Good books to read

Kevin_d77 · April 27, 2013, 10:59 PM

I know I have heard about some books that people say every shooter should read. I am interested to hear your opinions as I am currently in between books and looking for something good.

Thoughts/Opinions?

kraigwy · April 27, 2013, 11:40 PM

For the technical aspect, Hatcher's Notebook, MG J. Hatcher.

For pure marksmanship, Military and Sporting Rifle Shooting, by Cpt. Eward Crossman.

**4V50 Gary** · April 28, 2013, 12:34 AM

W. H. B. Smith's Small Arms of the World.

ljnowell · April 28, 2013, 12:43 AM

Sixguns by Elmer Keith
Hell, I was there by Elmer Keith
Good guns, Good Friends, Good Whiskey by Skeeter Skelton.

Reallym anything by those two men is fantastic reading. Be prepared to pay a pretty penny, none of thier books were produced in huge quantities and are all out of print now. Great reading though.

ClydeFrog · April 28, 2013, 04:03 AM

The "what books or DVDs/guides" subject comes up often on TFL.
Depending on your intended uses(LE, home protection, match shooting/target, hunting, gunsmithing, etc), there are sources out there.
Check here: www.deltapress.com www.paladin-press.com www.nra.org www.gunvideo.com www.magpul.com .
Noted authors include; Bill Jordan, Massad Ayoob, Clint Smith, Jim Cirello, Jeff Cooper, Robert Boatman; www.boatmanbooks.com .

CF

locnload · April 28, 2013, 05:56 AM

One that I, and many others always recommend to new people considering carrying a weapon for defense is "Principles of Personal Defense" by Jeff Cooper. People who come to a CCW class after reading this book and seriously considering its content are prepared to began learning about carrying a deadly weapon with them daily.

8MM Mauser · April 28, 2013, 06:46 AM

The "Art of the Rifle" by Jeff Cooper. It's not the best book instruction wise, but it's a great read. I owned a rifle for three years before I started shooting rifles: this book was what really got me into it.

MLeake · April 28, 2013, 09:11 AM

In the Gravest Extreme by Massad Ayoob. Lots of good ideas for interacting with the police after an incident, among other things.

Kevin_d77 · April 28, 2013, 09:56 AM

Excellent ideas! Thanks for the input! Now I just need to figure out which one and see if they have it for Nook or Kindle!

Evan Thomas · April 28, 2013, 09:58 AM

The Open Library of the Internet Archive is a great resource for hard-to-find books like those mentioned by ljnowell.

If a book is available in digital form, you can download it from them as a two-week loan. If not, it will locate libraries that have the book, so you can borrow a physical copy via inter-library loan. And it also links to internet booksellers that have the book.

**Spats McGee** · April 28, 2013, 10:04 AM

Thanks for the link to OpenLibrary, V! I can always use more free books. (Not that I've had time to read the ones I've already downloaded.)

shouldazagged · April 28, 2013, 10:16 AM

A.B. Zhuk, The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Handguns: Pistols And Revolvers Of The World, 1870 To The Present (Greenhill Books, 1995). "The present" is not up to date; but this is an amazing, informative book. Zhuk contributed to the designs of some guns, and was (is?) an incredible draftsman. There are no photos in the book, just over 2500 line drawings of fantastic accuracy and detail, and descriptions with a lot of historical background.

Ed Lovette, The Snubby Revolver: The EQC, Backup And Concealed Carry Standard (Paladin Press, 2005). Lovette, now a gun magazine columnist, is a former Special Forces officer, CIA paramilitary operative, and firearms consultant to a number of law enforcement agencies. This is a short book with a lot of good information, illustrative short case histories, and tactical ideas for those who, like me, like and carry these little guns.

Evan Thomas · April 28, 2013, 10:16 AM

You're welcome, Spats. The Open Library is a fantastic resource. The Internet Archive also has music, movies, TV shows... their goal is to digitize pretty much everything. And, yes, to archive the entire internet for posterity.

Closing The Gap · April 28, 2013, 11:29 AM

Those are fantastic resources Vanya. Thank you! Now I'll never get anything done...

