I could tell that Massad Ayoob's THE GUN DIGEST BOOK OF CONCEALED CARRY was going to be a good read when I saw the first photo of the first chapter: it showed how one should handle getting a hug while carrying a concealed firearm. This sort of practical and useful information is what fills this book. I own other books on carrying concealed firearms, but this is the first one I've seen that was able to do an authoritative and exhaustive catalog of the things that need to be considered. I've been carrying for more than two decades, and I am impressed with this book.
Gun Digest did the right thing in getting Massad Ayoob to author this book. Ayoob is a police officer, competitive shooter and trainer who is also a master writer and riveting storyteller. As an individual licensed to carry a concealed firearm, I've been reading his informative columns and books since the `80s. As a criminal defense lawyer, I'm familiar with the high esteem in which the Bar holds Ayoob as an expert witness on such matters. His training is held in high regard by the firearms community, and he has designed holsters and other police gear that have been very favorably received. Ayoob's ability to precisely and accurately communicate legal information to lay people is renowned - and it's certainly on display in this book. I can't think of a better author for this book.
Ayoob's 254-page THE GUN DIGEST BOOK OF CONCEALED CARRY covers a breadth of subject area that I would have found intimidating to contemplate. Fortunately, it appears that his decades of training police and civilians in firearms matters well prepared him for the task. The book, well illustrated with hundreds of clear black and white photos, begins with an overview of considerations that come with carrying a concealed firearm, as well as thoughts about why concealed carry might be something that would be helpful to a given woman or man. Ayoob then delves in some detail into the legal considerations of where, how and what to carry, modifications, ammunition, etc. He discusses when deadly force can legally be used, illustrating and fleshing out his points with true stories to keep it interesting, but always carefully writing in such a way that accurate information is conveyed. The author is always cautious to ensure that he recommends the safest legal course of action to his readers. There's no macho loudmouthing here - Ayoob is thoughtful and precise in his discussions of legal matters . . . and the subject warrants no less.
The practical matters of what might best suit an individual for carry are delved into in great detail, all illustrated with photos of different women and men of different builds - really demonstrating the points under discussion. Ayoob mentions small but vital considerations that most folks only learn after years of carry. Sitting down with THE GUN DIGEST BOOK OF CONCEALED CARRY gives the reader access to a master's knowledge of how to select a wardrobe for concealed carry, which defensive loads to use, the dangers of overpenetration, the advantages and disadvantages of every type of carry option and well-illustrated tips on the use of such. Open carry and IDPA competition are given consideration as well.
This book is not about how to shoot or how to select a carry gun for a given individual's needs: Ayoob's well-received 2007 sister volume, THE GUN DIGEST BOOK OF COMBAT HANDGUNNERY, provides guidance in these areas. While I've referred new shooters to the COMBAT HANDGUNNERY book, I believe the new 2008 GUN DIGEST BOOK OF CONCEALED CARRY is perhaps more even more vital for them to own. I would recommend that anyone who considers carrying a handgun add both of these books to their library. While they would provide an unbelievable education for a newbie, a veteran concealed carrier will find great and valuable information in them as well.
I have given copies of Ayoob's COMBAT HANDGUNNERY book as gifts to shooter friends, and you can bet that I will be buying copies of this new CONCEALED CARRY book to supplement these gifts. I don't know a defensive handgun shooter who would not derive some benefit from this book, and I'll be ordering some for friends and family members. Amazon has a pretty astonishing price on this book, by the way, at about 35% off the cover price that you'll find in your neighborhood bookstore. 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 advise anyone considering purchasing a "one size fits all" type nylon holster at a gun show to put that same money into this book and learn what works and what doesn't.
Once Mas has the reader squared away as to attitude, hardware, and holsters, he then moves on to the final two topics: clothing and practice. Those who carry learn how to dress around the firearm so as to keep it out of sight in public. Most people do not want to see non law enforcement officers carrying firearms openly in most states. Some hard headed gunnies refuse to acknowledge this. Mas explains the harm that can result from ignoring this fact. He has a whole chapter on clothing choices specifically designed to keep self defense firearms concealed. When you carry firearms for self defense, eventually you learn to dress around the gun. This book will jump start the process.
Most people who carry firearms for self defense will take only one training class, usually the one to get the license, if even that. Mas explains the perils which can befall someone who chooses to carry only some of the time, or not practice the skills needed to draw and reholster a firearm in a self defense situation. He is a big proponent of competition in order to help develop those skills, including IPSC/USPSA, NRA Action Pistol (Bianchi Cup), and especially IDPA matches. The irony of the situation is that those who carry on a daily basis, train with professional instructors, and regularly compete with firearms become less likely to need those skills the better they get.
I rank this book as a "must read" along with In The Gravest Extreme, by the same author. For about the same cost as a box of premium self defense ammunition (useful) or a gun show special holster (not useful), get this book and read it cover to cover. It answers lots of questions about concealed carry and is the next best thing to actually taking a class from Massad Ayoob.'
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