Most practical shooting instructors will refer to the "combat triad" of 1) mindset 2) skills and 3) tactics. Mindset is your frame of mind when faced with a threat, skills are the handling of your weapon and tactics are what you do with yourself and weapon. Suarez touches on all of these things in this book. His discussion of mindset shows a massive ego and he gives very little info on weapons skills. The reader should ignore these parts. If you can't hit with your weapon under ideal range circumstances you should concentrate on that before getting a book on tactics. And you need to set your mind at ease with the idea of using a gun to take a life in self defense probably before you even get a defensive gun. Once you've got the right frame of mind and the skills, it is time to begin realistically thinking about what you would do when faced with a potential bad-guy. As stated this is mostly a book on tactics in urban environments, and it excels at this. There are chapters on each of the many obstacles faced in house clearing. There are very good illustrations to help you understand what the text says. Let's face it. The majority of home owners aren't going to get to go to Gunsite or other high end training schools so this book may be all they have. This is a book that will help you face the unknown bump in the night. But you have to get it, study it, and most importantly PRACTICE it. In your underwear at 2AM is not the time to be trying to remember exactly what target indicators you are supposed to be looking for...or how to pie a corner.

Most practical shooting instructors will refer to the "combat triad" of 1) mindset 2) skills and 3) tactics. Mindset is your frame of mind when faced with a threat, skills are the handling of your weapon and tactics are what you do with yourself and weapon. Suarez touches on all of these things in this book. His discussion of mindset shows a massive ego and he gives very little info on weapons skills. The reader should ignore these parts. If you can't hit with your weapon under ideal range circumstances you should concentrate on that before getting a book on tactics. And you need to set your mind at ease with the idea of using a gun to take a life in self defense probably before you even get a defensive gun. Once you've got the right frame of mind and the skills, it is time to begin realistically thinking about what you would do when faced with a potential bad-guy. As stated this is mostly a book on tactics in urban environments, and it excels at this. There are chapters on each of the many obstacles faced in house clearing. There are very good illustrations to help you understand what the text says. Let's face it. The majority of home owners aren't going to get to go to Gunsite or other high end training schools so this book may be all they have. This is a book that will help you face the unknown bump in the night. But you have to get it, study it, and most importantly PRACTICE it. In your underwear at 2AM is not the time to be trying to remember exactly what target indicators you are supposed to be looking for...or how to pie a corner.

The author does an excellent job laying out the tactics used for Close Quarters Battles. I bought this book to learn the basics of CQB and the tactics used by tactical operators and I was very satisfied!

This book is a great overview of individual tactical movement in a hostile environment. The only thing that surprised me was the lack of mention about a lot of ricochets travelling down walls about 6-8 inches off their surface and how that applies to your location relative to walls while moving and standing in that hostile environment. Regardless, it's still a great book and I'd recommend it to anyone.

This is an excellent book to learn clearing and tactical gun handling. There is a lot of pics and diagrams to show you the most tactical and the proper way of dealing with clearing. You will be happy if you buy this book.

This is an excellent book to learn clearing and tactical gun handling. There is a lot of pics and diagrams to show you the most tactical and the proper way of dealing with clearing. You will be happy if you buy this book.

Although probably new material for most readers, this should only be a refresher for those who have taken a few tactical shooting courses and served in law enforcement or the military.

Chapters cover different obstacles such as; corners, doorways, stairs, T-intersections, 4-way intersections, etc... The ample supply of clear images and useful diagrams help explain the concepts. Suarez includes a chapter on mindset and another on nonshooting confrontations. Although many similar books cover mindset, it is rare to see a discussion of a nonshooting event.

The UberTactical uniforms and Front Sight logos were a distraction for me. The wide range to topics covered did not allow for a complete discussion on any of them and leads to confusion on who the target audience is supposed to be; homeowner, SWAT team member or Infantry soldier.

A good book that is worth your time to read so long as you are not expecting "A definitive study..."

Although probably new material for most readers, this should only be a refresher for those who have taken a few tactical shooting courses and served in law enforcement or the military.

