Chapter 8: One-Handed Techniques

In combat, a situation may arise where the Marine must engage a target by using only one hand. A Marine fires the pistol one-handed when—

The Marine’s other hand is occupied.

A target presents itself so quickly and at a close range that
the Marine does not have time to establish a two-handed grip
and position.

One of the Marine’s hands is injured.

_Note_: The procedures in this chapter are written for
right-handed Marines; left-handed Marines should reverse
directions as needed.

Presentation and Shooting

Adjustment of the Standing Position

To fire accurately, the Marine must maintain the same stability and control of the pistol, manage recoil, and recover on target as effectively with one hand as with two. This is accomplished by adjusting the standing position as the pistol is presented to the target (see fig. 8-1).

The Marine’s angle to the target determines what adjustments are made to the standing position. This adjustment is made while the pistol is being presented to the target by moving or sliding the feet to orient the body to the target. For stability and balance, the right foot may be slightly forward of the left foot. The further to the right of the Marine the target is the farther forward the right foot will be. To adjust the standing position when firing one-handed—

Increase the muscular tension in the right arm and bend the
elbow slightly to better manage the pistol.

_Note_: For some Marines, muscular tension in the
firing arm and the position of the body in relation
to the target causes them to cant the pistol inboard
slightly. A slight inboard cant of the pistol and
firing arm allows a natural bend in the elbow and
allows a better management of recoil and recovery of
the sights back on target. Any cant should be natural
and not caused by excessive muscular tension. A
slight cant does not affect shooting performance and
should not alter the application of the fundamentals
of marksmanship.

Apply controlled muscular tension throughout the body to better
manage the effects of recoil.

Lean forward aggressively, roll the shoulders forward, and tuck
the head into the shoulders.

_Note_: The following step is done only during
training to demonstrate how to stabilize the position
and to simulate the Marine’s other hand being
occupied.

Place the left hand in a fist on the center of the torso
to increase stability. If the left arm is swinging freely
it causes a corresponding movement in the pistol, reducing
stability and control. Placing the left hand on the torso also
ensures it is not covered by the muzzle of the pistol as the
pistol is presented.

Searching and Assessing After Firing

Following one-handed target engagement, the Marine must quickly decide if it is to his advantage and if it is possible to free his occupied hand in order to place both hands on the pistol to search and assess. Whenever possible, the Marine places both hands on the pistol to increase stability and to be ready for re-engagement if necessary.

Reloading

Dry Reload

When only one hand is available, the dry reload can be performed as follows:

Seek cover, if the situation permits.

Press the magazine release button and allow the magazine to
fall to the deck. If using the right hand, press the magazine
release button with the thumb. If using the left hand, press
the magazine release button with the trigger finger.

Point the muzzle in a safe direction and position the pistol
to facilitate loading the magazine. Depending on the firing
position, this is accomplished using one of the following
methods:

_Two-Knee Kneeling Position_

Rotate the pistol so the magazine well faces up and
the muzzle of the pistol is pointed away from the
body.

Place the pistol between the thighs or knees and
apply pressure to hold the pistol in place.

Withdraw a filled magazine from the ammunition pocket
and insert it into the magazine well, seating it with
the heel of the hand. See figure 8-2.

_Standing Position_

Rotate the pistol so the magazine well faces up and
the muzzle of the pistol is pointed away from the
body.

Place the pistol between the thighs or knees and
apply pressure to hold the pistol in place. Bend
slightly at the knees to secure the pistol between
the thighs.

Withdraw a filled magazine from the ammunition pocket
and insert it into the magazine well, seating it with
the heel of the hand. See figure 8-3.

_Kneeling Position (High, Medium, Low)_

Rotate the pistol so the magazine well faces outboard
and the muzzle is pointed away from the body.

Place the rear portion of the slide in the bend of
the right knee and apply pressure with the leg to
hold the pistol in place. For additional control, the
Marine may drop to a two-knee kneeling position and
place the pistol between his knees.

