Firearms - Pistols: Books, Videos

Small-caliber handguns are often maligned as too puny for serious self-defense, but millions of Americans own and carry these guns and have used them successfully to stop violent assaults. This is the first book ever devoted to eliminating the many misconceptions about the usefulness of these popular guns. Their small size and hammerless design enable them to be easily concealed and carried so they are immediately accessible in an emergency. Concealable Pocket Pistols addresses every aspect of owning, carrying and shooting small-caliber handguns in a realistic manner. It then gets into the real-world issues of how to carry a concealed pocket pistol, how to shoot it under stress and how to deal with malfunctions quickly and efficiently. In an emergency, a small-caliber pistol in the pocket is better than the .357 Magnum left at home. Find out what millions of Americans already know about these practical self-defense tools.

For 40 years, Terence McLeod successfully survived in some of the biggest, toughest and most dangerous American and foreign cities by his ability to defend himself with a concealed pocket pistol.
$14.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-279-1 80 pages 5.5" x 8.5" photos, illust.

Once you've made the all-important decision to get a concealed-carry weapon permit, you face a dilemma—how to select the perfect day-to-day carry piece from the dizzying array of choices available in modern handguns. You want a gun that's light enough to be comfortable, small enough to hide and powerful enough to do the job. It must fit your hand, your holster and your lifestyle. Before you invest your money in and trust your life to one weapon, get the opinion of an expert—someone who's personally tested handguns from every major manufacturer and experimented with models, calibers and types of ammunition, all with the specific needs of concealed carry in mind.

Topics covered in Concealed Carry include defensive handgun ballistics; manstopping calibers; handgun types and characteristics; and in-depth analysis of small, medium and large pistols and revolvers by makers such as S&W, Colt, Glock, Taurus, Kahr, Kel-Tec, Para-Ordnance, Ruger and more.

Wiley Clapp is one of the most respected names in handguns today. A former U.S. Marine and law enforcement officer, Clapp has written about guns in general and handguns in particular for almost 20 years and is a field editor for American Rifleman and handgun editor for Guns & Ammo magazines.
$25.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-367-5 120 pages 8.5" x 11" 200 photos

This book debunks the myths, lays to rest the rumors and, through photos of a special cutaway Glock that clearly display its unique inner mechanisms, demystifies the design and operations of what is surely the most innovative handgun introduced in some time – and possibly in the history of handguns.
$25.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-616-4 304 pages 5.5" x 8.5" photos, illust.

Not since 1956 when Elmer Keith came out with his classic Sixguns has such a comprehensive book on handguns been offered! In Handbook of Handguns, Timothy J. Mullin, author of the Testing the War Weapons series, brings pistols into the 21st century. This handbook features more than 40 chapters on all aspects of handguns, including choosing the right police, military and personal defense pistol; learning to shoot one and two-handed; getting the right pistol-ammo combination; carrying spare ammo and guns; selecting the proper carry method; setting up a shooting school curriculum; collecting handguns; and much more. A must-read for all those interested in firearms or combat shooting.

Timothy J. Mullin is a former infantry officer in the U.S. Army and deputy U.S. marshall. He is a life-long gun aficionado and fervent defender of the Second Amendment. His well-regarded series on combat weapons also includes volumes on handguns and rifles.
$35.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-139-8 240 pages 8.5" x 11" photos

A holster is more than just a place to put your gun - it's an integral part of your defensive regimen. It's the device that safely retains and conceals your weapon until you need it and allows you to make carrying a gun a comfortable, natural part of your daily life. But oftentimes, the holster is a shooter's most neglected piece of gear.

Author and former police officer R.K. Campbell has worn a gun almost daily for the past 30 years, so he knows what makes or breaks a holster. He knows which holsters the experts swear by and which ones they swear at. He knows that a concealed firearm must be accessible, because if you're not ready to quickly draw and fire in a combat situation you might as well not carry a gun in the first place.

Holsters for Combat and Concealed Carry has everything you need to know about choosing the best holster for your weapon and your lifestyle. In-depth analysis of the pros and cons of assorted holster materials and styles, instruction on determining the proper mechanics for your draw and discussion of common mistakes and how to correct them are combined with hundreds of photos to make this an invaluable resource for any gun owner.