LED · April 28, 2013, 12:03 PM

I doubt there is the gun bible every shooter must read. Many good books exist, sure. On a practical side, if you consider owning a handgun, Massad Ayoob is typically right on the money. He is a great authority on shooting techniques, as well as some brands such as Beretta, Glock, and Sig Sauer. Also the legal aspects of self defense. The other writer I came to trust is RK Campbell. He does (and publishes) his own ballistic tests. He is also an expert on the 1911.

I also have learned to pay attention to the writers credentials. Also some books are self published and may be way off the mark, other than personal fulfillment.

Jo6pak · April 28, 2013, 01:12 PM

"The Story of the Gun" by Ian Hogg

Or anything by Ian V. Hogg for that matter

bbqbob51 · April 28, 2013, 03:27 PM

I love R.L. Wilson's coffee table books on different firearms manufacturers and topics. I own his books on Beretta, Ruger, Colt, Winchester, Peacemakers, Silk and Steel (about women and guns), Steel Canvases (about fine engraving) and Buffalo Bill Cody. Lots of great pictures and loads of information.

.38SPL enthusiast · April 28, 2013, 04:49 PM

Everyone should have a copy of Ed McGivern's "Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting"; as well as the small book "Shooting to Live" by W.E. Fairbairn

They are both classics of their time.

SPEMack618 · April 29, 2013, 09:26 AM

"To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth." by Colonel Cooper is a good read, from both a marksmanship standpoint and philosophy as well. (So long as you're not an ardent fan of the SA/DA pistol)

"No Second Place Winner" by Bill Jordan is a good read as well, though a bit dated, some of his little tidbits are still applicable even today.

"Unrepenent Sinner" by Col. Charlie Askins is pretty good too, but mainly in the "old gunfighter stories" kind of way.

April 27, 2013, 10:59 PM	#1
Kevin_d77 Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: SW FL Posts: 953	Good books to read I know I have heard about some books that people say every shooter should read. I am interested to hear your opinions as I am currently in between books and looking for something good. Thoughts/Opinions?

April 27, 2013, 11:40 PM	#2
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	For the technical aspect, Hatcher's Notebook, MG J. Hatcher. For pure marksmanship, Military and Sporting Rifle Shooting, by Cpt. Eward Crossman. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

April 28, 2013, 12:34 AM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	W. H. B. Smith's Small Arms of the World. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 28, 2013, 04:03 AM	#5
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Topics; older posts... The "what books or DVDs/guides" subject comes up often on TFL. Depending on your intended uses(LE, home protection, match shooting/target, hunting, gunsmithing, etc), there are sources out there. Check here: www.deltapress.com www.paladin-press.com www.nra.org www.gunvideo.com www.magpul.com . Noted authors include; Bill Jordan, Massad Ayoob, Clint Smith, Jim Cirello, Jeff Cooper, Robert Boatman; www.boatmanbooks.com . CF

April 28, 2013, 09:58 AM	#10
Evan Thomas Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 5,631	The Open Library of the Internet Archive is a great resource for hard-to-find books like those mentioned by ljnowell. If a book is available in digital form, you can download it from them as a two-week loan. If not, it will locate libraries that have the book, so you can borrow a physical copy via inter-library loan. And it also links to internet booksellers that have the book. __________________ Never let anything mechanical know you're in a hurry.

April 28, 2013, 12:43 AM	#4
ljnowell Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Posts: 274	Sixguns by Elmer Keith Hell, I was there by Elmer Keith Good guns, Good Friends, Good Whiskey by Skeeter Skelton. Reallym anything by those two men is fantastic reading. Be prepared to pay a pretty penny, none of thier books were produced in huge quantities and are all out of print now. Great reading though.

April 28, 2013, 05:56 AM	#6
locnload Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2010 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 118	One that I, and many others always recommend to new people considering carrying a weapon for defense is "Principles of Personal Defense" by Jeff Cooper. People who come to a CCW class after reading this book and seriously considering its content are prepared to began learning about carrying a deadly weapon with them daily.

