(Published in 'The Infantry, India; June 2003)
Abstract (By
the editor)
Necessity is the mother of design. The author lucidly covers the design needs
related to a weapon and with perfect mental dexterity links it to the soul of
training-effectiveness and guides us into the nuances of shooting in
contemporary and future realities of war.
-------X-------
He who can modify his weapons, organization and tactics in relation to
the enemy and thereby succeed, may be called a heaven born Captain.
- Sun Tzu
Quick and
effective use of weapons is an undisputed battle-winning factor. Soldiers equipped with the best weapons must
be fast as well as accurate because targets will always be fleeting in battle;
and since soldiers are overloaded as it is, economy in ammunition expenditure
is crucial. The weapon should become an extension of the soldier’s body and
mind, and all targets neutralized rapidly.
There are no runners up in war; hence it is essential that combat
shooting be maintained at the highest standards. The aim of this article is to
facilitate adaptation of special weapons and tactics (SWAT) and discourage a
blinkered approach to weapons.
Weapon
Design. The weapon must be ergonomically designed to be soldier-friendly.
The following aspects would enhance the weapon’s effectiveness: -
a) The weapon
should enable use with either right or left hand/eye based on the firer’s
preference.
b) The sling
should facilitate carriage and handling.
c) Rear sight
should have a combat setting not needing constant adjustment, as in the
Kalashnikov rifle where combat setting corresponds to 300 m and the firer aims
low for closer ranges.
d) Safety catch
should be reliable and easy to operate.
e) Controlled
three round burst facility should be available.
f)
Hold-open-catch indicates empty magazine and makes subsequent
cocking easy.
Safety: Soldiers under the stress of battle
are likely to fire their weapons accidentally and cause own/civilian casualties
and/or loss of surprise. This is obviated by one of the following: -
a) Safety catch
is SAFE and weapon is cocked.
b)
Safety catch is READY but weapon is un-cocked.
Burst Firing. When assault rifles are fired in bursts,
there is an inherent dispersion due to recoil and internal ballistics. Whether aimed or aligned, the hit probability
is better for controlled bursts of two to three rounds, than for longer
bursts. An effective burst fulfills the
following:
a) At least one
shot hits distant/moving targets.
b)
A near target is hit by at least two shots for instant
incapacitation.
Double Tap. Two aimed single shots are fired at a target
in quick succession that ensures instant incapacitation, but this defies the
basic teaching of ‘one shot one target’.
The recoil of the first shot results in a muzzle jump, but with
proficiency, the second shot can be quick and accurate. This method is effective, economical and
obviates collateral damage. The established principles for moving targets and
prevailing wind should be applied where necessary.
Natural Alignment. This firing position is
adopted with body memory (Kin aesthesis, i.e., awareness of the position and
movements of the parts of the body by means of sensory organs in muscles and
joints). The battle-crouch/firing from
the hip, which is generally considered as natural alignment is inaccurate, and
not quite like the normal firing position with the butt on the shoulder.
(a) Shoulder Position. The weapon
is fired from the shoulder without/ before aiming for an increased hit
probability, subsequent aimed shots will be faster as the firing position is
almost ideal. Natural alignment is best
suited for night and can be practiced during day by covering the sights.
(b) Medial
Position. This position is
ideal for reflex burst firing at close ranges.
The butt is pressed firmly on the abdomen and the forehand-guard gripped
with straight elbow. The front leg is
bent and rear leg kept straight to absorb recoil. Firing low helps in correction by observing
the fall of shots and also gives deadly ricochets. Both eyes are open.
Stoppages. During squad
post training, the instructor gives orders to practice removal of stoppages
with commands giving the specific stoppage.
However, a soldier must himself clear unexpected stoppages in combat
with a conditioned response, which can be cultivated by incorporating common
stoppages like ‘empty magazine’ and ‘misfire’ into live firing practices.
Handgun
Firing. Most personnel lack
confidence in handguns and thus are shy of using them. Those proficient with
handguns show off by writing their initials on a target with precision shooting
or using one hand, which are inane activities. A handgun is authorized to crew
of support weapons like 84 mm RL, 2 inch mortar, AGL, etc, as a personal weapon
and they should be proficient in using it. Being a short-range weapon (15-20 m
range), it is essential that the pistol be brought to use from a cold start,
i.e., draw from holster, cock and fire in the least possible time before an
opponent can charge up and use his bayonet/butt. The efficacy of firing a pistol at long
ranges is doubtful due to its low muzzle velocity. The ideal position for pistol firing is using
both hands with arms fully stretched, shoulders square, knees bent and legs
spread for balance.