R.K. Campbell is a writer in the firearms and police field with more than 500 articles, columns and reviews published in more than 20 magazines and numerous annuals. He serves as contributing editor at Women and Guns magazine, contributing writer at Gun Week, and contributing staff writer at SWAT magazine. His work frequently appears in Police magazine and he is executive editor of Boar Hunter magazine.
$10.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-437-5 144 pages 8.5" x 11" photos

Glock aficionado Robert Boatman speaks from experience, both personal and professional, when he calls the revolutionary black-plastic pistol "that rare thing you can trust with your life." In this book he explains why in no uncertain terms. In addition to demystifying the enigmatic Glock trigger, Boatman describes and critiques each Glock model in production. Separate chapters on the G36, the enhanced G20 and the full-auto G18 emphasize the job-specific talents of these standout models for those seeking insight on which Glock pistol might best meet their needs. And for those interested in optimizing their Glock's capabilities, this book addresses all the peripherals - holsters, ammo, accessories, silencers, modifications and conversions, training programs and more. Whether your focus is on concealed carry, home protection, hunting, competition, training or law enforcement, Living with Glocks covers all the bases, examining Glocks from every conceivable angle. Exclusive and revealing interviews from Glock shooters around the world round out the text, which culminates with one of the most compelling arguments for carrying a gun ever written. If you own a Glock or are considering investing in one or more, Boatman has done your research for you. This is truly the Glock bible.

Robert H. Boatman is a native Texan who has carried a gun since he was 14 years old, professionally and otherwise. He is a member of the elite corps of dropouts from St. John's College in Annapolis and has had parallel careers as a national political strategist, VIP bodyguard, creative advertising executive, undercover cop, international publisher and editor, freelance journalist, and crusading newspaperman. He writes extensively for NRA, law enforcement and conservative political publications.
$29.95
Softcover 978-1-58160-539-6 184 pages 8.5" x 11" photos

Living with the 1911 is like no other book you've ever read on the Model 1911 .45 pistol. Written by best-selling gun writer Robert Boatman, a man who has relied on the 1911 personally and professionally for almost 50 years, it is a fresh new view of the greatest fighting handgun of all time. With his trademark wit and hard-hitting honesty, Boatman covers the history, hardware, personalities and politics surrounding the 1911 as no one else can. You will get the lowdown on the "big three" makers of factory-model 1911s and the three leading custom builders working today; exclusive insights from such 1911 masters as Jeff Cooper, Louis Awerbuck and Max Joseph; and a healthy dose of informed opinion on the proper way to carry a 1911, practical vs. sport training, personalizing and tuning the 1911 and the future of the fighting gun.

Boatman provides answers to every question you've ever had about the 1911, plus some you've probably never even thought to ask. Eminently entertaining and provocative, Living with the 1911 is destined to become a classic addition to the canon of books on the most exalted combat handgun in history.

Robert H. Boatman is a native Texan who has carried a gun since he was 14 years old, professionally and otherwise. He is a member of the elite corps of dropouts from St. John's College in Annapolis and has had parallel careers as a national political strategist, VIP bodyguard, creative advertising executive, undercover cop, international publisher and editor, freelance journalist, and crusading newspaperman. He writes extensively for NRA, law enforcement and conservative political publications.
$25.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-467-2 142 pages 8.5" x 11" photos

After reading this book, you will know which combat pistols to bet your life on and which to avoid at all costs, how to match current ammo with vintage weapons, how to field-fix handguns and which weapons of opportunity are most likely to turn up during current conflicts. This highly informative and enjoyable read is crammed with practical tips, rare historical insight and exceptional weapons you probably won't see anywhere else.

Timothy J. Mullin is a former infantry officer in the U.S. Army and deputy U.S. marshall. He is a life-long gun aficionado and fervent defender of the Second Amendment. His well-regarded series on combat weapons also includes volumes on handguns and rifles.
$50.00
Softcover 978-0-87364-781-6 424 pages 8.5" x 11" photos

Find out why the automatic pistol has been the overwhelmingly preferred choice of practical handgun shooters for close to 100 years. This hard-to-find classic book, written by one of the great adventurers of the 19th and early 20th centuries, is one of the earliest tutorials ever published on the semiauto pistol's effective use on the battlefield and for self-defense.

In this faithful reprint of The Automatic Pistoloriginally published in 1919, J.B.L. Noel draws upon his experience as a veteran of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in World War I and his service as a small arms shooting instructor for the British military to pass on battle-honed techniques for shooting an automatic pistol quickly and accurately in combat. His instruction specifically covers some of the greatest handguns of all time, including the .45 Colt Automatic Government Model, .455 Webley-Scott and 9mm Luger Parabellum, providing lessons on the vital importance of good trigger control, snapshooting at moving targets with and without the sights, shooting at close range and in the dark, and rapid fire under combat conditions. He even gives detailed plans for the construction of lifelike moving targets to simulate the actions of enemy combatants.

