Living With Glocks: The Complete Guide to the New Standard in Combat Handguns [Hardcover]

Robert H. Boatman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2002

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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 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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (July 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581603401
• ISBN-13: 978-1581603408
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,631,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book, but some over-the-top opinions, May 17, 2005

By 

D. Field (Longview, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Living With Glocks: The Complete Guide to the New Standard in Combat Handguns (Hardcover)

Living with Glocks contains some "advice" that is, to be charitable, macho BS. "If you are going to shoot somebody, make sure you shoot him dead" is the sort of thing drunken Rednecks say in bars because they think it makes them sound like "Real Men". Anyone who genuinely knows about self defense will tell you that lethal force is always a last resort, and even then you only shoot to stop an attacker. You stop shooting as soon as the attack stops. Period. And 99.999% of the people who carry firearms for self defense would be delighted to use a non-lethal means of defense if a truly effective one existed. But since "setting phasers on stun" only works on television...

Mr. Boatman is kind of like someone who wrote an otherwise interesting history of motorcycles, but insists on trying to promote the idea that that it's OK to to use them to drag race down main street during rush hour. If you're new to shooting, I wouldn't recommend his book at all. If you're considering (legally) carrying a pistol for self defense, then I'd suggest you start with the excellent book "In the Gravest Extreme" by Mas Ayoob before considering even leafing through "Living with Glocks".

But having said all that, if you're already a fan of Glock pistols, or are considering getting one, then you might find this book interesting. Many gun reviews just give you the sterile specifications. "Living with Glocks" goes further and tries to gives you a feel for what Glocks are like. The author obviously enjoys shooting Glocks and manages to convey that fun to his readers. He makes some good points on the fact that some "training" methods don't always serve you very well in the real world and has training suggestions of his own that are well worth listening to. The book contains an overview of the entire Glock line (although not the newest 45 GAP pistols) and separate chapters on several of the more intriguing models. Also included are chapters even more exotic (and in the US, severely restricted) silenced and full-auto Glocks.

Again, I don't agree with many of his opinions. I'm a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment myself, but Mr Boatman goes so far overboard as to give other pro-gun people a bad name. But if you know that going in, then it's still an enjoyable book. Read it carefully and you're sure to learn a few interesting things you didn't know before.

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not much here of any relevance, February 21, 2006

By 

A. Perer (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Living With Glocks: The Complete Guide to the New Standard in Combat Handguns (Hardcover)

This is just a collection of the kinda random essays about how the author feels about the glock and topics realted to shooting. It covers no topic particularly well and seems like a cash in on Glocks. There's simply not much here. Big type, lots space on the page. Chapter titles include "The Great Glock Watermelon Shoot" and "The Constituional Right and Social Obligation to Carry a Gun". Unless Robert H. Boatman's innermost feelings are particularly important to you, skip this one.

42 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book isn't really about Glocks, August 5, 2003

By 

"ssgtmpls" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living With Glocks: The Complete Guide to the New Standard in Combat Handguns (Hardcover)

It's about a self-absorbed, ignorant, and rude soap-box stand by a half-wit author who knows very little about Glocks, and even less about being a professional. (This is not speculation, it's proven in his book). This book was full of comments like, "They deserve it", referring to people getting shot that carry high-capacity Glocks that the author doesn't like. This guy not only should not have embarrassed the proud and honorable firearms community by writing this book, he should not be allowed to carry (or even own) a firearm because of his attitude about "shooting people". Highly inappropriate for a supposed "reference book".

If you want a book with very one-sided political views that's written by a big-talker that doesn't substantiate what he's ranting about, then buy this book. If you want to learn a lot about Glocks as I did when I made the purchase, this is not the book for you.

This author is dangerous because he is intelligent enough to write, but too foolish to temper his attitude, and WAY to heavy on unsubstantiated political rants.