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Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917

Editorial note — Chapter VIII

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[Footnote 10: TO LOAD PISTOL: Being at raise pistol (right hand grasping stock at the height of and 6 inches in front of the point of the right shoulder, forefinger alongside barrel, barrel to the rear and inclined forward about 30°).

Without deranging position of the hand, rotate the pistol so the sights move to the left, the barrel pointing to the right front and up.

With the thumb and forefinger of the left hand (thumb to the right) grasp the slide and pull it toward the body until it stops, and then release it. The pistol is thus loaded, and the hammer at full cock.

If the pistol is to be kept in the hand and not to be fired at once, engage the safety lock with the thumb of the right hand.

If the pistol is to be carried in the holster, remove safety lock, if on, and lower the hammer fully down.]

[Footnote 11: TO LOWER THE HAMMER: Being at the loading position at full cock.

I. Firmly seat thumb of right hand on the hammer: insert forefinger inside trigger guard.

II. With thumb of left hand exert a momentary pressure on the grip-safety to release hammer from sear.

III. At the same instant exert pressure or the trigger and carefully and slowly lower the hammer fully down.

IV. Remove finger from trigger.

V. Insert pistol in holster.

CAUTION.--The pistol must never be placed in the holster until hammer is fully down.]

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