Marine + 1911 vs Army Rifle Qualification: 250th Birthday Challenge!

Published on November 10, 2025
Duration: 22:16

This video details a marksmanship challenge where the US Army's 25-meter rifle qualification course is shot using a 1911 .45 ACP pistol. The instructor demonstrates prone supported and unsupported shooting positions, and later attempts standing positions. The challenge highlights the difficulty of engaging reduced-size targets with a pistol, especially with iron sights, and compares performance across different shooting styles.

Quick Summary

The US Army's 25-meter rifle qualification course, the Alt C, uses reduced-size targets to simulate longer engagement distances. Shooters must achieve a minimum score, with Marksman requiring 26-32 hits out of 40. Attempting this with a 1911 pistol proved challenging, with the instructor scoring 25 out of 40, one point shy of the Marksman standard.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: 250th Birthday Challenge
  2. 00:14US Army 25m Alt C Rifle Qualification
  3. 00:31Understanding the Alt C Target
  4. 01:40Setting up the 25 Meter Range
  5. 02:06The 1911 .45 ACP Pistol
  6. 02:35Stage 1: Prone Supported
  7. 05:04Prone Supported Results
  8. 05:24Stage 2: Prone Unsupported
  9. 07:43Prone Unsupported Results & Qualification
  10. 09:00Attempting Standing Bullseye Style
  11. 11:20Challenges of Iron Sights
  12. 13:37Standing Bullseye Results
  13. 14:14Final Standing Score & Analysis
  14. 15:09Hammerli 208 .22LR Challenge
  15. 17:30Hammerli 208 First String Results
  16. 18:32Hammerli 208 Second String
  17. 20:21Hammerli 208 Final Results
  18. 21:22Challenge Recap & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the US Army's 25-meter rifle qualification course?

The US Army's 25-meter rifle qualification course, known as the Alt C, uses reduced-size targets that simulate engagement distances of 250m and 300m. Shooters engage these targets from various positions within a time limit, aiming to achieve a minimum score for qualification.

How difficult is it to shoot the Army rifle qualification with a 1911 pistol?

Shooting the Army rifle qualification with a 1911 pistol is significantly challenging due to the reduced target size and the inherent difficulty of pistol marksmanship compared to a rifle. The instructor found it difficult to achieve high scores, barely missing the Marksman qualification with a score of 25 out of 40.

What are the qualification standards for the US Army rifle course?

The qualification standards for the US Army rifle course are typically divided into categories: Expert (38-40 hits), Sharpshooter (33-37 hits), and Marksman (26-32 hits). Scores below Marksman are considered a failure to qualify.

What are the advantages of the Hammerli 208 over a 1911 for marksmanship?

The Hammerli 208 offers advantages like a lighter 2-lb trigger and a longer sight radius compared to a typical 1911's 4-lb trigger. These features can make it easier to achieve better accuracy and a higher score, especially for precision shooting.

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