AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL..45, M1911 AND M1911A1 full extent (fig. 6). Release the slide and engage the safety lock. • 34. To UNLOAD pistol.-The commands are: 1. unload. 2. PISTOL. At the command PISTOL, withdraw the maga- zine. Open the chamber as prescribed in paragraph 30. Glance at the chamber to verify that It is empty. Close the chamber. Take the position of Raise PISTOL and squeeze the’ trigger. Then insert an empty magazine. figure 6.-Manual of the pistol (dismounted). • 35. TO INSPECT PISTOL (fig. 6).–The commands are: I. INSPECTION, 2, Pistol. At the command PISTOL. withdraw the magazine. Open the chamber as prescribed in para- graph 30. Take the position of raise PISTOL. The with- drawn magazine is held in the open left hand at the height of the belt. After the pistol has been inspected, or at the command 1. RETURN, 2. PISTOL, close the chamber, take the position of Raise. PISTOL, and squeeze the trigger. Insert an empty magazine and execute return pistol

DISMOUNTED • 28. TO RAISE PISTOL (fig. 6) .–The commands are: 1. raise, 2. PISTOL. At the command PISTOL, unbutton the flap of the holster with the right hand and grasp the stock, back of the hand outward. Draw the pistol from the holster; reverse it, muzzle up, the thumb and last three fingers holding the stock, the forefinger extended outside the trigger guard, the barrel of the pistol to the rear and inclined to the front at an angle of 30 °, the hand as high as, and 6 inches in front of, the point of the right shoulder. This is the position of raise PISTOL. • 29. To WITHDRAW the- Magazine (fig. 6).–Without lower- Lug the right hand, turn the barrel slightly to the right; press the magazine catch with the right thumb and with the left hand remove the magazine. Place it In the belt or pocket. • 30. To open the chamber (fig. 6).–Withdraw the maga- zine and resume the position of raise PISTOL. Without lower- ing the right hand, grasp the slide with the thumb and the first two fingers of the left hand (thumb on left side of slide and pointing downward) ; keeping the muzzle elevated, shift the grip of the right hand so that the right thumb engages with the slide stop. Push the slide downward to its full ex- tent and force the slide stop into its notch with the right thumb without lowering the muzzle of the pistol. • 31. To CLOSE THE CHAMBER.-With the right thumb press down the slide stop and let the slide go forward. Squeeze the trigger. • 32. To insert a magazine.-without lowering the right hand, turn the barrel to the right. Grasp a magazine with the first two fingers and thumb of the left hand; withdraw it from the belt and Insert it in the pistol. Press It fully home. • 33. To LOAD PISTOL.–The commands are: 1. LOAD .. PIS- TOL. At the command pistol if a loaded magazine is not already in the pistol, insert one. Without lowering the right hand, turn the barrel slightly to the left. Grasp the slide with the thumb and fingers of the left hand (thumb on right side of slide and pointing upward). Pull the slide downward to its

CHAPTER 2 MANUAL OF THE PISTOL, LOADING AND FIRING, DISMOUNTED AND MOUNTED SECTION I. General II. Dismounted Ill. Mounted Paragraphs 27 28-37 38-44 SECTION I GENERAL • 27. GENERAL.-a. The movements herein described differ in purpose from the manual of arms for the rifle in that they are not designed to be executed in exact unison. Further- more, with only a few exceptions, there is no real necessity for their simultaneous execution. They are not therefore planned as a disciplinary drill to be executed in cadence with snap and precision, but merely as simple, quick, and safe methods of handling the pistol.-Commands are pre- scribed only for such movements as may be occasionally executed simultaneously by the squad or larger unit. • b. In general, movements begin and end at the position of RAISE PISTOL. c. Commands for firing, when-required, are limited to commence firing and cease firing. d. Grocers and enlisted men armed with the pistol remain at the position of ATTENTION during the manual of arms, except when their units are presented to their commanders or are presented during ceremonies, at retreat, and at guard mounting. In such cases they execute the hand salute at the command of execution ARMS of 1. present 2. ARMS, and resume the position of attention at the command of execution of the next command. e. The lanyard is used whenever the pistol is carried mounted. The lanyard should be of such length that the arm may be fully extended without constraint.

AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL..45, M1911 AND M1911A1 26. TESTS.-a. Safety lock.—Cock the hammer and then press the safety lock upward into the safe position. Grasp the stock so that the grip safety is depressed and squeeze the trigger three or four times. If the hammer falls, the safety lock is not safe and must be repaired. b. Grip safety.—Cock the hammer and, being careful not to depress the grip safety, point pistol downward and squeeze the trigger three or four times. If the hammer falls or the grip safety is depressed by its own weight, the grip safety Is not safe and must be repaired. c. Half-cock notch.—Draw back the hammer until the sear engages the haft-cock notch and squeeze the trigger. If the hammer falls, the hammer or sear must be replaced or repaired. Draw the hammer back nearly to full cock and then let it slip. It should fall only to haft cock. d. Disconnector.-Cock the hammer. Shove the slide one- quarter inch to the rear; hold slide in that position and squeeze the trigger. Let the slide go forward, maintaining the pressure on the trigger. If the hammer falls, the dis- connector is worn on top and must be replaced. Pull the slide all the way to the rear and engage the slide stop. Squeeze the trigger and at the same time release the slide. The hammer should not fail. Release the pressure on the trigger and then squeeze it. The hammer should then fall The disconnector prevents the release of the hammer unless the slide and barrel are in the forward position safely inter- locked. It also prevents more than one shot following each squeeze of the trigger.

