This tendency to hold the pistol obliquely can be overcome only by a uniform manner of holding and pointing.  This uniformity is to be attained only by acquiring a grip which can be taken with certainty each time the weapon is fired.  It is this circumstance which makes the position and aiming drills so important.  The soldier should constantly practice pointing the pistol until he acquires the ability to direct it on the mark in the briefest interval of time and practically without the aid of sights.

The soldier then repeats the exercises with the pistol in the left hand, the left side being turned toward the target.

142.  TO DRAW AND FIRE QUICKLY—­SNAP SHOOTING.—­With the squad formed as described in paragraph 141 except that the pistol is in the holster and the flap, if any, buttoned, the instructor cautions “Quick-fire exercise.”  And gives the command, 1.  SQUAD; 2.  Fire.  At this command each soldier, keeping his eye on the target, quickly draws his pistol, cocks it as in paragraph 140, thrusts it toward the target, squeezes the trigger, and at the instant the weapon is brought in line with the eye and the objective increases the pressure, releasing the sear.  To enable the soldier to note errors in pointing, the weapon will be momentarily held in position after the fall of the hammer.  Efforts at deliberate aiming in this exercise must be discouraged.

Remarks under paragraph 141 are specially applicable also to this type of fire.  When the soldier has become proficient in the details of this exercise, it should be repeated at will; the instructor cautions, “At will; quick fire exercise.”  The exercise should be practiced until the mind, the eye, and trigger finger act in unison.

To simulate this type of fire mounted, the instructor places the squad so that the simulated bull’s-eyes are in turn, to the RIGHT, to the LEFT, to the RIGHT FRONT, to the LEFT FRONT, to the RIGHT REAR.  With the squad in one of these positions, the instructor cautions, “Position and aiming drill, mounted.”  At this caution the right foot is carried 20 inches to the right and the left hand to the position of the bridle hand (par. 246, Cavalry Drill Regulations).  The exercise is carried out as described for the exercise dismounted, using the commands and means laid down in paragraphs 161 to 168, inclusive, Cavalry Drill Regulations, for firing in the several directions.  The exercise is to be executed at will when the squad has been sufficiently well instructed in detail.

When firing to the left the pistol hand will be about opposite the left shoulder and the shoulders turned about 45 deg. to the left; when firing to the right rear the shoulders are turned about 45 deg. to the right.

When the soldier is proficient in these exercises with the pistol in the right hand, they are repeated with the pistol in the left hand.

REVOLVER OR PISTOL RANGE PRACTICE.—­The courses in range practice are given in paragraphs 147 to 199, Small Arms Firing Manual, 1913.