What is/are your top instructional book or video?

BJung · November 18, 2020, 11:31 AM

I can surf the web as all of you but maybe we don't find the best and have to sift through a lot to find good information.

What is your top book or video that has helped your tactics and training?

What did you learn that made a significant improvement?

Double K · November 18, 2020, 04:38 PM

Two video's, both started out as VHS tapes and a friend made them into dvd's with several copies.
Handgun safety by Jeff Cooper, I give copies of this to people I like and want to shoot with but their gun safety sucks. No one's shot me yet after watching it!

Mastering the mental game by Lanny Bassham, at some point usually within the first couple of years every competitive shooter realizes they have the mechanics of shooting mastered, they have advanced beyond beginner and plateaued unable to advance any further, this video could help them break down the mental barriers most people put up in front of themselves.

Mike38 · November 18, 2020, 07:40 PM

"Zen, Meditation & the Art of Shooting" by Ray Mancini

**Aguila Blanca** · November 18, 2020, 08:15 PM

I learned to shoot from my grandfather when I was about eight years old. That means you are asking me to pick one book or video out of 68 years of shooting, as "THE" best.

As the mama sans used to say in Vietnam, "Not gonna happen, GI."

Double K · November 18, 2020, 10:19 PM

Here's one of my favorite video's, it's a given that everyone on here has a firearm but the truth is sometimes it's impossible and illegal to carry one.
This video won't save your life but consider it a first step in gaining the skill to disable an attacker. Michael Janich is a Colorado native and simply the best for non-gun defense.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHgENdGr8TA

shurshot · November 18, 2020, 10:59 PM

1980's LEO VHS training tape "Surviving Edged Weapon's".
Sobering to say the least.

T. O'Heir · November 19, 2020, 01:18 PM

"...tactics and training..." Different things that really can't be learned from a book. Certainly not from a video.
Do not get either from YouTube either. Anybody can post anything they want there.
Start with understanding CCW is not about going into combat. Neither are any of the shooting games training or practice for anything but those games.
Get into bullseye shooting. You'll learn more doing that than from any book or video. Bullseye shooting teaches the basics of sight picture, trigger control and breathing. It also teaches that upper body tone is essential.

Double K · November 19, 2020, 02:18 PM

Your kidding right? One only needs to look at what tools the military and police use for training. PPC for police and close quarters combat training courses for the military and federal law enforcement. Neither stand calmly and shoot one handed at paper bullseyes'.
Don't get me wrong I love the shooting sports and have spent my entire life at shooting ranges in pursuit of trophies and titles but bullseye is a very different skillset compared to the action games.

Tim O'Heir
"Start with understanding CCW is not about going into combat. Neither are any of the shooting games training or practice for anything but those games.
Get into bullseye shooting. You'll learn more doing that than from any book or video. Bullseye shooting teaches the basics of sight picture, trigger control and breathing."

stinkeypete · November 19, 2020, 04:40 PM

“The pistol shooters treasury” 2nd edition. Edited and published by Gil Hebart
“US Army Marksmanship Unit- Pistol Marksmanship Training Guide”- available several places online.

If you have not printed out a copy of the USAMU training guide... well, your tax dollars actually do go to funding real experts most times.

Jeff22 · December 28, 2020, 12:22 AM

This is an older list that I should update. There are a lot of good books available on different aspects of shooting. You can't learn to shoot from reading a book, but you can learn about learning to shoot from reading a book.

THE STREET-SMART GUN BOOK by John. S. Farnam

THE FARNAM METHOD OF DEFENSIVE HANDGUNNING (new 2nd edition)
by John. S. Farnam

THE FARNAM METHOD OF DEFENSIVE SHOTGUN & RIFLE SHOOTING
by John S. Farnam
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IN THE GRAVEST EXTREME: THE ROLE OF THE FIREARM IN PERSONAL PROTECTION (1980) by Massad F. Ayoob

THE TRUTH ABOUT SELF PROTECTION (1984) by Massad F. Ayoob

THE GUN DIGEST BOOK OF COMBAT HANDGUNNERY (5th edition 2002) and (6th edition 2007) by Massad F. Ayoob

THE GUN DIGEST BOOK OF CONCEALED CARRY (1st edition 2008) by
Massad F. Ayoob

STRESSFIRE (1984) by Massad Ayoob

STRESSFIRE II: Advanced Combat Shotgun (1982) by Massad F. Ayoob

THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL IN POLICE SERVICE AND SELF DEFENSE (1988)
By Massad F. Ayoob
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IN SELF DEFENSE by Mike Izumi
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARMED RESPONSE by David S. Kenik
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE LAW OF SELF DEFENSE: A GUIDE FOR THE ARMED CITIZEN by Andrew F. Branca

