CHAPTER VI
RAPID FIRING
Rapid firing, in my opinion, is the most practical style of shooting; a pistol is not a weapon for deliberate shooting, but for lightning rapidity at short range.
If you are using a revolver it is necessary to get one which works as loosely and as easily as possible. A half-worn-out revolver is best, as it works freer. Next, file the mainspring as weak as it is possible to have it without risk of too many misfires. If it has one misfire in every twenty shots, or so, it does not matter, the great thing being to have it cock easily. An automatic pistol is the weapon for this, a revolver being quite out of date. A very big front sight and a big “U” in the back one are advisable.
As the target rises, “come up,” quickly, increasing the pressure on the trigger as you “come up,” so that the pistol goes off the moment it is horizontal and the sights are about right. I say about because there is not time to correct the aim.
Be sure to squeeze back—not jerk off. It is possible, with practice, to get this “snap shot” into the “bull” or touching it. As this first shot goes off, be especially careful to take all pressure off the trigger. Unless you are very careful you will keep a slight pressure on the trigger with your first finger, and if you are using an automatic the next shot will go off before you mean it to.
Your right arm—and in fact, the whole of your body—should be immovable. Your aim at each shot ought not to be disturbed enough to be more than a few inches off the “bull.”
After each shot begin a steadily increasing pressure straight back, and without a jerk, trying at the same time to get your sights as near the “bull” as you can before the pistol goes off again. You can fire as quickly as you can get your aim.