The Practical Pistol Manual: How to Use a Handgun for Self-Defense (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Drawn from the training course the author developed for the state of Connecticut for citizens desiring to obtain "concealed carry" permits for handguns, this book covers everything a person will need to know about using a handgun for self defense. Includes

Chapters on safety, defending yourself in court, psychology, and when NOT to use a gun in self defense. More than twenty states now permit concealed carry so citizen education in the safe and effective use of handguns is essential.

About the Author

Bill Clede is a former police officer and long time free lance writer. He is technical editor of Law and Order magazine, author of numerous books for police officers, and a memnber of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Jameson Books (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915463741
• ISBN-13: 978-0915463749
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #923,779 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kind words from a friend., March 14, 1998

By A Customer

Truth in packaging - Bill Clede is a long-time friend, although we've never met. We've been corresponding on CompuServe since forever. You'll also find my name in the credits for his Security Officer's Manual.

Bill is a practical guy, and has about as much patience as a forest fire. When he sits down to tell you a story, or tell you how to do something, it's clear, concise, and you'd [expletive] well better listen if you know what's good for you. What we have here is an excellent compendium of all of the courses and studies (and discussions!) I've ever seen on what to do and not do while carrying a firearm. Bill starts with the usual "this is a gun" drawings, moves to "sight picture" (how to hold the thing), and then spends more or less the rest of the book telling you when to shoot or not shoot, and why. If you're a Police Officer, you've probably already heard all of this, but should read it again anyway. If you're a private citizen who wants to keep a gun in the house, or if you're legally able to carry one, it's a must for how, why, and when....

Skinnly little book, BIG message....

Stu Mulne

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mighty slim, September 25, 2002

By A Customer

I was surprised to see how small this book was - I should have read the fine print! It worked out to around 70 pages, I think. The book is apparently drawn from the author's introduction-to-handguns classroom curriculum and is very light on content. The most informative handgun book I found by far was "The Concealed Handgun Manual" by Chris Bird.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book for newcomers to using firearms for self-defense, June 2, 2001

By	Joseph H Pierre "Joe Pierre" (Salem, OR USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In his introduction the author acknowledges that there are many fine books dealing with gun handling, marksmanship and confrontational behavior directed at specialists in those subjects. He perceived a need for a book intended for people who simply want to qualify for their CCW (concealed carry) permits and to conduct themselves responsibly when they carry their weapons.

He does a good job addressing that audience. The book is carefully written, and all of the information it contains will be helpful to novices who want to learn more about firearms, their handling, and the incumbent responsibilities incurred concomitant with carrying a concealed firearm. Thirty-one states at last count have "must issue" laws, permitting any law-abiding citizen with no history of mental illness or a criminal record to qualify for a concealed carry license. Many of us have them. They have been found to reduce violent crime in those states with such laws, and in fact have saved many lives, as statistics show. A hostile press has downplayed the demonstrated efficacy of an armed populace in reducing crime by simply not reporting the 2.5 million instances per year in the United States where armed citizens have used firearms to prevent crimes, while dramatically playing up each of the far fewer instances where a gun is used in a crime (school shootings, etc.).

But, a lot of the people who are new to firearms need the information in this book, and another one written by the late George L. Tooley: "George Tooley's Beginner's Book on How to Handle Firearms Safely," which is also available on Amazon. It is very similar to this book by Bill Clede. Both authors have been law enforcement officers. Tooley spent 45 years in law enforcement and corrections, most of it teaching other officers to shoot and care for their weapons. His book is more heavily illustrated than Clede's, and in some areas more detailed. It contains less information on when to shoot and the legal ramifications, and more on shooting accurately and safely, and the details of firearms and how they work. Both books are aimed at the same audience.

Joseph H. Pierre
author, Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance