[.ca] Surgical Speed Shooting: How to Achieve High-Speed ... (ISBN 1581601433)

Light on detail:
Andy Stanford is an exceptional trainer, but this book is not his best. He presents a strong case for the Modern Isocolese, but doesn't give much information on how the reader is supposed to do it or make it work for them. Other sections on trigger reset during recoil and trigger prepping are old hat for experienced shooters. I have to admit that I was disappointed.

Excellent book on shooting:
I don't give a book 5 stars for nothing, but this time I had to do it. This book covers just about every aspect of shooting a handgun in combat, and it does it in detail. Stanford devotes a whole chapter on every aspect of shooting; grip, stance, trigger control, and so on. I especially like the author's attitude: He tells his opinions on the correct techniques, then gives his justifications, but he doesn't force his opinions to the reader. For example, he is an Isosceles man, but still recommends a reader to attend different instructor's courses; even to those who teach Weaver, and tells everyone to find out what technique works best for him. The reason this book is worth 5 stars is that it doesn't try to cover every aspect of combat, but rather focuses on shooting techniques, and does exellent work at that. I much rather read few exellent books on different aspects of combat, than several mediocre books that try to cover it all. Just about only downside to this book it it's name. I almost didn't buy the book, because the name indicates that the book is about competitive combat shooting, not real life combat.

You can benefit from reading this book:
Beginner, intermediate, or advanced shooter, you can benefit from reading this book. This book isn't as complex as the title might suggest. Stanford applies a keep it simple approach. Ultimately, his key to high speed marksmanship is a sound focus on the fundamentals. That's an easy thing to lose grasp of when you're trying hard to build skill and get better. The second half of the book is really full of gems. I particularly liked Stanford's treatment of one-handed shooting. He points out that a very likely reason you'd have to shoot one handed is because you're fending off blows, wrestling, or fighting with the other hand. He give that topic a good treatment. The photos in that chapter tell a lot too. Stanford is part of a current new wave of firearms instructors. This wave is taking a realistic approach to shooting as a fighting skill. They acknowledge that you're likely to be scared, shaky, and uncoordinated when you actually have to use a pistol to defend your life. Stanford and these other new instructors are teaching simple techniques that you can use when you're gasping for air and at wits end.

Very disappointing:
The author spends the first third of the book ranting about how stupid people are who use the Weaver stance. He seems more concerned about making his point with Weaver fans than in actually teaching anything. He makes many statements throughout that do not inspire confidence in his advice. The first rule of life is to be careful where you get advice, and that goes doubly true if your life will depend on it. While there are some good concepts here, there is nothing that is not explained better in other books. Save your money and buy something from Gabe Suarez instead.

Great Book:
My Personal Firearms Trainer is James Yeager, the man on the front of the book. I have not personally read the whole book but I have completed over one hundred thirty hours of advanced training under Yeager. Yeager worked directly under Andy for years. Andy and Yeager both have websites and are well qualified. www.optionsforpersonalsecurity.com (Andy) www.warriormindset.com (Yeager)