ARLON J BABLES

Instructor
Range Master / Range Officer
Stats Officer
National Range Officer Institute (NROI)
Philippine Practical Shooting Association
(PPSA)
 Marksmanship and Combat Shooting

Our subject is thirty-six (36) hours theory and

practical exercises (not actual) which will be
delivered two (2) hours for every session or
eighteen(18) sessions for the whole semester.
 Opening Prayer

Let us pray
 
OH GOD
WHO BY THE LIGHT OF HOLY SPIRIT
DID INSTRUCT THE HEARTS OF THE
FAITHFUL
GRANT US BY THE SAME SPIRIT
THAT WE MAY BE TRULY WISE
AND EVER REJOICE HIS CONSOLATION
THROUGH CHRIST, OUR LORD
AMEN
 TOPICS
1. Introduction to Marksmanship and
Combat shooting
◦ Brief Description of Firearms Law
◦ Firearms definition
◦ Types of Firearms
◦ Parts or Components of Firearm
◦ Ammunition
◦ Magazine and Cylinder Feed Loader
2. Marksmanship and Combat Shooting
◦ Fundamentals of Firearm Safety
◦ Principles of Marksmanship
◦ Shooting Range and Range Management
◦ Basic Range Command and Etiquette
◦ Different Shooting/Firing positions
◦ Different Courses of Fire
 Introduction to Marksmanship and
Combat Shooting

 This Module clarifies the important things to

know before starting the lessons on how to
shoot. The most important requirement in
this subject is the knowledge on the safety
precaution of using firearms. The subject
includes the importance of proper
application of its accessories like ammunition,
magazines, holster, pouch and the like.
  
MARKSMANSHIP and COMBAT
SHOOTING

is an art of hitting a target by

using a handgun, rifle or shotgun
at a given range or known
distance.
What Law Governs the;

FIREARMS
and
AMMUNITION

?
Republic Act No.10591
(of May 29, 2013)

otherwise known as the:

 The State also recognizes
the right of its qualified citizens
to self-defense through,
when it is the reasonable means
to repel unlawful aggression
under the circumstances,
the use of firearms.
1. Licensed Citizen - refers to any Filipino
citizen who complies with the qualifications set
forth in this Act and duly issued with a license to
posses of to carry firearms outside of the
residence in accordance with the Comprehensive
Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (RA
10591).
•License to Own and Possess Firearms
(LTOPF) – granted by the Chief, PNP
through FEO to a qualified individual to
own and possess a firearm.
 Subject to the requirements set
forth in RA nr 10591 and payment of
required fees to be determined by the
Chief PNP, a qualified individual may be
issued the appropriate license under the
following categories:
a) Type 1 license – allows a citizen to own and
possess a maximum of two (2) registered
firearms;
b) Type 2 license – allows a citizen to own and
possess a maximum of five (5) registered
firearms;
c) Type 3 license – allows a citizen to own and
possess a maximum ten (10) registered firearms;
d) Type 4 license – allows a citizen to own and
possess a maximum of fifteen (15) registered
firearms; and
e) Type 5 license - allows a citizen, who is certified
gun collector, to own and possess more than
fifteen (15) registered firearms.
2. Licensed Juridical Entity
- refers to corporations,
organizations, businesses, including security
agencies and local government units (LGUs).

3. Ownership of Firearms by the

National Government
- all firearms owned by the
National Government shall be registered with the
FEO of the PNP in the name of the Republic of
the Philippines. Those firearms that issued to the
AFP, PNP, BJMP and other law enforcement
agencies.
•Firearm Registration Card – card issued by
FEO as proof that the firearm is duly
registered and recorded;
•Residence of the Licensee – place/s of abode of
the licensed citizen as indicated in his/her
license;
•Residence of the Firearm/s – location where
the firearm/s are kept and indicated in the
firearm registration card;
•Only Small Arms may be registered by qualified
licensed citizen/s or licensed juridical entities
for ownership, possession and concealed carry

