TacticalBarbell.com

I'm looking to brush up my skills on the range, mostly combat oriented/shooting & move type work. Most of the books out there seem to be geared toward competition/target shooting.

Do you guys/gals have any go-to books or youtube channels you'd recommend?

https://www.amazon.com/How-Shoot-Like-N ... 0989266451

This is the best resource I've come across. A basic/back to the fundamentals book for tactical shooters without any woo woo "zen of shooting" type material. If you like the language and simplicity of TB, then you'll love this. The content is solid. I recommend going for the kindle version, because it contains embedded videos that really help drive the point home.

Best thing is range time under a good instructor. Where are you from? That can give us some ideas on who to recommend.

grouchyjarhead wrote:Best thing is range time under a good instructor. Where are you from? That can give us some ideas on who to recommend.

Hey Grouchy, I get some range time due to work (LE). I'm looking more to do some personal study and tighten up my game.

TangoZero wrote:https://www.amazon.com/How-Shoot-Like-N ... 0989266451

This is the best resource I've come across. A basic/back to the fundamentals book for tactical shooters without any woo woo "zen of shooting" type material. If you like the language and simplicity of TB, then you'll love this. The content is solid. I recommend going for the kindle version, because it contains embedded videos that really help drive the point home.

Thanks Tango! Picked this up a few hours ago...looks like what I had in mind. Skimming through it now.

There's lots of different shooting packages that pop up from time to time, you will learn a ton from those. I highly recommend Kyle Defoor's two day pistol course or Northern Red's three day Gunfighter Pistol course. I feel I got way more out of those than all the books I have.

TangoZero wrote:https://www.amazon.com/How-Shoot-Like-N ... 0989266451

This is the best resource I've come across. A basic/back to the fundamentals book for tactical shooters without any woo woo "zen of shooting" type material. If you like the language and simplicity of TB, then you'll love this. The content is solid. I recommend going for the kindle version, because it contains embedded videos that really help drive the point home.

Ugh

This is poorly written book with questionable advice. He recommends pinning the trigger to the rear, riding the reset, shooting with arms locked (the first two techniques are universally derided now, the third still has some advocates) among other questionable advice.

He places way too much emphasis on the pistol's "fit" (amazing we were able to shoot well before the interchangeable backstraps came along. )

He doesn't cover reloads.

He doesn't cover malfunctions.

He talks about carbine positions but doesn't provide photos so it's really difficult to understand what he's describing. (Why he left out those photos I don't know. I suspect this was rushed to the press.)

He's writing for the beginner but his editor didn't catch that he throws out terms
the beginner may not know. "Keep your hand high into the beavertail." Good advice, as long as you know what the beavertail is. (not every pistol has one, either.)

This was a cash grab to profit from his SEALs background. (He drops the SEAL name into a lot of things - like the "Navy SEALs 4 Rules of Gun Safety." Those rules weren't invented by the SEALs, and certainly aren't unique to them.) It's not serious guide to shooting.

Try Kyle Lamb's books (one on the AR/M4 is excellent. The one covering the pistol is just ok.)

I like Ben Stoeger's Practical Pistol book. Yes, it's USPSA oriented. But the best shooters in the world are competition shooters. The best "combat shooters" in the world bring in competition shooters to teach them how to shoot. Competition shooters Rob Leatham, Jerry Barnhart, Matt Burkett, etc. They've all taught some of our SMUs. Of course, those in those SMUs know what to disregard and what techniques to keep.

I like Ben's Practical Pistol Foundations dvd too.
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Yes, going to a class is important. But dropping $600 (plus travel expenses) on a Defoor or Northern Red class isn't a wise use of funds if the shooter is a rank beginner. One can learn a lot from books and DVDs.

Then when he takes a class he won't be overwhelmed with knowledge. He'll actually have a bit of a foundation so he can better process and understand the info the instructors are giving out.


(Interestingly, the aforementioned Stoeger is a five-time National Champion in USPSA and has never taken a formal class - but he definitely studied shooting online, read books, watched videos and talked to others.)

Nomad wrote:I'm looking to brush up my skills on the range, mostly combat oriented/shooting & move type work. Most of the books out there seem to be geared toward competition/target shooting.

Do you guys/gals have any go-to books or youtube channels you'd recommend?

Mike Seeklander's youtube channel is good. He straddles the line between practical pistol (USPSA and IDPA) and self defense (former Marine, former cop, former lead instructor for the FAMS. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... seeklander

He has a couple of different ventures. http://www.shooting-performance.com/ and http://www.americanwarriorsociety.com/ He posts videos on YT under his name. His American Warrior Society podcasts are okay.

Ernest Langdon https://www.youtube.com/user/eglangdon (bonus video of Ernie that someone else uploaded so it isn't under his channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VP4X6FVa4E )

That should get you started with a proper grip, draw and trigger press.

Nomad mentioned he was LE, hence my recommendation for a more intense class. Even though there are quite a few officers whose only range time is their qualifications (we all know them), since Nomad is looking for more and on this site I felt it safe to assume he is a bit more serious than that. YMMV obviously.

For any rank beginners reading this, start with local gun safety courses to learn the basics and get more comfortable handling a firearm. Many clubs offer additional training/opportunities which is also wise to pick up when you can. Once you get competent enough where you feel you can train at a higher level, definitely look at more advanced training opportunities.

I'm a casual shooter at best, but I do get to shoot with some great shooters and learn a lot that way. Personally I find shooting is a lot like martial arts - you can get some ideas out of a book and might be able to pick up a thing or two, but training with a top notch instructor is the best way to develop those skills.

Tirofijo wrote:

Nomad wrote:I'm looking to brush up my skills on the range, mostly combat oriented/shooting & move type work. Most of the books out there seem to be geared toward competition/target shooting.

Do you guys/gals have any go-to books or youtube channels you'd recommend?

Mike Seeklander's youtube channel is good. He straddles the line between practical pistol (USPSA and IDPA) and self defense (former Marine, former cop, former lead instructor for the FAMS. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... seeklander

He has a couple of different ventures. http://www.shooting-performance.com/ and http://www.americanwarriorsociety.com/ He posts videos on YT under his name. His American Warrior Society podcasts are okay.

Ernest Langdon https://www.youtube.com/user/eglangdon (bonus video of Ernie that someone else uploaded so it isn't under his channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VP4X6FVa4E )

That should get you started with a proper grip, draw and trigger press.

Awesome thanks, I'll look into this.