Finding my inner Sgt. York: The best way to learn military marksmanship?
I am an Air Force ROTC cadet/ college student and I am interested in learning how to shoot… the right way. I’m very familiar with firearms as I have grown up doing lots of hunting but I have never received any formal instruction or lessons.
I have an old Colt AR-15 at my disposal I want to know the best ways to learn about it, train with it, and learn the proper range procedures in hopes I can use it to practice qualifying with it as if it were an M-4. As I am in the Air Force, people know tons about air power but not really anything about marksmanship.
Would it be best if I purchased Marine Corps and Army marksmanship manuals and a Colt factory manual and just try to figure it our on my own or would it be better or even ethical to hire one of the NCOs from the local Marine garrison to tutor me at the local rifle range in his free time? I know the AR-15 is the civilian precursor to the modern M-4, but how similar are they mechanically and performance-wise?
I have never received any formal marksmanship or firearms training EXCEPT for a Hunter Education course.
Posted in military firearms
February 28th, 2010 at 7:56 am
You’re best bet, barring actually receiving genuine military instruction would be to locate and attend National Rifle Association courses in your area. They will definitely teach you to shoot the right way.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:56 am
Andrew, it would be appropriate, responsible and best to request tutorship from an NCO from the local Marines.
There is no substitute for hands on experience and instruction.
And the Marines are very good at teaching basic marksmanship.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:56 am
If you are able, certainly ask a Marine or Army soldier to help you. It’s just a matter of understanding the basics. The Air Force won’t know a bullet from a barbequed spare-rib but there is nothing unethical involved in getting someone to show you something. The key is, the training point most people end up needing to focus on to shoot well is breathing technique and the issue of "squeeze" vs. "pull" of the trigger. You squeeze the trigger, you don’t pull it, and you squeeze it when you are fully exhaled. That takes a little practice and you just need someone to show you and some time to practice.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:56 am
Windage and elevation! Most all modern weaponry have these settings on them. For target ranges it also requires a good eye, alot of self control in breathing properly and a steady grip. Out in the field in a combat situation its another matter entirely because your target is most likely on the move.
In the Marines they also teach a line of sight method using BB guns and then shotguns where you only rely on just a simple beaded sight on the shotgun and you ability to lead your target correctly. Our instructor was able to shoot and hit BBs with a BB gun, that were tossed over a metal table (so you knew if he missed or not)! He didnt miss!
February 28th, 2010 at 7:56 am
Join a CMP affiliated shooting club; learn the basics, then trey your hand at competitive shooting. Attend NRA sanctioned clinics for proper gun safety and marksmanship. Eventually you can compete in national matches held at Camp Perry, Ohio and perhaps join the USAF Marksmanship Team and compete against other soldiers from all services.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:56 am
All I know about is the Marine Corp because I enlisted in 1968. Maybe the Army & Marines have a book these days? All I had was the "green bible" that had everything a Marine needed to know in it. All the rifle info it had was on M-1 and M-14 care I think?
There is away the Marines use the rifle sling strap as a brace to hold a weapon rock steady. Its as hard to put in words as tying a neck tie knot. When the Rifle Range Instructor made certain your sling was tight enough you could sight in on a target and see the rifle muzzle sight blade do a sideways figure 8 with each heart beat. You simply squeeze the trigger when the slight blade moves toward the "bullseye" in the figure 8 jiggle and pause the squeeze when the blade moves away. Next, firing 10 rounds should be enough to give to a "sight group" pattern, next go thought the windage /elevation guess work and then fire 10 more rounds to see the change in your "sight group". When your "sight group" pattern matches the "bullseye" your rifle is sighted in at 1km. You’ll just develop a "feel" for placing a shot where ever you want without using the sights of a weapon. Even 40 years later people who see it can’t believe what I can hit using a Ruger 22ca. pistol with a 2" barrel at night with a flashlight.
All you need is your rifle, a rifle range and any Marine who qualified as "Expert". If they have a bulletin board at the rifle range put a note on it.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:56 am
The general consensus is correct that it is perfectly within your parameters to ask for PMI (Primary Marksmanship Instruction) from a soldier of another branch. I work at a National Guard mobilization site. Our SARG (Small Arms Readiness Group) has given courses to Airmen, Seamen, and even Marines on how to properly shoot a weapon. Do not be embarrassed to ask. The real key is finding someone who is a good instructor. Generally speaking, you are going to have better luck with a senior NCO, probably Marine, which has extensive time training younger shooters on the art of marksmanship.
As for a weapon, the AR-15 is a very good comparable match to the M4. For BRM (Basic Rifle Marksmanship), it will suffice at short ranges. The ballistics on the two start to differ immensely when firing at longer ranges, 200 meters +.
One final note, good news is that bad habits can be corrected if that does happen. I am sure that you can find a highly qualified instructor that will be more than happy to give you guidance in proper breathing, trigger pull, and sight aperture. Good luck.