Chapters cover different obstacles such as; corners, doorways, stairs, T-intersections, 4-way intersections, etc... The ample supply of clear images and useful diagrams help explain the concepts. Suarez includes a chapter on mindset and another on nonshooting confrontations. Although many similar books cover mindset, it is rare to see a discussion of a nonshooting event.

The UberTactical uniforms and Front Sight logos were a distraction for me. The wide range to topics covered did not allow for a complete discussion on any of them and leads to confusion on who the target audience is supposed to be; homeowner, SWAT team member or Infantry soldier.

A good book that is worth your time to read so long as you are not expecting "A definitive study..."

Gabriel's instruction is top notch, excellent study of the usage of modern day firearms in modern day tactical situations. Can be applied to both homeowner and SWAT team member.

This book has the information a novice or advance shooter can use for personal or bussiness applications. The author Mr. Gabriel Suarez is very informative and also adds cool pictures and great diagrams for readers to understand. This was one of the better books I've read in a long time. This Book is well worth the money. (A must have book)

Gabriel Suarez is the consumate professional. He knows the subject inside out and backwards. He lives what he teachs every day. He is the kind of weapons instructor we all wished we had when we were all starting out.

Tactical Advantage is a no nonsense weapons handbook. You will learn the basics of weapon craft from one of the fields premier instructors. If you ever are lucky enough to take one of his courses in person I highly recommend that as well.

If you want to cut through all the intergalactic ninja turtle stuff and get down to the meat and patatos of weapon craft then look no further than the Tactical Advantage....

While I'm not sure I'd call it definitive (this topic is simply bigger than any 200 page book can cover), this book truly is outstanding. As with all of Suarez's books, this one is well-written, easy to understand, and packed with solid advice. Contents include tactical mind-set, basic tactical principles, building searches (corners/hallways, doors, stairs, extreme close quarters), tactical movement, shooting on the move, cover, concealment, reduced light operations, team tactics, tactical communications, non-shooting confrontations, weapons retention, combat countermeasures, distance intervals for close-quarters defense, outdoor tactics, and tools for searching. There is a good section on how to practice the various tactics covered in the work along with sources for gear and training and even a suggested reading list. The photos are, unfortunately, not horribly well reproduced (e.g., dark, grainy) so they do not add as much value as I would have liked but you can figure out what's going on nevertheless.

Suarez, a law enforcement Medal of Valor winner, not only knows his stuff but has experienced real life violence and countervailing force in a way that the rest of us hope we never have to. It's written more from a law enforcement perspective then from a civilian one, so you need to take it in the proper context and adjust accordingly. For example, if someone breaks in during the middle of the night you may be best served by simply locking the bedroom door, calling the cops, shouting that you have done so, and sitting back with your gun at the ready, rather than having to clear the house and face off against a potentially armed and dangerous intruder. Don't forget that only law enforcement professionals HAVE to run toward the bad guys in every situation. Having said that, however, if you want solid advice on tactical close-quarters combat this is an excellent resource.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

While I'm not sure I'd call it definitive (this topic is simply bigger than any 200 page book can cover), this book truly is outstanding. As with all of Suarez's books, this one is well-written, easy to understand, and packed with solid advice. Contents include tactical mind-set, basic tactical principles, building searches (corners/hallways, doors, stairs, extreme close quarters), tactical movement, shooting on the move, cover, concealment, reduced light operations, team tactics, tactical communications, non-shooting confrontations, weapons retention, combat countermeasures, distance intervals for close-quarters defense, outdoor tactics, and tools for searching. There is a good section on how to practice the various tactics covered in the work along with sources for gear and training and even a suggested reading list. The photos are, unfortunately, not horribly well reproduced (e.g., dark, grainy) so they do not add as much value as I would have liked but you can figure out what's going on nevertheless.

Suarez, a law enforcement Medal of Valor winner, not only knows his stuff but has experienced real life violence and countervailing force in a way that the rest of us hope we never have to. It's written more from a law enforcement perspective then from a civilian one, so you need to take it in the proper context and adjust accordingly. For example, if someone breaks in during the middle of the night you may be best served by simply locking the bedroom door, calling the cops, shouting that you have done so, and sitting back with your gun at the ready, rather than having to clear the house and face off against a potentially armed and dangerous intruder. Don't forget that only law enforcement professionals HAVE to run toward the bad guys in every situation. Having said that, however, if you want solid advice on tactical close-quarters combat this is an excellent resource.

