Lesson 6: Firing In The Prone Position (PDF)

Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-64 (1) It is essential that the weapon is held correctly, and the head and body are correctly positioned. (2) Keep the arms passive and adjust the body position until the aim is correct. Numerous small movements may be necessary to achieve this,...

Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-64 (1) It is essential that the weapon is held correctly, and the head and body are correctly positioned. (2) Keep the arms passive and adjust the body position until the aim is correct. Numerous small movements may be necessary to achieve this, including slight movement of the legs or feet. (3) Adjustments for elevation are made by moving the body forwards or back. Do not move the elbows. (4) For lateral adjustments move the lower body left or right. Remember to keep the arms passive and avoid moving the left elbow. (5) Confirmation of correct alignment can be gained by watching the vertical movement of the foresight whilst breathing, which should be directly through the POA. Errors will be shown by diagonal movement across the POA. 1-162. Confirm by practice. Conclusion 1-163. End of Lesson Drill. a. Questions from the squad on the entire lesson. b. Confirm by questions and practice as time permits. c. Safety Precautions. Normal. d. Pack kit. e. Summary. To include the following: (1) The importance of accurate, consistent aiming, together with firm and correct holding. (2) The need to achieve correct eye relief by moving the position of the head or by correct positioning of the sight. (3) Every attempt must be made to relax and achieve consistency when firing; to that end always run through the ‘‘9 key point checklist’ when building up a firing position. f. A forecast of the squad’s next lesson on this subject. Rifle Lesson 6. Firing in the Prone Position (4th Marksmanship Principle) Instructors Notes 1-164. Aim. To teach how to fire the weapon in the prone position by combining the four marksmanship principles. a. Breathing control. b. Deliberate trigger operation. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 465 c. Follow through and declaration. d. Continuous trigger operation. 1-165. Timings. Two 40-minute periods (to be covered in one training session). 1-166. Method. A basic instructional lesson suitable for indoors or outdoors. 1-167. Stores. Rifle fitted with iron sight and sling 1 per cadet/CFAV Magazines 2 per cadet/CFAV Magazine platform depressors 1 per magazine Figure Targets/Representative Figure Targets as required Aiming Aids 1 per cadet/CFAV (optional) Ground Sheets optional 1-168. Preparation. a. Instructors should have a thorough knowledge of the Marksmanship Principles. Such knowledge will allow instructors to correct faults effectively and to offer sound advice to improve cadets’ marksmanship skills. b. If the lesson is to be taken outdoors a suitable area should be selected that offers a clear line of sight of not less than 30 metres. c. Position targets at 100 metres or representative targets at a shorter distance. d. If the lesson has to be taken indoors, sufficient floor space must be provided so that cadets can build up their positions correctly. e. Position or issue all the stores required by each cadet. f. Divide the squad into groups of two. When practising, one fires, the other cocks the rifle by hand. This simulates weapon recoil and enables the firer to operate the trigger of a cocked weapon each time they fire. 1-169. Miscellaneous. a. The cadet can only be taught to shoot properly on a range. However, in this lesson the techniques and procedures required to achieve correct shot release can be covered without the cadet worrying about the effect of firing a round. b. The initial teaching and practice of breath control and trigger operation is best done seated using a talk through of the process, followed by practice in the prone position. The sequential method of practice adds another element of firing the shot until all are confirmed together. c. Correct eye relief is essential; the instructor is to ensure during revision that the sights are correctly positioned on the sight rail prior to carrying out any practical aiming confirmation. d. When demonstrating the instructor should always use one of the squad to assist them by re-cocking the rifle. e. During the drills where a live round would normally be ejected, the cadets are to simulate picking up the ejected round. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-66 f. This lesson should be revised before any live firing. Preliminaries 1-170. Safety Precautions. Normal, fit magazine platform depressors. 1-171. Check correct eye relief. 1-172. Demonstrate the use of an assistant to re-cock the rifle. 1-173. Revision. Revise the practical application of the first three marksmanship principles, using the prone unsupported and prone rested positions. Weapons are to be unloaded on completion of revision. a. Check the cadets have the sight positioned for the correct eye relief. b. Check the cadets are using the ‘9 key point checklist’. Introduction 1-174. Explain: This lesson combines the first three marksmanship principles with the fourth: ‘The shot must be released and followed through without undue disturbance to the position’ If this is not carried out correctly, accuracy will be affected. This lesson deals with the technique that the cadet is required to apply in order to put into effect that principle; it also combines the four marksmanship principles so that they will achieve correct shot release and hit the target. A. Conduct of the Lesson Firing a Shot 1-175. Explain: The shot should be fired without disturbing the aim. In order to do this the position and hold must be stable, and the weapon must point naturally at the target. Providing the rhythm of breathing is controlled and the trigger is operated smoothly, the shot will be released, and the bullet will leave the muzzle without any undue movement of the weapon. Breath Control 1-176. Explain and demonstrate, squad imitating: It is important to regulate and control the breathing during the time of shot release and to do it without strain. a. The three aspects of the breathing cycle that are important are: (1) During the normal cycle the lungs are not completely full or empty. (2) After breathing out there is a natural pause. (3) The whole cycle takes approximately five seconds. b. As a natural pause occurs after breathing out, it is logical to extend that pause to six or seven seconds to enable the shot to be released (see Fig 1-47). c. Before breath control, breathe in and out deeply to oxygenate the body. The pause must be no longer than two seconds as the natural impulse to resume breathing will affect firer concentration. If this happens resume normal breathing again and repeat the breath control. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 469 Trigger Operation and Follow Through 1-178. Explain and Demonstrate, the squad imitating: During the period of breath restraint the aim must be perfected, and the trigger operated smoothly to allow the shot to be fired without any alteration to the aim or to the grip of the rifle. The method of trigger operation used should be the one best suited to the situation. The following points are to be explained: a. First Pressure. Put the safety catch to Fire (F) and place the forefinger on the trigger, ensuring that the finger is not in contact with the side of the pistol grip. Take up the slack until resistance is met. It is important that this action is smooth, and the trigger is not snatched. b. Second Pressure. Continue to apply steadily increasing pressure, as long as the aim picture is correct, until the shot is fired. Pressure must be applied directly to the rear to avoid disturbing natural alignment. c. Follow Through. When the shot is fired, the trigger is held to the rear for a second or two. This should prevent any movement of the barrel caused by the firer relaxing or raising their head. 1-179. Confirm by practice. Deliberate Trigger Operation 1-180. Explain and Demonstrate: There are occasions when the cadet will have time to deliver accurate, deliberate fire. Deliberate trigger operation is used when grouping, zeroing, or applying the deliberate rate of fire: a. Put the safety catch to Fire (F). b. Place the forefinger on the trigger, ensuring that the finger is not in contact with side of the pistol grip. c. Take a few slow deep breaths and at the same time take up the first trigger pressure, perfect the aim and steadily apply increasing pressure to the trigger. d. During the extended breathing pause, apply the second pressure, as long as the aim picture is correct, until the shot is fired. If the aim picture is lost, hold the pressure, and only continue if the picture improves. e. Maintain pressure on the trigger as a part of the follow through and concentrate on the aim picture until the weapon has settled. f. Release the trigger and continue to breathe normally or repeat this deliberate process of breathing control and trigger operation. 1-181. Confirm by practice, initially seated and then in the prone position combining breath control, aiming, trigger operation and follow through, ensuring rifle is loaded and made ready, and use of assistant cockers to provide realistic trigger operation. Declaration 1-182. Explain: The process of ‘follow through’ during deliberate trigger operation, allows the firer to observe the sight picture at the moment of firing, showing any errors in shot release. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-70 As the shot is fired the recoil action causes the rifle to move slightly away from the POA and the direction of movement should be consistent. a. In training, the firer is to declare that the aim picture at the moment of firing was “correct” or “incorrect”, to their coach. Concentrating on the foresight and POA will assist in accurate declaration. If possible, the direction of error should be noted and stated, e.g., “High right” or “Low left”. b. With experience the firer will be able to note the direction of movement of the foresight and if it is not consistent with previous shots, they should inform their coach. 1-183. Confirm by questions. Continuous Trigger Operation 1-184. Explain and Demonstrate: There will be occasions when little time will be available to deliver accurate, deliberate fire. On such occasions the shots must be fired quickly and as accurately as they can under such conditions. Continuous trigger operation is used for snap shooting at opportunity targets or when firing at the rapid rate of fire. a. Put the safety catch to Fire (F). b. Place the finger on the trigger, ensuring that the finger is not in contact with the side of the pistol grip. c. On the appearance of the target quickly exhale to the point of the natural pause and take up the trigger slack. d. Extend the natural breathing pause, perfect the aim picture the best you can and apply increasing pressure on the trigger until the shot is fired. It is important not to snatch the trigger. e. Momentarily hold the pressure on the trigger as part of the follow through. Release the trigger and be ready to fire again immediately. 1-185. Confirm by practice initially seated and then in the prone position combining breath control, aiming, trigger operation, follow through and declaration (Ensure Rifle is loaded and made ready). Conclusion 1-186. End of Lesson Drill. a. Questions from the squad on the entire lesson. b. Confirm by practice as time permits. c. Safety Precautions. Normal. d. Pack kit. e. Summary. To include the following: (1) The importance of correct breath restraint when a shot is fired. (2) Correct use of the deliberate and continuous methods of trigger operation. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 471 f. (3) The need to follow through. (4) The importance of correct declaration, particularly in training. A forecast of the squad’s next lesson on this subject. Rifle Lesson 7. Firing Drills Instructors Notes 1-187. Aim. To teach types of fire and firing drills required from a cadet. a. Deliberate Fire. b. Snap shooting. c. Rapid Fire. 1-188. Timings. Two 40-minute periods (to be covered in one training session). 1-189. Method. A basic instructional lesson, preferably outdoors, but can be taught indoors. 1-190. Stores. Rifle fitted with iron sight and sling 1 per cadet/CFAV Magazines 2 per cadet/CFAV Magazine platform depressors 1 per magazine Figure Targets/Representative Figure Targets as required Aiming Aids 1 per cadet/CFAV (optional) Landscape Target optional Ground Sheets optional 1-191. Preparation. a. Instructors must have a thorough knowledge of the Marksmanship Principles. Such knowledge will allow instructors to correct faults effectively and to offer sound advice to improve cadets’ marksmanship skills. b. Select a suitable piece of ground if the lesson is to be taken outdoors and position targets not less than 30 metres away. 1-192. Miscellaneous. a. This Rifle Lesson deals solely with the firing drills for the different types of fire that a cadet is expected to produce. b. Magazines are to be empty and platform depressors fitted. c. Practice can be made more realistic by dividing the squad into groups of two; one is to fire while the other re-cocks the action. d. When demonstrating any firing drills, the instructor should always use one of the squad to assist them in re-cocking the rifle. e. During confirmation of snap shooting, give the commands “Up” and “Down” to signify target exposures and start off with a time limit of four seconds per shot reducing the limit according to progress. f. During confirmation of the rapid fire, start off at a rate of five rounds in 30 seconds. Increase the number of rounds or vary the time according to progress. AC 71807-C Aug 23