Customer Reviews

Tactical Pistol: Advanced Gunfighting Concepts And Techniques

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is the first book written by well-known weapons and tactics instructor, Gabe Suarez. The author has himself stated that when he was writing this book, he was still formulating his gunfighting concepts. Therefore, the book contains information Suarez himself calls dated and doesn't advocate anymore (like Speed rock). Nevertheless, the book contains some valuable information.

The book covers just about all the basics about shooting from the drawstroke and the sight picture to reloading and malfunction clearance. In addition, there is also material for mental as well as tactical aspects of combat. But as you would guess, as this book is about 200 pages long and there are 22 chapters, none of the issues are given very through presentation. The information is presented in a clear and easy to understand way, but there really is not that much that you wouldn't find in other similar books.

I think that this book is a good one, and worth the purchase, but there are some issues like the ones mentioned below that bother me:
- Suarez seems to think that PTSD and related symptoms are result of conditioning. He thinks that people suffer from these symptos, because they have been told to do that. What he doesn't realize (or seems to ignore) is that PTSD symptoms have been widely known and discussed for only couple of decades, but veterans of war have suffered from these symptoms from as early as the WWI.
- In many issues, Suarez teaches only one way to do things. Take teaching the proper firing stance as an example: Suarez teaches only Weaver stance, and does not even mention that there are other shooting stances in existence. In my mind it is obvious that these are a matter of choice, and readers should be given a chance to evaluate the possibilities himself. This approach of not even mentioning the "competitive" stances gives the reader an impression that the author can't make the reasoning on the subject, and therefore chooses to avoid the issue completely.
- Suarez teaches to put the trigger finger on the trigger surface as you are in the process of drawing the gun, and the finger should start pressing the trigger even before the sights are aligned to the target! I think that this is extremely dangerous, as this demands extremely good coordination, which propably is not available in the heat of battle.
- There are at least two separate issues where Suarez tells that it is very important to learn some specific skills, but there is not a word on these skills in the book! For example, regarding to shooting from behind cover, Suarez tells that "you must develop the ability to 'roll out' from behind cover in a shooting position", and yet there is not a single word or picture on how to do it. If Suarez thinks that this is an important skill, why there is not even a single page, or couple of pictures on the subject?

Speaking of pictures, there are plenty and most of them are very good and informative, and support the text nicely. Some of the pictures are apparently so good that they have been used in other books as well. There is a strange thing that gaught my eye, however. In the chapter on operating in reduced light, there was no discussion on Surefire/Rogers firing technique in the text, but there was a photograph depicting that stance. That gives an impression of sloppiness in part of the publisher.

In conclusion, despite its few shortcomings, I would say that the book is a worthwhile investment. But this should not be your first book on the subject, as you have to examine the text with critical eye.

I first heard of Gabriel Suarez by his postings on GlockTalk, an online forum. As a (then) relative newcomer to pistol shooting, I was immediately impressed by the simplicity of his instruction and the great intelligence it belied. I searched out anything written by him and found quite a number. This, 'The Tactical Pistol', is the first I've read and my original analysis of Suarez, much to my pleasure, holds true.
Most traditional "gun authors" (for want of a better description) indulge in self-aggrandizing and pompous language, immediately betraying their low estimation either of themselves and their writing ability, or worse, of the reader. Suarez does not make the mistake of falling into the trap that has caught so many (Massad Ayoob comes to mind: great content, horrible language) and simply but clearly instructs the newbie and the experienced alike in the art of using a pistol as a tool for self-defense. He includes enlightening lessons on the pistol's use in several different scenarios: home invasions, burglary, low-light situations, self-defense outside the house with a concealed firearm, etc. Very informative.
Suarez, it turns out, has every right to write such a book. He's an LAPD police officer with some impressive credentials. The fact that he does not beat the reader over the head with them only serves to buttress my opinion of him. I heartily recommend this excellent work.

Always a pleasure to read a book that is well writen, concise, and contains useful information. If you use a handgun then this book should be on your reading list. Suarez, is a police officer, who has trained with some of the best and offers his own insights - which are plentiful - to his readers. From the Mental Trigger, to stopping power, shot placement and what to do if outnumbered very good advice that could save your life.

