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APPENDIX A
COMBAT PISTOL QUALIFICATION COURSE

A-1. COURSE INFORMATION

a. The CPQC may be used for both the pistol and revolver (for use with revolvers see Appendix C). It requires the soldier to engage single and multiple targets at various ranges using the fundamentals of quick fire. If the CPQC is not available, training may still be sustained and qualification achieved by using the APQC or ARQC.

NOTE: For a picture of the CPQC, see FM 25-7.

b. For each table of the CPQC, the firer is afforded extra rounds to reengage targets that are missed. During the course, 30 targets are exposed to the firer. However, 40 rounds of ammunition are issued with which to engage the exposed targets. A soldier who can reengage a target with an extra round during the exposure time is just as effective as one who hits the target with one round. The firer is not penalized for using or not using the extra ammunition. All excess ammunition is turned in after the completion of each table and may not be used during subsequent tables.

c. Two magazine changes are required when firing the CPQC. For safety purposes, one magazine contains one round of ammunition and is loaded first. A target appears in front of the firer, and he engages it. Eight seconds later, another target appears. During the eight-second delay, the firer must reload the weapon and be prepared to engage the next exposed target. There are no commands from range personnel or coaches for the magazine change. If the firer fails to reload his pistol in time to engage the next target, it is scored as a miss. This exercise teaches the soldier to quickly and safely change his magazine by instinct under pressure.

NOTE: When using the M9 pistol, the firer fires the first round in the double-action mode for all tables.

d. The range to exposed targets does not exceed 31 meters from the firer. Target exposure times are as follows:

(1) Tables I, II, and III:

(a) Single targets - - - - - three seconds.

(b) Multiple targets - - - - five seconds.

(2) Tables IV and V:

(a) Single targets - - - - - two seconds.

(b) Multiple targets - - - - four seconds.

A-2. FIRING THE CPQC

NOTE: The target sequence is decided by the tower operators but is the same for all lanes. This prevents firers from getting ahead of firers in adjoining lanes. Target sequence will vary in distance from the firer, starting with 31 meters and allowing no more than two 7-meter targets.

a. Qualification tables are as follows:

NOTE: Tower controls all reloading for revolvers.

(1) Table I: One magazine with seven rounds, and five targets exposed. The standing position is assumed at the firing line with the weapon held at the ready position. Only single targets are exposed to the firer in this table. Target sequence is decided by the tower operator.

(2) Table II: One magazine with one round, one magazine with seven rounds, and six targets exposed. The firer assumes the same position on the firing line as in Table I. There are four single targets and one set of multiple targets exposed to the firer.

(a) The magazine with one round is loaded into the weapon--one target is then exposed to the firer.

(b) After firing the pistol, the firer must change magazines at once. Three seconds after the target appears, the target is lowered if not hit.

(c) Eight seconds later, another target appears. Again, the firer must engage this target in the required time, or it is scored a miss.

(3) Table III: One magazine with seven rounds is Loaded. Five targets are exposed--fired following rotation to another firing point. The firer assumes the same position on the firing line as in Tables I and II. Three single targets and one set of multiple targets are exposed to the firer. Target sequence is usually single, multiple, multiple, single, and multiple.

(4) Table IV: One magazine with five rounds is loaded. Four targets are exposed starting with the same position used in the previous tables. Two single targets and one set of multiple targets are exposed to the firer.

(5) Table V: One magazine with one round, one magazine with seven rounds, one magazine with five rounds, and ten targets exposed. The firer begins 10 meters behind the firing line in the middle of the trail.

(a) The magazine containing one round is loaded into the pistol. The firer places the magazine containing seven rounds in his magazine pouch where it is closest to the firing hand. The magazine containing five rounds is placed in the magazine pouch farthest from the firing hand.

(b) When the firer reaches the firing line, a single target is exposed for two seconds, then lowered if not hit. There is an eight-second delay to allow the firer to change magazines. The seven-round magazine should be loaded at this time.

(c) At the end of eight seconds, another single target is exposed to the firer. Again, should the firer not have loaded his second magazine in time to engage this target, it is scored a miss.

(d) When the tower operator is sure that the firing line has completed the magazine change, he gives the command, MOVE OUT. He exposes two sets of multiple targets at various ranges from the firer.

(e) After exposure of two sets of multiple targets, the pistol is reloaded with the five-round magazine. The command, MOVE OUT, is given; and the remaining targets are presented to the firer in sequence. After the last targets are hit or lowered, the weapon is cleared.

