As a Seabee armed with the .45-caliber pistol, you must be familiar with the types of ammunition for your pistol and be able to identity each type of ammunition. A pistol cartridge is a complete assembly consisting of all the components necessary to fire the weapon once; that is, the cartridge case, bullet, propellant powder, and primer.

The types, uses, and means of identification of the ammunition used in the .45-caliber pistol are the following:

1. Ball cartridge, M1911, is for use against personnel and light material targets. The ball round consists of a metal jacket surrounding a lead alloy core. The bullet tip is unpainted.

2. Blank cartridge, M9, is used to simulate fire and for salutes. This cartridge can be fired single shot only in the pistol. You can identify it by the absence of a bullet and by its tapered mouth.

3. Dummy cartridge, M1921, is used for training personnel in the operation of loading and unloading the pistol and for testing weapons. It is used also in marksmanship training by mixing it with live ammunition during instruction practice firing. You can identify this cartridge by the empty primer pocket and the two holes in the cartridge case.

4. Tracer cartridge, M26, is used for observation of fire. Secondary uses are for incendiary effect and for signaling. The cartridge consists of three parts: (1) a copper-plated, or guiding metal-clad, steel jacket; (2) a slug of lead, hardened with antimony (a chemical hardening element); and (3) a tracer mixture in the rear . portion of the jacket. For identification, the bullet is painted red for a distance of approximately three-sixteenths of an inch from the tip.

Small arms ammunition is generally safe to handle. However, you must protect the ammunition you are using from mud, sand, dirt, and water. Keep it clean, dry, and ready for use.

Do NOT oil or polish pistol cartridges.

Do NOT expose the ammunition to direct sunlight for any length of time. If the powder is heated, excessive pressure develops when the weapon is fired. This condition affects the accuracy and the operation of the weapon.

Do NOT attempt to fire cartridges that have dents, scratches, loose bullets, or corroded cases. If any cartridges are defective, turn them in to your supply point. Do not throwaway or attempt to destroy defective ammunition.

Do NOT strike the primer of a cartridge; it may ignite and cause injury.