISTOL SAFETY MECHANISMS FIRING THE

BASIC COURSE

WITH

THE

RUGER

P-85

1. The officer loads both magazines, placing one into his belt pouch and the other into the butt of his pistol, ramming it home with the butt of his left hand. 2. The pistol chamber remains empty, the pistol holstered, manual safety off and hammer down. 3. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, muzzle pointed up in raise pistol position. Upon command, officer reaches over with his left hand and racks back the slide, allowing it to go forward and chamber a cartridge. Officer reaches over with right thumb and pushes manual safety into the down position, then immediately pushes manual safety up, leaving pistol with hammer down, manual safety off. 4. Keeping trigger finger flat against side of slide, officer holsters. 5. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide until pistol is pointing at target and he goes into two-handed Weaver stance. Officer then pulls the trigger double action, firing one shot on a felon target located fifteen yards in front ~ of him. For the second shot, officer will fire the pistol single action. He will

fire five or six shots. Officer will then come back to raise pistol, trigger finger flat against the side of the slide. The pistol now has hammer back, manual safety off, so officer reaches up with thumb of right hand and pushes manual safety down into the safe position. He immediately pushes manual safety up and holsters, leaving pistol with hammer down. The next shot will be fired double action. 6. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat Lg

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

against the side of the slide, rams pistol out into target, goes into twohanded hold, Weaver stance and fires one shot double action. Officer

lays trigger finger against side of slide, comes back to raise pistol position, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes manual safety into down position, dropping hammer. Officer then pushes manual safety up and holsters. Officer repeats this routine until the magazine is empty. 7. Coming to raise pistol, with the magazine empty and the slide locked back, the officer presses the magazine-release button, ejecting the empty

magazine,

and, at the same

time, he reaches

for the loaded

magazine in the belt pouch with his left hand, extracts it, trigger finger flat against the front of the magazine and rams it into the pistol butt with the butt of his left hand. All this time, his trigger finger lays flat against the side of the slide. With the thumb of his right hand, officer pushes down on slide lock lever, allowing the slide to go forward and chamber a cartridge. Officer then presses down on manual safety and immediately pushes it up, leaving pistol with hammer down, manual safety off. Officer then holsters. 8. Officer moves to within five yards of target. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against side of the slide, rams pistol into target, and, firing from the hip with one hand, fires one shot. Then, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer comes back to raise pistol position, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes manual safety down, then immediately pushes it up. Officer holsters. 9. This routine is repeated until the magazine is empty, officer firing one single shot at each draw double action. 10, Officer comes to raise pistol. Reaching over with the thumb of his right hand, officer presses magazine-release button, ejecting empty magazine. Reaching with the thumb of his right hand, officer pushes down slide hold open lever, allowing slide to run forward. Officer then reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety immediately, pushing it up again, leaving hammer down, pistol chamber empty. Officer holsters. Officer reloads both magazine, placing one in belt pouch. He rams other magazine into pistol butt with butt of his left hand and comes to raise pistol. Officer reaches over with left hand and racks back slide and releases it,

allowing slide to go forward chambering a cartridge. With trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer reaches over with thumb of right

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hand and pushes down manual safety, then immediately pushes it up leaving pistol loaded with hammer down. Officer holsters. 11. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed hold Weaver stance and fires one shot into target, lays finger flat against the side of the slide, comes back to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb

of right hand and pushes down manual safety, immediately pushing it up again. Officer holsters. Officer repeats this routine until the magazine is empty. 12. Officer and instructor should discuss the officer’s ability to handle this pistol and, if necessary, repeat preceding routines. 13. Officer moves back to ten yards. 14. Upon command, officer draws pistol, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed hold Weaver stance and fires five shots as rapidly as possible from hip level. Officer places trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, comes back to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, then instantly pushes manual safety up and holsters. 15. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed hold Weaver stance, bringing pistol up to eye level, and fires five shots as rapidly as possible. 16. Officer places trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, brings pistol back to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, then pushes manual safety up. Officer holsters. 17. Upon command, officer draws pistol, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed Weaver stance and empties magazine into target. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes magazine-release button, ejecting magazine. At the same time, officer reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with his left hand, places left trigger finger on front of magazine and rams it into butt of pistol with butt of left hand. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on slide lock lever allowing slide to go forward and chamber a cartridge. Officer then stands covering the target, pistol held in both hands, Weaver stance, eye level. Upon command, officer comes to raise pistol,

trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, reaches over with thumb

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of right hand and pushes down manual safety, instantly pushing it up again. Officer holsters. 18. Two targets are set up ten yards in front of officer who stands facing targets. 19. Upon command, officer draws pistol, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed hold Weaver stance and fires one shot into each of the two targets. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, then pushes it up. Keeping finger flat against the side of the slide, officer holsters.

20. Upon command, officer draws pistol, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed hold Weaver stance and fires two shots into each of the two targets. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety then up and holsters, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide. 21. Upon command, officer draws pistol and repeats above instructions until magazine 1s empty. 22. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses magazine-release button ejecting magazine. Officer places one magazine in belt pouch and slams second magazine into pistol butt with butt of left hand. Officer then comes to raise pistol, reaches over with left hand and racks back slide and releases it, allowing it to go

forward chambering a cartridge. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, then pushes it up. Officer holsters. 23. Officer and instructor then discuss officer’s ability to handle pistol. If necessary, instructor takes officer back through routine. 24. Officer stands facing three targets, two felon, one no-shoot. One felon twenty yards distant off to right. One felon directly in front at fifteen yards. No-shoot target between other two at fifteen yards. Upon command, officer draws pistol, rams pistol into felon target, goes into Weaver stance and fires one shot on each felon target. Officer remains covering targets. Upon command, he fires one more shot on each felon target and stands covering both targets. Upon command, officer fires two shots on each felon target. 25. Upon command, officer places trigger finger flat against side of slide and comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand

and pushes down manual safety, then pushes it up. Officer holsters. 26. Officer walks ten yards to his right. Stops. He continues to face to his right with targets to his left. Upon command he draws pistol, places