•A light weapon shall be lawfully acquired or

possessed exclusively by the AFP, the
PNP and other law enforcement agencies
authorized by the President.
•Private individuals who are already licensed
holders for Class-A light weapons upon
the effectivity of this IRR shall not be
deprived of the lawful possession,
provided that they renew their licenses
and firearm registration and they continue
to possess if qualified for LTOPF
•Private individuals with existing registered
Class “A” Light Weapon may transfer its
registration to another with at least Type
3 License holder and has an existing
registered Class “A” Light Weapon.
Provided, that upon effectivity of this IRR,
no licensed individual may register more
than two (2) Class “A” Light Weapons,
except those licensed individuals before
the effectivity of this IRR.
 •Firearm - refers to any handheld or
portable weapon, whether a small arm or
light weapon, that expels or is designed to
expel a bullet, shot, slug, missile or any
projectile which is discharged by means
of expansive force of gases from burning
gunpowder or other form of combustion or
any similar instrument or implement. For
purposes of the law, the barrel, frame
or receiver is considered a firearm.
•Small Arms -
refer to firearms intended to be
primarily designed for individual use or that which
is generally considered to mean a weapon intended
to be fired from the hand or shoulder, which are not
capable of fully automatic bursts of discharge.
 3 kinds of Small Arms as defined;
1) Handgun is a firearm intended to be fired from
the hand, which includes:

a) Pistol - is a hand-operated firearm

having a chamber integral
with or permanently aligned
with the bore which may be
self-loading.
b) Revolver - is a hand-operated firearm
with a revolving cylinder containing
chambers for individual cartridges.
2) Rifle - which is a shoulder firearms or
designed to be fired from the shoulder that
can discharge a bullet through a rifled
barrel by different actions of loading, which
may be classified as lever, bolt, or self-
loading.
3) Shotgun - which is a weapon designed,
made and intended to fire a number of ball
shots or a single projectile through a
smooth bore by the action or energy from
burning powder.
•2 Kinds of Light Weapons are:
1) Class-A Light weapons which refer to self-
loading pistols, rifles, carbines, submachine guns,
assault rifles and light machine guns not exceeding
caliber 7.62MM which have fully automatic mode; and
2) Class-B Light weapons which refer to
weapons designed for use by two (2) or more
persons serving as a crew, or rifles and machine
guns exceeding caliber 7.62MM such as heavy
machine guns, handheld under barrel and mounted
grenade launchers, portable anti-aircraft guns,
portable anti-tank missile and rocket systems,
portable launchers of anti-aircraft missile systems,
and mortars of a caliber of less than 100MM;
• Major Parts or Components of a Firearm -
refer to;
1. barrel, 2. slide, 3. frame, 4. receiver,
5. Cylinder, 6. or the bolt assembly.
The term also includes any part or kit
designed and intended for use in converting
a semi-automatic burst to a full automatic
firearm;
•Minor Parts of a Firearm - refer to the parts of
the firearm other than the major parts which
are necessary to effect and complete the
action of expelling a projectile by way of
combustion,
•Ammunition - refers to a
complete unfired unit consisting
of a bullet, gunpowder,cartridge
case and primer or loaded shell
for use in any firearm;
• Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.

Bullet Should
fit The barrel

SIG .357 .357 Magnum

A SIG .357 caliber

ammunition is not compatible
Blown out slide & barrel
at Magnum .357 caliber.
Due to wrong ammo
 - is a part of
a firearm
that stores
one or more
ammunition.
 - is a device attached in the belt that
securely holds the magazine of a firearm. It
may be single, double, triple or more.
1. Triple Magazine
Pouch

2. Double Magazine
Pouch

3. Single Magazine
Pouch
1. Bullet Loop
2. Speed Loader
3. Moon Clip
3. Jet Loader
Marksmanship and Combat
Shooting

FIREARM SAFETY
The Four (4) Basic Cardinal Rules of
Gun Safety

CONSIDER EVERY
1. GUN AS LOADED.
Never let the muzzle of a gun
point at anything that you do
2. not intend to shoot.
 3.