Deliberate
Shooting. Shooting is deliberate when accuracy is more important than
speed, as in long range sniping. The
following points be borne in mind: -
a) See the
foresight sharply (eye focus on foresight), and target hazily.
b) Hold weapon
firmly but without cramping.
c) Guide weapon
with free hand calmly and relaxed.
d) Breathe out
slowly and uniformly.
e) Hold breath
for a short while before firing.
f) Squeeze
trigger gently with first joint of index finger.
g) See the
effect of each shot and recognize the hit.
h) Hold higher
in case of the following: -
i.
Heavy rain.
ii.
Head wind.
iii.
Severe cold.
iv.
Target is moving away.
i)
Hold lower for the following: -
i.
At high altitude.
ii.
Following wind.
iii.
Target is moving towards firer.
Reflex
Firing. Firing should be a conditioned reflex action for speedy
engagement, especially in counter-ambush and close combat in jungles/built up
area. The following should be borne in
mind: -
a) The open
sight is seen hazily but the target sharply.
Both eyes are open to get a complete view of the battlefield (unlearn
basic shooting habits, remember, closing one eye involves a deliberate effort).
Peripheral vision is important, as a threat could appear anywhere.
b) Turning to
face the target is done on the ball of the foot. The position of the free leg is quickly
changed and the body turned in the new direction with a smooth movement.
c) Firer
instinctively adopts firing position to suit available cover.
d) All movement
of the body is stopped before firing.
e) The change
from precision to reflex shooting should be smooth, depending upon distance and
reaction time.
f) The firer
should stand steady, relaxed and almost facing the target. Body weight is distributed equally on both
feet. The head is centrally above the
weapon and both eyes are open.
g) The firer has
to make the following decisions: -
i.
Whether to shoot or not.
ii.
When to shoot.
iii.
Which target to shoot first.
iv.
Whether to fire a burst or double tap.
Shooting
Under Stress. Conditions of stress
should be incorporated into firing practices while taking care to ensure
safety. The following can be included: -
a) Sound and
light effects.
b) Extreme
temperature.
c) Unfavorable
weather conditions like fog, etc.
d) Long waiting
time as in ambushes and sniping.
e) High physical
demands before shooting, as with carrying full scale of ammunition under
simulated combat conditions.
f) High demand
on nerves and self-denial, i.e., as with hunger, calls of nature, insects and
cramped positions.
g) Shooting with
NBC masks and helmets.
h) Blindfolded
weapon handling.
Special
Firing Practices: Special firing
practices cultivate ideal conditioned responses to combat situations. They will be particularly useful for
specialized troops who assault objectives without adequate artillery support
and are likely to face a numerically superior enemy under adverse conditions.
Special firing practices are given in Appendix attached.
Combat
Duel. In the trail-blazing days of the American Wild
West, cowboys resolved their differences by a shooting duel where the faster
and better shot survived. Such a duel in
training may involve lasers, rubber bullets, body armour, etc, which dilutes
realism. However, a simple apparatus
consisting of a counter balanced beam with two balloons tied at either ends can
be used on the range to carry out a simulated combat duel. Each string passes
through rings attached to weights (Sketch at Appendix), and when one firer shoots
his balloon, the ring held up by the balloon falls off along with the
weight. The weight attached to the
opponent’s balloon makes it drop out of sight.
Three/ five such targets are used for a competition match, where firers
combine speed with accuracy.
Ear
Protection. Prolonged exposure
to sharp and loud sounds causes permanent damage to the ears, resulting in
tinnitus, a persistent ringing in the ear, which is avoidable in training. Firers and instructors, especially in
enclosed spaces, should use ear guards, as there is no bravado in ignoring ear
protection.
Cartridge-Case-Collector. The loss of cartridge cases is usually
unacceptable in peacetime training.
However, looking out for cartridge cases of automatic/semi-automatic
weapons instills unnecessary caution, restricts realism in firing and may
endanger a person helping in cartridge case collection. Cartridge case
collectors fixed to weapons allow freedom of movement and will be ideal for
specialized training, field firing, VIP security, helicopter safety and covert
operations.
Recreation. Activities that improve psycho-motor
reflexes, concentration and coordination, such as darts, air gun, air pistol,
throwing aimed pebbles, tennis, handball and boxing are inexpensive and useful,
and must be encouraged in units.
