QUALIFICATION CRITERIA FOR PISTOLS
1. Qualification Criteria. All Navy personnel armed with the pistol are required to qualify on the Navy Handgun Qualification
Course. Category I1 and above personnel are additionally required to qualify on the Handgun Practical Weapons Course and
Handgun Lowlight Course annually. Due to safety concerns, there are no requirements to fire the Handgun Lowlight Course
or the Handgun Practical Weapons Course while at sea. For IA's and deployed afloat commands, qualification/sustainment
may be extended until 2 months after return to unit when a range or simulator is not available.
Before each qualification shoot, all personnel shall receive training per paragraph 5 of this enclosure. If available, the Handgun
Practical Weapons Course and Handgun Low light Course of Fire (COF) shall be accomplished on a simulator programmed
with these COF1s. Personnel performing annual qualification in this manner shall perform the complete live-fire qualification
requirement at their next semi-annual sustainment point. Training records shall record and highlight that limited live fire training
and simulator training was used to fulfill the qualification requirement as specified in this paragraph.
2. Sustainment Criteria. All personnel must requalify with live fire annually. All personnel are also required to undergo
semiannual sustainment training between qualification shoots, not to exceed 8 months after the last live fire qualification. The
requirements for semiannual sustainment training are outlined in paragraph 7 of this enclosure.
3. Weapons Conditions for M9 and MI1 Pistols Condition
Condition 1 Safety on (Mg), slide forward, magazine inserted, round in chamber, hammer forward
Condition 2 Does not apply to M9 or MI1 pistol
Condition 3 Safety on (Mg), slide forward, magazine inserted, chamber empty
Condition 4 Safety on (Mg), slide forward, magazine removed,
4. Training Required.
Before each qualification fire and sustainment training session, all shooters shall receive instruction on marksmanship, safety,
and weapon familiarization. Before qualification fire, it is recommended that:
(a) shooters complete weapons CBT (designed by CENSECFOR).
(b) shooters complete and successfully pass each course of fire for each weapon using approved simulator where
available.
(c) shooters practice the marksmanship fundamentals by completing a minimum of three hours of dry fire or simulator
training before live firing as directed by the SAMI.
(d) Shooters shall also practice drawing from the holster, and MUST demonstrate the ability to safely handle and
present the weapon to the instructor before live firing.
(e) Shooters must also demonstrate knowledge of the four general safety rules, weapons commands, and weapon
condition codes before live firing.
5. Marksmanship Fundamentals.
Both the Weaver and Isosceles stances are permitted
6. Characteristics/Nomenclature.
(a) The assembly/disassembly of the M9 pistol as well as cleaning, lubricating, and function check,
(b) The assembly/disassembly of the MI1 as well as cleaning, lubricating, and function check
7. Course of Fire
(1) Three-Yard Line. Twelve rounds, standing position.
(a) On command of the RSO to load and make ready, the shooter inserts a 6-round magazine
into the pistol, makes a Condition 1 weapon, covers the hammer with the firing thumb, and
holsters the weapon. On command of the RSO to fire, the shooter draws the weapon,
fires 2 rounds in 4 seconds and continues to cover the target. On command of the RSO to
decock and holster, the shooter removes finger from the trigger, engages the decocking/safety
lever (M9) or decocking lever (Mll), covers the hammer with the firing thumb, and holsters the weapon.
(b) On command of the RSO to fire, the shooter draws and fires 2 more rounds in 4 seconds, and
continues to cover the target. On command of the RSO to decock and holster, the shooter removes
finger from the trigger, engages the decocking/safety lever (M9) or decocking lever (Mll), covers the
hammer with the firing thumb, and holsters the weapon.
(c) On command of the RSO to fire, the shooter draws the weapon, fires 2 rounds, immediately
releases the empty magazine (dropping to the deck), inserts a magazine of 6 rounds, releases the
slide forward, fires 2 more rounds, then covers the target. Time limit is 10 seconds for this sequence.
On command of the RSO to decock and holster, the shooter removes finger from the trigger, engages
the decocking/safety lever (M9) or decocking lever (Mll), covers the hammer with the firing thumb, and
holsters the weapon.
(d) On command of the RSO to fire, the shooter draws and fires the 4 remaining rounds in 8 seconds.
