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View Full Version : A very tactical book - The Book of Two Guns by Tiger Mckee


pangris
April 22nd, 2005, 11:43 AM
I met Tiger McKee when he was an instructor at Thunder Ranch and have since trained with him at his academy, Shootrite. I became aware of this book on his website, www.shootrite.org (http://www.shootrite.org) when setting up a class for my wife. I went ahead and purchased a copy.

This book is an exceptional distillation of the major schools, trainers, and modern thoughts on self defense with firearms. It is explained that it was originally his personal journal and Clint Smith (who wrote the forward) suggested he publish it. The book is filled with excellent illustrations and summaries of training philosophy from all the “big name” people – Smith, Cooper, Gonzales, Jordan, Good, Suarez, Clausewitz, etc, etc etc. There is also a bit of Asian philosophy thrown in. After getting less then halfway through I decided to buy another copy since I was highlighting, taking notes in the border, etc etc. That is the highest compliment I can pay a manual of any sort.

I think it will serve those who have had professional training exceptionally well as you should be able to examine a lot of theory and philosophy from trainers you may not have been able to work with (yet). If you have an idea of how to use the weapons, then a lot of the content is easily understood.

If you HAVEN’T had any training, I think the book could open your eyes as to what you can learn. No book or video can substitute for actual range time, but it can help you to realize the range of knowledge out there.

The format of the book is VERY unique. It is hand written an illustrated. The hand illustrations are very good. Everything is easy to read.

A basic explanation of how I think of the book –

Imagine there was a huge manual of everything you needed to know about rifles and pistols – a thousand page type deal, fine print, bible like book. Then imagine if someone who really knew and understood the material took notes… lot of notes… and came up with 172 pages of the most important aspects. Of all the books I’ve seen on training, it covers the most ground CLEARLY and CONCISELY.

The book is a very, very valuable asset. I bought a second copy because the first copy has a rough life – highlighting, note taking, traveling with me, riding in a range bag.

There is a heavy Smith/Cooper influence, which I happen to agree with. There are a lot of other views represented as well but a lot of the material agrees with the dogma of TR.

The basic areas addressed for both rifles and pistols, with a bias toward the 1911 and AR-15 -

Weapon configuration
Weapon presentation
Weapon transitions
Reloads – various types for various situations
Sight Picture
Malfunctions - various types, how to clear anything every time
Trigger control
Concealed carry – pistol, how to minimize the presence of a rifle
Weapon retention
Tactical movement
“blind” operation – physical cues on how to handle your weapon without looking at it
Weapon strikes
Firing positions –prone, kneeling, etc
Cover, concealment – how to use, fire from, find better, etc
Building clearing and manuevers
One handed manipulation including malf clearing
Flashlight techniques
Fighting out of a vehicle
!!! Mindset !!!

There are a LOT of techniques discussed that are NOT specific to the AR and 1911, just the rifle and pistol in general.

Overall I can’t suggest the book highly enough.

It is available from Tiger directly at www.shootrite.org (http://www.shootrite.org) or www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

A few pics -

HTTP://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL827/1560122/7078079/92316721.jpg

My two copies...


HTTP://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL827/1560122/7078079/92316730.jpg

Example of handwritten text

HTTP://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL827/1560122/7078079/92316737.jpg

HTTP://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL827/1560122/7078079/92316741.jpg

Examples of illustrations

R-Tex12
April 23rd, 2005, 12:43 PM
Well, well! Fancy running into you here, Pangris. :)

Good review - thanks for writing it.

I haven't visited THR in a while, and was pleased to see your post. Now I have to add another book to my library.

Been to Oregon yet?

Take care,

R-Tex (aka Lamont, P-23)

Ian
April 23rd, 2005, 04:52 PM
I've been looking for a single book that covers most of these issues - I think I'll give this one a try. Thanks for the review!

El Tejon
April 24th, 2005, 05:05 PM
Hi, pangris. Good to see you over here.

Thanks for your fine review. :)

PeacefulWarrior
April 25th, 2005, 08:05 AM
Thanks for the information but I think the link is broke :(

Ian
April 25th, 2005, 11:44 AM
Just delete the comma at the end of the URL and the link will work (or use the link at the bottom of his post).

444
April 25th, 2005, 01:36 PM
Mine is on it's way.

sm
April 25th, 2005, 02:00 PM
Great Review!

Can't wait to receive mine!!

