NO SECOND PLACE WINNER

[MrTrolleyguy]

You may recognize the title of Bill Jordan's book written in 1965. It was written for law enforcement officers primarily. And to quote one reviewer it is, " what is considered by many to be one of the pinnacle writings on the subject of the real-world use of a handgun."

What you may not know is that it is now in the public domain and is available to download for free. So if you haven't already bought a copy this is a chance to save $15.00 by downloading it from Archive.org Here is the link to the appropriate page. You will have a few more bucks for ammo.

Trolley

 

[CCantu357]

Great book. I prefer my hardbound version, but now being public domain I think everyone should read it. It is not very long, and reads very quickly. Worth an hour of anyone's time!

 

[Mule88]

I have a copy that Bill autographed for me. Great Book.

 

[imashooter2]

That is a great find... Anyone know how I would go about getting this on my phone in iBooks?

ETA: Never mind, figured it out. Download as EPUB, go to iTunes and use "add file to library."

Thanks for the great link!

 

[Nick B]

Tag for later

 

[george minze]

Great book! Anybody in law enforcement should read it....I first read it in the late 60's I loved it....Those were the days...We weren't to politically correct in those days.. Thank God.....

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

I have a copy that Bill autographed for me. Great Book.

YES INDEED!! I try and go back once a year and review mine-

 

[Texas Star]

I have two copies autographed for me by the late author.

It is a compelling read, humorous in places, but deadly serious in most. I wish that I'd written the review cited above.

Unless one saw Bill draw and shoot, it would be hard for many to admit that a man could be that fast and accurate.
But he was!

He discussed the issue of "throwdown guns", meant to be planted as evidence if a cop shot an unarmed man. I think that's now less common.

Autos now dominate in police work, but those who can carry a revolver will be inspired by Bill's remarks. Ironically, the last time I saw him, in G.W. Stone's custom knife shop, he was packing a S&W M-59 9mm.

 

[Jellybean]

Archive.org is a great site and I have found a lot of books and videos on the site. But, not everything there is as "unprotected" as they might think and apparently they don't have a legal department that checks what the individual sources put up. Especially the source that put that book on.

 

[ostlund]

Definitely a good read. My copy is in my safe, with other of Bill's books, signed with message to me. I was very fortunate to meet him and shake his hand and thank him. My dad used to work with him on Mexican border before I came along so I heard "a little bit" along the way of adventures.

 

[Gunslinger808]

 

[model70hunter]

Thanks Trolly. Now I have another thing I bought to early.

I liked reading Bill Jordan.

Two of his works I remember, one was putting a choked Python BBL on a S&W (Smolt) to out shoot someone. I'm sure he got a good laugh out of that.

The other was one of his later stories, he loved to hunt and bought one of the first Winchester M-70's in Super grade in 30-06 and hunted with it for a long, long time. He loved to pack in to hunt.

He said up in his 70's they were packing into the mountains days from help and he had a thought he'd never had before, I'm old, what if something happens? He said the guide gave him an answer that made him feel better. Heck Bill we'll get you out of here even if we have to make 4 trips.

(You might not understand if you have not packed an Elk out of the mountains.)

Now back to the regular programming.

 

[Texas Star]

Thanks Trolly. Now I have another thing I bought to early.

I liked reading Bill Jordan.

Two of his works I remember, one was putting a choked Python BBL on a S&W (Smolt) to out shoot someone. I'm sure he got a good laugh out of that.

The other was one of his later stories, he loved to hunt and bought one of the first Winchester M-70's in Super grade in 30-06 and hunted with it for a long, long time. He loved to pack in to hunt.

He said up in his 70's they were packing into the mountains days from help and he had a thought he'd never had before, I'm old, what if something happens? He said the guide gave him an answer that made him feel better. Heck Bill we'll get you out of here even if we have to make 4 trips.

(You might not understand if you have not packed an Elk out of the mountains.)

Now back to the regular programming.

Yeah, that sounds like his humor!

When I got my first copy of the book, I told him that I was stuck at a remote radar site and needed something to read. He replied that he loved a captive audience!

 

[george minze]

I heard his testimony in the Ed Cantrell case in Rock Springs was something to see......

 

[Jellybean]

Definitely a good read. My copy is in my safe, with other of Bill's books, signed with message to me. I was very fortunate to meet him and shake his hand and thank him. My dad used to work with him on Mexican border before I came along so I heard "a little bit" along the way of adventures.

Then maybe you can answer this question. I'd read a lot about the shootouts he was in, from him and from others. Do you know anything about them for sure?

 

[ostlund]

Then maybe you can answer this question. I'd read a lot about the shootouts he was in, from him and from others. Do you know anything about them for sure?

I know what you're asking. I've read about the "were pinned down in a shootout and couldn't get away..." but they were able to get back to town for more ammo to keep in the shootout! These stories I can't provide a reliable "I was told" response.

Not for shoot outs, but for other details a couple.

A once removed detail learned from dad is about an accidental shooting. In respect of Mr. Jordan's honor I am hesitant, but knowing there is knowledge of an accidental killing out there will share in hopes that it clears up the story a bit and minimizes speculitive doubts. In the office it was common practice to dry fire practice using the light switch as a target. One day it was forgotten the gun was not unloaded and someone was on the other side of the wall. What an awful deal all the way around.

Another book relating detail is confirmation of having a spare junker J frame or M&P to throw in the canal or ditch to ensure the bad guy did have a gun and was shooting back.

Yes, bad form etc. from one perspective, but on the other hand THAT BORDER is whole other world and we best temper quick judgement accordingly. Dad has several switch blade knives he took off wet backs (yeah, I know another policitically correct land mine in names) when they jumped him in the dark of the night. He never had to shoot anyone, but still, it takes some nerve to encounter unkown forces and disarm in the dark. I think our Law Enforcement and Military earn and deserve the leeway. Support them!

 

[Jellybean]

Thank you very much ostlund,

I had heard of the accidental shooting before, although the light switch was never mentioned. I started in law enforcement in 1979 and the first dept. I worked on the officers would show off their draws, notice I left out the word "fast", in front of a mirror. Behind that mirror was a block wall, and behind that wall was the squad/locker room. Times were different then, so you don't need to apologize for anything else you said either.

 

[Trooperdan]

I was in Rhodesia for the World IPSC championships in 1977 and stayed at the hotel Monomatapa in Salsbury. I heard a rumor that Bill Jordan was staying there also and was in the lobby when I overheard several people talking about the "big American" that was in the bar. I ran to the bar but I apparently had just missed him. One of my biggest disappontments!

 

[NMPinNYC]

I had an autographed copy of No Second Place Winner. Many years back, I gave it to my high school buddy who was joining the NYSP. I also gave him my copy of Mass Ayoob's "In The Gravest Extreme"; I was a firearms guy and my buddy was not, he was just getting to understand the tools he was being given, I think the first being an S&W 520 at the time.

Anyway, my buddy and I drifted, he to upstate NY to pursue his trade and I stayed in Brooklyn. We drifted apart and I miss the young man who was my great friend in high school, as well as the autographed copy of No Second Place Winner. I have replaced the book with a fresh copy, but still wish I had my buddy, and my autographed copy of Bill Jordan's book, again.

 

[imashooter2]

Just looking the site over and noted that they also had Elmer Keith's Hell, I Was There!

https://archive.org/details/Hell_I_Was_There_Elemer_Keith_Autobigraphy

 

[GRIZZLYBEAR]

I try to read my autographed copy at least once every year or so