Withdraw a filled magazine from the ammunition pocket
and insert it into the magazine well, seating it with
the heel of the hand. See figure 8-4 on page 8-4.

_Prone Position_

The Marine places the pistol on the deck in front of
him and against his body with the muzzle pointed in a
safe direction. Alternately, the Marine may roll on
his side and place the pistol between his knees, with
the magazine well facing out.

Withdraw a filled magazine from the ammunition pocket
and insert it into the magazine well, seating it with
the heel of the hand. See figure 8-5 on page 8-4.

Grasp the pistol grip and remove the pistol from its secured
location or from the deck.

Press the slide release to allow the slide to move forward
and chamber a round. If using the right hand, press the slide
release with the thumb. If using the left hand, press the slide
release with the index finger.

Condition 1 Reload

When only one hand is available, a Condition 1 reload can be performed as follows:

Point the muzzle in a safe direction and position the pistol to
allow for removal of the magazine (e.g., between the thighs, in
the bend of the knee, in the holster, tucked in the cartridge
belt, on the deck against the body). Any position is correct if
it allows the magazine well to be exposed.

Withdraw a filled magazine from the ammunition pocket.

Press the magazine release button and remove the magazine from
the pistol. If using the right hand, press the magazine release
button with the thumb. If using the left hand, press the
magazine release button with the index finger.

Insert the filled magazine into the magazine well, seating it
with the heel of the hand.

Stow the partially-filled magazine (e.g., inside the cartridge
belt, in the cargo pocket).

Grasp the pistol grip and remove the pistol from its secured
location, keeping the trigger finger straight and off the
trigger until ready to fire.

Remedial Action

Remedial action requires investigating the cause of the stoppage, clearing the stoppage, and returning the pistol to operation. When performing remedial action, seek cover if the tactical situation permits. Once a pistol ceases to fire, the Marine must visually or physically observe the pistol to identify the problem before it can be cleared. The steps taken to clear the pistol are based on what is observed:

Remove the finger from the trigger and place it straight along
the receiver.

Lock the slide to the rear. To pull and lock the slide to the
rear, push up on the slide stop and maintain pressure with the
right thumb. (Push up on the slide stop with the left index
finger if remedial action is being performed with the weak
hand.)

Secure the rear sight on the top of the cartridge belt or any
other surface that provides the resistance needed to stabilize
the pistol. See figure 8-6. While applying pressure on the
pistol to keep the rear sight secured, push downward on the
pistol in one continuous motion to lock the slide to the rear.

_Note_: Ensure the pistol does not move to safe when
locking the slide to the rear.

Place the pistol in a position to observe the chamber.

Correct the stoppage.

If there is a round in the magazine but not in the chamber, release the slide and observe a round being chambered. If you do not observe a round being chambered, tap, rack, and bang to perform remedial action:

_Tap_

Keep muzzle pointed in a safe direction and place trigger
finger straight along the receiver.

Strike the bottom of the magazine against a hard surface to
ensure it is seated. In the kneeling position, strike the
magazine against the thigh (see fig. 8-7 on page 8-6). In the
standing position, bring the right knee up while striking
magazine against the right thigh (see fig. 8-8 on page 8-6). In
the prone position, strike the magazine against the deck.

_Rack_

Rotate the pistol so the rear sight can be hooked on the top
of the cartridge belt or any other surface (e.g., the edge of
a table, wall, heel of the boot) that provides the resistance
needed to rack the slide in a smooth, uninterrupted motion. Do
not let the muzzle of the pistol cover the body. See figures
8-9 and 8-10.

Apply pressure on the pistol to keep the rear sight secured
while pushing downward on the pistol to move the slide fully to
the rear.

Release pressure on the pistol to chamber the round.

_Bang_

Recover the pistol on target, re-establish sight
alignment/sight picture, and attempt to fire.

Presentation From the Holster With the Weak Hand

During combat, the Marine must be prepared to engage targets at any time. Therefore, the Marine must have the ability to present the pistol from the holster with his weak (left) hand if circumstances prevent him from using his strong (right) hand. He must apply the same smooth, controlled movement to present the pistol to the target. There are three methods for withdrawing the pistol from the holster with the weak hand. The Marine should practice each method to determine which works best for him.

