Recommended reading on self-defense?

[Protected One]

I'm currently reading Mass Ayoods new book, Deadly Force - Understanding your right to self defense. There are several others on my list for coming months, as well as many already read. I firmly believe that although everything I read is not useful, reading is a great way to increase my knowledge.

Other than those listed below, what other books can you recommend, and what might I expect to learn from it?
1) In the Greatest Extreme, by Ayoob
2) Facing Violence - Preparing for the unexpected, by Rory Miller
3) Surgical Speed Shooting, by Andy Stanford
4) Principals of Personal Defense, by Jeff Cooper
5) Handgun Stopping Power - The definitive study, by Evan Marshall

Thanks

 

[Rpg]

There is no list of what reading material you have attached to your email.

Read everything by Jeff Cooper.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

I'm reading Ayoob's new book as well!

I'd also suggest;

Defensive Living by Dave Spaulding and Ed Lovette.

On killing by Lt. Col Dave Grossman.

If you carry a revolver I'd highly recommend reading the Snubby revolver by Ed Lovette.

 

[whittsailor]

I'm almost finished reading Defensive Revolver Fundamentals by Grant Cunningham. His methods can easily be applied to semi autos too. An easy and straight forward read.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

On Killing

Good on you!

Time to ask these questions is before we need to use a gun.


What we should do is get involved in the study of killing.

I will give a strong recommendation for the works of Lt Col David Grossman(retired)

He addresses what happens to a shooter when he kills another human being. The shooter's psychological world is changed forever when most of us are involved with a shooting.

His book, "On killing" is available as an auto book. This is the prefered way to get all the way to the end.

You can find plenty by/about him online. Try YouTube for extensive longer videos.

The one point you will want to get is to get your head (attitude) adjusted before the incident. I wont go into that. Read about and start the process. Super super important and not a simple thing as you might suspect

He also wrote a book aimed at the Army and the Fighting Arms on the same topics. He called the present studies as the science of killing or killology.

This may the first book any of us should read/study.

I hope this leads down a path that prevents future unnecessary suffering

Joe

 

[shouldazagged]

Another vote for Ed Lovette's excellent little book on the snub revolver.

I've found that reading a great deal of how-to material on any subject tends to lead me in the direction of overthinking and wondering which expert is right, but that's just this old geezer.

 

[ou1954]

Maybe someone can give me some pointers on carrying a gun in the car. I have an Oklahoma CC [now includes OC here] but have no intent to carry on a routine basis. I also have been well trained in Oklahoma self defense at home. The SD9VE will therefore live in a particular place in the house.

Now for a new situation . . Last night we went to a concert down town and since I grew up here I wasn't bothered by driving through some dark areas on the way to the concert hall. In the summer that route is not dark, but we do notice some folks there that we would not want to face under any conditions. My wife was bothered during our drive last night and suggested we take a weapon in such situations.

Can anyone suggest what situations would warrant pointing the gun at someone?

Asking for directions?
Asking for small change?
Asking for a ride?
Grabbing the car door?
etc.

I believe a car has the same status as a home so it's un-lawful to shoot someone if they just try to open your car door, nor if they are running away.

So I suppose the question is, what should cause you to pull up a gun in a car and point or shoot it? [I think the laws are similar in all states]

 

[P&R Fan]

Firost off, I amnot an attorney, so this advice is only worth what you are paying for it: The only legal use of your weapon is when you or someone in your care is in immediate danger of death or grave bodily harm. You point your gun at somebody who is not a threat and you are charged with Aggravated Assault.
Please read the books mentioned here, especially Ayoobs.
Jim Cirillo is another good one.
Jim

 

[Big Cholla]

And one large point that many people forget to consider; Since childhood your parents taught you to take care of the car. Wash it, polish it, don't dent it, etc. Well, when it comes to self defense while in that wonder car, never forget that it is a 4,000 to 5,000 lb. tool that will work very well in getting you and yours out of a tight situation. Somebody working on a car door handle? Drive away. Light against you? Run it watching for other traffic. Turn in the direction of the cross traffic. Someone jump on your hood? Go fast for a few feet and slam on the brakes and then run over him when he falls in front of the car. You get the idea. Don't worry about a few scrapes and dents when it comes to self protection. They can all be fixed. Use that car to create distance between you and the problem. If you have to take any action as described above, call the police and report it immediately. Not all self defense tools are guns. But a small revolver in a crossdraw holster is just made for use while driving. ............... Big Cholla

 

[Biggfoot44]

No Second Place Winner by Bill Jordan . Everything by Jim Cirillo.

