Chris Cheng - Shoot to Win

Shoot to Win is an in-depth primer that serves as a gateway to shooting success. Chris explores a variety of firearm platforms, examines the shooter mindset and provides readers useful knowledge that will help them get started on their journey into shooting. Julie Golob, World Shooting Champion, author of SHOOT: Your Guide to Shooting Competition, and captain of Smith & Wessons shooting team

Chriss unique journey to the upper echelon of the competitive shooting world is fascinating. In Shoot to Win, Chris shares the secrets of his success and the insights on how he approaches his passion the way he does. Its a must read if you want to improve your skill set. Take this book to the range! Dana Loesch, host of the nationally syndicated radio show The Dana Show, host of Dana on The Blaze, television commentator

Not only is he a shooting champion, Chris Cheng is an incredible inspiration. Weve seen him on the hit television show Top Shot, but now were hearing and learning from Chris first hand about how he won Season 4 after teaching himself how to shoot and compete. Through personal examples and a focus on basic fundamental techniques, Chris gives shooting beginners the confidence, motivation and knowledge they need to Shoot to Win. Katie Pavlich, editor, Townhall Magazine, Fox News contributor

The infectious enthusiasm Chris Cheng brings to shooting, and to life, explodes from the pages of Shoot to Win. Whether suggesting which gun to buy, how to get into competitive shooting, or drawing parallels between shooting and life, Chris delivers no-nonsense advice that will benefit anyone. Tom Gresham, Gun Talk Radio

Whether youre a new gun owner or a long time competitor, Shoot To Win is a fantastic book chock full of wisdom and expertise. As someone who spends more time in a studio than at a range, I found this book to be an invaluable addition to my training. Cam Edwards, NRA News radio host of Cam & Co. on the Sportsman Channel

Chris Cheng uncovers the top shot in each of us. His book removes the barriers and allows the reader to discover the fun and responsibility of shooting, as well as owning, respecting, and securing firearms. Rob Keck, Director of Conservation at Bass Pro Shops

With Shoot to Win, Chris Cheng puts into words what so many of us understand but somehow rarely is discussed in a broader context. Shooting requires discipline of the body and mind, and those attributes translate into every other aspect of our lives. His advice and instruction is as relevant to the office or a classroom as it is to the range. Chris is a phenomenal ambassador for the firearms community, and Shoot to Win is a practical and inspirational place to start your journey into the world of firearms. Natalie Foster, creator of GirlsGuidetoGuns.com, host of Love at First Shot, NRA News commentator

Great insight into the world of shooting. An excellent read for people new to the sport. Taran Butler, founder, Taran Tactical Innovations

Shoot to Win is a thorough and fresh look at the fundamentals of firearms ownership and training that will benefit any gun owner. Rob Pincus, owner, I.C.E. Training Company, Executive Director, Personal Defense Network

Chris has been a great addition to the shooting world in recent years. Always happy and cheerful while at the same time being very dedicated and devoted to what he does I wish him the best! Robert Vogel, World and National Champion Shooter, police and SWAT officer

Copyright 2014, 2018 by Chris Cheng

Photographs, unless noted otherwise, copyright 2014 Oleg Volk

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or .

Skyhorse and Skyhorse Publishing are registered trademarks of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Top Shot , HISTORY, and their associated marks and logos are trademarks of A&E Networks, LLC.

Visit our website at www.skyhorsepublishing.com.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by CG

Cover photo: iStockphoto/yacobchuk

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-3059-5

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-3060-1

Printed in China

This book is dedicated to my parents, my sister, and my husband Nate. Throughout the years, they have always supported my fun and crazy ideas. I hope you, the reader, have people in your life who encourage you to dream and think big.

Like a lot of kids, my introduction to firearms came through my father. My mom learned how to shoot from my grandpa, who was a dedicated advocate for the Second Amendment and the firearms industry his entire life. I am grateful every day for having been born into a family where passing down the American tradition of shooting and the Second Amendment was important. I learned at a young age how to respect firearms, their power, and their capability. It truly is part of who I am, keeps me grounded, and has played an enormous role throughout my life. Ill never forget the days of dropping down the tailgate with my younger brother and loading up the pickup truck before driving out for a day at the range.

As soon as he knew I was ready, my dad let me take my first shots. He had already taught me all about gun safety, which I also learned by observing for years as his sidekick. The feeling I got watching a gallon of water explode downrange after a hit was exhilarating and always left me wanting more. As good stewards of the land, my dad made sure we picked up more on the range upon each visit than we came with when we left for the day.

My dad has always been partial to rifles and so naturally, thats also my favorite kind of gun to shoot. For my tenth birthday, my dad bought me my very own rifle and had Katie P. embroidered on the strap. I remember thinking, Im just like dad now, overjoyed with my own gun.

As Ive gotten older, my training and affinity for firearms has grown. Not only have I developed a wealth of knowledge around the issue of gun ownership, but Ive significantly expanded my training and my personal firearms collection. Naturally as a part of my growth, my firearm needs have also changed.

Since Im a young woman who has lived in a number of big cities, self-defense became central to my personal safety when I was in college. When I turned twenty-one, I took my first concealed carry class and bought my first handgun. Later, when I moved to the East Coast to pursue a career, I was able to afford my first AR-15.

I took my first defensive pistol class and carbine basics class in 2013 at Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona. The days in the weeklong course were challenging, and the shooting mistakes Id been making when training on my own took effort to correct and maintain. At the beginning of the week, I thought I knew something about firearms. Once I started training, I knew immediately I had a lot to learn. Two years after graduation, I was back for an advanced pistol class.