Thank you tomrkba. I've taken 2 basic pistol courses and look forward to more advanced training later this year as funds allow. Are there any books that you or others can recommend for self study?
There are many. It's difficult to describe what to look for in a book because only you know where you "are" in your shooting skills. A point shooting book may be what you need at this time.
My recommendation: look for books on mindset in fighting. Gun games are a different story, but can be good for teaching a particular skill or skills.
No Second Place Winner by Bill Jordan has mindset throughout the book (though it focuses upon revolvers as the tool). Jim Cirillo's
Guns, Bullets and Gunfights is another excellent book that includes what happens to the brain and mind while fighting. I like revolvers as a training tool because mastering the double action trigger will make you a better shooter.
Take a look at
In the Gravest Extreme by Mas Ayoob.
The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry is a good introduction to carry.
You should also look for books on self-defense law.
Dial 911 and Die! by Richard Stevens covers laws, but is dated. Some of it will be out of date and you'll need to review your state's laws.
Two of my favorite books are
Tactical Reality and
More Tactical Reality by Louis Awerbuck.
Green Eyes and Black Rifles by Kyle Lamb is excellent, but it's about running the AR-15 rifle.
I also like
Surgical Speed Shooting by Andy Stanford.
You should now become picky about your training. If you're going to carry revolvers, you need to go to a revolver specialist. Training with an instructor who knows semi-autos may not know the old revolver tricks you need. Stay with known names such as Tom Givens at Rangemaster, Craig Douglas (shivworks.com), Ayoob (who knows revolvers too), Awerbuck, and so on. There are many others who are competent, so don't discount them especially if they come to your area. Do your research. The general progression should be:
1) Basic combat skills: handling, drawing the handgun, reloads, cover/concealment, barricades, problem resolution, basic movement
2) More advanced skills: longer distance, increased speed, extreme close quarters intro, simulations/scenarios, force on force training, PRE-ATTACK INDICATORS.
3) Combatives and close quarters. The majority of citizen self-defense situations occur at very short distances. You MUST know WHEN to go for the gun and when NOT to go for the gun. Craig Douglas' ECQC course will teach you these skills. I'm sure there are other instructors who teaches this stuff. Douglas' experience comes from fighting with dealers and low lifes on a daily basis. He has a certain worldview (the one that involves his face being ground into concrete by criminal scum) that is essential in teaching this stuff. You'll know what I mean after Bad Guy #1 knocks you down and you get "stabbed" with a rubber knife in the back by Bad Guy #2.
4) Movement. This is a difficult one, but you need to know how to shoot while moving forward, back and laterally...all at full speed. This is why you need point shooting. There are several instructors who teach this but you'll have to look around.