If you only carry in your vehicle , never get out of the vehicle.

 

[lawandorder]

Good for you! Anyone contemplating carrying for self defence

.....needs to spend a lot of time reading, researching, and thinking.

In the old days there was a shortage of books on the subject but not now days, in addition to the old classics, there is an abundance of books on the subject. As you stated not all of them are great, but I think each has some kernel of wisdom that will help a person along this journey.

Most any of Mas's books, especially his latest, are very good.

Another one I recommend to folks is Jerry Ahern's (RIP) book," Armed for Personal Defense".

Ed Lovett's book mentioned above on the snubby revolver is great.

There is a need for a well done book on the S&W J frame family with all of the variants, aftermarket accessories, carry methods, and use as one of the most popular defensive firearms in the U.S.

Everyone needs to start with a firm foundation of knowledge of the law and build from there.

Then, practice, practice, practice, because when the test comes you need to pass with flying colors.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

One hugely important idea that I got from Dave Grossman's books was that there is a world of difference between...

Thou shall not kill
and
Thou shall not murder.

Most of us have had the first one drilled into us. However the commandment was against murder. There is a lot of killing in the Bible. But there were fewer murders. Huge difference when you need to draw your gun and fire. That concept needs to be corrected.

When did some person, in the English version, chose the word kill instead of murder? That is the subject for another thread.

So if we have inculcated the idea "Thou shall not kill" we have set ourselves up for a number of horrible things: hesitation in pulling the trigger, countless nightmares, and years and years of silently mulling over the questions, did I do the right thing or what might I have done differently or it might get us murdered?

Reading this post will not do the needed change of attitude. Instead the right idea must be inculcated, absorbed by constant and persistent study and instruction. Reading these comments just might start the process.

I suspect that for LEOs this is drilled into them starting at the academy.

 

[Protected One]

I'm reading Ayoob's new book as well!

I'd also suggest;

Defensive Living by Dave Spaulding and Ed Lovette.

On killing by Lt. Col Dave Grossman.

If you carry a revolver I'd highly recommend reading the Snubby revolver by Ed Lovette.

I read a excerpt from Grossmans book in a magazine recently( concealed carry magazine I think).
He pointed out how many muskets recovered from the Gettysburg battle of the Civil War had 10 or more balls in them! Indicating that soldiers were reloading "unfired guns" rather than shoot someone. Amazing, but it does point out how much more difficult it is to shoot someone than most would think.
Both your recommendations are being added to my list . Don't shoot a revolver for anything other than fun, so I'll skip that book. Thank you.

Another one I recommend to folks is Jerry Ahern's (RIP) book," Armed for Personal Defense".

Got it!
Thanks

 

[Protected One]

I'm reading Ayoob's new book as well!

I'd also suggest;

Defensive Living by Dave Spaulding and Ed Lovette.

On killing by Lt. Col Dave Grossman.

If you carry a revolver I'd highly recommend reading the Snubby revolver by Ed Lovette.

Thanks for the Lt. Col. Dave Grossman recommendation!
It's in the batters box!

 

[Old cop]

Unless I missed it I’d suggest reading up on the law in your state as it applies to firearms, deadly force & self defense.

 

[Ziggy2525]

ETA - Second link plus what might be learned...

Violence of Mind - Varg Freeborn
Varg defended himself with a knife in a deadly force attack, was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon for stabbing the attacker too many times, spent time in prison, and later pardoned with rights restored. Good viewpoint of both criminal mindset and self defense mindset from a civilian BTDT point of view.

This post from an inner city LEO on ar15.com. Long post on the nature of inner city criminals, how inner city robberies go down, and his opinion on the best approach for defending yourself.
Street robberies and you - The Basics - AR15.COM

Detailed AAR from a CCW holder that was shot defending himself in an armed robbery (BG shot also).
My CCW Shooting AAR--Now with More Graphic Pics on pg 29 & 30 - AR15.COM

 

[Struckat]

I'm almost finished reading Defensive Revolver Fundamentals by Grant Cunningham. His methods can easily be applied to semi autos too. An easy and straight forward read.

I second this. Grant is a good teacher and has many books.

 

[JayFramer]

James Bond is frequently cited as a great source for firearms knowledge considering most seem to think he is an actual person, but I am more likely to recommend Mas Ayoob or Bill Jordan!

 

[Kanewpadle]

Replace number 5 with Defensive Living. Number 6, Handgun Combatives.

 

[Sistema1927]

Not only does Grant Cunningham have good books he also puts out a "hump day" reading list each Wednesday if you subscribe on his website.