NCJ Number
172032
Journal
Law Enforcement Trainer Volume: 12 Issue: 6 Dated: (November/December 1997) Pages: 6-8
Date Published
1997
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes a variation of the basic "Immediate Action Drill," which is used to clear shooter induced, unintended interruptions of a semiautomatic pistol's function.
Abstract
The standard drill -- often verbalized as "Tap" ("Tap up firmly on the magazine"), "Rack" ("Rack the slide fully rearward and release"), "Ready" ("You are then ready to engage if warranted") -- may be used to clear the majority of stoppages, including no round chambered, misfire, and failure to feed. However, it will not always clear the other two most commonly encountered stoppages: the stovepipe and the double-feed. To correct these types of stoppages, police officers are generally taught two additional clearing drills. This article proposes one drill that is usually effective in correcting all of the aforementioned types of stoppages. In the first step ("Tap"), the support hand taps up sharply on the magazine to ensure it is seated. In the second step ("Invert"), the weapon is completely inverted, as the support-hand forefinger and thumb grip the rear of the slide securely. In steps three and four ("Rack"), the firing hand, trigger finger along the frame, punches the weapon forward, pulling the slide from the grasp of the support hand as the slide reaches maximum retraction position. The sharp action of this movement should cause any loose shell casing or misfed rounds to be dislodged. If necessary, the cleared weapon may be immediately fired while still inverted; or it may be quickly re-inverted and the support hand grip re-established ("Ready"). These steps are photographically illustrated in this article.