Single-Action Self-Loading Pistols
1. "GRIP" - The firing hand grips the weapon, and the support hand moves to a catching position which will eventually lead to the two-handed grip.
2. "CLEAR" - The firing arm lifts the pistol straight up until the muzzle clears the top edge of the holster. Do not exagerate this movement. The trigger finger remains straight and the safety remains on. The support-hand maintains its position at the "grip".
3. "CLICK" - Maintaining the approximate angle at "clear", rotate the arm forward at the shoulder. Advance the pistol towards the target until the forearm is slightly below horizontal, about halfway between the holster and the prepositioned support-hand. Disengage the safety - hence the "click" - but keep the trigger finger straight.
4. "SMACK" - The support-hand meets the firing-hand and the push-pull pressure begins. The trigger finger makes contact with the trigger, but does not apply pressure - it only touches it. The support side elbow still rests against the rib cage. To the casual observer, "smack" appears much like the Guard Position, but note two significant differences. At the "smack" of the presentation stroke, the safety is off and the trigger-finger touches the trigger. This is warranted since the weapon will be on target in a fraction of a second.
5. "LOOK" - This is the final step - the top - of the presentation stroke. The arms and hands deliver the pistol's sights to the line of sight between the master eye and intended point of impact on the target. The lightly sprung slack on the trigger is compressed on the way up (it is not part of the sear/hammer disengagement action). Visual focus shifts from the target to the front sight. The controlled application of pressure on the trigger provides a well-placed hit. (The combination of a swift, sure presentation and the use of the compressed surprise-break routinely provided our students two center on a dinner plate at seven yards, from the holster, in less than two seconds.)