Tips.
a) Keep both
eyes open while aiming. It allows you to
see the target and the fall of shot even when the weapon jumps, and enables
engagement of new targets as required in the battlefield.
b) Never
overestimate the range. It allows you to see the fall of shot and give
correction. The ricochets can also be
lethal.
c) Firing ranges
should simulate actual conditions, e.g., targets should be at ground level, and
broken ground should be left for realism, however, the safety point of
ricochets be borne in mind.
d) Night firing
practice using NVDs can include firing at enemy weapon flashes simulated by
bicat strips.
e) Inefficient movements cause superfluous
stresses that distract from the essential shooting task, hence efficient
movements should be learned and practiced.
Any position that requires unnatural/strained head and neck positions
detracts from stable posture and efficient eye and hand movements. With practice, a firer can learn to aim with
both eyes open (as in skeet shooting).
Conclusion. Proficiency with personal weapons and annual
range classification must be given due sanctity. It is the duty of every
commander to ensure basic training to save soldiers’ lives in war. The high
emphasis placed on competitions diverts training ammunition for the already
proficient select few, and hence should be toned down.
COMBAT FIRING PRACTICES
|
Sr. No
|
Practice
|
Mode
|
Position
|
Range
|
Target
|
Time
|
Rounds
|
Points
|
Score
|
Remarks
|
|
01
|
Stoppages
|
Double Tap
|
Standing
|
25m
|
3xFig12
|
20 sec
|
6
|
18
|
3–2--1
|
-Two
magazines filled at random.
-Two drill
rounds are interspersed.
-Second
magazine may be in pouch or clipped on to the first magazine.
|
|
02
|
Change in Position
|
Double Tap
|
Standing
Kneeling
Lying
|
25m
|
Fig 12
|
08 sec
|
2
2
2
|
18
|
3–2–1
|
-
|
|
03
|
Weak hand/eye
|
Single Shot
|
Standing behind cover
|
25m
|
Fig 12
|
-
|
2
|
4
|
2 pts per hit
|
-Weak
hand/eye are used.
-Deliberate
firing.
|
|
04
|
Running
|
Double Tap
|
Lying
Kneeling
Standing
-
Aiming
-
Alignment
|
100m
75m
-
50m
15m
|
Fig 12
|
35 sec
|
2
2
-
2
2
|
24
|
3–2–1
|
-Start from
200m.
-Safety
catch is on ‘safe’ while moving.
-Max two
firers at a time for safety.
-Minus 6
points if firer aims from 15m.
|
|
05
|
Disc Target
|
Double Tap
|
Standing
|
25m
|
Disc target
|
4 sec each
|
6
|
12
|
2 pts per hit
|
-Target has
six discs of different colours/shapes (15cm dia).
-Firers
stand with back to target. On target indication, they turn, cock, and fire.
-Magazine
is filled with two rounds per disc.
|
|
06
|
Moving Target
|
Single Shot
|
Standing
|
25m
|
Fig 12
|
10 sec
|
4
|
16
|
4 pts per hit
|
-Target
moves 15m from left to right in 10 sec at uneven speed.
|
|
07
|
Day (natural alignment)
|
Single Shot
|
Standing
|
25m
|
Fig 11
|
10 sec
|
4
|
08
|
2 pts per hit
|
-Foresight
of weapon is covered with cloth.
|
|
08
|
Automatic (aimed)
|
Bursts
|
Standing
|
25m
|
Fig 11
|
8 sec
|
5
|
15
|
3 pts per hit
|
-Weapon is
on “automatic” mode. Two round burst to be fired.
-Ability to
fire single shots encouraged.
|
|
09
|
Automatic (pointed shot)
|
Bursts
|
Standing (Medial position)
|
25m
|
Fig 11
|
8 sec
|
5
|
15
|
3 pts
per hit
|
-Butt of
weapon is firmly on abdomen. Forehand
guard gripped keeping straight elbow.
Rear leg is straight. -Fire controlled burst.
|
|
10
|
Night (alignment)
|
Single Shot
|
Standing
(natural alignment)
|
25m
|
Fig 11
|
8 sec
|
4
|
20
|
5 pts per hit
|
-Target is
silhouetted so that it is not possible to aim.
-The first
round may be a tracer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
50
|
150
|
|
|
Targets
Combat Duel Target
