The Art of Handgun Shooting

Charles Askins Jr, Charles Askins Jr.

• Publisher: Bonhopai Books
• eBook ISBN:
  9781779791719
• Year: 2025

In The Art of Handgun Shooting, legendary marksman Charles Askins Jr. delivers a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the discipline of pistol shooting, combining decades of field experience with expert-level instruction. Askins, a former U.S. Border Patrol officer, competitive shooter, and military firearms instructor, wrote this classic volume to educate both beginners and experienced gunmen on the science and art of accurate, controlled shooting. The book covers everything from basic stances, grip techniques, and sight alignment to advanced principles of rapid fire, target transitions, and combat scenarios. Askins' prose is crisp, direct, and steeped in real-world application, often laced with dry humor and no-nonsense advice. Beyond mere technique, he emphasizes the psychological elements of marksmanship—focus, calm, and confidence—arguing that true mastery lies as much in the mind as in the trigger finger. He draws upon his time in dueling competitions and practical gunfights to illustrate the difference between range skills and real-world readiness. Illustrated with diagrams and examples, the book remains a valuable resource for sportsmen, military personnel, law enforcement, and self-defense practitioners. While the tone reflects the era in which it was written, the fundamentals remain timeless. Askins' deep respect for the firearm as a tool—one demanding responsibility, discipline, and continual practice—makes this a compelling read for anyone serious about the craft of handgun shooting.

Table of contents

• Title page
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• DEDICATION
• FOREWORD
• CHAPTER 1—THE APPEAL OF PISTOL SHOOTING
• CHAPTER 2—KEEP IN PHYSICAL TRIM
• CHAPTER 3—BUYING THE FIRST HANDGUN
• CHAPTER 4—HOW TO STAND WHEN SHOOTING
• CHAPTER 5—HOW TO GRASP THE HANDGUN
• CHAPTER 6—THE GUN-AND-HAND CONTACT
• CHAPTER 7—HOW TO MANAGE THE TRIGGER
• CHAPTER 8—HOW TO ADJUST THE SIGHTS
• CHAPTER 9—THE BASIC TRAINING: SLOW FIRE
• CHAPTER 10—ADVANCED TRAINING AT 50 YARDS
• CHAPTER 11—RAPID-FIRE SHOOTING
• CHAPTER 12—TRYING TO ANCHOR SHOT GROUPS
• CHAPTER 13—TRADING FOR A USED GUN
• CHAPTER 14—MATCH-SHOOTING PSYCHOLOGY
• CHAPTER 15—THE CONFIDENCE TO WIN
• CHAPTER 16—THINGS TO BE REMEMBERED IN MATCH SHOOTING
• CHAPTER 17—THE PISTOL TEAM AND THE COACH
• CHAPTER 18—SELECTING A .45 AUTOMATIC
• CHAPTER 19—SUCCESSFUL HANDLING OF THE .45 AUTO
• CHAPTER 20—PRIMARY HANDGUN BALLISTICS
• CHAPTER 21—SHOOTING BY INSTINCTIVE POINTING
• CHAPTER 22—THE PISTOL IN MODERN WARFARE
• CHAPTER 23—HITTING THROWN TARGETS
• CHAPTER 24—HUNTING GUNS
• CHAPTER 25—GUNS FOR DEFENSIVE USE
• CHAPTER 26—NIGHT SIGHTS FOR THE HANDGUN
• CHAPTER 27—NOTES ON KILLING POWER
• CHAPTER 28—THE GRAND OLD PEACEMAKER .45
• CHAPTER 29—HOW TO HANDLE THE DOUBLE-ACTION GUN
• CHAPTER 30—HOLSTERS AND CARTRIDGE BELTS