X
Keep your
finger
off the
trigger
unless you
are ready to
fire.
 Be sure of your target
4. and what lies beyond
and around it
before you shoot.
Indoor Firing Range Outdoor Firing Range
The previous 4 cardinal rules is a general
safety rule for Firearms and are
presumed that you may be in the firing
range or in an encounter.
 Butif you’re at home or office wanting to
check or practice dry firing or will clean
your firearm/s? What shall be done to
check if it is really loaded or not? since
you considered it loaded in the first
place?.
1. “UNLOAD” –Remove the inserted magazine if any.
(This should be done in a safe place, that no one is
within the danger zone. Observe that the muzzle
must be pointed in a safe direction)
2. Check “CHAMBER” (rack the slide back
for pistol / open cylinder for revolver /
open bolt or action for rifle or shotgun and hold)

o
 -Visually inspect the chamber for presence of
bullet or if ammunition is chambered or not.

Chamber Clear of
Ammo

-If none, lock the slide or open cylinder or open

bolt or open action. Make the FA safe.
 Bullet stocked on
Chamber

-In case there is ammunition stocked on

chamber, do all necessary safe procedure to
rectify or remove the bullet, otherwise, chamber
clearing is not completed.
3. If you don’t know how to rectify or remove
the stocked bullet in the chamber, make
the firearm safe, and seek person
knowledgeable in solving the problem.
Question!!
How many times you need to do this Gun
Safety Procedure?
◦Every time you releases the F.A. with
your both hand, you have to redo the FA
rule and clearing, especially during dry
fire exercises, until it become instinctive.
• Before handling any firearm, understand its operation
first.
• Never pass a firearm to another person, or accept a firearm
from another person, until the cylinder or action is open and
you've personally checked that the weapon is completely
unloaded.

• Safeguard your sight, hearing and health. Always wear eye

and ear protection.

• Always keep the safe distance from metal targets and the
likes.

• Always observe 45 deg. Danger Zone.

The 45 degrees – Muzzle Limit as Danger Zone.

• The muzzle of your Firearm/s must not point

beyond 45 deg - left, right, up or down in
reference to the back stop or downrange at all
times.
 • Never rely on any mechanical device for
safety.
• Be sure all accessories, such as holsters
and grips, are compatible with the
firearm and won't interfere with its safe
operation.

• Seek competent instructions from a

qualified person before beginning to
shoot. If questions arise later, after
you've been shooting for a period of
time, get answers to those questions
from a competent authority.
 Locate a safe place/area/direction in your
place where bullet has no chance to
ricochet when even you handle your
Firearm/s.
 Be sure that no one is within your 180

degrees in your front in reference to your

safe direction once you handle a Firearm.
 Best to be alone at your room when

handling your Firearm/s.

 Keep away any ammunition or place it in a

separate place while handling your Firearm.

The Principles
of
 Isthe skillful art of shooting and hitting a
target at a given range or known
distance.
Marksmanshipinvolves the
proper combination of 5
elements:
1. Stance
2. Grip
3. Breath Control
4. Sight alignment
5. Trigger control
1. STANCE - A good stance maximizes control while shooting. It
provides balance, instability, which are maximized when there’s
the least strain on muscle.
a. Equilibrium and Stability
b. Head Position
c. Proper Stance
-The legs should be straight but
not tense, with the knees just
slightly flexed and relaxed
-The hip should be labeled and in a
natural position.
- Hand and shoulder should be relaxed
but no unnatural tilt of the head.
A. Weaver Style:

B. Isoceles Style”
2. GRIP - A proper Grip provide the shooter with
maximum control of the FA. To maintain natural
sight alignment, the FA must be held firmly.
The shooter spread
the index finger, and
the thumb of the
shooting hand apart,
to form a “V”,
with the thumb held
slightly lower than the
index finger.
The web or “V” of
the shooting hand
is pushed directly
at the highest point
of the FA back
strap. Back Strap
 The lower 3 fingers, are
wrap around the FA, it
should not be too tight to
maintain a relaxed
trigger finger.
 Check trigger finger if it
lands on the right point
of your finger. (Normally,
it should land in first
bone to first joint)
 As a manner of safety, the
trigger finger is never placed
inside the trigger guard, or in
the trigger unless the shooter is
ready to fire.
 The thumb and the trigger finger should exert very
little pressure. As the tightening of the muscle,
controlling the thumb will cause tightening of the
muscles controlling the trigger finger.
Two hand shooting allows better control of the FA.
The none shooting hand is wrapped around with
palm touching the grip.