(f) The firer, holding the weapon in the raised pistol position with the slide to the rear, returns to the starting point and places the weapon on the stand. Excess ammunition is turned in to the ammunition point. The next order moves to the firing line.

b. The same course is fired for night qualification. It is based on a GO/NO-GO scoring system: 5 target hits equal a GO; 10 seconds are allowed for each round.

c. The same course is fired for NBC qualification. It is based on a GO/NO-GO scoring system: 7 target hits equal a GO; 10 seconds are allowed for each round.

NOTE: Night and NBC qualification is required IAW DA Pam 350-38.

A-3. CONDUCT OF FIRE

When the weapon is being fired, firers are issued the rounds required to fire a specific table. The following list of commands outlines a step-by-step sequence for conducting range firing on the CPQC.

a. Table I.

(1) The tower operator orders firers to move to the firing line in preparation for firing. The tower operator orders firers to position themselves next to the weapon stands and secure their weapons. Magazines containing seven rounds are issued to the scorers and given to the firers.

(2) The tower operator commands:

TABLE ONE, SEVEN ROUNDS.
LOAD AND LOCK.
READY ON THE RIGHT.
READY ON THE LEFT.
READY ON THE FIRING LINE.
UNLOCK YOUR WEAPONS.
WATCH YOUR LANE.

(3) The tower operator exposes the targets to the firers. When all targets have been exposed and engaged or lowered, the tower operator commands:

CEASE FIRE.
CLEAR ALL WEAPONS.
CLEAR ON THE RIGHT.
CLEAR ON THE LEFT.
THE FIRING LINE IS CLEAR.
FIRERS, PLACE YOUR WEAPONS ON THE STANDS.

(1) The tower operator orders firers to secure their weapons. One magazine of one round and one magazine of seven rounds are issued to the firers.

(2) The tower operator commands:

TABLE TWO, EIGHT ROUNDS.
LOAD AND LOCK.
READY ON THE RIGHT.
READY ON THE LEFT.
READY ON THE FIRING LINE.
UNLOCK YOUR WEAPONS.
WATCH YOUR LANE.

(3) The tower operator exposes the targets to the firers. When all targets have been exposed and engaged or lowered, the tower operator commands:

CEASE FIRE.
CLEAR ALL WEAPONS.
CLEAR ON THE RIGHT.
CLEAR ON THE LEFT.
THE FIRING LINE IS CLEAR.
FIRERS, KEEP YOUR WEAPONS POINTED UP
AND DOWNRANGE.
MOVE TO THE FIRING POINT TO YOUR
RIGHT.

c. Table III.

(1) The tower operator orders the firers to position themselves next to the weapon stands. One magazine of seven rounds is issued to the firers.

(2) The tower operator commands:

TABLE THREE, SEVEN ROUNDS.
LOAD AND LOCK READY ON THE RIGHT.
READY ON THE LEFT.
READY ON THE FIRING LINE.
UNLOCK YOUR WEAPONS.
WATCH YOUR LANE.

(3) The tower operator exposes the targets to the firers. When all targets have been exposed and engaged or lowered, the tower operator commands:

CEASE FIRE.
CLEAR ALL WEAPONS.
CLEAR ON THE RIGHT.
CLEAR ON THE LEFT.
THE FIRING LINE IS CLEAR.
FIRERS, PLACE YOUR WEAPONS ON THE STAND.

d. Table IV.

(1) The tower operator orders the firers to secure their weapons and move to the center of the trail. Firers are issued one magazine of five rounds.

(2) The tower operator commands:

TABLE FOUR, FIVE ROUNDS.
LOAD AND LOCK.
READY ON THE RIGHT.
READY ON THE LEFT.
READY ON THE FIRING LINE.
UNLOCK YOUR WEAPONS.
WATCH YOUR LANE.

(3) The tower operator exposes the targets to the firers. When all targets have been exposed and engaged or lowered, the tower operator commands:

CEASE FIRE.
CLEAR ALL WEAPONS.
CLEAR ON THE RIGHT.
CLEAR ON THE LEFT.
THE FIRING LINE IS CLEAR.
FIRERS, PLACE YOUR WEAPONS ON THE STAND
TO THE REAR OF THE FIRING LINE.

e. Table V.

(1) The tower operator orders the firers to secure their weapons. Firers are issued one magazine of one round, one magazine of seven rounds, and one magazine of five rounds.

