Trigger Guard: A Writer's Guide to Firearms

by Chris Grall, Scott Sigler (foreword)

370 pages, Hardcover

Published May 16, 2024

About the author

Chris Grall is a retired US Special Forces team sergeant with 26 years of service. His first opportunity to be a technical advisor for writers came in 2007 with the book Contagious, by Scott Sigler. Since then he’s shared his knowledge of firearms at several conferences and provided technical and tactical advice to many authors.

His book, Trigger Guard: A Writer’s Guide to Firearms, was inspired by two closely timed events: a conversation on the correct way to express caliber in fiction, and a one-hour session he presented at ThrillerFest, Firearms for Writers.

What seemed in the moment as an easy task, turned into a year-long project that included research, graphics production, writing, and learning the ins and outs of self-publishing.

Chris swore he would never write a book. The universe heard that and laughed. He’s written a novel in the genre of speculative fiction, for which he’s trying to find a home. That one may go the self-publishing route as well. Time will tell.

He has another work in progress, but those details will have to wait.

Reviews

[Delbert Roll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly an excellent resource. Even if one has a high degree of proficiency or expertise, TRIGGER GUARD is a must have. Proficiency fades over time and memory fades. Chris Gall’s primer brings the details back. The one you might miss or have forgotten. More to the point, there are going to be platforms you know cold and those you’re fuzzy on… from modern weapons to flintlocks, Chris has covered them all. How they work. How they malfunction. TRIGGER GUARD is a treasure for writers of the genre.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guide is a “must have” for authors. It’s also a great refresher on the history of firearms, how each one functions with diagrams (including nomenclature of weapon parts), and sections on how to write your action scenes without sounding like you’ve never fired a weapon.

[Jamie Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have for writers who don't know what they don't know about those action scenes. Excellent resource -- well-organized, thorough, and engagingly written.

[Marta Chowańska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrations done with passion.
Book for real men!
And women can read a funny dictionary located at the end.
D.O.P.E