TMM
April 25th, 2005, 05:23 PM
looks great. might put that on my b-day list. love the handwritten and drawn stuff.
~TMM

Third_Rail
April 25th, 2005, 05:31 PM
Looks great, I'll be ordering a copy. :)

Lamar Jaggears
April 25th, 2005, 10:18 PM
Solid book! Solid instructor!

pangris
April 26th, 2005, 12:14 AM
Hey Rex! Hola, Tejon!

Linky fixed!

Glad to see Tigers efforts are paying off... he says orders are coming in.

I'd love to hear what other people think once their copies come in...

Paul

W Turner
April 26th, 2005, 06:37 PM
I have seriously considered going to a Shootrite class as I only live an hour or so away form there. Has anyone else gone ot one of Tiger's classes? If so, how was it?...


Thanks,
W

pangris
April 27th, 2005, 12:39 AM
Best suggestion is to call Tiger and speak with him directly. I can't suggest a one on one highly enough - I'll be back in August and am taking his low light classes in Nov.

Ian
May 5th, 2005, 04:23 PM
I got my copy yesterday. I'm not through reading it yet, but after reading about half and skimming the rest, I'm impressed. It's exactly the kind of book I was looking for; it has details on a lot of the more advanced stuff. Different stances (more than just the basic 4), tactics, and lots of juicy material on the combat mindset. Very practical.

It is loaded with misspellings, though, as the author points out in the introduction. That normally bugs me a lot, but I'm happy enough with the actual material being presented that I'll let it slide. :)

NikoFoxFire
May 7th, 2005, 01:53 AM
"...with a bias toward the 1911"
Hey. If 96 years of development has yet to yield a superior firearm, who am I to complain :neener: I am curious, however, about why the author decided to focus specifically on only two guns... The 1911 is an obvious choice for a stock pistol, but the AR? Huh??? Why?

Chris Rhines
May 7th, 2005, 12:39 PM
Same reason for focusing on the 1911, probably.

- Chris

El Tejon
May 7th, 2005, 12:48 PM
Because the 1911 and the AR are the school guns.

Sir Lancelot
May 7th, 2005, 03:47 PM
After reading your post here, I ordered three of them. One for myself and the other two are for some shooting buddies as gifts. I am a glock 9mm fan but plan on learning alot from this book. Thank you for the link.

pangris
February 21st, 2006, 11:53 PM
Just got back from a handgun class at Tigers place (review coming soon)...

Figured I'd bump the book, especially since there is probably good feedback to be had from people who have purchased it and read it since I poseted the initial review.

Paul

usp_fan
February 22nd, 2006, 12:45 AM
Got my copy from amazon using an e-gift card and I couldn't be happier. Great material, easy to understand, and makes me want to get training.

--usp_fan

NMshooter
February 22nd, 2006, 09:33 PM
As I have posted in other threads, I really like this book.

jpthegeek
February 23rd, 2006, 08:36 AM
I got a copy of this about a year and carried it around in my backpack for about 3 months reading on and off.

I would have never approached the idea of gun fighting to be a 'martial' art before reading this work.

Thanks to Tiger for producing a literal wealth of fantastic knowledge in one very excellent work!

Lamar Jaggears
February 23rd, 2006, 10:41 AM
Tiger has more to offer than some people realize. I have been sending our use of force instructors to train with him for the past two years. It has been piece meal; one here or two there kind of thing. However, he is doing a handgun instructor development class for our staff this year; Lord willing. Tiger is going to work with nine of our twelve instructors over five days. I consider this to be a major accomplishment for our department. We bought Tiger's book for each of our instructors, that have already trained with him, last year.
Tiger is top shelf! Put him on your short list for training.

SpookyPistolero
February 23rd, 2006, 01:22 PM
I almost never really purchase personal 'fun' items, let alone online, but decided to pick up a copy of this excellent looking book. It looks thick and natural, crammed full of good things worth remembering.

Just wanted to say thanks for the heads-up that it existed. :)

pangris
February 24th, 2006, 12:00 AM
Tiger has more to offer than some people realize. ...
Tiger is top shelf! Put him on your short list for training.


+100

I knew Tiger knew his stuff just by virtue of the fact he taught at TR, but after seeing how he worked with my wife in a tutorial format, and then how much I was able to accomplish with him in a three day tutorial, I came to realize (yet again) how much more there is to know. He is a true master of arms.