139.  AIMING.—­Except when delivering rapid or quick fire, the rear and front sights of the pistol are used in the same manner as the rifle sights.  The normal sight is habitually used (see Pl.  VI), and the line of sight is directed upon a point just under the bull’s-eye at “6 o’clock.”  The front sight must be seen through the middle of the rear-sight notch, the top being on a line with the top of the notch.  Care must be taken not to cant the pistol to either side.[12]

[Footnote 12:  The instructor should take cognizance of the fact that the proper aiming point is often affected by the personal and fixed peculiarities of the firer, and if unable to correct such abnormalities, permit firer to direct sight at such point as promises effective results.]

If the principles of aiming have not been taught, the soldier’s instruction will begin with sighting drills as prescribed for the rifle so far as they may be applicable.  The sighting bar with open sight will be used to teach the normal sight and to demonstrate errors likely to be committed.

To construct a sighting rest for the pistol (see Pl.  VI) take a piece of wood about 10 inches long, 1-1/4 inches wide, and 9/16 inch thick.  Shape one end so that it will fit snugly in the handle of the pistol when the magazine has been removed.  Screw or nail this stick to the top of a post or other object at such an angle that the pistol when placed on the stick will be approximately horizontal.  A suitable sighting rest for the revolver may be easily improvised.

[Illustration:  Plate VI.]

140. (a) HOW TO COCK THE PISTOL.—­The pistol should be cocked by the thumb of the right hand and with the least possible derangement of the grip.  The forefinger should be clear of the trigger when cocking the pistol.  Some men have difficulty at first in cocking the pistol with the right thumb.  This can be overcome by a little practice.  Jerking the pistol forward while holding the thumb on the hammer will not be permitted.

(b) HOW TO COCK THE REVOLVER.—­The revolver should be cocked by putting the thumb on the hammer at as nearly a right angle to the hammer as possible, and by the action of the thumb muscles alone bringing the hammer back to the position of full cock.  Some men with large hands are able to cock the revolver with the thumb while holding it in the position of aim or raise pistol.  Where the soldier’s hand is small this can not be done, and in this case it assists the operation to give the revolver a slight tilt to the right and upward (to the right).  Particular care should be taken that the forefinger is clear of the trigger or the cylinder will not revolve.  Jerking the revolver forward while holding the thumb on the hammer will not be permitted.

141.  POSITION AND AIMING DRILLS, DISMOUNTED.—­For this instruction the squad will be formed with an interval of 1 pace between files.  Black pasters to simulate bull’s-eyes will be pasted opposite each man on the barrack or other wall, from which the squad is 10 paces distant.