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trigger finger flat against side of slide, turns, goes into two-handed hold, turns, aims pistol muzzle in ground in front of him and runs to his left and, when opposite first felon target on far left, stops and fires three shots

into each felon target. 27. Continuing to hold pistol in two-handed hold, trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer walks briskly ten yards to the left past left felon target. Pistol remains pointed at ground in front of officer. Upon command, officer turns and runs until his is opposite right felon target, stops, and fires three shots on each felon target. Officer then reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses magazine-release button, ejecting magazine, and at the same time reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, placing trigger finger against front of magazine and then ramming magazine into butt of pistol with butt of left hand. Officer then reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down slide lock lever, allowing slide to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer then stands covering felon targets. Upon command, officer places trigger finger flat against side of slide, comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, then up and holsters. 28. Officer instantly comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses magazine-release button, ejecting empty magazine, reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, places left trigger finger flat against front of magazine, rams it into pistol butt with butt of left hand, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on slide-release lever allowing slide to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer then stands covering target. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses magazinerelease button, ejecting magazine, and at the same time reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, places left trigger finger on front of magazine and rams it into pistol butt with butt of left hand. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down slide hold open lever allowing slide to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer then stands covering target. 29. Officer goes to patrol car and, leaning over hood, draws pistol, goes into two-handed hold, and, using car hood as solid rest, fires two shots at felon target thirty yards distant. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes manual safety down, then up and holsters. Officer goes forward to examine his point of bullet impact.

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Returning to car and using hood as solid rest, officer draws pistol and slowly and precisely empties magazine into target. 30. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses magazine-release button, ejecting magazine. He then reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down slide hold open lever allowing slide to go forward on empty chamber. Officer holsters. Officer then reloads both magazines. He places one magazine in belt pouch. He rams second magazine into pistol butt with butt of left hand. He then reaches over with left hand and pulls back slide and releases it,

allowing it to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on slide hold open lever allowing slide to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, then up and holsters. 31. Officer enters patrol car, sits behind wheel, seat belt fastened, both

hands on steering wheel. 32. Upon command, officer leaves car, standing behind car door as steady rest, goes into two-handed hold and engages four targets placed from five yards to twenty-five yards in front of him and to both sides. Upon emptying magazine, he reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses magazine-release button, ejecting magazine. At the same time, he reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, draws

it, places left trigger finger on front of magazine and rams it into pistol butt with butt of left hand. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down on slide hold open lever, releasing slide and allowing it to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, moves rapidly around door, goes into kneeling position and fires around front of car into the four targets until magazine is empty. FIRING THE BASIC COURSE WITH THE BERETTA MODEL 92-F PISTOL

1. The officer loads both magazines, placing one into his belt pouch and the other into the butt of his pistol, ramming it home with the butt of his left hand. 2. The pistol chamber remains empty, the pistol holstered, manual safety off and hammer down.

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3. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, muzzle pointed up in raise pistol position. Upon command, officer reaches over with his left hand and racks back the slide, allowing it to go forward and chamber a cartridge. Officer reaches over with right thumb and pushes manual safety into the down position, then immediately pushes manual safety up, leaving pistol with hammer down, manual safety off. 4, Keeping trigger finger flat against side of slide, officer holsters. 5. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide until pistol is pointing at target and he goes into two-handed Weaver stance. Officer then pulls the trigger double action, firing one shot on a felon target located fifteen yards in front of him. For the second shot, officer will fire the pistol single action. He will fire five or six shots. Officer will then come back to raise pistol, trigger finger flat against the side of the slide. The pistol now has hammer back, manual safety off, so officer reaches up with thumb of right hand and pushes manual safety down into the safe position. He immediately pushes manual safety up and holsters, leaving pistol with hammer down. The next shot fired will be fired double action. 6. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams pistol out into target, goes into twohanded hold, Weaver stance, and fires one shot double action. Officer

lays trigger finger against side of slide, comes back to raise pistol position, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes manual safety into down position, dropping hammer. Officer then pushes manual safety up and holsters. Officer repeats this routine until the magazine 1s empty. 7. Coming to raise pistol, with the magazine empty and the slide locked back, the officer presses the magazine-release button, ejecting

_ the empty magazine, and, at the same time, he reaches for the loaded

magazine in the belt pouch with his left hand, extracts it, trigger finger flat against the front of the magazine, and rams it into the pistol butt with the butt of his left hand. All this time, his trigger finger lays flat against the side of the slide. With the thumb of his right hand, officer pushes down on slide lock lever allowing the slide to go forward and chamber a cartridge. Officer then presses down on manual safety and immediately pushes it up, leaving pistol with hammer down, manual safety off. Officer then holsters. 8. Officer moves to within five yards of target. Upon command, officer

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draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against side of the slide, rams pistol into target, and, firing from the hip and with one hand, fires one shot. Then, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer comes back to raise pistol position, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes manual safety down, then immediately pushes it up. Officer holsters. 9. This routine is repeated until the magazine is empty, officer firing one single shot at each draw double action. 10. Officer comes to raise pistol. Reaching over with the thumb of his right hand, officer presses magazine-release button, ejecting empty magazine. Reaching with the thumb of his right hand, officer pushes down slide hold open lever allowing slide to run forward. Officer then reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, immediately pushing it up again, leaving hammer down, pistol chamber empty. Officer holsters. Officer reloads both magazine, placing one in belt pouch. He rams other magazine into pistol butt with butt of his left hand and comes to raise pistol. Officer reaches over with left hand and racks back slide and releases it,

allowing slide to go forward chambering a cartridge. With trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, then immediately pushes it up, leaving pistol loaded with hammer down. Officer holsters. 11. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed hold Weaver stance and fires on shot into target, lays finger flat against the side of the slide, comes back to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb

of right hand and pushes down manual safety, immediately pushing it up again. Officer holsters. Officer repeats this routine until the magazine is empty. 12. Officer and instructor should discuss the officer’s ability to handle this pistol and, if necessary, repeat preceding routines. 13. Officer moves back to ten yards. 14. Upon command, officer draws pistol, rams pistol into target, goes

into two-handed hold Weaver stance and fires five shots as rapidly as possible from hip level. Officer places trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, comes back to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, then instantly pushes manual safety up and holsters. 15. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat

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127

against the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed hold Weaver stance, bringing pistol up to eye level and fires five shots as rapidly as possible. 16. Officer places trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, brings pistol back to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety then pushes manual safety up. Officer holsters. 17. Upon command, officer draws pistol, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed Weaver stance and empties magazine into target. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes magazine-release button, ejecting magazine. At the same time, officer reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with his left hand, places left trigger finger on front of magazine and rams it into butt of pistol with butt of left hand. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on slide lock lever allowing slide to go forward and chamber a cartridge. Officer then stands covering the target, pistol held in both hands,

raise pistol, Weaver stance, eye level. Upon command, officer comes to

trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, reaches over with thumb g it up of right hand and pushes down manual safety, instantly pushin again. Officer holsters. stands 18. Two targets are set up ten yards in front of officer, who facing targets. goes 19. Upon command, officer draws pistol, rams pistol into target, each of the ‘nto two-handed hold Weaver stance and fires one shot into thumb of with two targets. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over up. Keeping right hand and pushes down manual safety, then pushes it finger flat against the side of the slide, officer holsters. target, goes 20. Upon command, officer draws pistol, rams pistol into into each of the ‘nto two-handed hold Weaver stance and fires two shots with thumb of two targets. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over rs, keeping right hand and pushes down manual safety, then up and holste trigger finger flat against the side of the slide. instructions 21. Upon command, officer draws pistol and repeats above until magazine 1s empty. thumb of right 99. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with magazine. Officer hand and presses magazine-release button, ejecting magazine into pistol places one magazine in belt pouch and slams second to raise pistol, reaches butt with butt of left hand. Officer then comes

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over with left hand and racks back slide and releases it, allowing it to go forward chambering a cartridge. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, then pushes it up. Officer holsters. 23. Officer and instructor then discuss officer’s ability to handle pistol. If necessary, instructor takes officer back through routine. 24. Officer stands facing three targets, two felon, one no-shoot. One felon twenty yards distant off to right. One felon directly in front at fifteen yards. No-shoot target between other two at fifteen yards. Upon command,

officer draws pistol, rams pistol into felon target, goes into

Weaver stance and fires one shot on each felon target. Officer remains covering targets. Upon command, he fires one more shot on each felon target and stands covering both targets. Upon command, officer fires two shots on each felon target. 25. Upon command, officer places trigger finger flat against side of slide and comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, then pushes it up. Officer holsters. 26. Officer walks ten yards to his right. Stops. He continues to face to his right with targets to his left. Upon command he draws pistol, places trigger finger flat against side of slide, turns, goes into two-handed hold, turns, aims pistol muzzle in ground in front of him and runs to his left and, when opposite first felon target on far left, stops and fires three shots into each felon target. 27. Continuing to hold pistol in two->-handed hold, trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer walks briskly ten yards to the left past left felon target. Pistol remains pointed at ground in front of officer. Upon command, officer turns and runs until his is opposite right felon target, stops, and fires three shots on each felon target. Officer then reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses magazine-release button, ejecting magazine, and at the same time reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, placing trigger finger against front of magazine and then ramming magazine into butt of pistol with butt of left hand. Officer then reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down slide lock lever allowing slide to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer then stands covering felon targets. Upon command, officer places trigger finger flat against side of slide, comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, then up and holsters. 28. Officer instantly comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of

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right hand and presses magazine-release button, ejecting empty magazine, reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, places left trigger finger flat against front of magazine, rams it into pistol butt with butt of left hand, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on slide-release lever allowing slide to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer then stands covering target. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses magazinerelease button,

ejecting magazine,

and at the same

time reaches for

loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, places left trigger finger on front of magazine, and rams it into pistol butt with butt of left hand. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down slide hold open lever, allowing slide to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer then stands covering target. 29. Officer goes to patrol car and, leaning over hood, draws pistol, goes into two-handed hold, and, using car hood as solid rest, fires two

shots at felon target thirty yards distant. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes manual safety down, then up and holsters. Officer goes forward to examine his point of bullet impact.

Returning to car and using hood as solid rest, officer draws pistol and slowly and precisely empties magazine into target. 30. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses magazine-release button, ejecting magazine. He then reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down slide hold open lever, allowing slide to go forward on empty chamber. Officer holsters. Officer then reloads both magazines. He places one magazine in belt pouch. He rams second magazine into pistol butt with butt of left hand. He then reaches over with left hand and pulls back slide and releases it, allowing it to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on slide hold open lever, allowing slide to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down manual safety, then up and holsters. d, both 31. Officer enters patrol car, sits behind wheel, seat belt fastene

hands on steering wheel. 32. Upon command,

officer leaves car, standing behind car door as

placed steady rest, goes into two-handed hold and engages four targets sides. from five yards to twenty-five yards in front of him and to both Upon emptying magazine, he reaches over with thumb of right hand

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and presses magazine-release button, ejecting magazine. At the same time, he reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, draws it, places left trigger finger on front of magazine and rams it into pistol

butt with butt of left hand. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and pushes down on slide hold open lever, releasing slide and allowing it to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, moves rapidly around door, goes into kneeling position and fires around front of car into the four targets until magazine is empty. FIRING THE BASIC COURSE

WITH

THE

GLOCK

1. The Glock pistol magazine holds eighteen rounds. Two magazines are furnished with each pistol. Because of the number that the magazines hold, Glock has furnished a loading helper that makes insertion of the last eight or nine cartridges far easier. It is not necessary to use this loader, but it does help. The officer will carry one magazine in a belt pouch and the other in the pistol, giving him thirty-six rounds. 2. With one magazine in the belt pouch and the other rammed into the pistol butt, the officer stands with the pistol holstered. 3. Upon command, the officer draws the pistol holding it muzzle up, trigger finger against the right side of the slide. This will be known as the “raise pistol” position. Upon command,

the officer will reach over with his hand and rack

back the pistol slide. He will then release the slide, allowing it to go forward by itself chambering a cartridge. He must absolutely understand that he cannot ease down the slide. 4. Because the Glock automatically places itself on safe, the officer has nothing further to do, and keeping his trigger finger on the side of the slide, he holsters the pistol. 5. Upon command, the officer draws the pistol, keeping his trigger finger flat against the side of slide until the pistol muzzle is pointing at the target and he has gone into the two-handed Weaver stance. Officer then pulls back the trigger and fires on a felon target located fifteen yards in front of him. Officer fires slowly. After firing five or six shots, he comes back to raise pistol and, continuing to keep his trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, he holsters. 6. Upon command, the officer again draws pistol, finger flat against

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the side of the slide, goes into the two-handed Weaver stance, pulls the trigger and fires one shot. Placing his trigger finger against the side of the slide, officer comes to raise pistol and holsters. Upon command, officer repeats this routine until the magazine is empty. 7. Upon firing the last shot, officer comes to raise pistol, slide locked back, and presses the magazine-release button, ejects the magazine and, at the same time, reaches with his left hand on front edge of magazine and guides it into the pistol butt, then slams magazine into locked position in pistol butt with butt on left hand. All this time officer keeps trigger finger of right hand flat against the side of the slide. With thumb of his right hand, officer reaches up and presses down on the sliderelease lever, allowing the slide to ram forward chambering a cartridge. Officer then holsters. 8. Officer moves to within five yards of the target. Upon command, he draws, keeping the trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams the pistol into the target and from the hip fires one shot. Placing the trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer comes back to raise pistol and holsters. 9. Officer repeats this routine until the magazine is empty. 10. When

the last shot has been fired, officer comes to raise pistol,

trigger finger flat against the side of the pistol, reaching over with the thumb of his right hand, officer presses magazine-release button and ejects the empty magazine. With the thumb of his right hand, officer presses down on the slide-release lever allowing the slide to go forward. Officer then holsters pistol. Officer then reloads both magazines, placing one in the belt pouch and the other into the pistol butt. Officer holsters. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against his left hand the side of the slide, comes to raise pistol, reaches over with

and pulls back the slide. Letting the slide go, he then holsters pistol. flat 11. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger twoagainst the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, goes into the trigger g handed Weaver stance and fires one shot into target. Keepin finger flat against the side of the slide, officer holsters. Officer repeats this routine until the magazine is empty. officer’s 12. Officer and instructor should now discuss and evaluate ing preced ability to handle the pistol. If necessary, officer will repeat routines. 13. Officer moves back to ten yards. finger flat 14. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger

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against the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, goes into the twohand hold and fires five shots as rapidly as possible from hip level. Keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer comes back to raise pistol and holsters. 15. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, goes into the twohanded Weaver stance and, bringing the pistol up to eye level, fires five shots as rapidly as possible. 16. Keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer comes back to raise pistol and holsters. 17. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed Weaver stance and empties magazine into target. When last shot has been fired, officer keeps trigger finger flat against side of slide, comes to raise pistol, reaches over with the thumb of his right hand, presses magazinerelease button, ejects magazine and, at the same time, using his left hand, reaches for the spare loaded magazine in his belt pouch. Keeping trigger finger of left hand flat against the front of the magazine, officer reams magazine into pistol butt using butt of left hand. Officer then reaches over with the thumb of right hand and presses down on slide-release lever allowing the slide to go forward chambering a cartridge. Officer then rams pistol into target. Officer then stands covering the target in Weaver stance. Upon command, officer places trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, comes to raise pistol and holsters. 18. Two targets are set up ten yards in front of the officer who stands facing the targets. 19. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed Weaver stance and fires one shot into each of the two targets. Keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer comes back to raise pistol and holsters. 20. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed Weaver stance and fires two shots into each of the two targets. Keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer comes back to raise pistol and holsters. 21. Upon command, officer repeats the above procedure until the magazine is empty.

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92. Officer comes to raise pistol, trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses magazinerelease button ejecting the empty magazine. With thumb of right hand, officer presses slide-release button allowing slide to go forward. Officer holsters. Officer then reloads both magazines using the Glock reloading aid. Officer places one magazine in belt pouch, draws pistol keeping trigger finger flat against the side of slide and, placing trigger finger of left hand against front of magazine, rams magazine into pistol butt with butt of left hand. Reaching over with left hand, officer draws back slide and then releases it, allowing it to go forward and chambering a cartridge. Officer holsters. 93. Officer and instructor discuss officer’s ability to handle pistol and, if necessary, repeat preceding routines. 94. Officer stands facing three targets: two felon, one no-shoot. One felon directly in front at fifteen yards. One felon twenty yards distant off to right. No-shoot target between the two felon targets is eighteen yards distant. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against slide, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed Weaver stance, and fires one shot on each felon target. Officer remains covering targets. Upon command, officer fires one more shot on each felon target and stands covering targets. Upon command, officer fires two shots on each felon. 25. Upon command, officer places trigger finger on side of slide, comes to raise pistol and holsters. 96. Officer walks ten yard to his right and stops. He continues to face to his right with targets on his left. Upon command, officer draws, keeping trigger finger flat against side of slide, turns, goes into twohanded Weaver hold and keeping muzzle pointed at the ground in front of him, then runs to his left and, when arriving opposite felon target on far left, stops, turns to face target, brings pistol up to eye level and fires three shots into each felon target. 97. Bringing pistol muzzle down to point into the ground in front of him, officer walks ten yards to the left past left felon target, trigger finger he flat against side of slide. Upon command, officer turns and runs until to eye is opposite right felon target and stops. Bringing pistol muzzle empty. level, he fires three shots on each felon target or until magazine is right of thumb with Coming back to raise pistol, officer reaches over ne, reaches hand, presses magazine-release button, ejects empty magazi finger flat trigger left for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand,

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against front of magazine, rams magazine into locked position in pistol butt with butt of left hand, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on slide-release lever allowing slide to go forward chambering a cartridge. Officer then stands covering felon targets. Upon command, officer comes to raise pistol, placing trigger finger flat against side of slide and holster. Officer reloads empty magazine and places it in belt pouch. 28. Officer walks toward single felon target. At about five to eight yards distance, upon command, officer stops, draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against side of slide, rams pistol into target, goes into twohanded Weaver stance and empties pistol into target. Officer instantly comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses magazine-release button, ejecting empty magazine, reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, places left trigger finger flat against front of magazine, rams it into pistol butt with butt of left hand, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on slide-release lever allowing slide to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer then stands covering target. Upon command, officer draws pistol, trigger finger flat against side of slide, holsters.

29. Officer goes to patrol car and, leaning over hood, draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against side of slide, brings pistol up into two-handed hold while leaning solidly onto car hood and fires two shots at felon target thirty yards distant. Placing trigger finger flat against side of slide, officer holsters. Officer goes forward to target to examine point of bullet impact. Returning to car, he draws pistol, keeping trigger finger against the side of the slide, assumes solid comfortable position over hood of car and, using two-handed hold, slowly and precisely empties his pistol into target. 30. Coming back to raise pistol, officer reaches over with thumb of

right hand and presses magazine-release button to eject magazine. Using thumb of right hand, officer pushes down on slide-release lever allowing slide to go forward. Officer holsters and then reloads both magazines. Officer places one magazine in belt pouch. He places the other magazine in pistol butt, rams it home with butt of left hand and, reaching over with

left hand, racks back slide and allows it to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer then holsters.

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135

31. Officer enters patrol car, sits behind wheel, seat belt fastened, both

hands on steering wheel. 32. Upon

command,

officer leaves car, standing behind

car door,

draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide and, using car and car door as a rest and firing with two-handed hold, engages four targets placed from five yards to twenty-five yards in front of him and to both sides. Upon emptying magazine, he reaches over with thumb of right hand, presses down on magazine-release button ejecting magazine and at the same time reaches with his left hand for magazine in belt pouch, placing left trigger finger against front edge of magazine and ramming it into pistol butt with butt of left hand. Reaching over with thumb of right hand, officer presses down on slide hold open lever releasing slide allowing it to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer then moves around door into kneeling position and fires around front of car into felon targets, emptying pistol. FIRING THE BASIC COURSE WITH THE SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1911A1

1. The 9mm magazines hold eight cartridges; therefore, the officer should have three of these magazines, two carried on belt pouches and one in the pistol butt. These magazines are loaded in the customary manner. 2. The pistol chamber is empty, the hammer down and the pistol holstered. 3. Upon command, the officer draws the pistol and, as it comes out of the holster, his trigger finger must lie flat against the side of the slide as he raises the pistol into the “raise pistol” position. Upon

command,

the officer reaches

over

with his left hand,

still

keeping the pistol in the raise pistol position, and racks back the slide as far as it will go. He then releases the slide, letting it run forward by itself. He immediately shoves up the manual safety with his right thumb. 4. Keeping his finger flat against the side of the slide, the officer

holsters the pistol. 5. Upon command, the officer draws the pistol, keeping his finger flat against the side of the slide until he goes into the two-handed Weaver stance. At this time (and not before), he pushes down the manual safety

and rams the front sight into the target. He fires deliberately. After firing

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The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

four or five shots, he shoves the manual safety, comes back to raise pistol

and holsters, making certain that his trigger finger remains on the side of the slide from the moment he stops firing until the pistol is holstered. 6. Upon command, the officer draws his pistol, keeping his trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, ramming out the pistol into the two-handed Weaver stance and wiping off the manual safety, all in one single, smooth motion. He fires one shot. He then removes his trigger finger from the trigger guard, lays it flat against the side of the slide, pushes up the manual safety, comes back to raise pistol and holsters. The officer repeats the above until the magazine is empty. (Due to the small cartridge capacity of the magazine, it is advisable for the officer to repeat the above with a second magazine.) 7. When the officer comes to raise pistol with the magazine empty and the slide back in the locked position, the officer reaches up with the thumb of his right hand and presses the magazine-release button, thus ejecting the empty magazine. As the empty magazine leaves the pistol butt, the officer reaches for a loaded magazine, drawing it from its pouch

with his left hand. Placing his finger flat against the front edge of the magazine, he guides it into the pistol butt and then rams it home with the butt of his hand. This must be a positive, solid movement so that the loaded magazine is securely locked into the pistol butt. While

doing the above, his trigger finger of his right hand

must

remain flat against the side of the slide. As soon as the magazine is rammed home, the officer reaches up with the thumb of his right hand and presses down on the slide hold open lever, thus allowing the slide to go forward and chamber a cartridge. The moment this is done, the officer must shove up the manual safety. He then holsters the pistol. 8. The officer moves to within five yards of the target. Upon command, he draws the pistol, keeping his trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, wipes off the manual safety, rams the pistol out into the target and with one hand fires one shot. He instantly shoves up the manual safety and, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, holsters. 9. This is repeated until the magazine is empty or until the officer can handle this routine without difficulty. 10. With magazine empty and slide locked back, the officer comes to raise pistol, presses the magazine-release button with the thumb of his right hand and ejects the magazine. He either instantly reloads with a magazine from his belt or he presses down on the slide lock lever

Firing the Basic Course of Fire to Familiarize Personnel

137

dropping the slide on an empty chamber, pulls the trigger and holsters the pistol. He then reloads his empty magazine. 11. Upon command, officer draws pistol, trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams out the pistol into the target, goes into the two-handed Weaver stance, wipes off the manual safety and fires one shot into the target. Keeping his trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, he pushes up the manual safety with his thumb, comes back to raise pistol and holsters. Officer repeats this until the magazine is empty. If necessary, he continues drawing and firing until he can handle this routine.

