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Guns, Bullets, and Gunfights: Lessons and Tales from a Modern-Day Gunfighter
Learn what it takes to survive a real gunfight from someone who's been in many - Jim Cirillo, top gun in the New York City Police Department stakeout unit. Read about the stress and intensity of an actual shoot-out and how to maximize your training, ammo and weapons to prevail.
- GenresNonfiction
119 pages, Paperback
First published February 29, 1996
11 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Jim Cirillo
2 booksJim Cirillo served as a New York City Police officer for over twenty years (1954-1976). Later he was a firearms instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (1976-1991) .
While with the N.Y.P.D. he spent five years (1968-1973) on the now defunct, and controversial, "Stakeout Unit". Jim Cirillo survived seventeen gunfights while serving on the SOU.After retiring from law enforcement he went on to a sucessful career as a private firearms instructor and author.
Jim Cirillo died in a car crash in 2007 in Upper State New York.
While with the N.Y.P.D. he spent five years (1968-1973) on the now defunct, and controversial, "Stakeout Unit". Jim Cirillo survived seventeen gunfights while serving on the SOU.After retiring from law enforcement he went on to a sucessful career as a private firearms instructor and author.
Jim Cirillo died in a car crash in 2007 in Upper State New York.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 13, 2023
A series of gun magazine articles that have been put together to make a book. Not as comprehensive as I would have liked, but there is some good stuff, nevertheless. Really this book is more like what it would have happened if you were able to sit down over a few beers with an old warhorse like Jim Cirillo and just let him talk.
A couple war stories, some talk about technical aspects of firearms and ammo, a little bit about gear, maybe a few pointers on shooting, but nothing in depth. Very interesting, but at the same time you're left wanting more. Sadly Mr. Cirillo was killed in a car crash back in 2007 so this very slim volume is all we will ever get.
I should add that not all will be comfortable with Mr. Cirillo's account of gunfights and taking of lives. Admittedly he remains controversial all these years later and there are those who label him a killer. They find his writings to be the work of a soulless person who is more focused on developing a better bullet then reflecting on the people he killed.
I leave it up to the reader to decide.
A couple war stories, some talk about technical aspects of firearms and ammo, a little bit about gear, maybe a few pointers on shooting, but nothing in depth. Very interesting, but at the same time you're left wanting more. Sadly Mr. Cirillo was killed in a car crash back in 2007 so this very slim volume is all we will ever get.
I should add that not all will be comfortable with Mr. Cirillo's account of gunfights and taking of lives. Admittedly he remains controversial all these years later and there are those who label him a killer. They find his writings to be the work of a soulless person who is more focused on developing a better bullet then reflecting on the people he killed.
I leave it up to the reader to decide.
February 27, 2021
Long winded, narcissistic
It’s 15 or 20 pages worth of content; the war stories are somewhat interesting but the author’s narcissism shows through everywhere.
It’s like listening to my 13 year old tell a story. Everyone is always (allegedly) telling him he’s the best and smartest. The amount of bragging is annoying after a while — about how he’s smarter than his superiors, his department, the chief, the former trainers at the FBI, that his patented bullet design is the best, that his training methods are so great (and that there’s a videotape coming “soon,” haha).
There are a few good insights, but they fit on a 3x5 index card. Use tactics (thanks), shoot more than once, use a caliber that’s at least 9mm, don’t assume a headshot works as expected, practice a lot, etc.
There’s one good drill: practice seeing the silhouette of your aimed pistol against a target, and then acquiring that picture quickly. It can be faster than aiming with sights at short range, but real life lighting conditions can make this kind of unreliable. Don’t worry, cirillo assures you that all of his students instantly became crack shots with this method, and his superiors were amazed and also suspicious of why his training methods were so good, and then blah blah blah classic made up narcissism stories.
The ballistics section is a joke — no citations, no real testing method. “I tested my patented bullet design in the STREETS” really falls short, especially when he emphasizes in the rest of the book how differently things can go from incident to incident.
One last thing: I just checked and I think he might be lying about the patent — the USPTO doesn’t show anyone named cirillo having any patents relating to bullet design.
I hope this saves you 4 hours. Read tom givens or something instead.
It’s 15 or 20 pages worth of content; the war stories are somewhat interesting but the author’s narcissism shows through everywhere.
