Essential Guide to Handguns: Firearm Instruction for Personal Defense and Protection [Paperback]

Stephen R. Rementer (Author), Bruce N. Eimer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A one-stop-source of information for the new defensive pistol shooter. I seriously recommend it to my students." -- Gabe Suarez, President, Suarez International and internationally acclaimed tactical firearms trainer and author.

"This book is a definite must for all gun owners, novice to expert. It should be referred to often." -- Steven Silverman, President, Firearms Research and Instruction.

"This excellent text should be read by every gun owner. Thorough and informative, this is a good book to own." -- John Farnam, President, Defensive Training Institute and author of

"This is a great handbook for the handgun owner. Want and expert opinion on what to buy? Get this book." -- Larry Pratt, Executive Director, Gun Owners of America.

"This is an excellent resource for beginners and experienced gun owners alike." -- Tim Schmidt, Editor & Publisher of Concealed Carry Magazine

Product Description

A must for every responsible gun owner! Gun ownership has inherent responsibilities, including the knowledge needed for weapon care, the wisdom to choose the gun that fits your personal abilities plus the skill and training to use it safely. This thorough book includes extensive discussion of a wide variety of firearms ownership and use issues. Also includes instruction on safe range procedures, tactical self-protection tools and tips for ensuring that you re sufficiently prepared to act in self-defense.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: Looseleaf Law Publications (January 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889031658
• ISBN-13: 978-1889031651
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #39,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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  Books > Outdoors & Nature > Hunting & Fishing > Shooting

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!!!, September 1, 2006

By	P.S. (AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Guide to Handguns: Firearm Instruction for Personal Defense and Protection (Paperback)

I have been carrying handguns concealed for over 10 yeras and this book is probably one of the top 5 books I've read on the subject. It's not about tactics but more on what handguns and accessories work and tips on cleaning and what to buy to clean your gun. They get into specifics with revolvers and autos. I actually went through the book after reading it once and highlighted parts to use as reference. Whether you're new to shooting or looking to carry concealed, I highly recommend this book.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most excellent book for beginers!, May 27, 2007

By	Glock 26 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Guide to Handguns: Firearm Instruction for Personal Defense and Protection (Paperback)

I highly reccomend this book. I knew very little about handguns, when I bought this book. This book takes you through everything you need to know when you don't know anything about guns. From selecting a self defense handgun to handling, ammunition, shooting, holsters, Psychological factors, and more.

I believe this is the best book out there for someone just starting out.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Strictly for Complete and Utter Novices, May 24, 2009

By	Confederate (Bethesda, MD) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Essential Guide to Handguns: Firearm Instruction for Personal Defense and Protection (Paperback)

I had high hopes for this book after reading the reviews, but having just received it and read it (or as much of it as I could bear), I have to say, if you're brand new to guns and only know what you've read in the instruction manual, this book may be for you. Despite the fact that there are few photographs, the language is bland and uninteresting, many of the facts and recommendations wrong and having inadequate information, still, you may find something useful in it if you can stay awake. Unfortunately, the cover is the most interesting thing about the book and, speaking of instruction manuals, the book reads like a giant one, itself.

There are numerous technical errors in the book, like referring to the S&W 66 as a .38 Spc. revolver (it's really a .357); bad advice, like recommending the Beretta .32 ACP Tomcat as reliable and dependable (it really has a congenitive problem with frame cracking), and finally, inadequate information (about one and three-quarters page on Smith & Wesson). It also doesn't have a decent breakdown of the various calibers and loads that are effective in home and concealed self defense.

It does describe what a revolver is, and how it's different from an automatic, how a centerfire is different from a rimfire, and safety tips...that sort of thing. The photos that do appear are tiny and many times, indistinct. No personal stories are included and, as I said, the text is dry and uninteresting. It might be a good idea to check out the "Look inside" feature.

All in all, this is the worst book in a collection of many other books, some better than others. My recommendation is to shop around for something better.