Pressure exerted by the none shooting hand might

be equal or slightly greater than the shooting hand
allowing better grip.
 3. BREATH CONTROL - Breathing properly
while shooting is essential. In - hale,
ex-hale – fire. In this manner, the
breathing muscle is relaxed.
 The object of proper breath control is to

enable the shooter to hold his/her breath

with a comfortable feeling long enough to
fire one shot slow fire; five shots in twenty
seconds timed fire; or five shots in ten
seconds rapid fire without loss of the ability
to hold still or concentrate on sight
alignment.
A person can prolong by several seconds his
respiratory pause, that is, hold his breath
comfortably for 15 - 20 seconds, without any
special labor and without experiencing
unpleasant sensations. This time is more than
adequate to produce a shot or shots.
4. SIGHT ALIGNMENT - Sight alignment is the
relationship in the rear sight and the front
sight as seen by the shooter.
• The front sight is centered in the rear sight
notch, and the top of the plane is labeled
with top of the rear sight.
•Sight picture is the relationship of
the rear sight and the front sight to
the target as seen by the shooter.
•The most common aiming point are the six
o'clock hold or the center hold.
Eye is focused on the Front Sight
Shooting: LOW HIGH RIGHT LEFT
5. TRIGGER CONTROL
•Trigger control is the fine pressure on the
trigger, so that the shot can be fired
with the least disturbance to sight
alignment.
• The part of the trigger finger, which falls naturally
in the trigger will vary in every shooters.
• The important factor are the uniformity of trigger
placement and the ability to apply pressure
straight to the rear.
• The trigger finger must be in an arc position to
avoid contact with side of the FA.
Ideal trigger finger placement may be modified to a
degree by the requirement that the grip provide a
natural alignment of the front and rear sights. The
shooter frequently must make a compromise to
overcome the undesirable effects of not being able to
utilize each factor to full advantage.

Correct Placement of the Index Finger on the Trigger.

(a) With Joint of Index Finger. (b) With First Bone Section
of Index Finger.
 The pressure put on the trigger must come
from independent movement of the trigger
finger only. The gripping fingers and the
thumb do not move or tighten. Keep the grip
pressure constant. Align the sight, settle into
your normal aiming area and exert positive,
uninterrupted, increasing pressure, straight
to the rear, until the hammer falls.
•There are 2 mistakes commonly made
while squeezing the trigger.

1. Jerking:
Jerking is attempting to make the pistol
fire in a certain movement by rapidly
applying pressure on the trigger.
2. Flinching:
Flinching is muscular tension in anticipation
of recoil shown by head movement, closing
the eyes, shoulder movement or a
combination of these movements.
Marksmanship is just any other ability, it can
be learned, it can be improve. Every shooter
must became thoroughly familiar with the basic
element of marksmanship.
The shooter must integrate these elements until
they become single comfortable and almost
instinctive process.
Familiarization comes from practice, and it never
ends.
Practice means dry firing at home, ensuring that the
gun is unloaded and aimed in a good backstop.
The other half of practice is actual firing on the
range, there is no substitute for practice, more
practice and still, more practice in developing
good marksmanship.
 &

RANGE ETIQUETTE
 Your ”RSO” (RANGE SAFETY OFFICER)
will be the authority in all your undertakings
in the entire exercises as an authorized
personnel by PNP-FEO-EEMD to coach
you in the entire actual Marksmanship
Shooting in the Range.
 We expect your sincere cooperation and

understanding.
 Playing and or malicious language during

the course of shooting exercises are not

allowed.
Never fail to ask your RSO from time to
time for any questions, clarification/s
and/or information you may need.

Note:
“Gun” refers to: 1. Pistol, Revolver,
Rifle or Shotgun or Firearm/s used.
“GROUND” means, lay your firearm on
ground, chair or table or flat form, which
ever is available. In Tagalog- “ilapag”.
 Your RSO will strictly implement the 45
degrees muzzle safe angle in the entire
proceedings, known as the:

45 deg. Limit Danger Zone.

 RSO
Conventional Range
Command
Your RSO and other range staff shall first
check the Range or downrange if it’s clear
before ordering shooter/s to the line.
“SHOOTER/S TO THE LINE”
- Shooter face forward together with your RSO
(coach) move to the firing line with their Gun
empty. Actions open and exposed to view,
muzzles’ pointed in a safe direction and fingers off
the trigger guard. Or holstered as the case
maybe.Thus the Line or Range becomes HOT.

