The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning, Second Edition (Paperback)

by John S. Farnam (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For more than 30 years, John S. Farnam has been teaching the latest defensive firearms techniques to police departments, federal and stat agencies as well as foreign governments. Now his classic book, The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning, has been fully updated and revised. Whether you are a novice or experienced shooter, you will find valuable insights on the types of defensive handguns and the tactics for using them. This new edition features fully updated information on the “why” of defensive shooting including chapters on the legal justification for using lethal force. It contains valuable information about tactics you will use every day to avoid criminal confrontation or to react promptly and effectively if you do encounter a potential criminal. You will also find vital information on mental toughness and personal tactics that can help you to preserve your own life and the lives of family members when facing an imminent deadly assault. The chapters on handgun operating systems present the variety of handguns currently in use with advantages and disadvantages clearly described. You will also learn about the newest developments in defensive ammunition, and the importance of selecting and testing the right rounds for your handgun.

From the Publisher
DTI Publications is honored to have worked with John Farnam over the past year as he's written and refined The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning. We believe it's been well worth the wait. Farnam knows this subject like no one else! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: DTI Publications Inc (December 2, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0965942244
• ISBN-13: 978-0965942249
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #356,181 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent manual of self-defense, August 31, 2000

By	Kirk Webb (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning (Paperback)

From the title, one might think that this is just another book about the mechanics of loading, aiming and firing a pistol or revolver, of which there are many examples on the market today. This book is much more, however. The first half is more about the "why" of defensive shooting with the "how" very well presented in the second half. There are excellent chapters on the legal justification of using lethal force, as well as practical aspects of self-defense situations such as how to interact with the police afterwards. What are the common physical reactions that self-defense shooters suffer? Mr. Farnam lists and describes them. How much do you tell the responding officers after a shooting, and what are the pitfalls for you? Mr. Farnam covers these in detail.

Coverage of the draw from a holster, grip and stance, as well as loading and unloading, are covered in exhaustive detail, with separate sections for different models. Revolvers? Manual decockers? Colt Government models? Double Action Only? All covered clearly and thoroughly. Lots of pictures add clarity also.

For anyone who wishes for a worthy successor to Massad Ayoob's "In the Gravest Extreme", an excellent book that desperately needs updating, this is it, in my opinion. No longer do I have to recommend Ayoob's classic with the admonition "just ignore the firearm descriptions; they're way out of date". Now I can just recommend John Farnam's handgun book with no hesitation. I think it will be a classic, too.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read For Anyone Interested In Personal Defense, September 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning (Paperback)

John Farnam has created in this book an encyclopedia of information for the student of personal defense. John Farnam is recognized as a world-class firearms instructor. A survivor's perspective and years of teaching experience have given him the tremendous ability to analyze, distill and describe the latest advances in defensive training. Although Farnam has written two previous books on this topic, this one contains much new information and is anything but an update.

Much of the lifestyle and tactical advice in the book applies to everyone. Even to those who do not own firearms. The guidance on interaction with police officers and the criminal justice system alone is worth the book's cost. Much of this information cannot be had from any other source.

John Farnam brings an engineer's perspective to the technical descriptions and analysis of all common handgun action types. His distilled non-diagnostic approach to handgun manipulation is widely accepted and taught within the law enforcement and civilian training communities.

This book is a must read for anyone who is even remotely interested in personal defense. The beginner will gain a comprehensive and easily understood foundation. Serious students will benefit from all of the new advances.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New edition available, December 18, 2005

By	Lewis Webb (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning (Paperback)

This edition has been superceded by a Dec 2005 Second Edition.
Amazon has it; search for the title and Second Edition.