This is the Marine Corps Reference Publication for Pistol Marksmanship.

This is the Marine Corps’ source document for pistol marksmanship and provides the doctrinal basis for Marine Corps pistol marksmanship training.

This publication provides all Marines armed with a pistol with the tactics, techniques, and procedures for range and field firing the M9, 9–mm service pistol.

Marines must have the versatility, flexibility, and skills to deal with any situation at any level of intensity across the entire range of military operations. Whenever the situation warrants the application of deadly force, a Marine must be able to deliver well–aimed shots to eliminate the threat.

A Marine who is proficient in pistol marksmanship handles this challenge without escalating the level of violence or causing unnecessary collateral damage. It is not enough to simply provide Marines with the best available firearms; we must also ensure that their training prepares them to deliver accurate fire against the enemy under the most adverse conditions without hesitancy, fear, or uncertainty of action.

To be combat ready, a Marine must be skilled in the tactics, techniques, and procedures of pistol marksmanship and diligent in the proper care and maintenance of the M9, 9–mm service pistol.

A well–trained Marine is confident that he can protect himself, accomplish the mission, and protect his fellow Marines.

Detailed in this comprehensive guide:

Chapter 1. The M9 Service Pistol

  • Functional Capabilities
  • Single–Action Mode
  • Double–Action Mode
  • Nomenclature
  • Major Components
  • Slide Assembly
  • Safety Features
  • Decocking/Safety Lever
  • Firing Pin Block
  • Half–Cock Notch
  • Cycle of Operation
  • Firing
  • Unlocking
  • Extracting
  • Ejecting
  • Cocking
  • Feeding
  • Chambering
  • Locking
  • Ammunition
  • Wearing of the M9 Service Pistol’s Gear
  • M12 Holster
  • M1 Ammunition Pocket
  • M7 Shoulder Holster
  • Assault Holster
  • Concealed Pistol Holster
  • Lanyard
  • Firing the M9 Service Pistol While Wearing Gloves
  • Preventive Maintenance
  • Pistol Disassembly
  • Disassembly of the Magazine
  • Inspection of the Pistol
  • Cleaning and Lubricating the Pistol
  • Pistol Re–assembly
  • Pistol Magazine Re–assembly
  • Safety/Function Check
  • User Serviceability Inspection
  • Pistol Maintenance in Adverse Conditions
  • Extreme Cold
  • Hot, Wet Climates
  • Hot, Dry Climates
  • Heavy Rain and Fording Operations
  • Amphibious Conditions

Chapter 2. Weapons Handling

  • Safety Rules
  • Weapons Conditions
  • Determining a Weapon’s Condition
  • Checking the Round Indicator
  • Conducting a Chamber Check
  • Weapons Commands
  • Loading the Pistol
  • Making the Pistol Ready
  • Fire
  • Cease Fire
  • Unloading the Pistol
  • Unloading and Showing the Pistol Clear
  • Emptying the Magazine
  • Filling the Magazine
  • Reloading the Pistol
  • Dry Reload
  • Condition 1 Reload
  • Reloading Considerations
  • Remedial Action
  • Stoppage
  • Malfunction
  • Remedial Action
  • Audible Pop or Reduced Recoil
  • Weapons Carries
  • Alert
  • Ready
  • Weapons Transports
  • Holster Transport
  • Administrative Transport
  • Combat Mindset
  • Physical and Mental Preparation
  • Threat Levels
  • Transferring the Pistol
  • Show Clear Transfer
  • Condition Unknown Transfer

Chapter 3. Fundamentals of Pistol Marksmanship

  • Aiming
  • Sight Alignment
  • Establishing Sight Alignment
  • Sight Picture
  • Relationship Between the Eye and the Sights
  • Pistol Marksmanship
  • Trigger Control
  • Sight Alignment and Trigger Control
  • Grip
  • Trigger Finger Placement
  • Types of Trigger Control
  • Breath Control
  • Application of Marksmanship Fundamentals in Field Firing
  • Compression of Fundamentals
  • Aiming
  • Trigger Control
  • Breath Control

Chapter 4. Pistol Firing Positions and Grip

  • Pistol Firing Position
  • Mobility
  • Observation of the Enemy
  • Stability
  • Pistol Firing Grip
  • Before Firing: Stabilize the Sights
  • During Firing: Allow Trigger Control
  • After Firing: Manage Recoil
  • Withdrawing the Pistol From the Holster
  • Weaver and Isosceles Variations
  • Standing Position
  • Weaver Standing Position
  • Isosceles Standing Position
  • Kneeling Position
  • Weaver Kneeling Position
  • Isosceles Kneeling Position
  • Prone Position
  • Weaver Prone Position
  • Isosceles Prone Position
  • Natural Body Alignment

Chapter 5. Use of Cover and Concealment

  • Cover Materials
  • Dirt
  • Cinder Blocks
  • Trees, Logs, and Telephone Poles
  • Sandbags
  • Considerations for Firing From Cover
  • Adjusting the Firing Position
  • Applying the Weaver and Isosceles Variations
  • Keeping the Body Behind Cover
  • Providing Support for the Position and the Pistol
  • Changing Positions
  • Moving
  • Supported Firing Positions
  • Supported Prone
  • Supported Kneeling
  • Supported Standing
  • Locate and Engage Targets From Behind Cover
  • Pie Technique
  • Rollout Technique
  • Combining the Pie and Rollout Techniques

Chapter 6. Presentation of the M9 Service Pistol

  • Sight Alignment/Sight Picture
  • Presentation From the Carries and Holsters
  • Presentation From the Ready
  • Presentation From the Alert
  • Presentation From a Holster Transport
  • Presentation While Assuming the Kneeling Position
  • From the Ready
  • From the Alert (Arms Straight)
  • From the Alert (Close Quarters, Elbows Bent)
  • From the Holster Transport
  • Presentation While Assuming the Prone Position
  • Isosceles Prone
  • Weaver Prone
  • Search and Assess

Chapter 7. Pistol Engagement Techniques

  • Target Detection
  • Movement
  • Sound
  • Improper Camouflage
  • Techniques of Fire
  • Double and Single Action Firing
  • Single Action or Double Action Firing Factors
  • Two–Shot Technique
  • Slow Fire Technique
  • Re–engagement Techniques
  • Slow Fire Technique
  • Two–Shot Technique
  • Offset Aiming
  • Multiple Targets
  • Combat Mindset
  • Prioritizing Targets
  • Engaging Multiple Targets
  • Moving Targets
  • Types of Moving Targets
  • Leads for Moving Targets
  • Pistol Marksmanship
  • Methods of Engagement
  • Applying the Fundamentals of Marksmanship

Chapter 8. One–Handed Techniques

  • Presentation and Shooting
  • Adjustment of the Standing Position
  • Searching and Assessing After Firing
  • Reloading
  • Dry Reload
  • Condition 1 Reload
  • Remedial Action
  • Presentation From the Holster With the Weak Hand
  • Method One: Pistol Rotation
  • Method Two: Hand Rotation
  • Method Three: Knee Placement
  • Transferring the Pistol From One Hand to the Other

Chapter 9. Advanced Techniques

  • Shooting on the Move
  • Moving With the Pistol
  • Moving: The Glide Technique
  • Engaging Targets: Using the Pistol Sights
  • Continuing to Move
  • Reloading and Stoppages
  • Turn and Fire
  • Engaging Targets 90 Degrees to the Right and Left
  • Engaging Targets 180 Degrees to the Rear

Chapter 10. Low Light and Darkness Techniques

  • Combat Mindset
  • Night Vision Adaptation and Maintenance
  • Night Vision Adapation
  • Night Vision Maintenance
  • Target Detection Techniques
  • Off–Center Vision
  • Scanning/Figure Eight Scan
  • Effects of Illumination
  • Acquiring Targets at Night
  • Sight Alignment/Sight Picture
  • Flashlights
  • Types of Flashlights
  • Activation Devices
  • Types of Lenses
  • Target Detection
  • Target Engagement