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1. Basically, sharpness of vision depends upon the physical properties of the anatomy of the eye. The
physical condition of the eye determines primarily the greater or lesser accuracy of the image of the
object upon the retina. Those anatomical and physiological conditions determine how well we can see
the object. The sharpness of the image upon the retina is the impression received by the brain.
2. Sharpness of vision is usually determined by the minimum space that we are able to see between two
objects. In order for this space to be visible, it is necessary for at least one retinal element lying
between the images of those two points to be stimulated. Thus, the normal sharpness of vision is
generally considered to be that at which the eye can distinguish between two visible points at an
angle of one minute.
3. However, the anatomical dimensions of the retinal elements (the rods and cones) do not completely
determine the limit of visual acuity. Therefore, the visual acuity of the normal eye actually can be
considerably greater than the medical norm. Research works have shown that the average visual
acuity of the normal human eye, at one hundred yards under normal illumination, can distinguish
distance between objects separated from one another within the limits of 40 angular minutes. This
means that the normal eye can distinguish sufficiently clear, for example, a space of .1 inch between
the side of the front highs and vertical inside surface of the rear sight notch on the pistol sight at a
distance of one yard (the approximate distance to the muzzle and front sight). But the eye of an
experienced shooter can distinguish a considerably smaller space between two objects. A number of
experiments carried out by specialists attest to the greater accuracy of a trained shooter's sharpness
of vision. For example, the vertical space between front and rear sight against a white background
can be discerned down to the minute width of .01 inch.
4. Many experiments confirm that the sharpness of vision can be considerably increased by means of
exercises. This increase in the sharpness of vision is achieved by searching for new signs, new
criteria for recognizing the form of objects. Such a sign for shooters is undoubtedly their highly
developed sense of symmetry and visual memory.
5. Visual Memory: Therefore, in order to achieve symmetry, a visual memory of correct sight alignment,
with its symmetrical interrelationship of the front and rear sights, mainly, the equal amount of space
between each side of the front and rear sights and the levelness of their horizontal surface must be
ingrained into the mind and never violated. No shot should be fired with less than perfection. All these
factors, together with an existing sharpness of vision, will provide for accurate and consistent aiming
and the accurate calling of the shot.
6. Calling of the shot: Accurate calling of a shot is dependent upon exact recall of the mental image of
the sight alignment at the instant of firing. As demonstrated, the presence of 1/100th of an inch error
in sight alignment will result in approximately a 3 inch error from target center at 50 yards. Acute
awareness of the slightest degree of error in alignment is an absolute requirement of accurate shot
calls from a clear visual memory. The overwhelming majority of shooters try to see the front sight
sharply, and thus accept the blurring of the bull's eye. With the passage of time and with regular
practice, the eye develops the ability to obtain the identical space relationship between the front sight
and the rear sight and with increasing frequency can position the sights uniformly in the center of the
aiming area which is blurred and out-of-focus.
Eventually, the shooter develops his visual powers to such an extent that the eye will consistently
perform the act of aiming automatically and he can call his shots without error.
7. Changing degrees of accuracy: When the eye performs intensified work, not only the motor apparatus
of the eye, but also its light-sensory apparatus has reduced efficiency. When the glance is fixed
steadily upon some object, the eye possesses its greatest sharpness of vision for the first several
seconds, after which the sharpness of the image on the retina, that is, the clear seeing of it, gradually
decreases. Consequently, the shooter must not be captivated by excessively prolonged aiming,
since, after the elapse of 12-16 seconds, his eye ceases to notice certain inaccuracies in aiming. By
relying on the false assumption that the rear sight and front sight are in correct relationship to one
another, the shooter makes grievous errors without noticing and therefore, does not know why they
were committed.
a. If one calculates the time between the moment when the visual attention is concentrated on
obtaining the precise alignment of the front and rear sights and the moment when the shooter
makes the decision to positively press the trigger, the aiming process must not exceed 6-8
seconds.
b. When aiming, some shooters run their eye from the front sight to the rear sight notch and then to
the third object, the target, doing this quickly several times, until these three points are all located
on the same line. It must be said that his method of aiming causes rapid fatiguing of the muscular
apparatus of the eye and fails to provide a constant objective for the formation of a visual
memory. With this method of aiming it is very difficult for the shooter, for example, to conduct
rapid fire, which is very limited in time. He simply does not have time to run his eye back and forth
between objects located at varying distances. The shots may be fired when he is focused on any
of the three objects. Consistently accurate shot calls are impossible. Therefore, when aiming, the
shooter must strive to see only the front sight sharply and distinctly.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
ASSEMBLY AREA is a designated zone in the rear of the firing line, approximately 25 yards, where the
next relay of competitors can complete their preparations for the match and receive instruction and advice
from their coach or team captain.
AIMING AREA is the center area of the target as against an aiming point on the target which is extremely
difficult to attain due to the universal presence of movement in the shooter's hold.
BREATH CONTROL is the ability to temporarily suspend breathing while firing a shot without being
conscious of the need to take another breath. This awareness disturbs the shooter's concentration on
maintaining perfect sight alignment.
BALL AND DUMMY is a training exercise wherein the shooter makes an effort to employ all the control
factors for firing a good shot. The ammunition inserted into the pistol by the coach is a random selection
of live or dummy ammunition. This training aids the shooter in overcoming reaction to the recoil and loud
noise of firing, preventing uncontrolled reflexes from disturbing the hold, and perfecting sight alignment.
THE CENTER FIRE PISTOL FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION is similar to the pistol used in NRA
domestic competition. The trigger pull is three pounds as compared to the NRA requirement of 2 1/2
pounds. Caliber .38 is the normal size used.
DRY FIRING is a training exercise wherein the shooter employs all the factors of controlling the firing of
an accurate shot without using live ammunition.
FOLLOW THROUGH is the effort on the part of the shooter to continue the employment of the
fundamentals throughout the deliver of the shot exactly as they were planned and set-up.
THE FREE PISTOL is a special design of competitive weapon for achieving the ultimate in accuracy from
a handgun. It is 22 caliber long rifle. The majority of free pistols have a longer barrel than the normal [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]