It’s like listening to my 13 year old tell a story. Everyone is always (allegedly) telling him he’s the best and smartest. The amount of bragging is annoying after a while — about how he’s smarter than his superiors, his department, the chief, the former trainers at the FBI, that his patented bullet design is the best, that his training methods are so great (and that there’s a videotape coming “soon,” haha).
There are a few good insights, but they fit on a 3x5 index card. Use tactics (thanks), shoot more than once, use a caliber that’s at least 9mm, don’t assume a headshot works as expected, practice a lot, etc.
There’s one good drill: practice seeing the silhouette of your aimed pistol against a target, and then acquiring that picture quickly. It can be faster than aiming with sights at short range, but real life lighting conditions can make this kind of unreliable. Don’t worry, cirillo assures you that all of his students instantly became crack shots with this method, and his superiors were amazed and also suspicious of why his training methods were so good, and then blah blah blah classic made up narcissism stories.
The ballistics section is a joke — no citations, no real testing method. “I tested my patented bullet design in the STREETS” really falls short, especially when he emphasizes in the rest of the book how differently things can go from incident to incident.
One last thing: I just checked and I think he might be lying about the patent — the USPTO doesn’t show anyone named cirillo having any patents relating to bullet design.
I hope this saves you 4 hours. Read tom givens or something instead.
March 17, 2013
The best part of this book is Cirillo's discussion of mindset/psychology and physiology of deadly conflict and the recounting of his experiences on the NYPD Stakeout Squad. This is a man who was in a lot of gun fights, and won. His experiences provide a lot of valuable insight into the realities of deadly conflict.
The other 2/3rds of the book about guns and bullets was alright. A lot of the technology discussed has been superseded but is still interesting. It is amazing the effort that Cirillo put into creating more effective bullets, which I take for granted in the modern day of readily available and technologically advanced hollow points.
This is a short book that is worth the read, even if just the "gunfights" portion, for anyone trying to cultivate a warrior mindset.
The other 2/3rds of the book about guns and bullets was alright. A lot of the technology discussed has been superseded but is still interesting. It is amazing the effort that Cirillo put into creating more effective bullets, which I take for granted in the modern day of readily available and technologically advanced hollow points.
This is a short book that is worth the read, even if just the "gunfights" portion, for anyone trying to cultivate a warrior mindset.
July 16, 2021
Excellent read for those who carry a weapon daily
This is an excellent book for Law Enforcement officers or any Law Abiding citizen who carry a weapon for self protection. You probably want to survive a gun fight, read this and I assure you will if you follow Mr. Cirillo’s advice. I recommend this book to anyone who carry a gun on a daily basis. Mr Cirillo emphasized on important points, and made it interesting enough to make it an enjoyable read and hit the range more often.
This is an excellent book for Law Enforcement officers or any Law Abiding citizen who carry a weapon for self protection. You probably want to survive a gun fight, read this and I assure you will if you follow Mr. Cirillo’s advice. I recommend this book to anyone who carry a gun on a daily basis. Mr Cirillo emphasized on important points, and made it interesting enough to make it an enjoyable read and hit the range more often.
December 18, 2021
Solid and straight shooting book.
Cirillio is a solid and old school cop who has amazing advice for both cops and civilians who carry firearms for protection. Peppered throughout are very interesting stories. The one drawback I found was his lengthy description of heavily custom ammo, which isn't feasible for most in this economy, but that is tempered by his stronger emphasis on shooting TECHNIQUE.
Cirillio is a solid and old school cop who has amazing advice for both cops and civilians who carry firearms for protection. Peppered throughout are very interesting stories. The one drawback I found was his lengthy description of heavily custom ammo, which isn't feasible for most in this economy, but that is tempered by his stronger emphasis on shooting TECHNIQUE.
March 16, 2018
Clasic by the Late Jim Cirillo
This is a wonderful book that gives insight into not only the mind of a legend but the era he came from. It covers defensive handgun loads and the quest for better performance from them.
It also covers tactics, skills, and above all mindset.
Well worth the read!
This is a wonderful book that gives insight into not only the mind of a legend but the era he came from. It covers defensive handgun loads and the quest for better performance from them.
It also covers tactics, skills, and above all mindset.