April 28, 2013, 06:46 AM	#7
8MM Mauser Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2011 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 647	The "Art of the Rifle" by Jeff Cooper. It's not the best book instruction wise, but it's a great read. I owned a rifle for three years before I started shooting rifles: this book was what really got me into it.

April 28, 2013, 09:11 AM	#8
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	In the Gravest Extreme by Massad Ayoob. Lots of good ideas for interacting with the police after an incident, among other things.

April 28, 2013, 09:56 AM	#9
Kevin_d77 Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: SW FL Posts: 953	Excellent ideas! Thanks for the input! Now I just need to figure out which one and see if they have it for Nook or Kindle!

April 28, 2013, 10:04 AM	#11
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	Thanks for the link to OpenLibrary, V! I can always use more free books. (Not that I've had time to read the ones I've already downloaded.) __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

April 28, 2013, 10:16 AM	#12
shouldazagged Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: Louisville, KY, USA Posts: 273	A.B. Zhuk, The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Handguns: Pistols And Revolvers Of The World, 1870 To The Present (Greenhill Books, 1995). "The present" is not up to date; but this is an amazing, informative book. Zhuk contributed to the designs of some guns, and was (is?) an incredible draftsman. There are no photos in the book, just over 2500 line drawings of fantastic accuracy and detail, and descriptions with a lot of historical background. Ed Lovette, The Snubby Revolver: The EQC, Backup And Concealed Carry Standard (Paladin Press, 2005). Lovette, now a gun magazine columnist, is a former Special Forces officer, CIA paramilitary operative, and firearms consultant to a number of law enforcement agencies. This is a short book with a lot of good information, illustrative short case histories, and tactical ideas for those who, like me, like and carry these little guns. __________________ "Don't let macho be your epitaph." ---Ed Lovette

April 28, 2013, 11:29 AM	#14
Closing The Gap Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 258	Those are fantastic resources Vanya. Thank you! Now I'll never get anything done... __________________ Half the country hates my business, the other half my hobby.

April 28, 2013, 12:03 PM	#15
LED Junior member Join Date: March 10, 2013 Location: The Heartland Posts: 174	I doubt there is the gun bible every shooter must read. Many good books exist, sure. On a practical side, if you consider owning a handgun, Massad Ayoob is typically right on the money. He is a great authority on shooting techniques, as well as some brands such as Beretta, Glock, and Sig Sauer. Also the legal aspects of self defense. The other writer I came to trust is RK Campbell. He does (and publishes) his own ballistic tests. He is also an expert on the 1911. I also have learned to pay attention to the writers credentials. Also some books are self published and may be way off the mark, other than personal fulfillment.

April 28, 2013, 01:12 PM	#16
Jo6pak Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2010 Location: West Coast...of WI Posts: 1,663	"The Story of the Gun" by Ian Hogg Or anything by Ian V. Hogg for that matter __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF contributor.

April 28, 2013, 03:27 PM	#17
bbqbob51 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Posts: 775	I love R.L. Wilson's coffee table books on different firearms manufacturers and topics. I own his books on Beretta, Ruger, Colt, Winchester, Peacemakers, Silk and Steel (about women and guns), Steel Canvases (about fine engraving) and Buffalo Bill Cody. Lots of great pictures and loads of information.

April 28, 2013, 04:49 PM	#18
.38SPL enthusiast Member Join Date: August 21, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 78	Everyone should have a copy of Ed McGivern's "Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting"; as well as the small book "Shooting to Live" by W.E. Fairbairn They are both classics of their time.

April 29, 2013, 09:26 AM	#19
SPEMack618 Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2010 Location: Central Georgia Posts: 1,863	"To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth." by Colonel Cooper is a good read, from both a marksmanship standpoint and philosophy as well. (So long as you're not an ardent fan of the SA/DA pistol) "No Second Place Winner" by Bill Jordan is a good read as well, though a bit dated, some of his little tidbits are still applicable even today. "Unrepenent Sinner" by Col. Charlie Askins is pretty good too, but mainly in the "old gunfighter stories" kind of way. __________________ NRA Life Member Read my blog! "The answer to any caliber debate is going to be .38 Super, 10mm, .357 Sig or .41 Magnum!"