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIGHTING SMARTER by Tom Givens

SURVIVAL SHOOTING by Tom Givens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFENSIVE USE OF FIREARMS by Stephen P. Wenger
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONCEALED CARRY FUNDAMENTALS by Michael Martin (2010)

Shadow9mm · December 28, 2020, 07:01 PM

Lena Miculek's "Best use of a QUICK 50RDS of TRAINING !"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8MvKIiXC2M

How to Speed Shoot a Pistol with Jerry Miculek | Gould Brothers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pic_C6Adt3Q

I have been shooting for close to 20yrs. Been through a Sheriffs Deputy academy and numerous range in-services and qualifications since then. These 2 vids have helped me significantly, and are still a challenge for me every time.

Pistoler0 · December 28, 2020, 09:30 PM

Timothy Blakeley "Shooting to Survive"

John Daub "Strategies and Standards for Defensive Handgun Training "

Jeff Cooper "Art of the Rifle"

Moonglum · December 29, 2020, 09:10 PM

The Law Of Self Defense Andrew Branca

Cornered Cat Kathy Jackson

Principles of Personal Defense Jeff Cooper

How To Win Freinds And Influence People Dale Carnegie

TunnelRat · December 29, 2020, 11:18 PM

"On Killing", Dave Grossman
"Rattenkrieg! The Art and Science of Close Quarters Battle Pistol", Robert K. Taubert

MagDiddy · January 24, 2021, 08:45 PM

Carry Trainer on YouTube is very informative but the guy can be a bit of a dick at times.

MagDiddy · January 25, 2021, 09:54 PM

Anything by Mossad Ayoub. Video or book.

zoo · January 25, 2021, 11:19 PM

Maybe the first half hour of Saving Private Ryan so one can get a glimpse of the horror it is to experience a life and death situation.

November 18, 2020, 11:31 AM	#1
BJung Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2019 Posts: 773	What is/are your top instructional book or video? I can surf the web as all of you but maybe we don't find the best and have to sift through a lot to find good information. What is your top book or video that has helped your tactics and training? What did you learn that made a significant improvement?

November 18, 2020, 08:15 PM	#4
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,459	I learned to shoot from my grandfather when I was about eight years old. That means you are asking me to pick one book or video out of 68 years of shooting, as "THE" best. As the mama sans used to say in Vietnam, "Not gonna happen, GI." __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

November 19, 2020, 01:18 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...tactics and training..." Different things that really can't be learned from a book. Certainly not from a video. Do not get either from YouTube either. Anybody can post anything they want there. Start with understanding CCW is not about going into combat. Neither are any of the shooting games training or practice for anything but those games. Get into bullseye shooting. You'll learn more doing that than from any book or video. Bullseye shooting teaches the basics of sight picture, trigger control and breathing. It also teaches that upper body tone is essential. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 19, 2020, 02:18 PM	#8
Double K Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2020 Location: Colorado Posts: 486	Tim Your kidding right? One only needs to look at what tools the military and police use for training. PPC for police and close quarters combat training courses for the military and federal law enforcement. Neither stand calmly and shoot one handed at paper bullseyes'. Don't get me wrong I love the shooting sports and have spent my entire life at shooting ranges in pursuit of trophies and titles but bullseye is a very different skillset compared to the action games. Tim O'Heir "Start with understanding CCW is not about going into combat. Neither are any of the shooting games training or practice for anything but those games. Get into bullseye shooting. You'll learn more doing that than from any book or video. Bullseye shooting teaches the basics of sight picture, trigger control and breathing."

November 19, 2020, 04:40 PM	#9
stinkeypete Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2010 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,292	“The pistol shooters treasury” 2nd edition. Edited and published by Gil Hebart “US Army Marksmanship Unit- Pistol Marksmanship Training Guide”- available several places online. If you have not printed out a copy of the USAMU training guide... well, your tax dollars actually do go to funding real experts most times. __________________ My book "The Pheasant Hunter's Action Adventure Cookbook" is now on Amazon. Tall tales, hunting tips, butchering from bird to the freezer, and recipes.

November 18, 2020, 04:38 PM	#2
Double K Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2020 Location: Colorado Posts: 486	Two video's, both started out as VHS tapes and a friend made them into dvd's with several copies. Handgun safety by Jeff Cooper, I give copies of this to people I like and want to shoot with but their gun safety sucks. No one's shot me yet after watching it! Mastering the mental game by Lanny Bassham, at some point usually within the first couple of years every competitive shooter realizes they have the mechanics of shooting mastered, they have advanced beyond beginner and plateaued unable to advance any further, this video could help them break down the mental barriers most people put up in front of themselves.