12. The range officer/instructor discusses and evaluates officers’s competency at this point. Appropriate action is then taken by the instructor. 13. Officer moves back to ten yards. 14. Upon command, the officer draws, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams the pistol into the target, goes into the two-handed hold at hip level, wipes off the manual safety and fires five shots as rapidly as possible. After firing the five shots, officer places trigger finger against the side of the slide, pushes up the manual safety and comes back to raise pistol, then holsters. 15. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams the pistol into the target, goes into the two-handed hold, wipes off the manual safety and fires five shots as rapidly as possible from eye level. 16. Upon firing five shots, officer places trigger finger against the side of the slide, pushes up manual safety and comes back to raise pistol and holsters. 17. Because of the limited magazine capacity of this pistol, officer makes certain that all three magazines are fully loaded, pistol chamber loaded, and manual safety on. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping the trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed Weaver stance, wipes off manual safety and empties magazine into target. Instantly comes back to raise pistol position and, using thumb of right hand, presses magazine-release button, ejects empty magazine, reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, using left hand trigger finger presses against front edge of magazine, guides magazine mouth into pistol butt, rams magazine home into locked position, reaches up

with thumb of right hand and depresses slide lock lever, and lets slide ram cartridge into chamber. Officer then rams pistol back into target and,

138

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

with manual safety still in the off or down position, stands covering the target, pistol held in Weaver stance. Upon command, officer shoves up manual safety with thumb of right hand, comes back to raise pistol and holsters. 18. Two targets are set up ten yards in front of officer who stands facing them. 19. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of slide, rams pistol into one of the two targets, goes into the Weaver stance, wipes off the manual safety and fires one shot into each target. Officer then pushes up the manual safety and, with trigger finger flat against the slide, comes to raise pistol and holsters. 20. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against slide, rams pistol into one target, goes into the Weaver stance, wipes off manual safety and fires two shots into each of the two targets. Officer lays trigger finger flat against slide, shoves up manual safety with thumb of right hand, comes back to raise pistol and holsters. 21. Upon command, officer repeats the above until magazine is empty. 22. Officer ejects empty magazine with thumb of right hand, pressing onto magazine-release button while in raise pistol position, presses down on slide-release button dropping slide, pulls trigger and holsters. Officer then reloads all magazines. Two into belt pouches and officer then draws empty pistol from holster, comes to raise pistol position, slams loaded magazine into pistol butt, reaches over with left hand, racks back slide, releases slide letting it go forward chambering a cartridge, pushes up manual safety with thumb of right hand and, continuing to keep trigger finger flat against slide, holsters pistol. 23. At this point, instructor should again evaluate officer’s competency and take whatever steps are necessary to correct officer’s procedures. 24. Officer stands facing three targets, two felon, one no-shoot. One

felon twenty yards distant off to right. One felon directly in front at fifteen yards. No-shoot target between the two felon targets is eighteen yards distant. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against slide, rams pistol into felon target, goes into Weaver stance, wipes off manual safety and fires one shot on each felon target and then remains in Weaver stance, manual safety off, covering both felon targets. Upon command, he fires one more shot on each felon target

and stands covering both targets, manual safety off. Upon command, officer fires two shots on each felon target.

Firing the Basic Course of Fire to Familiarize Personnel

139

25. Upon command, officer places trigger finger flat against side of slide, pushes up manual safety with thumb of right hand, comes to raise pistol and holsters. 26. Officer makes certain that all his magazines are loaded. He then walks ten yards to his right and stops. He continues to face to his right with the targets to his left. Upon command, he draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against slide. Officer turns to his left, going into the two-handed hold, and, keeping pistol in two-handed hold pointed at the ground ahead of him, officer runs to his left and, when facing the first

felon target on far left, officer stops, turns to his right, rams pistol into target, wipes off safety and fires three shots into each felon target. Officer then comes to raise pistol, with thumb of right hand presses magazinerelease button ejecting empty magazine, reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, rams magazine into pistol butt with butt of hand to securely lock it into place, pushes up manual safety. The pistol slide has remained in battery, since only six shots were fired. 27. Continuing to hold the pistol in two hands, muzzle pointed into the ground ahead of him, officer walks rapidly to his left past left felon target and stops. Upon command, with handgun still held in two hands pointed into the ground ahead of him, trigger finger still flat against the side of the slide, officer turns to his right and runs until he is opposite right felon target and stops. Officer rams pistol into felon target, wipes off manual safety and fires three shots on each felon target. Officer then comes to raise pistol with trigger finger flat against side of slide, presses magazine-release button with thumb of right hand and, as magazine ejects, reaches for his third and last loaded magazine in belt pouch, draws it, rams it into pistol butt with butt of left hand and goes back into Weaver stance covering both felon targets. Upon command, officer pushes up on manual safety, comes to raise pistol and holsters. Officer then reloads empty magazine. 98. Officer walks towards single felon target. At about five to eight yards distance, upon command, he stops, draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against side of slide, goes into two-handed Weaver stance, pistol rammed into target, wipes off manual safety and empties magazine into felon target. Officer instantly comes back to raise pistol, presses magazine-release button with thumb of right hand, ejects empty magazine, reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, draws loaded magazine, rams it into pistol butt to locked position with butt of left hand, presses down with thumb of right hand on slide-release lever

140

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

lowering slide and chambering cartridge. Officer then goes into twohanded stance covering felon target. Upon command, he shoves up manual safety with thumb of right hand, comes to raise pistol and holsters. 29. Officer goes to patrol car and, leaning over hood, draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, goes into comfortable two-handed hold resting body weight upon car hood, wipes off safety and fires two shots at felon target thirty yards away. Officer pushes up manual safety and holsters. Officer goes forward to examine point of bullet impact. Returning to car, he again leans upon car hood, draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against slide, goes into two-handed hold, wipes off manual safety and slowly and precisely empties his pistol into target. Officer comes to raise pistol, presses magazine-release button with thumb of right hand ejecting empty magazine. Officer then reaches up with thumb of right hand and presses down on slide-release lever dropping slide onto empty chamber. Officer pulls trigger and holsters. 30. Officer reloads all three magazines. Reloads pistol. Holsters. 31. Officer enters patrol car, sits behind wheel, seat belt fastened, both

hands on steering wheel. 32. Upon

command,

officer leaves car and, standing behind

door,

engages four felon targets placed from five yards to twenty-five yards in front of him and to both sides. Upon emptying magazine, officer reaches up with thumb of right hand and presses magazine-release button, ejects magazine, reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch with left hand, rams loaded magazine into pistol butt with butt of left hand and, going down on one knee into two-handed hold, officer fires around front of car

into the four felon targets using car body as a solid rest, exposing as little of his body as possible. FIRING THE

