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Massad F. Ayoob

Stressfire, Vol. 1 (Gunfighting for Police: Advanced Tactics and Techniques) Paperback – June 1, 1986

by Massad F. Ayoob (Author), Ray Chapman (Foreword)

4.6 132 ratings

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Learn how stress and adrenaline affect the mind and body, ruining conventional shooting techniques under pressure... and how new techniques actually feed off that pressure to make you perform better under stress. Learn over 30 techniques, many of them new, for coming out of a stress-shooting situation on top...how to shoot 360 degrees without conscious foot movement...how to most effectively take out a target behind you, even on a stairway... and most important, how to develop mind control and fear control to master high stress-shooting encounters. Stressfire is the only combat shooting method with a flowing, martial arts oriented system of techniques to deal with any armed contingency under stress, yet is the easiest and quickest of the "modern techniques" to master.

Language

English
Publisher

Police Bookshelf
Publication date

June 1, 1986
Dimensions

6 x 0.5 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

0936279036
ISBN-13

978-0936279039
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About the Author

Massad F Ayoob is the internationally recognized expert of the use of deadly force for self defense. His teaching experience in weaponry training dates back over three decades.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Police Bookshelf; Fourth Edition (June 1, 1986)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0936279036
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0936279039
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.1 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.5 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #808,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #762 in Law Enforcement (Books)
- #944 in Law Enforcement Politics
- #67,353 in Reference (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 132 ratings

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Massad F. Ayoob

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Massad Ayoob is one of the pre-eminent fighting handgun trainers in the world. He operates the Lethal Force Institute, which trains both U.S. and international clients. His methods of reflexive, high speed yet accurate shooting has been adopted by the U.S. army as part of its standard pistol-training course. Massad has written many books for Krause Publications, including Combat Handgunnery, The Gun Digest Book of Sig-Sauer, and The Gun Digest Book of Beretta Pistols.

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4.6 out of 5

132 global ratings

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Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2023

Verified Purchase

Very 1970s however all the information is Totally applicable for use today. Very well written and explained. You will learn very valuable information that you will be able to apply to your everyday thought process training and on the range.

Realistic advise on combat handgunning

Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2003

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Massad Ayoob is one of the first tactics writers I came across when I first began interested in guns in the late 80's. That is not an accident, given the fact that Ayoob is one of the most famous and knowledgeable writers in business, and his writings are published widely in many magazines. So, I have a high respect for him.
The book covers a variety of topics on self defence and combat, including mental conditioning. Ayoob has developed his StressFire system onto a complete package that covers it all. Therefore, he has something to say about everything. That in itself is a good thing, and it adds to the completeness of this book, but it also gives a distinct impression of "empire-building". Since the StressFire system is Ayoob's creation, every time he mentions how things are better on StressFire, he seem biased. In addition, Ayoob rarely recommends a technique he has not invented himself (one of the only exeptions is Chapman flashlight technique, which Ayoob recommends in addition of his own StressFire technique).
But as I mentioned, the book is a complete package, and the techniques and tactics presented in the book seem reasonable and sound. I would recommend this book to anyone who carries a handgun, on or off duty.

28 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2009

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No book can teach you how to stay alive through a violent confrontation, but Ayoob consistently publishes books that get you more than 50% of the way there. His no-nonsense practical approach boils down years of experience into a small number of basic truths that any combat shooter can appreciate and adopt (or adapt) quickly. For anyone who wants the fundamentals of close quarters combat shooting, this is a great text. His advice and opinions are clear and well explained. For those who think a shotgun is a suitable home defense weapon, Ayoob's brief explanation of his preference for a handgun is crystal-clear and compelling. It almost invites the reader to move around the house with both weapons, to learn for oneself how ponderous a long gun is in confined quarters.

This book is devoid of impractical theories and it doesn't propose any harmful or foolish techniques. Everything is simple and direct and true. After reading this book, you should find somewhere to practice under the most realistic conditions possible - Thunder Ranch being one useful resource for those who can afford it.

This is a must-read for anyone who is serious about self-defense. Follow it up with at least one intensive hands-on CQC course run by an experienced instructor. Nothing is guaranteed to work - after all, in real life the aggressor always has the advantage of surprise - but this is an excellent foundation.

17 people found this helpful

Great book by a greaat author

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2021

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The book is very good, I had the chance to go through many of these exercises and concepts with the man himself, Mas Ayoob, and they are very eye-opening in terms of simulating stress and realizing what you're still capable of under stress.

StressFire - a primer on real-life defensive gunfighting.

