The Advanced Pistol Marksmanship Manual has been compiled with a determination to improve pistol marksmanship. It is a compilation of data gathered from many years of personal experience of proven U. S. Army Pistol Champions and coaches condensed into a ready reference and covering the most advanced and proven techniques known to date. The marksmen and coaches who contributed ideas gained from championship competitive experience did so with a firm desire to impart the knowledge gained for the promotion of pistol marksmanship training. The data represents a comprehensive effort covering many facets of pistol marksmanship and related subjects gained from the research of authoritative articles, personal interviews, observation of foreign competition and contributions closely associated with pistol activities.

Acquiring the ability to accurately shoot a pistol is no simple matter. One should not assume that the art of advanced pistol marksmanship is fully realized immediately upon reading a training manual on the fundamentals and techniques of pistol shooting; nor completely understood after having received a few hours of advice and instruction from a qualified coach or expert shooter.To become a top pistol shooter and able to produce consistently high scores, one must learn to perform all the fundamentals of shooting, acquire certain definite habits, achieve flawless coordination - and above all - have a capacity for the intense concentration essential to exercising a high degree of mental control. For this, one must train.It is difficult, if not impossible, to establish a universal system of training in pistol marksmanship which will cover all cases - one that can be adapted to each shooter's technique or special need. Training pistol shooters requires an individual approach. There is no single pattern or system for the organization of training that will entirely meet the individual requirements of all competitors, nor can one ever be expected. This is the reason knowledgeable coaches take the peculiarities of an individual - such as experience, degree of preparation and fitness, and other items - into account. They use these, and by relying on their own experience, devise a training program which allows special consideration for each shooter's capabilities. In spite of the difference in details, technique or method, there is much that is common to the training of advanced marksmen, that - in the opinion of leading coaches and shooters, applies to everyone, without exception. This manualendeavors to present, in a detailed, comprehensive manner, these universal applications.Advanced pistol marksmanship training must of necessity, avoid the involved and exceedingly complex because it is an activity whose participants form a great cross-section of our national

Acquiring the ability to shoot accurately is no simple matter. One should not assume that the art of advanced marksmanship is fully realized upon reading a training manual. It cannot be complete understood even after hours of advice and instruction from a qualified marksmanship coach or target shooter.To become a qualified shooter and be able to produce consistently high scores, one must learn to perform all the fundamentals of shooting, acquire certain definite habits, flawless coordination - and above all - have a capacity for the intense concentration essential to exercising a high degree of mental control. For this, one must train.It is difficult, if not impossible, to establish a universal system of training in marksmanship which will cover all cases, that is, one that can be adapted to every shooter s technique or special need. Training shooters requires an individual approach. For this reason, knowledgeable coaches take the peculiarities of an individual - such as experience, degree of preparation and physical fitness - and other factors into account. Relying on their own experience, they devise a training program which allows special considerations for each shooter s capabilities. In spite of the difference in details, technique or method, there is much that is common to the training of advanced marksmen. This manual endeavors to present, in a detailed, comprehensive manner, these universal applications. Advanced marksmanship training must of necessity, avoid the involved and exceedingly complex because it is an activity whose participants form a great cross-section of our national life, and the average citizen is its greatest asset.