(2) The tower operator commands:

TABLE FIVE, THIRTEEN ROUNDS.
LOAD AND LOCK.
READY ON THE RIGHT.
READY ON THE LEFT.
READY ON THE FIRING LINE.
PISTOLS AT THE READY POSITION.
UNLOCK YOUR WEAPON.
WATCH YOUR LANE.
MOVE OUT.

(3) The tower operator exposes the targets to the firers. He gives the firers the commands, WEAPONS AT THE READY POSITION and MOVE OUT, after each target or group of targets has been engaged.

(4) Upon completion of Table V, the tower operator commands:

CEASE FIRE.
CLEAR ALL WEAPONS.
CLEAR ON THE RIGHT.
CLEAR ON THE LEFT.
THE FIRING LINE IS CLEAR.
FIRERS, KEEP YOUR WEAPONS UP AND DOWNRANGE.
SCORERS AND FIRERS MOVE BACK TO THE
FIRING LINE AND PLACE YOUR WEAPONS
ON THE STAND.

(5) The tower operator has each scorer total the firer's scorecard and turn it in to the range officer or his representative. The firing orders are rotated and the above sequence continued until all orders have fired.

NOTE: For night qualification and NBC qualification, the same course is used. Ten seconds is allowed for each round.

A-4. ALIBIS

a. Alibis are fired at the completion of each table from the position where the alibi occurred. Fire commands that apply to the table are used to fire an alibi.

b. If a malfunction of weapon or targets occurs during firing from stationary positions, the firer reports the malfunction, and keeps his weapon pointed up and downrange. Should the malfunction occur during Table V, the firer keeps his weapon pointed up and downrange. He continues to move forward, keeping aligned with the firers to his right and left.

A-5. RULES

Rules governing firing the CPQC are as follows:

a. Coaching. Coaching is not allowed during record firing. No person may give or try to give help while the firer is taking his position or after he has taken his position at the firing point. Each firer must observe the location of the target in his own lane. During the instructional firing, the coach and assistant instructors should assist the firer in correcting errors.

b. Accidental Discharges. All shots fired by the firer are scored after he has taken his place on the firing lane. Even if the weapon is not directed toward a target or is accidentally discharged, a replacement round is not issued.

c. Firing on the Wrong Target. Shots fired on the wrong target are entered as a miss on the firing scorecard. A firer is credited with hits he attains in his own firing lane.

d. Firing After the Signal to Lower Targets. Any shot fired by a firer after targets start to lower are scored as a miss.

e. More Than One Shot Fired at an E-Type Silhouette Target. The firer is credited with a hit if the hit is made during the target exposure time. The number of rounds fired to obtain the hit is immaterial.

f. Excess Ammunition at the End of a Firing Table. Excess ammunition from each table is turned in to the ammunition point and not used by the firer for subsequent tables.

g. Target Sequence. The target sequence is decided by the tower operator but is the same for all lanes. This prevents firers from getting ahead of firers in adjoining lanes. Target sequence will vary in distance from the firer, starting with 31 meters and allowing no more than two 7-meter targets.

A-6. SCORECARD

a. Use. The scorecard outlines instructional firing and qualification firing (CPQC) (see Figure A-1). Numbers in column labeled TGT (target) are not the sequence in which targets are exposed. They are the numerical identification of targets to be engaged during each table of fire.

Figure A-1. Sample scorecard, DA Form 88.

b. Scoring. Each time a target is hit or killed, an X is placed in the column labeled HITs. The value of a hit is 10 points. Upon completion of firing the CPQC, the scorer totals and signs the scorecard. Qualification standards are listed in the bottom right corner on the record firing side of the scorecard. They are:

Expert - 260 to 300.
Sharpshooter - 210 to 250.
Marksman - 160 to 200.
Unqualified - below 160.
NBC and Night Firing is on a GO/NO-GO
scoring system and recorded in the
remarks column.
Night: 5 target hits = GO.
NBC: 7 target hits = GO.

c. Supply of Forms. DA Form 88 is available through normal publications supply channels.

A-7. TARGETS

Seven electric target device targets and E-type silhouettes for each firing lane are required. Aggressor figures may be superimposed on the silhouettes to add realism to the course of fire.

A-8. QUICK-TARGET TRAINING DEVICE

The QTTD may be procured locally. For durability and appearance, it should be made by the training aids section or an equally capable agency.