The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry

I have known the author of The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry for about ten years now, and also know several of the people mentioned and pictured in this book. Reading through it felt like attending an extended lecture from one of Mas's classes at the Lethal Force Institute. I have personally taken a number of those classes and thought I would have a strong feeling of "been there, heard that" reading this book, but instead found myself either learning or remembering something important in almost every chapter. You might expect this book to feel like an advertisement for the latest whiz-bang product from some company advertising in a gun magazine. Not so. Rather, it is a compiliation of Mas's fifty odd years of carrying firearms for self protection, and over thirty years teaching this material to others. Reading it feels like sitting down for drinks and an extended Q & A session with the author. The chapters are laid out in a logical fashion such that the reader should just start at page one and continue until the end of the book. Too often, books in this category are set out in a pick and choose format, where the reader needs to look at the table of contents or an index to find something relevant. With Concealed Carry, just start reading and continue learning until you hit the back cover. Mas starts with why people carry firearms, and the lifestyle choices and changes that such a decision will require. Once he has helped get your mind right about the concept, he moves on to choosing firearms and ammunition for self defense. The firearms he recommends are those he has shot, or seen work in law enforcement, shooting classes, and competition. The primary need in a defensive firearm is reliability. Mas shows that you don't have to spend thousands on a custom firearm in order to achieve this. Most firearms shown are off-the-shelf items from your local gun shop with only tritium sights or laser grips added for night use. He only recommends those which work, and which he has used. Once you have picked out a firearm, you'll need a holster. Mas goes through them by type, including strong side hip, inside waist band, cross draw, shoulder, pocket, and ankle holsters, among others. He goes through the advantages and disadvantages of each, and explains situations where one choice might be better than another. Just like with the firearms, Mas tells the reader which holsters he has used and which work for him. By virtue of having taught thousands of people over the years, Mas also explains what works for different body types that do not necessarily work for him. Many instructors fall into the trap of "what works for me must work for you too." Not Mas. He freely acknowledges that his style of carry may not work for women, large males, those who spend lots of time seated, etc. The holster chapters are extensive and well written. They also allow the readers to obtain information as to what will work best for them. I would advis

Mas does it again. Everyone who carries has heard an opinion of "carry reloads" or "carry factory" for ammo - not to mention every other opinion for carry purposes. Mas (Massad Ayoob - Principal of Lethal Force Institute) goes through not only logical reasons, but when appropriate he documents court cases for everything he suggests. This includes types of carry guns, ammo choices, holster choices, acceptable levels of caliber, methods of weapons presentation, etc. Tom Gresham said it right - this book is and will be an instant classic for those who choose to carefully and legally exercise their rights under the 2nd Amendment.

This book is honest and full of the answers to hundred of questions I had about carrying a firearm for self defense. Having met the author, I can tell you that this is like having the guy with you, explaining little tidbits of his accumulated knowledge and experiences. This is a must have for anyone who has or is contemplating personal defense precautions.

For those that have a concealed carry license or thinking about getting one, this is a must read. This book contains expert advice and tactics that you should learn and use on a daily basis.