In his foreword, noted firearms author T.J. Mullin calls Noel one of the greatest practitioners of the effective use of the modern handgun, making this book as timely today as when it first appeared in 1919. Noel's remarkable book reflects the thoughts, theories and experiences of a man who had used his methods in the no-man's-land of France and seen his teachings used by thousands more. Now available in an exclusive reprint edition, The Automatic Pistol belongs in the library of every pistol shooter and historian.

Timothy J. Mullin is a former infantry officer in the U.S. Army and deputy U.S. marshall. He is a life-long gun aficionado and fervent defender of the Second Amendment. His well-regarded series on combat weapons also includes volumes on handguns and rifles.
$10.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-462-7 128 pages 5.5" x 8.5" photos, illust.

The history of the 1911 is a saga that spans more than a century and combines military, police and civilian use for combat, self-defense and sport. And it begins with this Army manual, printed during World War I and crammed with useful information for the 1911 aficionado. In the early 1900s, the U.S. Army decided to replace its inadequate .38-caliber service revolver with a more efficient "manstopper." John M. Browning submitted his design for a Colt manufactured semiautomatic pistol and a new .45-caliber cartridge to the Army's selection process. The U.S. Army selected the Colt and designated it the Model of 1911. Accurate, reliable and hard-hitting, John Browning's magnificent 1911 pistol has been the benchmark by which all combat pistols have been judged ever since..
$10.00
softcover - 978-1-58160-560-0 - 34 pages - 5.5" x 8.5" - photos, illust.

Here is the definitive book about the pistol that has served more than a million owners so well. Exploded diagrams show how to field-strip and reassemble with a minimum of fuss, and photos illustrate variations, modifications and accessories for one of the most popular .22 automatics ever made.

Duncan Long is an internationally recognized nonfiction and fiction writer of countless books and magazine articles on weapons and warfare. He is a best-selling Paladin author, with more than 20 firearms manuals in print.
$16.00
Softcover 978-0-87364-488-4 162 pages 5.5" x 8.5" photos, illust.

In this revised and updated edition, former CIA operative and Combat Handguns columnist Ed Lovette pays homage to the short-barreled revolver, or snubby, holding it up as the timeless standard in concealed carry, backup and extreme close quarters (ECQ) defensive weapons. He addresses the four most common complaints about the snubby – grip, front sight, trigger and ammo capacity – and presents viable ways to remedy those issues based on his personal experience.

Lovette devotes the second half of the book to defensive tactics, running the gamut from basic personal defense to strategic planning for extraordinary situations such as surveillance and carjackings to considerations specific to the use of the pocket revolver.

At a time when the semi-auto pistol has become the issue handgun for our police and military and the handgun of choice for a lot of citizens, the snubby holds its own, proving that a classic endures because it does what it does better than anything that can be designed to replace it. This book is a must for anyone seeking objective, practical insight into the snub-nose revolver's enduring value.

Ed Lovette is a retired CIA paramilitary operations officer. He was also a captain in the U.S. Army Special Forces and is a 10-year law enforcement veteran. He has a long association with Combat Handguns magazine, for which he currently writes the Last Shots column.
$20.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-571-6 188 pages 5.5" x 8.5" photos

The renaissance of the venerable Colt 1911 in .45 ACP has caused many cops to sit up and take notice. Here is the only book you will ever need to teach you how to select, modify, employ and maintain your Colt. Every critical aspect of the 1911 is here, including detailed information on sights, magazines, holsters, guide rods, serrations, finishes and much more.

Dave Lauck is a veteran law enforcement officer with more than 20 years of frontline experience. He has served as SWAT countersniper, lead patrol officer, special investigator and SWAT weapon and duty weapon armorer. The Lauck family has been involved in American custom firearms as far back as the 1700s, and Dave is a formally trained and certified armorer with more than 25 years of experience in special-purpose firearms. He is the author of The Tactical Marksman and Tactical AR-15, also published by Paladin Press.
$22.00
Softcover 978-0-87364-985-8 152 pages 8.5" x 11" photos, illust.

The Contender fills a specific need in the firearms industry: it is inexpensive, simple, versatile and very accurate. This easy-to-follow guide contains precise instructions for tuning, timing, loading and shooting, as well as ordering information for parts and accessories.

Charles (Charlie) Stephens' shooting career has spanned 40 years. He has competed in IPSC, NRA Action Pistol, Handgun Metallic Silhouette, Western and Cowboy Action Shooting, and International Single-Shot Scheutzenfest Pistol, winning hundreds of matches at the local, state and regional level of competition, while placing in the top five in several international and world-class events.
$14.00
Softcover 978-0-87364-885-1 64 pages 5.5" x 8.5" photos