Shooting to Live is the product of Fairbairn’s and Sykes’ practical experience with the handgun. Hundreds of incidents provided the basis for the first true book on life-or-death shootouts with the pistol. Shooting to Live teaches all concepts, considerations and applications of combat pistolcraft…. More >>
#1 by Anonymous on June 28, 2010 - 5:30 pm
This book is easy to read. The lessons are simple, and the techniques are so easy that you will be able with one hour of practice to hit a target within 15 yards.(consider that FBI’s statistics show that most shootings happen under 6 yards). You use your body’s centerline to align your hand and fingers and the gun barrel and point and shoot at the target. No need to use your sights unless you have the time and space to do so. The authors were British policemen in Shanghai of the 1920’s, a very crime ridden city. They later trained the British Commandos and the U.S.OSS (The original CIA). While the material is a bit old, it is from real life experience and the lessons are timeless. It is not the gun, but how you use it. The authors point out, in real stress situations, one can’t focus, movements become exaggerated, and fine muscular control is difficult. This method uses these conditions to help one shoot in combat. Rex Applegate, who also wrote about gun usage, studied with the authors. He was the trainer for the OSS in personal combat during ww2. A highly recommended book.
Rating: 5 / 5
#2 by matthew temkin on June 28, 2010 - 5:41 pm
I was a personal student of Rex Applegate and I consider this one of the most important shooting books ever written. This volume (written in 1942, but based on the authors experience with the SMP from 1907 to 1940) is as relevent today as the day it was written. From the descriptions of the typical gunfight(under 4 yards), to their dislike of competition/team shoots, to their theory of stopping power( we don’t know what makes bullets effective so we recommend shooting until the threat drops), to shooting from behind cover, to using two hands for the ocasional long shot,to the use of the ‘mystery house” for training, this volume was way ahead of its time. Why these ( and Rex Applegate’s) methods fell out of favor for the nonsense being taught for the past 20 years is almost a sin. I’ve read this book dozens of times and I STILL learn something from it. Modern law enforcement/military instructors are finally praticing these methods and so should you. This book is a ten!
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Peter J. Edlin on June 28, 2010 - 7:48 pm
Though this book is nearly 60 years old, and the techniques described in it were developed between the World Wars, this is still by far the best book I have ever read on combat pistol shooting. With only a few changes to reflect current pistol design and shooting doctrine, you could still use this as a manual for instruction today. In many ways the book is way ahead of its time as it recommends self-loading pistols over revolvers, discusses stopping power, body armour and suggests a layout for a tactical range that would be familiar to military/law-enforcement/IPSC shooters today. Thoroughly recommended to anyone who might have to use a pistol in a combat situation or who simply has an interest in the origins of modern tactical shooting techniques.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by Lodge2 on June 28, 2010 - 9:53 pm
Fairbairn and Sykes were way ahead of their time. Many of the concepts in this book can be seen today in several different forums; tactical pistol shooting techniques, concealed carry weapon and holster design, indoor shoot houses, moving target training and competition.
That said, there is some advice that has not proven itself over time. For example, they recommend you disable the safety on the 1911 and carry it without one in the pipe. Most people would disagree with that advice today for tactical as well as legal reasons.
Formatted as a small pocket book with a fuzzy “manual typewritter” font, with only 96 pages it can be read in a single session. A historically significant book that is well worth reading but overpriced.
Rating: 3 / 5
#5 by Anonymous on June 28, 2010 - 11:52 pm
One of the classics on combat shooting by two of the most interesting men that ever worked in law enforcement. Based on practical police experience in one of the worlds most dangerous cities the book lacks the usual macho posturing that many modern books have. The book quite simply is about “Shooting to Live”. While there is no substitute for practice and training this book is a very good start on the practical realities of combat use of the handgun.
Rating: 5 / 5