 When on the line, Gun must be ground (holstered)

and wait for your RSO command. The line or Range
at this time becomes COLD.

(At this point, bullet may be loaded to the magazine

as part of the preparation. [not for revolver,
shotgun])
“SHOOTER/S READY?”
- Shooter will reply with “ready” or “not
ready”. Any query of the shooter/s should
be addressed and attended by your RSO to
make the shooter/s be ready or comply
with the procedures. Once ready, your RSO
will declare its status. (Shooter Ready!)
 “PICK UP YOUR GUN”
or “You may pick-up your Gun”
- The Line / Range becomes HOT.
- Shooter will pick up the Gun, verify the condition, make any
preparations with the empty Gun necessary for the shooting will
take place and await further instructions. Your RSO shall
observe muzzle control and maintain control of over all
ammunitions.
- In some ocasions your RSO may allow the Shooter to perform
dry fire exercise if requested. When finished, the shooter or
your RSO will confirm by “Shooter Ready?”
 “LOAD” “YOUR GUN”
• Shooter load the Gun chamber and
immediately swith on safeties without time
interval. Your RSO shall observe the full
implementation of the firearm safety and
etiquette.
• Your RSO may opt or allow to do sight
picturing if requested. (provided maximum
safeties shall be observed. Trigger fingering
is highly prohibited)
• Then Shooter shall assume a comfortable
(proper) firing position.
 “FIRE WHEN READY”
(If solo shooter is on the line)
or
“COMMENCE FIRING”
(If in relay or 2 or more shooters on the line)

Shooter raise the Gun to firing position. Perform

the proper sight alignment and fire when
ready.
Shooter may fire at his/her own will when ready
Squeeze (Press) the trigger. Maintain proper sight
alignment and sight picture until the projectile
{bullet, ball or pellet} hits the target.)
 “CEASE FIRE”
or

“STOP”
The shooter whether finished or not should
stop. The cease fire command must be
obeyed immediately without time interval,
even if a shot is nearly ready. It is complex
and will need step-by-step reinforcement
until it is nearly reflexive. Your RSO must
observe this command obeyed at once.
Cease Fire or Stop Command is issued for
any number of reasons:

◦ Shooter as per your RSO is finished

◦ It could be safety related
◦ Either the shooter has done something
unsafe.
◦ Spectator is in a dangerous position.
◦ If your RSO needs to communicate to the
shooter with urgency.
 “MAKE YOUR GUN SAFE”
The Shooter unload or remove magazine
inserted / remove ammunition on chamber. Make sure
all ammunition are removed from the Gun. Place the
safety in “on” or “safe” position or slide lock/open
cylinder/action/bolt. Your RSO shall observe if
shooter exercise safeties
In cases were the shooter can’t rack the slide
back to remove bullet on the chamber, shooter switch
safety on and/or ground the Gun and/or your RSO
shall assist you.
Ground the Gun, leaving the action/slide open,
as the targets maybe scored or verified.
“RANGE IS CLEAR”
Is given when Gun/s are ground and no one
handle or go closer or touching the Gun/s.
This is to notify other range personnel and/or
other shooter/s in the area. Change Targets
or Scoring may take place.
Gun/s must not be handled nor touched and
should remain ground until your RSO issue
“CLEAR THE RANGE then RANGE IS
CLEAR then ARE YOU READY and YOU
MAY PICK-UP YOU Gun” again.
 is a WARNING COMMAND
 Maybe given if there are still in the relay
line or multiple shooters are still shooting
while others are true.
 Or if need to freeze other shooters in the
line while rectifying problem/s or waiting
others to finish.
1. CLEAR THE RANGE
2. SHOOTER ON THE LINE
3. SHOOTER READY?
4. PICK UP YOUR GUN
5. LOAD
6. FIRE WHEN READY or COMMENCE FIRING
7. CEASE FIRE or STOP
8. MAKE YOUR GUN SAFE
9. RANGE IS CLEAR
1. CLEAR THE RANGE
2. LOAD and MAKE READY
3. ARE YOU READY?
4. STANDBY – wait the beep sound of timer
before drawing a handgun (Start signal)
5. IF YOU ARE FINISHED , UNLOAD and SHOW
CLEAR, IF CLEAR HAMMER DOWN,
HOLSTER
6. RANGE IS CLEAR
 "Firing Line is Cold“- No Gun/s are to be handled
nor be touched anything on the bench / ground
near the Gun/s or firing line. Shooter must be at
least half meter back of the firing line. Used to
allow shooters or range personnel to proceed
downrange to replace targets, etc.