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2013

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StressFire is an excellent primer on non-range, real life, self-defense shooting. Ayoob's approach is to start with the conventional and traditional methods and then assess their effectiveness via statistics, case studies, in-action feedback, and in replicated stress-induced situations. Then he improves upon those methods in a practical, no nonsense manner. The combination of practical instruction and pictures is effective. His intent is to give the defensive shooter a better chance of success and survival - to be faster, smarter, and more accurate - if or when the situation arises. Many of the techniques can be dry-fire practiced at home.

5 people found this helpful

Concealed handgun pointers

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2009

Verified Purchase

While this book is primarily written with law enforcement training in mind, many of the points discussed are applicable to concealed handgun carriers or armed self-defense. Few people can aim and fire a weapon at a person as accurately and calmly as they do at a shooting range or on a hunting trip. This book explains how adrenaline and stress during a life or death confrontation interfere with your shooting ability and explains ways to make those reactions either work for you or be minimalized. It also explains ways to use cover while standing or squatting with the pistol without sacrificing control or aim. Hopefully this book is wasted money and none of us ever have to put it to the test.

9 people found this helpful

Christian D. Orr

One of my all-time favourite gun books

Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2017

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One of my all-time favourite gun books by one of my all-time favourite gun writers (even though nowadays I'm more of a Weaver Stance proponent while Mas Ayoob is more pro-Isosceles). I first read it at age 15, about a year after I first got into shooting, and I found it to be profoundly influential on both my own development as a shooter and in my teaching techniques for shooters when it was my turn to teach the newbies.

2 people found this helpful

Man has to know his limitations

Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2013

Verified Purchase

Ok Man has to know his limitations is a line from the movies, but if you are going into a gunfight you need to prepare mentally for it. What Mas Ayoob wrote 25 plus years ago still applies. You need to be mentally prepared, physically prepared when the time comes. If you carry a firearm you also need to be prepared to use it and be able to justify your actions afterward. Talk to your lawyer for legal advice or your departments policies and procedures.

One parting quote ."there is no second place winner in a gunfight"-(Bill Jordan)

Again the above is not legal advice, just my opinion of the book.

Changed my ways

Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2011

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This book is an absolute must for anyone who might need to rely on a firearm to protect them. It has completely changed the way i operate my hand gun for defensive purposes, changed the way i clear my house when somethiing goes bump in the night and changed my mind set while carrying concealed. Great for anyone just learning to shoot or especially for someone who thinks they're a pro but hasn't had any formal training. And if you have children in your house dont forget to buy "Gun proof your children" by the same author.

One person found this helpful

Great Training Tool.

Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2014

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I have read and re-read this book 5 or 6 times now. You will want to read it and practice the positions both at home (dry fire) and the range. Too bad it's out of print and some of the copies are priced ridiculously high (which is why I gave it only 4 stars). I found it for $50 and it is worth every penny.

2 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2013

Verified Purchase

This is one of those books that lives up to it's name! What else would you expect from Massad Ayoob. His system of study, that covers the weapons, the shooters, the target, the enviorment and many other varaibles that can influence and affect where a shot could go without the proper "mindset". He covers other things such as stance, cover and the adversary. It's worth reading.

factual writing with reader information never before addressed, so ...

Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2014

Verified Purchase

factual writing with reader information never before addressed, so clearly and with "real world" examples. Massoud Ayoob is the master of pertinent information as to the why's, where, and some surprising results the armed citizen must know. Thanks Mas.

Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2015

Verified Purchase

A total waist of money. The author is extremely over rated. Bad information and outdated even in its day. Based on this book I would advise people to stay away from this authors books period. It just goes to show how when poeple learn to do things the improper way how fiercely they stick to it for a lifetime. Check out the techniques we used in Army Special Forces or Champion competition shooters and compare it to this crap and you'll see. Dont believe things based on someones undeserved reputation, do your own research check many sources and above all use common sense. Do what works best for you and if it feels wrong dont do it. Try different ways and pick what suits you best as an individual. Find a gun you feel comfortable with and can handle familiarize yourself with it and keep practicing and you wont go wrong.

One person found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2012

Verified Purchase

So while this book has some good info in it and shows some pretty good photos, there's two problems with it. One, its dates. Two it assumes you have a certain familiarity with some basic gun techniques already.

It has some good advice, but its probably more useful as a gap between new and novice gun techniques.

One person found this helpful

Amazon Customer

good info, recommended for anyone wanted to better their

Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2016

Verified Purchase

good info,
recommended for anyone wanted to better their skills

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