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Mel Tappan

Survival Guns Paperback – November 1, 2009

by Mel Tappan (Author), Don McLean (Foreword)

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When he wrote Survival Guns in 1979, Mel Tappan demonstrated that having the right weapons for securing food and providing personal defense is the key to sustaining life on an independent basis, whether or not a catastrophe occurs. This is even more true today.

Survival Guns became the standard in its own time and went through several printings. When it finally went out of print, it graduated from a classic to a sought-after collector's item, because the principles and advice in this well-reasoned volume are sound and perennially valuable. Some new guns and some new calibers have become available since this book was first published, but its principles, advice, and value remain unchanged. Having more choices only increases the value of advice on how to choose what is best for you.

As used copies of this book became harder and harder to find, Paladin received numerous requests to bring Tappan's classic back into print. We are pleased to make the most well-known survival firearms book ever published available once more to a new generation of concerned citizens facing the same threats Tappan chronicled during his lifetime. Survival Guns remains the definitive book for anyone interested in the practical use of firearms and related weapons for defense, food gathering, and predator and pest control under conditions of long-term, self-sufficient living.

Print length

480 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Paladin Press
Publication date

November 1, 2009
Dimensions

5.51 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

1581607199
ISBN-13

978-1581607192
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mel Tappan was a survival consultant, freelance writer, lecturer, and survival editor of Soldier of Fortune magazine. His interest in firearms began at the age of 6 when he received his first .22 rifle. From that time, he was an avid shooter, student of weaponry, and outdoorsman. He was devoted to evaluating firearms, outdoor and survival equipment, storable foods, and communications devices in order to provide assistance, by means of his writings and public lectures, to people who see the value of self-sufficient living and long-term survival planning.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Paladin Press (November 1, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1581607199
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1581607192
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.3 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.51 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,440,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,806 in Shooting in Hunting
- #4,060 in Hiking & Camping Instructional Guides

Customer Reviews:
38 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		60%
4 star		18%
3 star		13%
2 star		6%
1 star		2%

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docsavfan

Timeless Advice

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2011

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A couple of this book's reviewers opine that it's outdated and firearms which became available after 1980 were not tested. This is half true as Tappan passed away back in 1980 and could no longer test guns. As far as this book being outdated, just because the Browning designed 1911 in .45 ACP is 100 years old and no longer widely used by the U.S. Military does not mean it's obsolete. Many of the firearms described in Survival Guns are no longer made, but their concept and purpose continues to be valid. It's a shame no company makes an affordable combination gun anymore and I regretted not buying a Valmet 412 in .308/12 gauge when they were still available. Tappan recommended certain firearms in his book, but he would probably have liked their equivalents which came out after his death, such as the Glocks and Springfield XD models in major calibers. Even through Tappan preferred the H&K 91, I'm sure he wouldn't object to battle rifles like the Galil AR/ARM in .308, the Springfield Armory Scout Squad and SOCOM 16, and the later versions of the AK-47 type semi-auto rifles in 7.62X39mm. Tappan gave us the parameters of what he considered suitable guns for survival situations and the readers can determine for themselves what to get from the various firearms currently available. I think Tappan would really like the semi-auto versions of the Browning 1919 or even the M2 for static retreat defense. The recommendations for .22 rimfires and air rifles are especially useful for obtaining food in survival situations as they are relatively quiet and large amounts of ammo can be stored in a very small space. Current firearms manufacturers should read this book and make and/or revive some of the combination guns as there is definitely a market for such pieces, especially in these uncertain times.

14 people found this helpful

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Bob Walker

For what it's worth . . .

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2012

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First off, let me start by admitting my bias. I like this book. I like this book a lot. I have one very dog-eared, falling-apart copy I have read and reread since the late 70's, one unread copy stored away on the top shelf and, now, a copy on my Kindle. That said, let me tell you what I think this book is not.

This book is not outdated. Granted, some of the guns referred to are no longer in production, some are hopelessly outclassed by more recent models, and some have been left far behind in the dust of technological advance. But the justification behind Mel's discussion of these guns, the rationale behind his various recommendations, are as valid today as they were thirty five years ago. The value of this book is not about the guns he discusses, but the philosophy behind the suggestions he provides.

Now let me tell you what I think this book is. Alongside his lesser known 'Tappan on Survival', I think this book is--or certainly ought to be--among the first additions to a well-rounded preparedness library. At a time when survivalism was first earning it's often well deserved reputation for loopiness, Mel brought a sense of reasonableness, and intelligence to the table that had been sorely lacking. Along with a small handful of other authors, he made a preparedness lifestyle seem not quite so extreme, not quite so radical. Those of us who were fortunate enough to read his newsletter found his ideas refreshing, grounded firmly in common sense, and entertaining as all get out. And most importantly, he was able to articulate those ideas so clearly that they are still worth reading today.

I was thrilled to see that 'Survival Guns' has made it to the Kindle. Read this book, and you will be, too.

7 people found this helpful

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RetiredNSmilin308

Excellent resourse, BUT with a warning...PLEASE read the details of this eval. It is important AND relevant.

Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2013

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This is a reprint of the original book published back in the 70's. The cover is different, but the contents are the same.

This was the book that started it all !!! At least for me, anyway.

It gets you to thinking about the fact, maybe your duck gun, deer rifle and 22 may NOT be the best thing to have in your hands if or when the starving hordes come down your street.

Don't roll your eyes, right here in Phoenix, a lady lost two of ther kin to the typhoon that hit the Phillippines here recently. One sweet young 12yo child drowned,...BUT...

Here uncle, a man in his late 30's was MURDERED in the street for the food he was carrying back to their washed out house. He survived the typhoon, but was murdered by the lawless mobs roaming the streets in it's aftermath. Don't think the govenment is going to be there right after the hit, and don't think they will give one care about YOU or your family.

This uncle did everything he was told to do, and died because of the BSD advice he got. He disarmed himself like his govenment told him to do, he survived the storm, he showed up at the food place, got his ration of food & water, and was immediately killed for it on his way back to give it to his family. They alo left his body on the street and others robbed him of his watch, ring, wallet with photos, and then roaming dogs chewed on what was left.
THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A BIT, then read the rest of my evaluation of this device. Don't let his life go to waste, and his lesson go unlearned.

OK....now back to the evaluation.

It has the BEST explaination about ammunition I have seen in print.

It gives some detailed advice (for the time) about how some people are planning their prepes and their guns & ammunition. You can read what he says and then apply it to your own particular situation.

I gave it four stars ONLY because...
a.) SOME of the information is a bit dated and more / better stuff is out now.
b.) Good ol' Mel Tappan seems to have a fixation with a California firearms & accessories company and rather say get a good magazine pouch, or whatever, he keeps saying you need their model blah, blah, blah, of the device and ONLY theirs. Yes, he keeps denying he has no financial interest in their products, but it does not take a rocket scientist to see the BLATANT plugs he gives their products in his book.

One person found this helpful

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CAJUN

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2018

Verified Purchase

great information in this book for amateurs like me!

One person found this helpful

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WILLIAM S. GRAY

Excellent - None Better in This Genre

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2015

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The first of a series of books that look at firearms from the pragmatic approach. The philosophy of self sufficiency versus government dependency is evident in Tappan's writings. Too bad more Americans don't agree.

2 people found this helpful

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B. Zabavnik

A classic text

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2011

Verified Purchase

You may not be a gun nut but this tome is redolent with information with which you can make informed decisions as to the why of a particular firearm in its context. It is not about the current crop of firearms but this book has influenced their development and they are the better for it.

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