b. Always unload the pistol if it is to be left where someone else may handle It. c. Always point the pistol up when snapping it after examination. Keep the hammer fully down when the pistol is not loaded. d. Never place the finger within the trigger guard until you intend to fire or to snap for practice. e. Never point the. pistol at anyone you do not intend to shoot, nor in a direction where an accidental discharge may do harm On the range, do not snap for practice while standing back of the firing line. 1. Before loading the pistol, draw back the slide and look through the bore to see that it is free from obstruction. g. On the range, do not insert a loaded magazine until the time for firing. h. Never turn around at the firing point while you hold a loaded pistol in your hand, because by so doing you may point it at the man firing alongside of you. i. On the range, do not load the pistol with a cartridge in the chamber until immediate use is anticipated. If there is any delay, lock the pistol and only unlock it while extending the arm to fire. Do not lower the hammer on a loaded cartridge; the pistol is much safer cocked and locked. j. In reducing a jam first remove the magazine. k. To remove a cartridge not fired/trst remove the maga- zine and then extract the cartridge from the chamber by drawing back the slide. l. In campaign, when early use of the pistol is not fore- seen, it should be carried with a fully loaded magazine in the socket, chamber empty, hammer down. When early use of the pistol is probable, It should be carried loaded and locked in the holster or hand. In campaign, extra maga- zines should be carried fully loaded. m. When the pistol is carried In the holster loaded, cocked, and locked the butt should be rotated away from the body when drawing the pistol In order to avoid displacing the safety lock. n. Safety devices should be frequently tested. A safety de- vice is a dangerous device if It does not work when expected.

AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL. .45, M1911 AND M1911A1 f. Do not allow the ammunition to be exposed to the direct rays of the sun for any length of time. This is liable to affect seriously its firing qualities. g. No caliber .45 ammunition will be fired until it has been positively identified by ammunition lot number and grade as published in the latest revision or change to Ordnance Field Service Bulletin No. 3-5. • 23. STORAGE.-a. Whenever practicable small-arms ammu- nition should be stored under cover. Should it become nec- essary to leave small-arms ammunition in the open it should be raised on dunnage at least 6 inches from the ground and the pile covered with a double thickness of paulin. ” Suitable trenches should be dug to prevent water flowing under the pile. b. Fire hazard.-If fired into or placed in a fire, small-arms ammunition does not explode violently. There are small in- dividual explosions of each cartridge, the case flying in one direction and the bullet in another. In case of fire it is ad- visable to keep those not engaged in fighting the fire at least 200 yards from the fire and have them lie on the ground. It is unlikely that the bullets and cases will fly over 200 yards. • 24. BALLISTIC DATA.-a. Average velocity at 25 feet from muzzle, 800 feet per second. b. Approximate maximum range, 1,600 yards. SECTION VII INDIVIDUAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS • 25. RULES FOR SAFETY.-Before ball ammunition is issued, the soldier must know the essential rules for safety with the pistol. The following rules are taught as soon as the recruit is sufficiently familiar with the pistol to understand them. They should be enforced by constant repetition and coaching until their observance becomes the soldier’s fixed habit when handling the pistol When units carrying the pistol are first formed, the officer or noncommissioned officer in charge causes the men to execute INSPECTION PISTOL. a. Execute UNLOAD every time the pistol is picked up for any purpose. Never trust your memory. Consider every pistol as loaded until you have proved it otherwise.

AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL..45, M1911 AND M1911A1
to handle. However, care must be observed to keep the

boxes from becoming broken or damaged. All broken boxes

must be immediately repaired and careful attention given

so that all markings are transferred to the new parts of the

box. The metal liner should be air-tested and sealed if

equipment for this work is available.

GILDING METAL RA FSD 427 1275 MAX FIGURE 4.—Cartridge, ball, cal..45, M1911.
b. Ammunition boxes should not be opened until the am-

munition is required for use. Ammunition removed from

the airtight container, particularly in damp climates, is apt

to corrode, thereby causing the ammunition to become un-

serviceable.

CARTRIDGE CASE TINNED GILDING METAL t275 MAX. RA FSD 428 FIGURE 5.—Cartridge, dummy, cal..45, M1921.
c. Carefully protect the ammunition from mud, sand, dirt,

and water. If it gets wet or dirty wipe it off at once.

If veridigris or light corrosion forms on cartridges, it should

be wiped off. However, cartridges should not be polished

to make them look better or brighter.
d. The use of oil or grease on cartridges is dangerous and

is prohibited.

e. Do not fire dented cartridges, cartridges with loose bullets,

or otherwise defective rounds

AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL. .45, M1911 AND M1911A1
including grading and use, reports on condition, functioning

and accidents, in which the ammunition might be involved.

