SMALL ARMS IklNG REGULATIONS NATIONAL GUARD OF CALIFORNIA. Approved November 3O, 1896. SMALL ARMS FIRING REGULATIONS NATIONAL GUARD OF CALIFORNIA. Approved' November 30, 1S96. A. j. JOHNSTON-, SACRAMENTO: 1896. GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, , STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE. SACRAMENTO, CAL., November 30, 1896. GKNEKAL ORDERS, ( No. 14. ) The following Firing Regulations for Small Arms having been adopted by the officers men- tioned in Section 2031, Political Code, and, hav- ing received the approval of the Cornmauder-in- Chief, will govern in the future, Target Practice of the Guard: FIRING REGULATIONS FOR SMALL ARMS FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD OF CALIFORNIA. 1. Rifle practice is an important part of the school of the soldier, and its principles will be taught to each recruit by the squad drill officers. Outdoor practice will be conducted in accordance with the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, and under the supervision of an Inspector of Rifle Practice. 2. Target practice in the National Guard shall be held in the months of January, May, September, and October, and at 200, 300, and 500 yard ranges, and skirmish firing. 4 FIRING 'REOUI^TICNS, N. G. C. 3. *5ach- orfieer "audjanlisted m'aix will be allowed an- nually 55 rounds of ammunition, and the same will be fired as follows: One score of 5 shots at each of the 200, 300, and 500 yard ranges, in January. One score of 5 shots at each of the 200, 300, and 500 yard ranges, in September. One score of 5 shots at each of the 200, 300, and 500 yard ranges, in October. Provided, that each officer and enlisted man must make a score of at least 15 at the aoo-yard range before he will be permitted to fire at the 3oo-j-ard range; and he must^make a score of at least 15 at the 3OO-yard range before he will be permitted to fire at the 5oo-yard range; also, one score of 10 shots at skirmish firing, in May. 4. Classification. MARKSMAN A total annual score of at least 52 points out of a possible 75 at the 2OO-yard range, and 45 points out of a possible 75 at the 3oo-yard range. RIFLEMAN A total annual score of at least 52 points out of a possible 75 at the 2oo-yard range, 45 points out of a possible 75 at the 3Oo-yard range, and 45 points out of a possible 75 at the soo-yard range. SHARPSHOOTER A total annual score at the three ranges of at least 180 points out of a possible 225. DISTINGUISHED MARKSMAN A total annual score at the three ranges of at least 192 out of a possible 225. Only "distinguished marksmen" will be permitted to participate in the contest for what has been heretofore known as State "sharpshooters' medals." 5. In all target practice and contests, ammunition furnished by the State, or such as is approved by Gen- eral Headquarters, shall be used. FIRING REGULATIONS, N. G. C. 5 6. Skirmish firing will be at silhouettes at unknown distances between 600 and 200 yards; individual skir- mishers will fire at the group composed of I>, E, and F targets; company skirmish firing will be at target G, as provided in paragraph 390, Blunt's Small Arms Firing Regulations. 7. All line officers will make themselves thoroughly familiar with the system of instruction adopted for the troops, as well as with all regulations for carrying out the practice. , 8. Rifle practice in armories wall be as frequent as other duties will permit; it will be conducted under the supervision of the officers or non-commissioned officers of the company, or such other officers as may be detailed therefor, and according to the system recommended by the Department of Rifle Practice. 9. It shall be the duty of the officer in charge, either at the field or armory ranges, to see that after practice no cartridges or shells are left in the hands of the men or in the rifles, but are collected and turned in to the proper person. 10. The names of all National Guardsmen who have attended 60 per cent of the drills for the year ending June 3oth, and who have qualified in any of the classi- fications, will be announced in orders by the Adjutant- General and be published in his report. 11. The Division, Brigade, Regimental, and Battalion Inspectors of Rifle Practice shall perform such duties as may, from time to time, be prescribed by the Inspector- General of Rifle Practice, with the approval of the Commander-in-Chief. 12. The Division, Brigade, and Regimental Inspectors of Rifle Practice will have supervision of all matters 6 FIRING REGULATIONS, N. G. C. appertaining to that portion of military instruction within the limits of their respective commands, under the direction of the Inspector-General of Rifle Practice and their commanding officers. They will also inspect, or cause to be inspected, from time to time, all ranges and practice grounds over which practice is held, by authority of law, or competitions between the troops, for State or other prizes; and see that the necessary regulations for rifle practice are carried out, and the proper returns thereof are made, and report to the Inspector-General of Rifle Practice, from time to time, as directed by him, the condition of rifle practice within their respective commands, and what practice has been carried on therein within any period, together with all other matters appertaining to their