The first 2 rounds are fired from the strong hand supported position, and the last 2 rounds are fired from
the weak hand supported position (two handed, with the strong hand supporting the weak hand). Shooters
must keep the weapon pointed downrange at all times while switching hands. The shooter then covers the
target until instructed by the RSO to remove finger from the trigger, unload and show clear. After the
weapon has been verified clear by the shooter and Line Coach, the RSO will direct the shooters to release
the slide (Condition 4 weapon), verify the decocking/safety lever (M9) is in safe position or engaged the
decocking lever (Mll), cover the hammer with the firing thumb and holster.
(2) Seven-Yard Line. Twelve rounds, standing position, same sequences as the three-yard line.
(3) Fifteen-Yard Line. Twenty-four rounds, standing and kneeling positions.
(a) On command of the RSO to load and make ready, the shooter inserts a 12-round magazine into the
pistol, makes a Condition 1 weapon, covers the hammer with the firing thumb and holsters the weapon. On
command of the RSO to fire, the shooter draws the weapon, fires 2 rounds in 4 seconds and continues to
cover the target. On command of the RSO to decock and holster, the shooter removes finger from the
trigger, engages the decocking/safety lever (M9) or decocking lever (Mll), covers the hammer with the firing
thumb, and holsters the weapon.
(b) On command of the RSO to fire, the shooter draws and fires 2 more rounds in 4 seconds, and continues
to cover the target. On command of the RSO to decock and holster, the shooter removes finger from the
trigger, engages the decocking/safety lever (M9) or decocking lever (Mll), covers the hammer with the
firing thumb, and holsters the weapon.
(c) On command of the RSO to fire, the shooter draws and fires 4 rounds in 8 seconds, and continues to
cover the target. On command of the RSO to decock and holster, the shooter removes finger from the trigger,
engages the decocking/safety lever (M9) or decocking lever (Mll), covers the hammer with the firing thumb,
and holsters the weapon.
(d) On command of the RSO to fire, the shooter draws and fires 4 rounds, immediately releases the empty
magazine, (dropping to the deck), inserts a magazine of 12 rounds, releases the slide forward, fires 4 more
rounds in 20 seconds and continues to cover the target. On command of the RSO to decock and holster,
the shooter removes finger from the trigger, engages the decocking/safety lever (M9) or decocking lever
(Mll), covers the hammer with the firing thumb, and holsters the weapon.
(e) On command of the RSO to fire, the shooter first assumes a kneeling position and then draws, fires
8 rounds in 20 seconds, and continues to cover the target. The shooter then covers the target until instructed
by the RSO to remove finger from the trigger, unload, and show clear. After the weapon has been verified
clear by the shooter and Line Coach, the RSO will direct the shooters to release the slide (Condition 4
weapon), verify the decocking/safety lever (M9) is in safe position or engage the decocking lever and holster.
8. Summary Table -Navy Handgun Qualification Course
3 Yard Line (Rounds / Sequence / Remarks)
12 rounds
Draw & fire 2 rds/4 sec
Draw & fire 2 rds/4 sec Strong hand supported
Draw & fire 2 rds, reload 6 rds & fire 2 rds/10 sec
Draw & fire 4 rds/8 sec - 2 rds strong hand, 2 rds weak hand supported
7 Yard Line
12rounds
Draw & fire 2 rds/4 sec Strong hand supported
Draw & fire 2 rds/4 sec
Draw & fire 2 rds, reload 6 rds & fire 2 rds/l0 sec
Draw & fire 4 rds/8 sec - 2 rds strong hand, 2 rds weak hand supported
15 Yard Line
24 rounds
Draw & fire 2 rds/4 sec Strong hand supported
Draw & fire 2 rds/4 sec
Draw & fire 4 rds,8 sec
Draw & fire 4 rds, reload , 12 rds & fire 4 rds/20 sec
Draw & fire 8 rds/20 sec Kneeling
9. Scoring for the Navy Handgun Qualification Course.
For scoring use "K" values on the B-21 target or the regular printed values on the Transition Targets 11.
If the grease mark of the bullet (not the tear caused by the bullet) is located in the scoring areas of the
target, or touches the outside of a higher scoring ring, the higher value shall be counted.
Possible Score. ..........240
Minimum Qualifying Score ........180
Unqualified. ........ Less than 180
Sustainment Score. .36 hits in Scoring area (silhouette) of target