Only those lots of grades appropriate for the weapon will be

fired. Since it is impractical to mark the ammunition lot

number on each individual cartridge, every effort will be made to maintain the ammunition lot number with the cartridges once they axe removed from their original packing. Car- tridges which have been removed from the original packing and for which the ammunition lot number has been lost are placed in grade 3. It is therefore obvious that when car- tridges are removed from their original packings they should be so marked that the ammunition lot number is preserved.
• 20. GRADE.-AR 775–10 provides for the order in which lots

and grades of ammunition are to be used. Ordnance Field

Service Bulletin No. 3–5 lists numerically every lot of small-

arms ammunition with its correct grade as established by the

office of the Chief of Ordnance. Only lots of proper grade

will be fired. Grade 3 indicates unserviceable, ammunition

and will not be fired.

• 21. Identification.-a. Markings.-The contents of orig-

inal boxes are readily identified by the markings on the box.

Similar markings on the carton label identify the contents

of each carton.

b. Color bands.—Color bands painted on the sides and

ends of the packing boxes further identify the various types

of ammunition. The following color bands are used:

Cartridge, ball Red.

Cartridge, dummy Green.
c. Types and models.–One model of caliber .45 ball car-

tridge and one model of caliber .45 dummy cartridge are authorized for use in the caliber .45 automatic pistol. These cartridges are designated- (1) Cartridge, ball, cal..45, M1911. (2) Cartridge, dummy, cal..45, M1921. The dummy cartridge is distinguished by its cartridge case which is tinned and has a 1/8-lnch hole in the body. • 22. CARE, HANDLING, AND PRESERVATION.—a. Small-arms ammunition as compared with other types is not dangerous

use In making minor repairs, and m general care of the pistol. Sets of spare parts should be kept complete at all times. Whenever a spare part is taken to replace a defective part in the pistol, the defective part should be repaired or a “new one substituted in the spare part set as soon as pos- sible. The allowance of these spare parts is prescribed in SNL B-6. b. Basic spare parts.-These are sets of parts provided for the use of ordnance maintenance companies and include all parts necessary to repair the pistol. The allowance of basic spare parts is prescribed in the addendum to SNL B-6. • 16. Accessories.-The names or general characteristics of many of the accessories required with the automatic pistol indicate their use and application. They consist of the holster, lanyard, and pistol cleaning kit, and for post, camp, or station issue, arm lockers and arm racks. The pistol cleaning kit contains cleaning brushes and rods, pistol screw- drivers, an oiler, and a small brass can in which the set of spare parts is carried. • 17. GENERAL.-The information in this section pertaining to the ammunition authorized for use in the automatic pistol, cal..45, M1911 and M1911A1, includes a description of the cartridges, means of identification, care, use, and ballistic data. ,• 18. CLASSIFICATION.—The types of ammunition provided for this pistol are– a. Ball, for use against personnel and light materiel targets. b. Dummy, for training (cartridges are Inert). • 19. AMMUNITION LOT NUMBER.-When ammunition is man- ufactured an ammunition lot number which becomes an essential part of the marking is assigned in accordance with pertinent specifications. This lot number is marked on all packing containers and on the Identification card inclosed in each packing box. It is required for all purposes of record,

14-15 AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL..45, M1911 AND M1911A1 coiled to the point where the barrel commences its unlocking movement. This construct/on therefore delays the opening of the breech of the barrel until after the bullet has left the muzzle and therefore practically prevents the escape of any of the powder gases to the rear after the breech has been opened. This factor of safety is further Increased by the tension of the recoil spring and mainspring, both of which oppose the rearward movement of the slide. f. While the comparatively great weight of the slide of the pistol Insures safety against premature opening of the breech, it also insures operation of the pistol because at the point of the rearward opening movement where the barrel is un- locked and stopped the heavy slide has attained a momentum which is sufficient to carry it through its complete opening movement and makes the pistol ready for another shot. g. When the magazine has been emptied, the pawl-shaped slide stop is raised by the magazine follower under action of the magazine spring Into the front recess on the lower left side of the slide, thereby locking the slide in the open position and serving as an Indicator to remind the shooter that the empty magazine must be replaced by a loaded one before the firing can be continued. Pressure upon the maga- zine catch quickly releases the empty magazine from the receiver and permits the insertion of a loaded magazine. h. To release the slide from the open position, it is only necessary to press upon the thumbpiece of the slide stop, then the slide will go forward to its closed position, carrying a cartridge from the previously Inserted magazine into the barrel and making the pistol ready for firing again. SECTION V SPARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES 15. SPARE PARTS.-In time certain parts of the pistol be- come unserviceable through breakage or wear resulting from continuous usage. For this reason spare parts are provided for replacement purposes. They should be kept clean and lightly oiled to prevent rust. They are divided into two groups; spare parts and basic spare parts. a. Spare parts.-These are extra parts provided with the pistol for replacement of the parts most likely to fail, for