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UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
FIELD MEDICAL TRAINING BATTALION EAST
Camp Lejeune, NC 28542-0042
FMSO 213
SERVICE PISTOL FAMILIARIZATION
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Given a service pistol, 15 rounds of ammunition, and stationary targets at 15 yards, engage
targets with the service pistol to strike the target without any safety violations. (HSS-MCCS-
2003)
2. Given a service pistol, cleaning gear and lubricant, perform operator maintenance for the
service pistol in accordance with TM 1005A-10/1. (HSS-MCCS-2002)
3. Given a service pistol and ammunition, perform weapons handling procedures with the service
pistol, to return the weapon to action. (HSS-MCCS-2001)
ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Without the aid of reference, given a description or list, identify the characteristics of the M9
service pistol, within 80% accuracy, per the student handout. (HSS-MCCS-2001a)
2. Without the aid of reference, given a description or list, identify the components of the M9
Service Pistol, within 80% accuracy, per student handout. (HSS-MCCS-2001b)
3. Without the aid of reference, given a description or list, identify the safety features of the
M9 Service Pistol, within 80% accuracy, per the student handout. (HSS-MCCS-2001c)
4. Without the aid of references, given a description or list, identify the weapons conditions of
the M9 Service Pistol, within 80% accuracy, per student handout. (HSS-MCCS-2001d)
5. Without the aid of references, given a description or list, identify the weapons commands for
the M9 Service Pistol, within 80% accuracy, per the student handout. (HSS-MCCS-2001e)
6. Without the aid of references, given a description or list, identify the procedures of remedial
action for the M9 Service Pistol, within 80% accuracy, per the student handout. (HSS-MCCS-
2001f)
7. Without the aid of reference, given a description or title, disassemble the service pistol and
magazine, without error, per MCRP 3-01B, Pistol Marksmanship. (HSS-MCCS-2002a)
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8. Without the aid of reference, given a description or title, clean and inspect the service pistol,
without error, per MCRP 3-01B, Pistol Marksmanship. (HSS-MCCS-2002b)
9. Without the aid of reference, given a description or title, reassemble the service pistol and
magazine, without error, per MCRP 3-01B, Pistol Marksmanship. (HSS-MCCS-2002c)
10. Without the aid of reference, given a description or title, identify the four safety rules of
weapons, without error, per MCRP 3-01B, Pistol Marksmanship. (HSS-MCCS-2003a)
11. Without the aid of reference, given a service pistol, demonstrate the two basic weapons
carries, without omission, per MCRP 3-01B, Pistol Marksmanship. (HSS-MCCS-2003b)
12. Without the aid of reference, given a service pistol, a loaded magazine and the necessary
equipment at an approved pistol range, fire the service pistol, without any safety violations, per
MCRP 3-01B, Pistol Marksmanship. (HSS-MCCS-2003c)
1. DESCRIPTION - The M9, 9mm pistol is a semi-automatic, magazine-fed, recoil-operated,
double-action weapon, chambered for the 9mm cartridge.
2. CHARACTERISTICS - The characteristics of the M9, 9mm pistol are as follows:
(a) Weight with full magazine:
2.54 lbs.
(b) Weight with empty magazine:
2.12 lbs.
(c) Magazine capacity:
15 rounds
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(d) Maximum range:
1,800 meters
(e) Maximum effective range: 50 meters
(f) Trigger-pull, single action:
4 to 6.5 lbs.
(g) Trigger-pull, double action:
7.5 to 16.5 lbs.
3. THE FOUR SAFETY RULES
(a) Treat every weapon as if it were loaded
(b) Never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to
shoot
(c) Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you
are ready to fire
(d) Keep the weapon on safe until you intend to fire
4. SAFETY FEATURES
Firing pin block - Physically blocks movement of the firing pin unless the trigger is held
to the rear, raising the block out of the way.
Ambidextrous Safety - Lowers the hammer when applied without the danger of
discharging the weapon. Rotates the firing pin striker out of alignment with the firing pin
so that no force can be accidentally applied to the firing pin. The hammer cannot be
cocked with the safety in the "SAFE" position.
Half-cock Notch - Stops the hammer from accidentally falling fully forward should the
full-cock notch be stripped. Also catches the hammer should the cocking cycle be
interrupted in the double-action fire mode.
Extractor / loaded chamber indicator- When a round is in the chamber, the head of the
extractor projects out from the surface of the slide, indicating a loaded weapon.
5. NOMENCLATURE
(a) Firing pin block
(b) Extractor / loaded Chamber indicator
(c) Trigger
(d) Front sight
(e) Slide assembly
(f) Disassembly lever
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(g) Slide stop
(h) Rear sight
(i) Ambidextrous safety
(j) Hammer
(k) Receiver
(l) Grip
(m) Lanyard loop
(n) Magazine (seated)
(o) Magazine catch assembly
(p) Disassembly button
6. WEAPON CONDITIONS
(a) Condition Four
(1) Magazine Removed
(2) Chamber Empty
(3) Slide forward
(4) Weapon on safe
(b) Condition Three
(1) Magazine Inserted
(2) Chamber Empty
(3) Slide forward
(4) Weapon on safe
(c) Condition Two
(1) Not Applicable to the M9 Service Pistol
(d) Condition One
(1) Magazine Inserted
(2) Round in Chamber
(3) Slide forward
(4) Hammer down
(5) Weapon on safe
7. DISASSEMBLY
Disassembly of the M9 service pistol consists of field stripping into the four main groups for
operator maintenance. No tools are required, and further disassembly is not authorized for the
operator. Parts are machined to close tolerances, and disassembly must be carried out in the
prescribed manner to prevent damage to the weapon.
