NCJ Number
114502
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 36 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1988) Pages: 32-36
Date Published
1988
Length
5 pages
Annotation
To examine special training needs associated with the use of autoloading handguns, marksmanship performance of 767 police recruits was evaluated between 1986 and 1988.
Abstract
Of students, 662 fired revolvers and 105 fired autoloaders. Because of the effects of jerking the trigger on accuracy, revolver shooters demonstrated better marksmanship skills during the qualification course than did the autoloader shooters. While the difference in attained hits in the various scoring areas of the targets was slight, the cumulative difference resulted in more revolver shooters earning more marksmanship badges at higher qualification levels. Results suggest that the operating characteristics of trigger-cocking, double-action autoloaders and the uneven rough nature of the trigger as finger pressure is applied makes mastering marksmanship skills difficult for inexperienced shooters. In addition, high capacity magazines with large magazine wells may make it difficult for shooters with small to average sized hands to properly orient the weapon in the stronger hand while obtaining the proper trigger finger position for a double-action trigger press. Students using single-action autoloaders have somewhat similar problems, but at least have only one trigger pull to master. Training in mastery of autoloaders will require more time and a trainer with an understanding of the weapon's peculiarities.