 "Firing Line is Hot“- Shooters are in ready firing

condition which handles Gun/s and shoot targets.
Nobody is forward of the firing line.
 Always obey your RSO command at all times.
 Gun/s must be empty of ammunition when bringing in
onto the range premises.
 Loud Language - Loud or abusive language will not be
permitted. Shooter/s, scorers, range staff and your
RSO must limit their conversation directly behind the
firing line to official business only.
 Smoking - As a courtesy to shooter/s, smoking is
prohibited forward of the “Firing Line.“
 Clean up when you are finished. Don't leave a trashy
shooting station for the next shooter. Throw away any
ammunition packages, old targets, and other trash that
you have generated during your shooting session.
• Always announce that you are “firing” before
you start shooting to allow people on the area
to prepare before you fire.
• Make sure that your Gun/s is gun cased and unloaded
when you enter a shooting range.
• Always handle or bring your Gun/s if not in a case or
holster by holding the handgun covering the trigger
guard.
• Rifle/shotgun should be on gun case/bag. In case
none, open action/bolt visible and muzzel should
always be upward or downward at all times.
• Most Firing Ranges has “SAFETY AREA”. Handling of
Ammunition and loaded magazine/s is prohibited. This
area is exclusive for handling “Gun” only. (Gun casing
and/or uncasing, cleaning and checking Gun/s are
allowed). Observe Gun Safe Handling at all times.
1. Range Officer (RO) – issues range command,
oversees competitors compliance with the
written stage briefing and closely monitors safe
competitors action. He also declares the time,
scores and penalties achieved by each
competitor and verifies that these are correctly
recorded on the competitors score sheet under
the authority of a Chief Range Officer and
Range Master
2. Chief Range Officer (CRO) – is the primary authority
over all persons and activities in the course of fire
under his/her control, and oversees the fair, correct
and consistent application of these rules.
3. Stats Officer (SO) – supervises the stats room team,
which collects, sorts, verifies, tabulates and retains all
score sheets and ultimately produces provisional and
final results.
4. Quarter Master (QM) – distributes, repairs and
maintains all range equipment (e.g. targets, patches,
paint, props, etc other range needs like timers,
batteries, staplers, clipboards etc)
5. Range Master (RM) – has overall authority over all
persons and activities within te entire range, including
range safety, the operations of all courses of fire and
the application of these rules. All disqualifications and
appeals to arbitration must be brought to his attention.
6. Match Director (MD) – handles the overall
administration, including a squadding, scheduling,
range construction, the coordination of all support staff
and the provision of services. His authority and
decisions will prevail with regard to all matters except
in respect of matters in these rules which are the
domain of the Range Master.
1. Standing Firing Position
2. Kneel Firing Position
3. Prone Firing Position
1. BASIC COURSE – must not require more than
12 rounds to complete the course.
Course design and construction must
not more than 6 scoring hits from any single
location or view. The course is design for
training purposes.
2. SHORT COURSE – must nor require more
than 12 rounds to complete the course.
Course design and construction must not 9
scoring hits from any single location or view.
3. MEDIUM COURSE – must not require more
than 24 rounds to complete the course.
Course design and construction must not
more than 9 scoring hits from any single
location or view.
4. LONG COURSE – must nor require more
than 32 rounds to complete the course.
Course design and construction must not 9
scoring hits from any single location or view.
a) It develops basic gun handling skills.
b) It emphasizes individual performance
according to a given standard.
c) It reinforces basic skills
d) It provides abstraction or real situation
e) It evaluates individual skill against prescribed
standard.
 Marksman - - - - - - - - 75.00% - 85.00%
 Sharpshooter - - - - - - 86.00% - 96.00%
 Expert - - - - - - - - - - - 97.00% - 100%