g system, there can be no excuse
for leaving a weapon charged when it can so easily be rendered harmless.

There are many theories as to the proper way to present a pistol or
revolver.

Every man has some idea upon the subject, and perhaps it would be well
to leave every one to his own devices; but at the same time a suggestion
here, as we are upon the subject, may not be out of place.

The French carry the weapon muzzle up, the lock of the piece in line
with the ear. Upon taking aim, the muzzle is gradually depressed till
the object it is desired to hit is covered. This is no doubt a very good
way; but when firing at any distance beyond a point-blank range it
necessitates, firstly, the depression of the muzzle to cover the object,
and secondly, the necessary elevation must be taken so that the ball may
be carried the required distance, and so _hit_ the object.

This position of holding the weapon when at practice commends itself on
the ground of safety.

The preferable way, perhaps, is the old duelling style; that is, to hold
the weapon muzzle down at the full extent of the right arm, standing
sideways or three-quarters left, showing as small a front as possible,
the eye to be fixed steadily upon the bull's eye or centre of the target
or object, then gradually raising the arm to the required elevation.
Should the distance be beyond the point-blank range, after covering the
bull's eye continue to elevate till the required elevation is reached:
by then steadily and firmly increasing the pressure of the second finger
on the trigger the desired result will be obtained. Suddenly drawing or
jerking the trigger should be avoided.

By the latter means the object is covered at the same time as the foot
of the target is covered, so that in the event of the trigger being
drawn before the bull's eye is reached the target will be hit, and
assuming the target to be a man he would be disabled and the object
gained. Another important reason for advocating the use of the second
finger in drawing the trigger is the fact that the weight of the
military revolver (2 lbs. 8 oz.), together with the power required to
draw the trigger (5 lbs. pull), by the long tension of the muscles of
the arm, in aiming, causes a vibration, so that the farther the bullet
has to travel the farther it is thrown off the centre of the objective.
The first finger, therefore, placed along the barrel or side of the
pistol, acting as a lever, tends to reduce a