Lawrence Kane
Author of 'The Way of Kata' and 'Martial Arts Instruction'

The contents of this book are largely lifted from Police training manuals, and are not suited for the average citizen, unless you happen to be in a militia or you are a member of Al-Queda. I can't imagine why ordinary gun-enthusiasts would be interested in combat with fellow citizens, clearing and entering houses with hostile foes, and all the other techniques on offer here. Suarez makes a big deal about how he is a decorated officer, but no police officer worth their salt would put out books teaching citizens to be members of a tactical SWAT team.
The author obviously isn't a police officer in good standing anymore because no commanding officer would permit someone to profit off the tactics presented here.
If you are a gun-enthusiast, you would be better off buying something by John Farnam or Andy Stanford. Their books are written for citizen gun owners, and they don't teach how to indiscriminately kill people.

This is the best book on this subject that I have found to date. Yes, there are lots of books out there which contain various aspects of this book. However, this is the only book I have seen which combines all of these components under one cover! If you want a solid grasp of these simple tactics, get this book.

Suarez's best work and one of my favorite books the topic. If you want to learn how to clear a building or move tactically in and through close quarters this is the book that I recomend. Suarez covers the topic very well with his text and illustrations. This book is different from many others of the same genre. It covers the actual tactics involved in confrontation more than gun-handling.

This is an intermediate to advanced level book. If you're new to firearms, or self defence, you may find it more usefull to read Suarez's more recent book: Tactical Pistol Marksmanship: How to Improve Your Combat Shooting Skills.

In the introcuction, Suarez tells that in his opinion, this book is "the most complete study of tactical principles ever written". That's a "minor" overstatement. It is not a bad thing that a man has confidence on his ability, but he should be realistic also. I don't mean to say that this is not a good book, because it is. It just isn't "a definitive study", as it claims to be.

The book covers a variety of topics, and has separate chapters on different tactical obstacles (like stairs and doors). But the text is not clear enough; without the pictures and drawings (which there are plenty) you would be hard pressed to understand some of the things Suarez is trying to say. Luckily the pictures and captions are very informative.

There are several things that bother me. First, it seems like Suarez didn't know to whom he is writing the book. Part of the text seems to be aimed to a SWAT team member, part is intended for armed civilian, and the rest to military personnel. Secondly, Suarez just gives his opinion on certain matters (like the best flashlight technique or shooting stance) without explaining why or referring the alternatives. You are just supposed to believe what he says, whithout thinking it out yourself. The third complain is that although there is some humor in the text, the book is a bit too "gung-ho" to my taste. I just don't like the attitude that "if you encounter a hostile, neutralize him and continue the search".

All things considered, this is a good book, but it has it's flaws.

When you find out how much you don't know and you find out that those who do know are willing to share with you for the price of a book it can be an amazing thing. The lessons in this book were paid for with blood and Gabe Suarez is attempting to help his readers avoid the lessons the hard way. Highly recommended.

This is a must read for any cop, rookie to veteran. Its well written and is supported with both diagrams and photographs to explain the concepts. As a cop, it would be a SEVERE oversight not to read this book. If going home after each shift to your family means something to you, then read this book.

Suarez is one of the few writers in the genre that has actually done what he writes about. Not only is his information current, but he is one of the most gifted writers in the "firearms" or "tactical" fields. The book is a must read.

Suarez is obviously a subject matter expert on tactical movement. However, the book is aimed at to large of an audience and it is difficult to pick out that information which applies to you.

This book has some useful information for police officers and tactical types but much of that information is not placed in the context that it should be used. The author tried to make his information relevant in all cases and that is not reality. If he had written parts for just cops and then other parts for non-cops it would have been great.

However, I did learn something from the book. I liked the authors explanation of three man point movements.

I hope Suarez writes a book on tactical team operations. It should be filled with relevant information.