The book covers just about all the basics about shooting from the drawstroke and the sight picture to reloading and malfunction clearance. In addition, there is also material for mental as well as tactical aspects of combat. But as you would guess, as this book is about 200 pages long and there are 22 chapters, none of the issues are given very through presentation. The information is presented in a clear and easy to understand way, but there really is not that much that you wouldn't find in other similar books.

I think that this book is a good one, and worth the purchase, but there are some issues like the ones mentioned below that bother me:
- Suarez seems to think that PTSD and related symptoms are result of conditioning. He thinks that people suffer from these symptos, because they have been told to do that. What he doesn't realize (or seems to ignore) is that PTSD symptoms have been widely known and discussed for only couple of decades, but veterans of war have suffered from these symptoms from as early as the WWI.
- In many issues, Suarez teaches only one way to do things. Take teaching the proper firing stance as an example: Suarez teaches only Weaver stance, and does not even mention that there are other shooting stances in existence. In my mind it is obvious that these are a matter of choice, and readers should be given a chance to evaluate the possibilities himself. This approach of not even mentioning the "competitive" stances gives the reader an impression that the author can't make the reasoning on the subject, and therefore chooses to avoid the issue completely.
- Suarez teaches to put the trigger finger on the trigger surface as you are in the process of drawing the gun, and the finger should start pressing the trigger even before the sights are aligned to the target! I think that this is extremely dangerous, as this demands extremely good coordination, which propably is not available in the heat of battle.
- There are at least two separate issues where Suarez tells that it is very important to learn some specific skills, but there is not a word on these skills in the book! For example, regarding to shooting from behind cover, Suarez tells that "you must develop the ability to 'roll out' from behind cover in a shooting position", and yet there is not a single word or picture on how to do it. If Suarez thinks that this is an important skill, why there is not even a single page, or couple of pictures on the subject?

Speaking of pictures, there are plenty and most of them are very good and informative, and support the text nicely. Some of the pictures are apparently so good that they have been used in other books as well. There is a strange thing that gaught my eye, however. In the chapter on operating in reduced light, there was no discussion on Surefire/Rogers firing technique in the text, but there was a photograph depicting that stance. That gives an impression of sloppiness in part of the publisher.

In conclusion, despite its few shortcomings, I would say that the book is a worthwhile investment. But this should not be your first book on the subject, as you have to examine the text with critical eye.


Part of the next evolution of pistol technique   July 11, 2003
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is an excellent intermediate level book on gun handling. As the subtitle implies, it's not a beginner's level book. I have notes, highlights and page flags all over my copy. This book covers the topic of wounded shooter techniques (how to keep fighting after being wounded) better than any other book of the genre. Suarez has real-world experience in applying the techniques he teaches in this book. His experience shows in his writing.

A few decades ago, pistol-handling technique underwent a practical revolution with the results of combat or practical pistol matches demonstrating a series of techniques that work to build speed and accuracy. Suarez's work is part of the next evolution of these same techniques after they've been tried and tested under stress and in-the-field. His technque may be the "practical" methods after they've been through the "can you do it under stress and when you're frightened?" filter.
Suarez's techniques also draw on an intimate knowledge of the martial arts (he has an extensive martial arts resume). The martial arts have a several hundred-year history of training people to perform complex tasks under stress and Suarez brings that forward in his writing.

I highly recommend this book.


Cut and Dry, In the Ten Ring   April 26, 2003
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

In Suarez style, this book continues to demonstrate Suarez's true knowledge of tactics and his ability to teach in text. Much like THE TACTICAL ADVANTAGE, another must read, Suarez lays it out in idiot proof form, complete with diagrams and photos. He tells you how to do it, shows you how to do it, and tells you why its better to do it this way. Pistol prowess is more than just point and shoot and this book tells you how to do it safely and effectively. It caters to the rookie as well as the veteran flatfoot and it offers something to learn from and build on for any reader. As a cop, when your goal is to go home at the end of your shift in one piece, you cant afford to let a good book like this one slip past you. Buy it, borrow it, steal it if you have to, (don't get caught) but read it...It might save your life.


THE BEST BOOK FROM THE BEST AUTHOR   March 2, 2003
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I'm a former Intelligence Officer to my Country (Brazil), and also a fomer COP & BG, along to doing a few trips to be an "advisor" in some stincky helholes the World over. If you have read the recent news (on CNN I'm sure there is), Brazil is, today, a Nation under siege. In my time as an active IO, COP, and BG, the authors who helped me very much were the best from these old days: Col. Jeff Cooper, and Chuck Taylor. They helped me in learning to be a better professional, and to stay alive in the several shootouts I was in. I survived, alt. I was shot, stabed, and beaten more than once in almost 20 years of service. But I'm sure that, if in that time this book (along with the others from the great Gabe Suarez) was avaiable to me, I could be a better professional and, I bet, I could evade a few shots, stabs, and beatings I still have the scars today. Alt. I no longer on the "active service", I still carry a handgun for defense and, frankly, I know, alt. I'm older and "more used" that when "on the front", I learned so much in this book that I fell I'm better prepared to deal in any violent, criminal situation that may arrive...Thanks, Gabe! You've done what I though was impossible: teach to a veteran like me new tricks! To you, reader, order this (and his other books) right now. There is no better way to a "modern warrior" spend his money.


KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY   December 31, 2002
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I have been priveleged to work with some of the top gunmen and bodyguards on the planet. Some are the most decorated cops in the history of NYC. I have attended many training seminars and read plenty of books on pistolcraft. My library is filled with VHS training tapes too. After reading TACTICAL PISTOL a number of times and disecting it and discussing the techniques with some of the aforementioned experts in the field I must say that much of the information is very good. The only weakness may lie in what most combat shooting books lack and that is the true dynamics of a live totally chaotic shootout. I do want to re-state that the information is good basics. This author is way ahead of the Massad Ayoobs of the shooting world. At least, like the great Jim Cirillo of the NYC stake out squad, he has some real street experience. I would suggest to the reader interested in true combat shooting that he also add to his list books by Bill Jordan, Bradley J. Steiner and maybe review Kill or Get Killed by Col. Rex Applegate. Remember everything old is new again. Be prepared. Practice, practice, practice. Trust in the great one and keep your powder dry.