In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection is a phenomenal book written by police training expert Massad F. Ayoob.
Ayoob wrote this book as an introduction to the defensive use of firearms. Ayoob discusses the legal implications and practical aspects of owning and using a firearm for self defense. Although this is not a book to teach you to be an expert with a firearm, In the Gravest Extreme is one of the best first steps anyone can take to learn to defend themselves.
The book is written to a broad general audience. The information that Ayoob provides is equally useful to the armed citizen and the sworn law enforcement officer.
I often find myself in discussions with other citizens in my city regarding self-defense and the use of force. I try to offer them a broad understanding of the use of force as it applies in my state. I always suggest they read this book.
Massad Ayoob has distinguished himself as a master trainer, marksman, and writer. I have found all of his work to be worth every penny. Without hesitation, I recommend In the Gravest Extreme to anyone owns or is thinking about buying a firearm for self protection.
The gun is a single action pistol, however, it has a “Strike Two” capability. If the round does not ignite on the first pull of the trigger, the gun reverts to double action. This is Taurus’s method of providing a second-strike on the same round. I find this feature to be dubious at best, yet it is a capability that many gun writers have been touting as a life-saver. If it is something you want, the Taurus 800 series pistols have it.