Shoot to Win

A surprising journey from tech support to professional marksman in front of the cameras.

Chris Cheng won the title of “Top Shot,” a $100,000 cash prize, and a professional marksman contract with the show sponsor, Bass Pro Shops. How did a tech support guy who didn’t shoot a lot of guns beat out seventeen other competitors—including seasoned military veterans, law enforcement officers, and pro marksmen—in History Channel’s Top Shot season 4?

An excellent guide for beginning shooters, Cheng focuses on the basics and ammunition of pistols, rifles, and shotguns, marksmanship fundamentals, and buying a firearm. Other chapters include:

Dry Fire Practice
Firearm Accessories
Safely Storing Your Firearm
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Guns
And much more!

Additionally, Cheng covers his approach to staying calm under pressure, teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership. These traits contributed to his coming out on top and staying above the fray.

With a foreword written by Top Shot season 3 champion Dustin Ellermann and an afterword written by the original Top Shot champion Iain Harrison, Shoot to Win is sure to please shooters of all stripes, but especially fans of History Channel’s program Top Shot.

Skyhorse Publishing is proud to publish a broad range of books for hunters and firearms enthusiasts. We publish books about shotguns, rifles, handguns, target shooting, gun collecting, self-defense, archery, ammunition, knives, gunsmithing, gun repair, and wilderness survival. We publish books on deer hunting, big game hunting, small game hunting, wing shooting, turkey hunting, deer stands, duck blinds, bowhunting, wing shooting, hunting dogs, and more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Chris Cheng worked as a technical support specialist and manager at Google for five years before winning Top Shot Season 4 and becoming a full time professional shooter for Bass Pro Shops. He now travels the country for competitions, celebrity appearances, and public speeches. Cheng is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and is an NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun Instructor. He also writes technical gun and gear reviews for TheFirearmBlog.com.

“Chris’s 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. It’s 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, and television commentator

“Not only is he a shooting champion, Chris Cheng is an incredible inspiration. We’ve seen him on the hit television show Top Shot, but now we’re 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

“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 & Wesson’s shooting team

“Whether you’re 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

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

“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

“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 & National Champion Shooter, police and SWAT officer

“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

“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