Suarez covers all critical apsects of pistol shooting in depth. I bought the book and read it cover to cover. Then I went to a great 4 day handgun course given by someone else. When I came back, I read the book again, and found that their concepts and training were identical.

If you are looking for a coffee table book, this is not it. You can learn a great deal from this book, if you utilize it in your practice. Read a little, teach it to your body, then read a little more. Take it to the range with you. The best handgun book I have seen to date.

This book is most useful for the study of marksmanship and tactics. It is especially helpful in analyzing how to deal with a threat in the home. It is well written, concise and authoritative. Highly recommended.

Suarez did a good job on this book. Nothing bugs me more than purchasing a so-called "advanced" book or video on the topic of self-defense only to be disappointed. This book did not disappoint me. It makes the break between shooting and fighting, this work is on fighting. It is not a book for those wanting to sharpen their shooting skill, but rather the work focuses on the martial art of self-defense with a handgun. He is straightforward and presents his information in an easy to grasp format.

Gabriel's book is a fine book for the budding gunfighter. However, he lays insufficient stress on avoiding situations where deadly force is required. For cops - who often don't have the option of avoiding engagement - most of his advice is right on. A bit too testosterone laden, perhaps: he's rather glib at times in the way he describes acting to end another's life. For civilians, read Ayoob Massad's "In the Gravest Extreme" instead, or at least read it first to acquire an ethical and legal grounding in the defensive use of firearms. If your interest is in IPSC or other practical shooting there's very little material in this book for you. Try Brian Enos instead (Practical Shooting - Beyond Fundamentals). Understand: I'm giving this book four stars: it's a good intro to real-world tactical handgun. However, it seeks to foster a combat-ready mentality that most of us would be better off without. It stays on my shelf. If our part of the world falls apart, I'll read it again.

Gabe Suarez is an excellent writer, his style is entertaining while drilling the basics home (we were taught all this is the academy), but MASTERY of the BASICS, leads to excellence. Suarez writes from first hand experience, surviving several shootings. I have his other books, and they too are excellent! very good

This is an excellent intermediate level book on gun handling. As the subtitle implies, it's not a beginner's level book. I have notes, highlights and page flags all over my copy. This book covers the topic of wounded shooter techniques (how to keep fighting after being wounded) better than any other book of the genre. Suarez has real-world experience in applying the techniques he teaches in this book. His experience shows in his writing.

A few decades ago, pistol-handling technique underwent a practical revolution with the results of combat or practical pistol matches demonstrating a series of techniques that work to build speed and accuracy. Suarez's work is part of the next evolution of these same techniques after they've been tried and tested under stress and in-the-field. His technque may be the "practical" methods after they've been through the "can you do it under stress and when you're frightened?" filter.
Suarez's techniques also draw on an intimate knowledge of the martial arts (he has an extensive martial arts resume). The martial arts have a several hundred-year history of training people to perform complex tasks under stress and Suarez brings that forward in his writing.

I highly recommend this book.

I'm a former Intelligence Officer to my Country (Brazil), and also a fomer COP & BG, along to doing a few trips to be an "advisor" in some stincky helholes the World over. If you have read the recent news (on CNN I'm sure there is), Brazil is, today, a Nation under siege. In my time as an active IO, COP, and BG, the authors who helped me very much were the best from these old days: Col. Jeff Cooper, and Chuck Taylor. They helped me in learning to be a better professional, and to stay alive in the several shootouts I was in. I survived, alt. I was shot, stabed, and beaten more than once in almost 20 years of service. But I'm sure that, if in that time this book (along with the others from the great Gabe Suarez) was avaiable to me, I could be a better professional and, I bet, I could evade a few shots, stabs, and beatings I still have the scars today. Alt. I no longer on the "active service", I still carry a handgun for defense and, frankly, I know, alt. I'm older and "more used" that when "on the front", I learned so much in this book that I fell I'm better prepared to deal in any violent, criminal situation that may arrive...Thanks, Gabe! You've done what I though was impossible: teach to a veteran like me new tricks! To you, reader, order this (and his other books) right now. There is no better way to a "modern warrior" spend his money.