BASIC COURSE

WITH

THE SIG SAUER

1. The officer takes the two magazines issued with each pistol and loads them with fifteen cartridges each. One magazine is rammed into the pistol butt. The other goes into the belt pouch. 2. The officer stands with the pistol holstered, pistol chamber empty. 3. Upon command, officer draws the pistol, and comes to raise pistol

position, trigger finger flat against the side of the slide. Upon command, the officer will reach over with his left hand and rack

Firing the Basic Course of Fire to Familiarize Personnel

141

back the pistol slide. He will then release the slide allowing it to go forward by itself chambering a cartridge. The officer must absolutely understand that he cannot ease down the slide. Immediately after the slide goes into battery, the officer reaches over with the thumb of his right hand and presses down the decocking lever, thus lowering the hammer. Releasing the decocking lever, all the while keeping the trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, the officer continues to stand at raise pistol. 4. The officer then holsters the pistol, continuing to keep his trigger finger flat against the side of the slide. 5. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide until the pistol is pointing at the target and he has gone into the two-handed Weaver stance. Officer then fires on a felon target located fifteen yards in front of him,

aiming for the chest area, firing the first shot double action and the remaining shots single action. After firing five or six shots, he comes back to raise pistol. Reaching over with the thumb of his right hand, he presses down on the decocking lever, lowering the hammer. Keeping his trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, he holsters. 6. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, and fires one shot double action, comes back to raise pistol, trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on the decocking lever and holsters the pistol. Officer repeats this until the magazine is empty. 7. Coming to raise pistol position with the magazine empty and the slide locked back, officer reaches over with the thumb of his right hand and presses magazine-release button, ejecting the empty magazine. He then reaches for a loaded magazine with his left hand, withdraws it from the belt pouch and rams it into the pistol butt using the butt of his left hand and his left trigger finger flat against the front of the magazine to help locate the top of the magazine. All this time, the officer keeps his trigger finger flat against the side of the slide. Reaching over with the thumb of his right hand, officer presses down on slide-release lever and allows the slide to go forward chambering a cartridge. Officer then presses down on decocking lever, lowering the hammer. Officer then holsters. 8. Officer moves to within five yards of the target. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the

142

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

slide, and, firing from the hip with one hand, fires one shot double

action as the pistol muzzle is rammed into the target. Officer then comes to raise pistol, reaches over with the thumb of his right hand and presses down on the decocking lever, allowing the hammer to fall. Still keeping his trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer holsters pistol. 9. This procedure is repeated until the magazine is empty. 10. Officer comes to raise pistol, ejects magazine by pressing on magazine-release button with thumb of right hand. Leaving slide back, officer reloads both magazines, places one in belt pouch and then, coming to raise pistol, rams loaded magazine into butt of pistol with butt of left hand using left trigger finger flat against front of magazine to guide magazine mouth into pistol butt. Reaching over with the thumb of his right hand, officer presses down on slide-release lever allowing slide to go forward chambering a cartridge. Continuing to keep trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer comes to raise pistol, then holsters.

11. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, goes into two-handed Weaver stance and fires one shot into target. Coming back to raise pistol, officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on decocking lever, allowing the hammer to fall. Keeping trigger finger flat against side of slide, officer holsters. Officer repeats this routine until the magazine is empty. 12. At this point, the instructor should evaluate the officer’s ability to handle the handgun and to place his shots. If there is any question about the officer’s ability to safely and correctly handle the pistol (this pistol), he should be taken back over the course of fire. 13. Officer moves back to ten yards. 14. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, goes into the two-handed Weaver stance, rams the pistol into the target and fires five shots as rapidly as possible, the first shot being double action and the remaining shots single action. All shots are fired from hip level. Officer comes back to raise pistol, reaches over with the thumb of his right hand and presses down on the decocking lever, lowering the hammer. Keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer holsters.

15. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, and goes into the two-handed Weaver stance, rams out the pistol into target at eye level and fires five shots as rapidly as possible.

Firing the Basic Course of Fire to Familiarize Personnel

143

16. Officer comes back to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on decocking. lever, allowing hammer to fall. Keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer holsters. 17. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, rams pistol into target, goes into two-handed Weaver stance and empties magazine into target. Upon emptying magazine, officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with thumb of right hand, presses magazine-release button, ejects magazine and at the same time, using left hand, reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch, withdraws it and, keeping left trigger finger flat against front of magazine, rams it into pistol butt with butt of left hand, then presses down on slide-release lever allowing the slide to go forward chambering cartridge. Officer then stands covering the target, pistol held in two hands at eye level. Upon command, officer comes to raise pistol position, trigger finger flat against side of slide, reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on decocking lever, allowing hammer to fall. Officer holsters. 18. Two targets are set up ten yards in front of officer, who stands facing them. 19. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat rams against the side of the slide, goes into two-handed Weaver stance,

pistol into target and fires one shot into each of the two targets. Officer comes back to raise pistol, reaches over with the thumb of his right hand and presses down on the decocking lever, allowing hammer to fall. Keeping trigger finger flat against side of slide, officer holsters. 20. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat stance, rams against the side of the slide, goes into two-handed Weaver

pistol into target and, firing double action for the first shot and single action for remaining shots, fires two shots into each of the two targets. Officer comes back to raise pistol position and holsters. flat 21. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger Weaver stance against the side of the slide, goes into two-handed hold,

action, and, firing first shot double action and remaining shots single fires two shots on each target, alternating until pistol is empty. of right 99. Officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with the thumb Officer ine. hand and presses magazine-release button, ejecting magaz

pouch and, with left then reloads both magazines, places one in belt

into pistol butt trigger finger flat against front edge of magazine, rams it thumb of his with butt of left hand. Officer then reaches over with the slide to go ng right hand and presses down on slide-release lever allowi

144

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

forward chambering a cartridge. Officer then uses thumb to press down decocking lever, allowing hammer to fall. Officer holsters. 23. Once again, instructor should evaluate officer’s ability to safely and intelligently handle the pistol. If there is any question, officer should be taken back over the course. 24. Officer stands facing three targets, two felons, one no-shoot. One

felon target twenty yards away off to the right. One felon directly in front at fifteen yards. No-shoot target in between at fifteen yards. Upon command, officer draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, goes into two-handed Weaver stance, rams pistol

into target and fires first shot double action, second shot single action, placing one shot on each felon target. Officer stands covering targets. Upon command, he fires one more shot on each felon target and stands

covering targets. Upon command, he fires two shots on each felon target. 25. Upon command, officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with the thumb of his right hand and presses down decocking lever, allowing hammer to fall. Keeping trigger finger flat against side of slide, officer holsters. 26. Officer walks ten yards to his right and stops. He continues to face to his right, with the targets to his left. Upon command, he draws, trigger finger flat against side of slide, turns, runs to his left and, when facing

the first felon target on far left, stops, comes up into two-handed Weaver stance, eye level, and fires three shots into each felon target.