duties. If, at the conclusion of any inspection of any range or practice ground by any Inspector, he shall find any property or range unsafe or deficient in any respect, or that such range or practice ground is dangerous, he shall forth- with report the facts in relation thereto to his com- manding officer. They shall also attend the competition between the troops, for State or other prizes, and see that the same are conducted with fairness, and accord- ing to the prescribed regulations, and report to the Inspector-General of Rifle Practice the result of all such competitions, with names of the winners, together with such suggestions as they may see fit to make. All Inspectors of Rifle Practice are authorized, from time to time, to examine the officers of their commands upon the subject of rifle practice. Regimental Inspectors of Rifle Practice. 13. The Inspector of Rifle Practice aids and assists the commanding officers -of companies in all matters relating to rifle practice, both in the field and in the FIRING REGULATIONS, N. G. C. 7 armory; and is charged with the care, safe-keeping, and good order of all the material and appliances used for rifle practice in the armory range. He sees that the necessary targets and markers are in readiness at the time prescribed for the practice by the different classes; that the different companies and classes practice with- out interference with each other or with other persons using the range; that the scores are properly kept and returned, and that special care is taken to secure safety. He acts as umpire in his regiment in case of disputed hits. He prepares all returns upon the subject of rifle practice required to be made by his regiment or bat- talion, together with all reports or other information required by his commanding officer, the Brigade, Divi- sion, and General Inspectors of Rifle Practice. 14. He will require any officer or enlisted man who is intoxicated upon the range, or who, by carelessness or otherwise, endangers others, to desist from firing, leave the range, and shall at once cause charges to be pre- ferred against such offender. 15. The percentage of each company is annually an- nounced in orders by the Adjutant-General, and con- stitutes the measure of efficiency by all organizations in rifle practice. 16. The target practice of all unattached organizations and the Naval Battalion will be under the supervision of the Inspector-General of Rifle Practice. 17. Ranges should be selected with regard to the fol- lowing conveniences: Convenience of access; as level as possible between firing points and butts; place poles with streamers at intervals of 50 yards between targets and firing points, as indicators of the wind; if a wind- FIRING REGULATIONS, N. G. C. gauge is erected fewer flags will serve. The firing point should be made level. 18. The marker must be supplied with red danger flags, and the instant one is displayed the firing must cease, and must not be resumed until it is lowered. Witufage. 19. A side wind frequently depresses the gullet in ad- dition to moving it sideways; a front wind retards it, and requires a greater elevation; a rear wind carries it, and reduces the elevation. Allowance for wind must be increased with the distance to be shot over. 20. Classification of icinds. I Gentle Four miles an hou II Moderate ...Tenm III Fresh ....Twenty in IV Strong Thirty-five in V Very high Fifty in les an hou les an hou les an hou les an hou les an hou VI Gale Eighty n A most important requisite to good shooting is a cor- rect record of every shot fired marked on the plan of the target, with a note of the time of the day, kind of light, and direction and force of wind. Government of men and ranges. 21. The men must, on all practice days, be under the charge of an officer or non-commissioned officer. They will preserve quietude at the firing point. 22. Those not firing will be placed a sufficient distance to the rear to prevent comment being heard by the man firing. 23. No man should be allowed at the firing point, when the danger signal is displayed, with the chamber of his rifle closed. The instant the red flag goes up the FIRING REGULATIONS, N. G. C. 9 chamber should be opened. Never load except at the firing point, and then keep the muzzle always toward the target. 24. In all practice at ranges the first and most impor- tant duty is that which will render the firing safe, not only to the men engaged, but to lookers-on as well. The men must watch the red flags, and the markers must use them carefully and quickly. When the flag is raised the marker should not rush out at once, but allow an interval to elapse, so as to be safe from any mistake at the firing point. 25. All practice, either private or in regular course, should be carried on manly, earnestly, and with one aim in view improvement. 26. The rules now in use by the United States Army will be the basis for all practice in the National Guard of this State, except when the same may conflict with these rules and regulations. 27. No arms but those regularly issued to the National Guard by the State of California shall be used at any target practice required by law. Use of the sights. 28. Be careful to keep the sights perfectly perpen- dicular when firing, as a slight variance from it to -the right or left will cause the ball to take a corresponding direction. 29. Be sure the rear sight is properly elevated. In aiming use the rear sight, through the notch of which find the target, and then, and not till then, bring the fore sight to bear on it by glancing along the top. Don't make the mistake of using the fore sight before your eye is fixed on the target. IO FIRING REGULATIONS, N. G. C. 30. At point-blank distance, which is one hundred yards, aim a trifle under the object to be fired at, at the same time drawing a fine sight, as the elevation will be too great if more than the very point of the front sight is seen. 31. The front sight may be blackened or painted, but no filing of sights is allowable. 32. No rifle, carbine, or pistol shall be taken apart except by the direction or under the supervision of a commissioned officer. 33. Be careful to place the piece in the rack gently, as the barrel may become indented or marred; once this happens, the piece is useless for accuracy. Never sit on the piece or use it for carrying weights. 34. Bring the piece gently to the ground in " order arms," as a heavy shock is apt to loosen the screws and split the woodwork. The piece must never, under any circumstances, be used for applauding by striking the butt on the ground, and commanding officers will see that this rule is strictly enforced. 35. See that the sights are in good order. The front sights should be specially guarded. 36. If anj' obstruction should find its way into the barrel, leaving an air space between it and the cartridge, remove it before firing; the barrel is liable to burst if fired under such circumstances. 37. The range is the place, not to learn, but to put in practice what has been learned in drill. Pointing and aiming drill in barracks or quarters is the foundation of successful shooting. on the range or at the target. Take one man and let him shoot at the target, say twenty times without preliminary drill, and he will probably FIRING REGULATIONS, N. G. C. II miss nearly every shot; take the same man and let him for one month practice aiming and pointing in his room; then go on the range, and out of twenty shots he will make probably fifteen hits. Skill in marksmanship can be taught in the same manner as the manual of arms, and the same exact attention should be paid to the dif- ferent positions required in firing as in manual. Among soldiers it is customary to put a small target in the bar- rack yard, and from the door or window of barracks to aim at this, standing, kneeling, and lying down. 38. For lying down, heads to target, the belly is on the ground, and toes of feet turned out. On the back, what is known as the "Texas grip" is best. The left leg is passed through between gun and sling, above knee, and stock drawn back; the left hand, back up, is placed under the head, and over heel of the butt. The right hand is reversed, finger in rear of hammer, thumb on trigger, elbow resting on ground. In this position one can lie and fire all day; the gun, not resting on stomach or lungs, is free from being affected by breath- ing. It is customary to draw before firing three or four long breaths, and then hold or take a gentle breath. A iming. 39. Draw a full sight on lower corner of bullseye, to the left or one side, giving full view of same; the drift will be more apt to carry the bullet into the bullseye. If the wind is from the right, and more than balances the drift, aim to the right of the bullseye. 40. By full sight is meant seeing all the sight in front through the rear sight. You must not see the stud upon which the sight is put. Then, if you shoot high, you can take a fine sight ; that is, see less of the front sight. It is best to do this, and not change the elevation till 12 FIRING REGULATIONS, N. G. C. 3*ou find it necessary. Be careful to look through the rear sight. If you neglect that, the gun will shoot high, and you will never be able to ascertain exactly how much of the front sight you see every time. The gun must not be held too tight in the hands, or against the shoulder. This tends to high shooting, and the pulsa- tions of the body give it unsteadiness. The right hand should grasp the small of the stock, the thumb and fingers touching. Passing both the first and second fingers in front of the trigger, the second resting on it, the end touching stock, gives a good way of pulling a hard trigger ; in fact, by a gradual contraction of the hand, the trigger becomes almost a hair one. The eye and mind should act together with finger in firing the gun. Sun. 41. Upon observing its effects, good or bad shooting 'results. If the sights are not blackened, the sun shining on the front sight makes a glare, which, if on right of front sight, makes the shooting to the left ; if on left of front sight, shooting will be to the right. The range being north, the best usual direction, shooting in the morning with a bright sight will be to the left, or with no wind will about balance the drift. In the afternoon shooting will be to the right, and this added to the drift will make the shots go still farther to the right. Hence the necessity of having the front sights blackened. On a bright day a lower elevation is needed than on a dull day. But unless the gun is kept clean, as powder cakes and fouls the gun more easily on a dry than damp day, a greater elevation