Well worth the read!
September 2, 2019
My first ever exposure to advice on close range, high threat gunfighting
Mr Cirillo clearly speaks from experience, points out inadequacies in certain training/practice methods, and offers his own tried and true methods. It's an amazing book in itself, and enlightening for someone just getting into handgun marksmanship.
Mr Cirillo clearly speaks from experience, points out inadequacies in certain training/practice methods, and offers his own tried and true methods. It's an amazing book in itself, and enlightening for someone just getting into handgun marksmanship.
July 14, 2022
Excellent book, a great mix of stories and facts about ballistics and tactics. If you carry a firearm this book could seriously save your life. These aren't just theory's and opinions either. Jim had survived many gunfights and has seen just exactly how well his shots and bullets did in post-mortem.
July 20, 2024
reason have its therefore have follow law enformcent for basic training on firearm
i have need learning training for classroom on for basic firearm on handgun on bullet for process practice will becoming own weapon premit on badge on conceland gun carry on for state of govement laws on trainng has safety ranger shooting can get its us goverment on licncese weapon permit.
i have need learning training for classroom on for basic firearm on handgun on bullet for process practice will becoming own weapon premit on badge on conceland gun carry on for state of govement laws on trainng has safety ranger shooting can get its us goverment on licncese weapon permit.
April 1, 2021
A bit dated but a good read
While dated this book deals slot with the psycho!igacl
While dated Information is used and cited this book deals slot with the psychological aspects of taking a human life very well!
While dated this book deals slot with the psycho!igacl
While dated Information is used and cited this book deals slot with the psychological aspects of taking a human life very well!
September 3, 2021
Still sound advice.
This book is old but the advice still applies in 2021. It is not how much you can add onto your handgun but how well you can shoot it under stress. As another famous officer said "there are no second place winners".
This book is old but the advice still applies in 2021. It is not how much you can add onto your handgun but how well you can shoot it under stress. As another famous officer said "there are no second place winners".
July 4, 2023
Although written long ago, it's still applicable today
Jim Cirillo spent most of his life doing dangerous work and training to triumph doing that work.
His thoughts, training methods, and ballistics observations are as applicable today as they were when he wrote this book.
Jim Cirillo spent most of his life doing dangerous work and training to triumph doing that work.
His thoughts, training methods, and ballistics observations are as applicable today as they were when he wrote this book.
August 19, 2025
Not what I was looking for.
I hoped for more shooting accounts and there were few. The other advice is mostly old and obsolete. I am so
sorry I wasted my money.
I hoped for more shooting accounts and there were few. The other advice is mostly old and obsolete. I am so
sorry I wasted my money.
June 7, 2018
Old school
Brings to mind life before cell phones. There are some really good tips contained within!
Thank you Jim, I'm glad you got to write it.
Brings to mind life before cell phones. There are some really good tips contained within!
Thank you Jim, I'm glad you got to write it.
March 24, 2021
Real facts
Excellent information from a gun fighter. It isn't great writing, just factual writing by someone who has been there!Corolla was there!
Excellent information from a gun fighter. It isn't great writing, just factual writing by someone who has been there!Corolla was there!
October 5, 2022
Exceptional essay about the police use of deadly force
June 22, 2008
Replete with stories and experiences from Cirillo's experience as a NYPD officer and member of the Department's Stakeout Squad. He participated in some of the unit's most violent and challenging armed confrontations, wit the dregs of human society. Along the way, he shares some of his practical lessons gleaned from those encounters.
November 16, 2015
The author lived thru 17 separate shootouts as a NYC cop.This book tells the details of how he patented a new style of bullet that lead his team to survive against the worst of the worst on the New York city streets.
December 5, 2016
Training*
Excellent book reflecting what can happen when you train well, and incorporate stressful situations into your training. Excellent example of how the subconscious can take over during extreme stress and save our, otherwise, normal asses.
Excellent book reflecting what can happen when you train well, and incorporate stressful situations into your training. Excellent example of how the subconscious can take over during extreme stress and save our, otherwise, normal asses.
December 21, 2013
Decent book, a little light on content. Cirillo knew Jeff Cooper and Elmer Keith. Had been involved in many gunfights in NYC.
January 2, 2015
Very informative.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews