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Pistol training

“How to teach a person to handle a pistol safely”: A Complete Guide

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Introduction: What is Pistol Training?

Pistol training is an important skill to have. It is the responsibility of every gun owner to know how to operate a pistol safely. The first step in learning how to shoot a handgun is learning about the safety precautions that need to be taken before firing. This includes knowing where the safety switch is on the gun and how it works, as well as knowing how to load and unload a magazine.

The safety switch on a handgun is often called the "safety," "safety lever," or "safety catch." It prevents the gun from firing when it's not supposed to, which can prevent accidents from happening if someone else is handling your pistol.

The safety lever on a pistol is usually a small piece of metal tangent to the trigger, which can be moved to an off position by pressing down to shift it out of the way.

We can break pistol training down into two main categories: range time and dry fire practice. Range time is when the person fires their weapon, while dry fire practice is when they are manipulating the weapon without firing it.

Firearms Found in Pistol Gun Training

Semi-Automatic pistol

Semi-Automatic pistol

Revolver

Revolver

As shown in the images above, the main types of firearms found in pistol gun training are semi-automatic pistols and revolvers.

Handling a pistol is a risky task. Firing a pistol requires some level of skill and knowledge. The person should be confident with the basics of handling the weapon and should have a fundamental knowledge of handguns and a pistol safety switch.

There are some basic safety pistol precautions one should take before firing a pistol.

The basic safety precaution is that the person should always wear eye protection, hearing protection, and appropriate clothing. One must also ensure that they are standing in an area with enough space to move around freely while firing the weapon.

If you are planning on teaching someone how to handle a pistol, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

First, you need to make sure that the person is mentally and emotionally ready to handle a gun. This means that they need to be able to understand and follow instructions on firing a pistol, and they need to be able to keep their emotions in check.

Second, you need to make sure that the person is physically able to handle a gun. This means that they should be able to hold the gun steady, aim it properly, and pull the trigger without flinching.

How to Teach a Person to Handle a Pistol Safely

You will need to teach them these basic instructions for firing a pistol:

Stance and Grip:

The stance and grip are two of the key areas where you may improve the most. More than nearly anything else, your posture and the way you hold the gun will affect how you shoot it.

Stance and Grip for firing pistol

Take a two-handed grip on the pistol grip. To comfortably place your finger on the trigger, a strong hand wraps around the grip while a supporting hand wraps around the opposite side.

Make sure you tell the trainee to put their palms together so that they are as near to touching as possible. Make the mass behind the rifle out of the fleshy portion of their hand. Make them grip the pistol such that the web of their thumb or palm is positioned high on the back strap.

Below is a YouTube link visually describing the stance and grip of a pistol

https://youtu.be/VlRH2wjLTKU

Sight Alignment and Trigger Control

Two of the most crucial elements of firing a pistol are sight alignment and trigger control.

Sight Alignment and Trigger Control

Before pulling the trigger, the shooter must be in a stable position and keep their finger off the trigger. On the side of the frame, directly above the grip, is where you'll find the pistol safety switch. To fire a round, it needs to be pushed downward.

To release the magazine, one pushes inward on the magazine release, which is located just below the trigger guard. Making sure these basic instructions on firing a pistol have been taught before handling a pistol is a compulsion.

Below is a visual description of the Sight Alignment and Trigger Control of a pistol

https://youtu.be/UNRQXRL-1FI

Weapons Loading and Storage

Pistols are loaded by first inserting a magazine into the pistol grip. Most pistols will have the magazine release located at the rear of the grip, just above the base of the thumb. To release the magazine, press the release and then release the magazine from the grip.

Once the magazine is inserted, press the slide release to chamber a round. The pistol is now ready to fire.

When storing a pistol, ensure that the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction and that the safety is engaged. If possible, store the pistol in a locked container.

Weapons Loading and Storage

Pistols must be unloaded before they are stored. This means that all ammunition must be removed from the magazine and the chamber. Once the pistol is unloaded, it should be wrapped in a cleaning rag or similar protective material. This will help to prevent the pistol from being scratched or damaged while it is being stored.

The pistol should then be stored in a dry, cool place. A gun safe is the best option, but a locked cabinet or drawer will also suffice. The storage container mustn't be easy to break into, as this could result in the pistol falling into the wrong hands.

A video guide on how to load a pistol

https://youtu.be/wNtEVq9mTFs

Range Safety Rules

The trainer should always ensure that the trainee follows the rules below

Shooting range safety rules
RULES FOR RANGE SAFETY
  1. It is mandatory to abide by all local, state, and federal gun regulations.
  2. Always handle weapons as if they were loaded. Keep the muzzle pointed downward at all times.
  3. Till you're ready to fire, always keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard.
  4. Every shooter needs to be aware of what is in front of and behind their target.
  5. Never try to catch a pistol that is falling.
  6. Range officers and other range staff members must be obeyed instantly and without hesitation.

Below is a video that describes the range Safety Rules of a handgun

https://youtu.be/oXo1jucLP28

Malfunctions and Clearing

Malfunctions and Clearing of pistols can be a difficult and dangerous task. If not done properly, it can result in serious injury or even death. It is important to follow the proper procedures when clearing a pistol and to be familiar with the different types of malfunctions that can occur.

There are three main types of malfunctions that can occur with a pistol: misfires, jams, and double feeds. Each type of malfunction requires a different procedure to clear. It is important to know how to properly clean each type of malfunction so that you can safely and quickly return to shooting.

Trainers should ensure that trainees follow the steps below to clear the malfunction and get their pistols back up and running in case they encounter them.

1. Remove the magazine from the pistol.

2. Grasp the slide of the pistol and pull it back to the rear.

3. While maintaining a firm grip on the slide, press the release button and allow the slide to move forward.

4. Insert the magazine back into the pistol.

5. Pull the slide back and rearrange it.

A video guide that explains the Malfunction and Clearing of pistol guns

https://youtu.be/mXvGJCHMzQg

The Dangers of not Handling a Gun Safely

When handling a gun, it is important to follow basic pistol safety precautions. These include not pointing the gun at anything you don't intend to shoot, not touching the trigger until you are ready to fire and keeping your finger off the trigger until you are on target.

The pistol safety switch is an integral part of ensuring that your gun will not fire when you don't want it to. The safety switch should be handled with care to avoid accidental discharge.

Gun handling should go hand in hand with gun maintenance. This should be done routinely to ensure your gun is always in tip top condition. After completing the maintenaince a good  precaution is to keep it the gun unloaded until it is required again.

Hand Gun Cleaning

This is because even though your gun may not be loaded, there could still be pressure on the trigger and other parts of the handgun that will cause an unintentional discharge. This can be avoided by keeping your gun unloaded at all times.

Gun safety is important to ensure that the owner's gun will not cause harm or danger to anyone else. If the basic instructions on firing a pistol are not followed it can lead to injury and even death.

In Summery - The Do’s and Don’ts of Handgun Safety

DO - When you are not using your gun, make sure it is unloaded and locked away in a safe place.

DO - Make sure the barrel of your gun does not point at anyone else when you are transporting it or storing it.

DO - If you have children, be mindful of their safety when handling guns as well. Always keep the gun unloaded and locked away from them - they should not have access to it.

DO - Always make sure that you have a firm grip on your gun before you pull it out of your holster or before you put it back in your holster.

DO - Keep your finger off the trigger at all times unless you're about to shoot a target or if someone is attacking you.

DO – Make sure you know where the safety is.

DON’T – Never point a gun at anything that you don't want to shoot.

DON’T - Never put your finger on the trigger until you're ready to shoot.

DON’T - Put pressure on the trigger until it's time to fire.

The best way to avoid gun accidents is by practising good habits.

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