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Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:58 pm
by Hyunchback
The full title is: The Concealed Handgun Manual: How to Choose, Carry, and Shoot a Gun in Self Defense. The author, Chris Bird fully intended it to be THE manual for Texas CHL classes.
It's a bit thick for that purpose and can't keep up with the variations in law that occur year to year but I would be happy to pass this book along to anyone considering getting a CHL, having just got theirs or been carrying since the start. Some of the more compelling moments in the book relate true stories of civilian use of firearms to save lives and this concept was expanded in Bird's later book Thank God I Had a Gun: True Accounts of Self-Defense.
Photographs illustrate author's words on the "how" of very basic concepts such as different holster types, different shooting stances and the presentation.
Not everyone has the time or opportunity to attend more than the basic CHL course and this book is one possible answer to "how do I learn more?"
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:02 pm
by seamusTX
Excellent book.
- Jim
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:47 pm
by bevans
where can i get a copy as it sounds like good reading
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:18 pm
by seamusTX
http://www.privateerpublications.com/book-chm.html
Look for the "Buy Now" link.
This is a new edition published this year.The section on Texas law is likely up-to-date.
- Jim
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:19 pm
by GoCodeBravo
I had pleasure to meet the author, Chris, this week in Texas. I have not read this book yet, but did manage to start on his "Thank God I Had a Gun." Love the personal, detailed stories from the people involved!
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:11 pm
by Crossfire
bevans wrote:where can i get a copy as it sounds like good reading
Chris Byrd and Alan Korwin were both at the TSRA meeting and gunshow last year with books for sale. I know Alan is planning to be there again this year, but don't know about Chris.
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:30 pm
by GoCodeBravo
FYI - I think both authors, Chris Bird and Alan Korwin, will be there at the TSRA event. They told me so this week.
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:44 am
by dihappy
Great book! Highly recommended!
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:28 am
by flintknapper
dihappy wrote:Great book! Highly recommended!
My Daughter and I have both read it (her faster than me)....and Longtooth now owns the book. I have no doubt...he will make good use of it. It is an excellent publication.
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:56 pm
by quidni
Hyunchback wrote:but I would be happy to pass this book along to anyone considering getting a CHL, having just got theirs or been carrying
Have you found a home for this book yet? and if not, what are you asking for it/shipping?
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:23 am
by Roshi
This is an excellent book. A must read for those who carry concealed (along with Masad Ayoob's In The Gravest Extreme). Especially good since a lot of it covers texas specifically since the author is a Texan.
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:13 pm
by bryang
This is an excellent book! I keep it close by for reference. Also, Chris Bird has written another excellent book "Thank God I Had A Gun" both are highly recommended.
-geo
The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:26 pm
by ambitman
Great book. I would consider this a must read while you are waiting on your chl.
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:13 am
by akhooters7
just finished the book a day or so ago.... good refresher ... for the chl class....my instructor quoted a lot of things from this book.... told us that he re-reads it every couple months....
Re: Book Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual
Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 2:15 pm
by longtooth
flintknapper wrote:dihappy wrote:Great book! Highly recommended!
My Daughter and I have both read it (her faster than me)....and Longtooth now owns the book. I have no doubt...he will make good use of it. It is an excellent publication.
You stole my thunder.

Yes very good book... It has been loaned out twice since I read it. Incorporated some of what I learned there into my Awareness class.