Swat : Special Weapons & Tactics for the Prepared American

This magazine does cater to the LE community, but upon careful examination, you will see that many of the articles pertain to anyone who wants to learn self-defense. Also, they write reviews on various firearms that are available to the public, particularly handguns. Moreover, you will find articles and write-ups on accessories, training videos and classes, shooting techniques and more.

The articles devoted to LE specifically are very interesting to me as a non-LEO; it's fascinating to see how to properly enter a building where bad guys might be waiting, or how to properly deploy bodyguards while protecting a VIP.

This magaizine is hard to find on the newstand, but if you can, subscribe and try it out. If you like firearms or magazines like Soldier of Fortune and the many other firearms magazines available, I guarantee you'll like this one as well.


Traiining for the soldier, cop, and citizen..   February 3, 2005
E. Z. Warner lll (Elliottsburg, PA United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

SWAT magazine brings the top training schools into focus. If you carry a gun for a living or are just a citizens with a carry permit, you need to read SWAT.


Consider the source...   July 3, 2006
SeaLawyer (Currently serving in Iraq)
0 out of 5 found this review helpful

I have nothing against the content of this magazine, per se. It is published, however, by Larry Flynt of Hustler fame. If you like his left-wing politics and his commitment to the moral degradation of America, or don't care whether you support either or both of those, then by all means, buy this magazine.

Personally, I consider "Special Weapons for Military & Police" and "Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement," both by Harris Outdoor Group to be superior publications.


one of the best   April 26, 2008
J. W. Mullins (Germany)
SWAT is one of the best all around weapons and tactic magazines available. You get good real work advice from real world shooter and trainers. While it is called SWAT it doesn't cater to the police crowd. What you get is a good mix of article by a mix of author with a broad range of topics. From military to police officer and armed citizen to the person who just enjoys their weapons, SWAT covers it all. This is one of only two magazines I subscribe to and read constantly (the other being Small Arms Review) because it stays repetitively fresh and interesting.


Good monthly reading   October 5, 2008
A mental health professional (Virginia)
One of the few firearms magazines that hasn't completely sold out to the advertisers. Too many gun rags have writer who have never met a gun they didn't like, but no so with SWAT, who will call a spade a spade when needed. The contributors list reads like a who's-who of relevant trainers and authors in the firearms and self-defense community. Pat Rogers, Scott Reitz, James Yeager, Ron Hood, even the often irritating but always though provoking Stewart Rhodes, they're all there.

My only complaint is the continued presence of Leroy Thompson, a distinguished professional who unfortunately hasn't written a coherent article in at least several years.