will be required. A hot or foul bar- rel drops a shot, or shoots low. A clean barrel raises a shot, or shoots high. On a cloudy day, if the sun ap- pears and lights up the target, tlie shooter being in the FIRING REGULATIONS, X. G. O 13 shade, use less elevation. If the target is in the shade, and the shooter in the sun, increase the elevation. The more moisture in the atmosphere the less elevation is required. Best shooting is done on damp, gray days not too dark. Wind. 42. A front wind, or one in the face, retards the bullet ; one from the side does also, in addition to throwing bullets off the target ; so in both cases greater elevation is required. A wind from the rear helps a bullet, and therefore less elevation is required. Winds are called twelve o'clock, three, six, nine, etc., depending upon their directions. The direction of the wind is expressed by a watch-face notation ; the watch being held with the figure XII toward the target ; a wind blowing from the target is called a "twelve o'clock wind"; one from the left a " nine o'clock wind " ; one from the right a " three o'clock wind," and so on. 43. The wind gauge is on the rifle for the purpose of making the gun point and shoot to one side. Practice will determine how much to aim to the right or left. Pushing the wind gauge to the right makes the gun shoot to the right ; to the left, the left. Not counting wind, generally to allow for drift that is, the bullet's tendency, owing to the rifling of the gun or twist, to go to the right of the point aimed at the wind gauge has to be moved one sixth, one third, one half, to one point to the left for distances from two hundred yards up to six hundred. If the wind is a three o'clock, it may just balance the drift, so the wind gauge should remain even. If from the left, or a nine o'clock, this, with the drift, will require the wind gauge to be moved still farther to the left. The bullet striking to the right or left, and low, is often caused by the sights or piece not being level. 14 FIRING REGULATIONS, X. G. C. A gun leaning to the left, will shoot low and to the left ; leaning to the right, low and to the right. A small spirit-level should be placed in front of the breech-block till the man learns how "to level his piece." At long distances this is of the greatest importance for success- ful shooting. Outers will always be made without it. The sights should be evenly divided that is, looking through rear sights, an equal amount of front sight should be seen on each side of it. The eye will soon detect if the sights are not vertical or straight up and down. Drift. 44. With the soo-grain service bullet the drift is I, 3, 5, 8, ii, 16, 22, 28, 36, and 43 inches from one hun- dred to one thousand yards, and from regular tables, knowing the value of a point on the wind gauge, we know how far to shove the gauge to the left. With the 4O5-grain bullet the drift up to five hundred yards is less, and beyond that greater. The greater the charge of powder, the flatter the trajectory or line of flight of bullet, and more accuracy of fire and more hits made. Ranges. 45. These should be laid off so as to shoot toward the north, or to have the prevailing wind from front or rear, and not from the side, and sun toward your rear. If toward the east or west, firing will have to be regu- lated so that the sun will not shine in one's face. Stakes should be driven every fifty yards from butts to firing stands ; this gives a line of fire and prevents shooting on wrong targets. At long distances, with ground not level, firing stands will have to be raised by making a crib-work of logs, and filling with dirt. Grass should be planted, so as to make a green surface for the eye. FIRING REGULATIONS, N. G. C. 15 If a canvas has to be used, it should be painted some dark color the dazzle from the white is very bad for the eyes. In firing, men should not strain their eyes by looking to see the effect of shots. These will be called out to them as made. Behind each butt, if an officer cannot be spared, a non-commissioned officer, in addi- tion to the company detail, should be required from a company other than the one firing, so as to prevent at any time the questioning of a score made. 777* rijle. 46. Should be carefully cleaned with a wooden wiping- rod and rags, so as to remove the lead, which makes bad shooting; "the passing of a rag through is not enough. Opening the breech-block and ejecting shell immediately after firing should be done, and blowing through the barrel is a good plan to keep powder from caking. Each man should handle his own gun carefully, to prevent rubbing of sights or injury to barrel. No two guns shoot exactly alike, so each one should learn how, and always shoot his own gun. A soldier desirous of learning more, must study manuals on rifle practice. ("Blunt's Firing Regulations for Small Arms " is now the standard work on rifle practice, and has been adopted by the War Department, U. S. A., for use in the Army and National Guard.) 