27. Continuing to hold the pistol in the two-handed hold, muzzle pointed at the ground in front of him, officer walks ten yards to the left past the left felon target. Upon command, with handgun still in his hand, finger flat against side of the slide, he turns and runs until he is opposite right felon target, stops and fires three shots on each felon target, dumping the empty magazine and reloading without command. Officer then stands covering felon targets. Upon command, officer comes to raise pistol, reaches over with the thumb of his right hand and presses decocking lever, allowing hammer to fall. Officer holsters. 28. Officer walks towards single felon target. At about five to eight yards distant, upon command, he stops, draws, keeping trigger finger flat against side of slide, goes into two-handed Weaver stance, rams pistol

into target and empties magazine into target. He instantly comes back to raise pistol, reaches for loaded magazine in belt pouch and, with left trigger finger flat against front of magazine, rams magazine into pistol

Firing the Basic Course of Fire to Familiarize Personnel

145

butt with butt of left hand. Officer then reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses down on slide-release lever, allowing slide to go forward and chambering a cartridge. Officer goes back instantly into twohanded Weaver stance and covers target. Upon command, he comes to raise pistol, reaches over with the thumb

of right hand and presses decocking lever, allowing hammer to fall. 29. Officer goes to patrol car and, leaning over hood, draws pistol and, using solid stance, fires two shots at felon target about thirty yards distant. Reaching over with thumb of right hand, officer presses down on decocking lever, allowing hammer to fall. Keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide, officer holsters. Officer goes forward and examines his point of bullet impact. Returning to car, he draws pistol and, again leaning over hood of car, slowly and precisely fires at target until pistol is empty. 30. Officer reaches over with thumb of right hand and presses magazinerelease button ejecting magazine. Officer reloads both magazines. Officer places one magazine in belt pouch. He rams second magazine into pistol butt, guiding magazine with left trigger finger flat against front of magazine, and rams it home with butt of left hand.

Reaching over with the thumb of right hand, officer presses down on decocking lever, allowing hammer to fall. Officer holsters.

31. Officer enters patrol car, sits behind wheel, seat belt fastened, both

hands on steering wheel. 32. Upon command,

officer leaves car and, standing behind

door,

draws pistol, keeping trigger finger flat against the side of the slide and, using all possible support, rams out pistol and engages four targets placed from five yards to twenty-five yards in front of him and to both sides. Upon emptying magazine, he ejects it, reloads and, going down on one knee, fires around front of car into targets. When the last man completed firing and the last comment had been

made, Tom Killham, Chuck Bulsom, and myself returned to the office

where we sat down and commenced making notes of what the men had said, done and so forth. These comments, from men basically unfamiliar with pistols, indicate

quite clearly that the handgun manufacturers have many things to think about and to improve upon. I list below a summary of the comments: 1. The Sig Sauer has excessive muzzle jump and appears to be topheavy. It also has too many levers on the left side and this proved confusing to the men. The question was brought up repeatedly as to why

146

The 9MM and Law Enforcement Today

the Sig could not go to a modified version of the Glock. Simplify the pistol. 2. The Glock was the big winner. No bad comments. All comments proved affirmative, and man after man stated that he liked the ability to “draw and fire, fire and holster.” “Nothing to diddle around with,” as

one man said. 3. The P-85 manual safety bugged a lot of the men. Also, the long double-action trigger pull plus the weight of the pistol. 4. The Beretta had a clumsy feel for many of the men, and most found it difficult to handle the manual safety. 5. The Model 1911A1 from Springfield Armory drew very affirmative comments—good handling, easy manual safety—but the main objection after firing the other pistols was the small magazine capacity. In addition, many men remarked on the poor sights. 6. Sights: All men liked the sights on all of the pistols, except the Model 1911A1. 7. Magazines easy to load: Model 1911A1, P-85, and Glock.

Magazines hard to load: Sig Sauer and Beretta. Comments: Why not develop magazines that can be easily and fully loaded in cold weather. A folding side lever to compress the magazine spring would permit cartridges to be dropped into the magazine rapidly and easily. The folding lever would fit into a shallow cut in the side of the pistol butt. To sum up, the Glock won hands down. One man preferred the Beretta. Two men would choose the Model 1911A1 and carry an extended magazine in a belt pouch. One man with large hands complained about the lack of a grip spur to prevent the flesh from his hand being cut by the Glock. Most of the men disliked the two trigger pulls on the Sig Sauer, P-85, and the Beretta; much preferring the short single-action pull of the Model 1911A1 or the unvarying long pull of the Glock. In my opinion, selection of a pistol should be controlled to some degree by the men who will carry the pistol and not solely by the professional shooter or by a weapons instructor who remains mentally fifty years behind the times. In addition, the training of personnel in the safe, practical use of the pistol should be carried out by men who understand the pistol and know its potential. Training should be a continuing process throughout the year, firing a basic course such as the one I have suggested, plus other more advanced and demanding courses

Firing the Basic Course of Fire to Familiarize Personnel

147

of fire that change with each qualification session. The intelligent and safe use of pistols can definitely affect the outcome of lawsuits. As one officer told me years ago, “You can tear up a traffic ticket and write a new one, but you sure as hell cannot kill a man and then bring him back to life!”

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