Before making the following test, inspect the pistol to ensure that the magazine is removed and the chamber is empty.

SAFETY LOCK. Cock the hammer and press the safety lock up into the SAFE position. Grasp the stock so that the grip safety is depressed and squeeze the trigger three or four times. If the hammer falls, the safety lock is not safe; and it must be replaced.

GRIP SAFETY. Cock the hammer, being careful not to depress the grip safety, and squeeze the trigger three or four times. If the hammer falls, the grip safety or sear spring must be replaced.

HALF-COCK NOTCH. Pull the hammer rearward until the sear engages the half-cock notch and squeeze the trigger. If the hammer falls, the hammer or sear must be replaced.

LOADING

Draw the pistol from the holster and hold it at the raised pistol position. Insert a magazine loaded with from one to seven rounds of ammunition. Grasp the slide with the left hand, thumb on the right side of the slide. Pull the slide fully to the rear, release, and press the safety lock up to the SAFE position with the left forefinger. Left-handed personnel should reverse the hand positions for this procedure.

FIRING

To fire the pistol right handed, press the safety lock down to the FIRE position with the left thumb to prevent disturbing the firing grip of the right hand. Left-handed Seabees should reverse the above thumb and hand directions to complete this procedure. Obtain the correct sight alignment and sight picture and squeeze the trigger. To fire successive shots, you must release the trigger and squeeze again. When the last cartridge from the magazine has been fired, the slide returns to the rear.

UNLOADING

To unload the pistol, hold it at the raised pistol position. Press the magazine catch and remove the magazine. If the slide is in the forward position, pull the slide to the rear, and push the slide stop up. Inspect the chamber to ensure that the pistol is clear. Press the slide stop down, allowing the slide to go forward. Keep the pistol at the raised pistol position, squeeze the trigger, and then holster the weapon.

MALFUNCTIONS

A malfunction is a future of the weapon to function satisfactorily. Malfunctions are classified as defects in the weapon that normally do not cause a break in the cycle of operation. You may discover a malfunction, for example, when the grip safety does not block the trigger or when the slide does not remain to the rear after the last round is fired.

STOPPAGES

A stoppage is any unintentional interruption in the cycle of operation. If the. pistol stops firing through no fault of yours or the weapon does not fire when you attempt to fire it, then a stoppage has occurred. Stoppages are classified as a malfunction of one of the eight steps in the cycle of operation given in the previous section. Stoppages are usually the result of worn parts or improper care of the weapon.