The best books on shooting, marksmanship and gunsmithing

Books worth reading on marksmanship, defensive shooting, long range, gunsmithing, ballistics and hunting, recommended by a veteran-owned gun shop in Pahrump, NV.

Good books go deeper than any video: why fundamentals work, how ballistics actually behave at distance, how firearms function mechanically, and how to think clearly about personal safety.

If you're new, start with a fundamentals book and a safety-and-mindset book before anything specialized. If you shoot long range, a ballistics book pays for itself the first time your data doesn't match your impacts.

50 books we recommend

From the blog

Plain-English guides from the Dudes on the same topics.

September 16, 20264 min read

Cerakote vs. bluing vs. paint: what to put on your firearm

Cerakote, bluing, or a can of spray paint? A plain-English comparison of durability, looks and upkeep, so you pick the right finish for how you use a gun.

Cerakote
Gunsmithing

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