Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

FBI rifle firing speed and accuracy tests

Three FBI firearms experts tested the assassination rifle to determine the maximum speed at which it could be fired, rather than to replicate the assassination conditions. The three experts each fired three shots from the weapon at 15 yards in 6, 7, and 9 seconds, and one agent, Robert A. Frazier, fired two series of three shots at 25 yards in 4.6 and 4.8 seconds. At 15 yards, each man’s shots landed within an area the size of a dime. Frazier’s shots at 25 yards landed within areas of 2 inches and 5 inches respectively. Frazier later fired four groups of three shots at 100 yards in 5.9, 6.2, 5.6, and 6.5 seconds, with each series landing within 3 to 5 inches in diameter. Although the shots were a few inches high and to the right due to a defect in the scope, the FBI agents could have compensated for this if aiming at a bull’s-eye; instead, they were testing firing speed and shot grouping. Frazier testified that while he could not determine when the defect occurred, a person familiar with the weapon could compensate for it. The defect would have assisted an assassin aiming at a target moving away, as Frazier explained that the high-set crosshairs would compensate for any necessary lead, though it would cause a slight miss to the right. This was notable because the President’s car was curving slightly to the right when the third shot was fired.

Expert testimony on rifle accuracy and Oswald’s marksmanship capability

Based on the tests conducted, the experts agreed that the assassination rifle was accurate. Simmons described it as “quite accurate,” comparing it favorably to current military rifles. Frazier testified that the rifle was accurate, had less recoil than the average military rifle, and that one would not have to be an expert marksman to have accomplished the assassination with the weapon used.

Conclusion on Oswald’s capability to commit the assassination

The various tests established that the Mannlicher-Carcano was an accurate rifle and that the four-power scope substantially aided rapid, accurate firing. Oswald’s Marine training in marksmanship, his other rifle experience, and his familiarity with this particular weapon demonstrated that he possessed ample capability to commit the assassination. Marine marksmanship experts Major Anderson and Sergeant Zahm concurred that Oswald had the capability to fire three shots with two hits within 4.8 to 5.6 seconds. Regarding the shot striking the President in the back of the neck, Sergeant Zahm testified that with Oswald’s equipment and ability, “it was a very easy shot.” Having fired this shot, the assassin was required to hit the target one more time within 4.8 to 5.6 seconds. The Commission concluded that Oswald was capable of accomplishing this second hit even if there was an intervening missed shot. The probability of a second hit would have been markedly increased if Oswald had missed the first or third shot, leaving a 4.8 to 5.6 second window between the two successful shots. The Commission agreed with Zahm’s testimony that it was “an easy shot” to hit some part of the President’s body, and that the expected hit zone at that range would include the President’s head.

Final Commission findings and conclusion on Lee Harvey Oswald as assassin

On the basis of the evidence reviewed in the chapter, the Commission found that Lee Harvey Oswald: (1) owned and possessed the rifle used to kill President Kennedy and wound Governor Connally, (2) brought this rifle into the Depository Building on the morning of the assassination, (3) was present at the time of the assassination at the window from which the shots were fired, (4) killed Dallas Police Officer J. D. Tippit in an apparent attempt to escape, (5) resisted arrest by drawing a fully loaded pistol and attempting to shoot another police officer, (6) lied to the police after his arrest concerning important substantive matters, (7) attempted to kill Maj. Gen. Edwin A. Walker in April 1963, and (8) possessed the capability with a rifle that would have enabled him to commit the assassination. On the basis of these findings, the Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald was the assassin of President Kennedy.