November 18, 2020, 07:40 PM	#3
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	"Zen, Meditation & the Art of Shooting" by Ray Mancini

November 18, 2020, 10:19 PM	#5
Double K Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2020 Location: Colorado Posts: 486	Here's one of my favorite video's, it's a given that everyone on here has a firearm but the truth is sometimes it's impossible and illegal to carry one. This video won't save your life but consider it a first step in gaining the skill to disable an attacker. Michael Janich is a Colorado native and simply the best for non-gun defense. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHgENdGr8TA

November 18, 2020, 10:59 PM	#6
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	1980's LEO VHS training tape "*Surviving Edged Weapon's".* Sobering to say the least.

December 28, 2020, 12:22 AM	#10
Jeff22 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2004 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 715	recommended reading This is an older list that I should update. There are a lot of good books available on different aspects of shooting. You can't learn to shoot from reading a book, but you can learn about learning to shoot from reading a book. THE STREET-SMART GUN BOOK by John. S. Farnam THE FARNAM METHOD OF DEFENSIVE HANDGUNNING (new 2nd edition) by John. S. Farnam THE FARNAM METHOD OF DEFENSIVE SHOTGUN & RIFLE SHOOTING by John S. Farnam --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IN THE GRAVEST EXTREME: THE ROLE OF THE FIREARM IN PERSONAL PROTECTION (1980) by Massad F. Ayoob THE TRUTH ABOUT SELF PROTECTION (1984) by Massad F. Ayoob THE GUN DIGEST BOOK OF COMBAT HANDGUNNERY (5th edition 2002) and (6th edition 2007) by Massad F. Ayoob THE GUN DIGEST BOOK OF CONCEALED CARRY (1st edition 2008) by Massad F. Ayoob STRESSFIRE (1984) by Massad Ayoob STRESSFIRE II: Advanced Combat Shotgun (1982) by Massad F. Ayoob THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL IN POLICE SERVICE AND SELF DEFENSE (1988) By Massad F. Ayoob ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IN SELF DEFENSE by Mike Izumi ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARMED RESPONSE by David S. Kenik ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE LAW OF SELF DEFENSE: A GUIDE FOR THE ARMED CITIZEN by Andrew F. Branca ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIGHTING SMARTER by Tom Givens SURVIVAL SHOOTING by Tom Givens ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEFENSIVE USE OF FIREARMS by Stephen P. Wenger ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONCEALED CARRY FUNDAMENTALS by Michael Martin (2010) __________________ You can only learn from experience if you pay attention!

December 28, 2020, 07:01 PM	#11
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,969	Lena Miculek's "Best use of a QUICK 50RDS of TRAINING !" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8MvKIiXC2M How to Speed Shoot a Pistol with Jerry Miculek \| Gould Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pic_C6Adt3Q I have been shooting for close to 20yrs. Been through a Sheriffs Deputy academy and numerous range in-services and qualifications since then. These 2 vids have helped me significantly, and are still a challenge for me every time. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload. Last edited by Shadow9mm; December 28, 2020 at 07:11 PM.

December 28, 2020, 09:30 PM	#12
Pistoler0 Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2019 Location: Conifer, CO Posts: 632	Timothy Blakeley "Shooting to Survive" John Daub "Strategies and Standards for Defensive Handgun Training " Jeff Cooper "Art of the Rifle" __________________ Life is simply an inter-temporal problem of constrained optimization.

December 29, 2020, 09:10 PM	#13
Moonglum Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2015 Posts: 468	The Law Of Self Defense Andrew Branca Cornered Cat Kathy Jackson Principles of Personal Defense Jeff Cooper How To Win Freinds And Influence People Dale Carnegie __________________ Skating On Thin Ice

December 29, 2020, 11:18 PM	#14
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,214	"On Killing", Dave Grossman "Rattenkrieg! The Art and Science of Close Quarters Battle Pistol", Robert K. Taubert __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

January 24, 2021, 08:45 PM	#15
MagDiddy Member Join Date: December 12, 2020 Posts: 34	Carry Trainer on YouTube is very informative but the guy can be a bit of a dick at times.

January 25, 2021, 09:54 PM	#16
MagDiddy Member Join Date: December 12, 2020 Posts: 34	Anything by Mossad Ayoub. Video or book.

January 25, 2021, 11:19 PM	#17
zoo member Join Date: October 2, 2019 Posts: 414	Maybe the first half hour of Saving Private Ryan so one can get a glimpse of the horror it is to experience a life and death situation.