Excellent practical suggestions and information is contained in Chapter V, devoted to Pistol Practice, in "The Landing Force and Small Arms Instructions," edition 1911.
DIGEST OF WAR DEPARTMENT TESTS OF AUTOMATIC PISTOLS
The board of officers appointed by the Secretary of War (Special Order No. 305, Dec. 28, 1906) to test automatic pistols and revolvers met at the Springfield Armory, Springfield, Mass., on January 15, 1907. The board consisted of: Col. Philip Reade, 23rd Infantry; Maj. Joseph T. Dickman, 13th Cavalry; Capt. Guy H. Preston, 13th Cavalry; Capt. Ernest D. Scott, Artillery Corps, and Capt. John H. Rice, Ordnance Department.
The weapons referred to the board by the Chief of Ordnance for examination and test with their weights (unloaded) were as follows:
_Automatic Pistols, Caliber .45_ _Lbs._ _Oz._ The Colt 2 2½ The Luger 2 8 The Savage 2 3 The Knoble (single action) 2 11½ The Knoble (double action) 2 10½ The Bergmann 2 3½ The White-Merrill 2 6½
_Double Action Revolvers, Caliber .45_ The Colt 2 7 The Smith & Wesson 2 6
_Automatic Revolver, Caliber .45_ The Webley-Fosbury 2 10
PROGRAMME OF TESTS OF AUTOMATIC PISTOLS[21]
1. Examination of pistol as to design, appearance, balance, suitability for mounted troops, etc.
2. Special examination as to safety features.
3. Dismounting and assembling. The times required for each of the following operations:
(a) To dismount the breech and magazine mechanism, with the exception of the magazine catch.
(c) To assemble, except the breech and magazine mechanism.
5. The number and kind of tools required to dismount and assemble.
6. Twenty rounds to be fired to observe working of pistol. The above tests will be made with the pistol in the hands of and operated by the inventor or his representative, if present.
8. Accuracy and penetration at 75 feet; 10 shots for accuracy, 5 for penetration.
9. Rapidity with accuracy; target 6 by 2 feet, range 100 feet. Number of shots fired to be three times the capacity of clip. Pistol fired from hand. Time and number of hits to be noted in each case. To be conducted by representative of company, if present. Firing to begin with chamber and magazine empty, and clips or holders arranged as desired by firer.