47. Every time a man reads he will gain some informa- tion ; then he should practice daily what he reads. By this means he will become, if not an expert, at least a first-class shot, and able to make from time to time the required marksman's score with good general averages. By following the above, the result of experience and information compiled from books not always accessible to the enlisted man, rapid improvement will follow, and l6 FIRING REGULATIONS, X. G. C. the soldier will have confidence in his gun, and know at all times just what he can do with it. 48. From practice it has been found that firing with the 405-grain bullet at two hundred yards, for the first shot fix your elevation at one hundred and seventy-five, the second at one hundred and eighty-five, the third at two hundred yards, and remain at that during firing, the gun not being cleaned. Firing with the soo-grain bullet at two hundred yards, for the first shot your ele- vation at two hundred yards, the second at about two hundred and twelve yards, and the third at two hundred and twenty-five yards, and so continue. The same prin- ciple should be followed at three hundred yards. The first shot is always higher than the others, and hence for the second shot you must increase your elevation. If the barrel is blown through after every shot, the cleaning out of the gun is considered not necessary, as the moisture from the breath keeps the powder from caking, and the gun cleans itself out. Using too much lubricant, except wetting bullet from the mouth, is not good. If oil is used, dip the bullet, and shake it so the surface will be equally covered. Handle your gun daily, when not on range, by aiming at some object, and suc- cess will follow. Aiming and pointing drill is well, but it becomes tiresome. Gallery practice is always of interest, every shot made showing the error in aiming ; and men, if left to themselves, would keep it up all day. Any barrack room is suitable ; one of fifty feet is always attainable ; for this a reduced target is made for one hundred, two hundred, three hundred, and six hundred yards. To do this, divide the different dimensions of the targets by the quotient arising from dividing the length of the field range by that of the gallery range. For example, two hundred yards, or six hundred feet, FIRING REGULATIONS, N. G. C. 17 divided by fifty feet, gives twelve. Now, dividing the different dimensions of target by twelve gives the bulls- eyes, centers, and inners, and size of your reduced target for a fifty-foot range ; or paste a bullseye and center on a piece of paper, the diameter of bull being about seventy-five hundredths of an inch, and center a little over two inches. Now paste this target on the outside of an oil can filled with sand, one on each side and on top and bottom, the sand to stop stray bullets, or with iron or heavy board for backing. Let the bullseye be from four feet to four and one half from floor, the leaf of sight at one hundred yards, and gun aimed at lower edge of bullseye will cover the distance of one hundred or two hundred yards corresponding to the reduced targets, or for standing up off-hand practice. For three hundred yards, put one target with a bullseye only, so that the center of it will be two feet six inches from the floor. Above this put your reduced target, so that the center of its bullseye shall be five inches above the lower one, or two feet and eleven inches from the floor. With the leaf raised to three hundred yards, and aim taken on lower edge of lower bullseye, hits will be made on the proper target. Position, kneeling. For six hundred yards, lying down on the floor (range fifty feet long), put a bullseye, its center twelve inches from the floor ; above this your reduced target, with the center of its bullseye twelve inches from the center of the lower one, or twenty-four inches from the floor, sight adjusted for six hundred yards, and aim at the lower edge of the lowest bullseye. Hits will be made on the tipper target. For five hundred yards, the center of the bullseye of the upper target should be ten and one quarter inches above the center of the lower or sighting target 2 FR 18 FIRING REGULATIONS, N. G. C. (range being fifty feet long). In fixing sights, owing to the peculiarities of sighting, some have to be below, some above. This will be determined by experience. Light should be, if possible, from overhead. If not, it should be from both sides, so as to shine on both sides of the sight, and stronger at the target than at the firing point. Any windows between the firing point and the target should be darkened, so as not to have cross shadows. From three to four grains, of powder is used for fifty feet ; four to six for one hundred feet about as much powder as can be taken up between the thumb and finger. The bullet should be the forty-five caliber pistol bullet, about half an inch long, and should be inserted in the end of the shell with the hand, and not pushed down to the powder. 49. (a) Aiming drills and gallery practice will be con- ducted as prescribed by Blunt's Small Arms Firing Regulations, (b) The position for firing will be the same as prescribed by Blunt's Small Arms Firing Regu- lations, except that at the 5OO-yard range the firing will be from any position laying down, either prone, or on the side or back, except that no form or rest for the person or rifle, other than may be afforded by the body, will be allowed. 50. Targets used shall be the same as prescribed for the United States Army. Points or counts on all targets. 51. Five for the " bitllseye" (/. e., the smallest circle) ; four for the "center" (/.