(a) The first step in disassembly is to ensure the weapon is clear! Then allow the slide to travel
forward by depressing the slide stop.
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(b) With the pistol in the right hand and the muzzle slightly elevated, use the left hand to
depress the disassembly lever release button and rotate the disassembly lever downward until it
stops.
(c) Pull the slide and barrel assembly forward and remove
(d) Compress the recoil spring and spring guide, and lift and remove it from the slide and
barrel.
(e) Separate the recoil spring from the spring guide.
(f) Push in on the locking block plunger while pushing the barrel forward slightly. Lift and
remove the locking/barrel assembly from the slide
(g) This completes general disassembly or field stripping. Notice that the weapon is
disassembled into four groups. These are the four main groups of the weapon: the (a) locking
block/barrel group, (b) the slide group, (c) the recoil spring and spring guide group, and (d) the
receiver group.
8. CLEANING AND INSPECTION
Cleaning will be conducted with the weapon field stripped. The recommended cleaning agent is
CLP (Cleaning, lubricate, protective). During the cleaning process do not allow the hammer to
Slide Assembly - Clean with cloth, the All Purpose (AP) brush, and CLP. Remove all excess
dirt and carbon. Ensure the breech face; slide grooves, safety, and extractor are free of dirt and
residue.
Locking block / barrel group - Always clean the barrel from the chamber end first. Use a bore
brush to loosen deposits and then swab with a cleaning patch and CLP. Continue this process
until a clean patch no longer picks up deposits or residue. Clean the locking block with the AP
brush.
Recoil spring and spring guide - Use the AP brush, cloth, and CLP. Be careful not to stretch,
bend, or crimp the spring.
Receiver group - Use cloth and the AP brush with CLP to clean. Pay special attention to the
disassembly lever, trigger, slide stop, hammer, and magazine release button.
Magazine- Wipe off the magazine tube and the follower with a cloth. Clean the magazine tube
and follower with CLP and an All-purpose brush. With a cloth, wipe the magazine spring,
bottom plate retainer, and bottom plate clean. Apply a light coat of CLP.
9. REASSEMBLY
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As with most small arms, reassembly of the M9 is the reverse of disassembly.
(a) First, replace the barrel by placing it in the inverted slide, muzzle end first, and then
dropping the locking block end into place.
(b) Insert the recoil spring guide into the recoil spring. Then replace the assembly in the bottom
of the slide by placing the spring into the recoil spring housing and compressing it until the
spring guide will fully seat into the locking block cut out.
(c) Line up the rear of the slide with the front of the receiver guide rails and push the slide and
barrel assembly until the rear of the slide is slightly past the rear of the receiver.
(d) Rotate the disassembly latch upward until it clicks in place.
10. WEAPONS COMMANDS
Load - Takes the weapon from condition FOUR to condition THREE.
Make ready - Takes the weapon from condition THREE to condition ONE.
Fire - Engage target(s).
Cease-fire - Cease target engagement.
Unload - Take the weapon from any condition, to condition FOUR.
Unload, show clear – having someone else verify weapon is clear.
11. WEAPONS CARRY
As the threat level increases, so should the Marine’s readiness for engagement. Weapons carries
are designed to place the Marine in a state of increased readiness as the threat level increases.
There are two carries with the pistol: the Alert and the Ready. The carries permit quick
engagement when necessary.
Alert Carry - used when enemy contact is likely (probable).
Ready Carry – used when there is no target, but contact with the enemy is imminent.
12. REMEDIAL ACTION
The M9 service pistol is an effective and extremely reliable weapon. Proper care and preventive
maintenance usually ensures the pistol’s serviceability. However, stoppages, while infrequent,
do occur. To keep the pistol in action, stoppages must be cleared as quickly as possible through
remedial action. A malfunction cannot be corrected through remedial action by the shooter.
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Stoppage
Unintentional interruption in the cycle of operation.
Usually caused by operator error.
Malfunction
Failure of the pistol to perform as designed.
May be caused by operator error.
Usually will require an armorer to repair.
There is no one set of procedures (i.e., immediate action) that can be performed to clear all or
even most of the stoppages that can occur with the M9 service pistol. Therefore, remedial action
requires investigating the cause of the stoppage, clearing the stoppage, and returning the pistol to
operation. When performing remedial action, the Marine should seek cover if the tactical
situation permits. Once a pistol ceases to fire, the Marine must visually or physically observe the
pistol to identify the problem before it can be cleared.
If an audible pop or reduced recoil is experienced during firing, cease fire immediately. Do not
apply remedial action; keep weapon pointed down range, place on safe, raise hand for staff
assistance (if during training) or take cover and fix if in combat)
13. MARKSMANSHIP
The fundamentals of pistol marksmanship are aiming, trigger control, and breath control.
Understanding and applying the basic pistol marksmanship fundamentals ensures your
effectiveness in target engagement. The fundamentals must be continually studied and practiced
because they are the means by which accurate shots are placed on target. Maintaining the correct
relationship between the pistol sights is essential for accurate target engagement. Because of the
short distance between the pistol sights, a small error in their alignment causes a considerable
error at the target.
Marksmanship
Ability to hit the target where you want to using sight alignment and sight picture.
Sight Alignment
Front sight tip is centered with the read sight notch.
Sight Picture
Positioning of the weapons sights in relation to the target as seen by the shooter when aiming the
weapon.
Grip
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Key to acquiring sight alignment. If the grip is correct, the front and rear sights should align
naturally. Dry fire during presentation of the M9 service pistol aids in obtaining a grip that
allows sight alignment to be acquired consistently.
Stance
Proper stance is essential for correct sight alignment. You should have the same stance each
time you shoot.
The shooters body is bladed at approximately a 45 degree angle to the target
The feet should be about shoulder width apart from each other