Method One: Pistol Rotation

Unfasten and release the D-ring with the left hand. See figure
8-11.

Wrap the fingers and thumb around the pistol grip so the index
finger and thumb are around the base of the pistol grip. See
figure 8-12.

Draw the pistol straight up until trigger guard clears the top
of the holster. See figure 8-13.

Rotate the pistol so the magazine well faces the target and
the trigger guard rests on the top of the holster. Ensure the
trigger guard rests securely against the top of the holster.
See figure 8-14 on page 8-8.

Maintain downward pressure on the pistol and slide the left
hand around the pistol grip to establish a firing grip. See
figure 8-15.

Grasp the pistol and continue to withdraw the pistol until the
muzzle clears the holster and rotate the muzzle toward the
target.

Sweep the safety off with the thumb of the left hand while
moving the pistol out toward the target. At the same time,
place the trigger finger on the trigger and establish sight
alignment and sight picture within the aiming area.

Continue trigger pressure until the shot is fired.

Method Two: Hand Rotation

Unfasten and release the D-ring with the left hand.

Push the holster flap up and out of the way with the back of
the left hand.

Push the right hip out to facilitate grasping the pistol grip.
Grasp the pistol grip between the holster flap and the pistol
grip, the thumb is wrapped around the other side of the pistol
grip against the backstrap. See figure 8-16.

_Note_: The cartridge belt may be pulled with the
left hand to bring the holster closer to the body’s
center to facilitate grasping the pistol.

Draw the pistol straight up while rotating the pistol so the
magazine well faces inboard. Continue to remove the pistol
until the trigger guard rests on the holster. See figure 8-17.

Establish a firing grip and rotate the thumb to a position to
operate the safety. See figure 8-18.

Continue to withdraw the pistol until the muzzle clears the
holster and rotate the muzzle to the target. See figure 8-19.

Sweep the safety with the thumb of the left hand while moving
the pistol out toward the target. At the same time, place the
trigger finger on the trigger and establish sight alignment and
sight picture within the aiming area.

Continue trigger pressure until the shot is fired.

Method Three: Knee Placement

This method is particularly effective when firing from the two-knee kneeling position and the standing position.

Unfasten and release the D-ring with the left hand.

Wrap the fingers and thumb around the pistol grip so the index
finger and thumb are around the base of the pistol grip.

Draw the pistol straight up until the muzzle clears the holster
and rotate the muzzle forward. The magazine well should face
upward.

Place the pistol between the thighs, applying enough tension to
keep the pistol in place. The Marine must ensure that he does
not disengage the safety while performing this motion and that
the muzzle of the pistol is clear of the body. In the standing
position, the Marine bends slightly at the knees to facilitate
securing the pistol between the thighs.

Remove the left hand from the pistol grip and rotate the hand
around the pistol grip to facilitate establishing a firing grip.

Grasp the pistol grip and remove the pistol from the thighs,
rotating the pistol until the muzzle is pointed toward the
target.

Sweep the safety with the thumb of the left hand while starting
to punch the pistol out toward the target.

Establish a firing grip and continue to punch the pistol out
toward the target. At the same time, place the trigger finger
on the trigger and establish sight alignment and sight picture
within the aiming area.

Continue trigger pressure until the shot is fired.

Transferring the Pistol From One Hand to the Other

Situations may arise in combat where the Marine must transfer the pistol to the left hand to engage a target because the right hand or arm is injured. To safely transfer the pistol from one hand to the other, perform the following steps:

_Note_: This procedure is written to transfer the
pistol from the right hand to the left hand.

Point the muzzle in the direction of the target and place the
trigger finger straight along the receiver. See figure 8-20.

Place the web of the left index finger and thumb under the
backstrap of the pistol. See figure 8-21.

Wrap the fingers of the left hand around the pistol grip while
releasing the right hand grip.

Establish a firing grip with the left hand on the pistol. See
figure 8-22.