Customer Reviews

Concealable Pocket Pistols: How To Choose And Use Small-Caliber Handguns

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book only had a little information I found useful. If the prospective reader was a complete novice with firearms, it would be much more helpful. Anyone who has done research on the subject won't find much new here.

On the positive side, it did have a nice article on carry technique for law enforcement officials and those who are legally licensed to do so. These little arms present their own challenges for safe carry. The sections on personal safety was decent though a little alarmist.

The chapter entitled "Buyer's Guide: Evaluation and Specifications of Recommended Pocket Pistols," was laughable. First, there was absolutely no "evaluation" of the performance of the arm. Only the physical specifications are given. Secondly, it only covered six manufacturers of which at least two (and possibly a third) are no longer in business. At least one of these has been out of business for a very long time; strange for a book published in 2001. There is a plethora of high-quality arms of this type that had no mention. Even though the author only limited the selection to American-made arms, I can think of half-dozen others to add. Almost all of them, frankly, are better than the ones found in this book.

This is a subject that badly needs to be covered and covered well. I'm not sure that this book quite does it.

This Guide is an older work that covers most of the older,low cost guns,many of which are still very popular as Pocket Pistols for everyday carry. One of the models it features is probably the most popular pocket pistol in history,"The .25 Raven."
Even though many of the newer guns are not addressed directly, the information is directly transferable. This Guide supplies information on pocket carry that is not available elsewhere.
Any critiscism of this Guide seems to center around the fact it is not as big as a dictionary and it is targeted at the somewhat experienced crowd rather than being an ABC primer for the total novice.

It's not easy to find postive and useful information concerning inexpensive pocket guns, even though there are millions of them in pockets and dresser drawers all across America. In fact, it is much more likely you will find these pistols derided in print with the worst form of gun snobbery imaginable, when practical and helpful information about their safe carry and use would be more prudent. In Concealable Pocket Pistols McLeod gives the pocket pistol owner something he can use--practical information. In eight succinct chapters McLeod provides valuable insight on choosing, carrying, maintaining, feeding and employing your inexpensive pocket pistol. He knows his audience, and gives them what they need and nothing more--there is none of the judgemental philosophy, snobbery, and John Wayneism found in some other books about concealed carry. He provides just practical opinion on how to get past the price tag and make your gun do what it was designed for--keep you out of harm's way. He doesn't ever claim that the guns he's writing about are top shelf combat guns; he does however, face the reality that many of us in the real world own and carry these inexpensive guns, and he seeks to make sure we do so informed.

This is not a book for gun snobs, nor is it an encyclopedia of gun knoweldge. Tactical enthusiasts will be sorely disappointed with it. It is a short, terse read about having confidence in that Raven or Jennings "mousegun" that bounces around in your pocket as you go about your buisness.

I was pleased with the humor and common sense through the book, but I kept thinking of this book as a promotion for the cheapest little guns ever made in the US. What about the kel tec's and the beretta tomcat and bobcats... The guns covered in the book are under $50.00 at some gun shows.
Besides that some other discusions on basic subjects, not much with carry method, except pocket. Worth the price used, but not over $10.00 for the book.

This little book does well in dispelling the myths of self defense with a handgun. Everyone has the right to defend themselves from an attacker. The auther covers the available "pocket" pistols on the market. He discusses how they function and how to safely handle them. Defense awarenss is also dealt with. Don't be a victim AND be realistic. This book will help. Self defense should be affordable and reliable. Not only a benefit of the wealthy.

This 71 page paperback is a concise, easy-to-read overview of some currently available models of semi-automatic "pocket" pistols. It covers design and function, ammo, shooting, malfunctions, how to pack, and staying alive with the pocket pistol. A major drawback is lack of coverage of historic pocket pistols as well as other types of pocket pistols such as revolvers or derringers. I recommend this book for those interested in a short quick read on a neglected area of firearms writing.

This "book" is more of a magazine article, and should be re-titled to indicate that it is really about an attempt to justify the low quality junk gun market. This author sings the praises of the worst pocket pistol series on the market and names the Raven/Bryco series as the only acceptable pocket pistols. None of the quality pocket pistols are even mentioned. His advice is flawed and in some cases, dangerous. As a 28 year police officer, firearms instructor, and armorer, I take issue with nearly every aspect of this flawed book. I read it cover to cover in an hour, and it is printed in large print with lots of line drawings and photos to fill space of this breif dissertation on the merits of the low quality saturday night specials that he endorses. Avoid this at all costs, not to mention the inflated purchase price of this phamphlet.

I have a fair amount of experience with guns and, while I learned a little bit from the book, I don't believe it came close to justifying the expense. This book is very light on information that can't be quickly and easily found in a decent online article. In fact, I really think only about 15 of the 71 pages are worth reading. The rest of the book is filled with basic information and obvious statements. In addition, it often digresses into propagandizing and rants about gun control.

Inside this small book you will find info about small semi-auto handguns like bryco, jennings, and raven arms.

Though the book has a 2001 copyright Kel Tec isn't included in the book which is all about American small pocket pistols. You won't find Cobra or Jimenez firearms either (likely due to the time the book came out).

If you are interested in the saturday night special-esque firearms this book is for you.