5 comments about Gun Digest 2006 (Gun Digest).

1. Every year the new owners of Gun Digest put fewer and fewer articles in the book. 2007 seems to be the new low. Mostly it is now just a collection of canned catalog specs with many editing errors. After all, they don't have to pay anyone for that. The articles they do have are major boring. Nothing like the pre-2000 Gun Digest when Ken Warner was still the editor.



2. This book is very informative. Information is easy to find on the subjects. Well worth the time to look it over.



3. As a very long-time GD reader, I have seen good issues and fair issues. This is the first issue that I would consider poor. Editorial content is weak to the extreme, and there is little of interest for the gun enthusiast beyond updates of what's new on the market. The first article is about the .400 Brown Whelan (Why should anyone care?) The second is about modification of a Ruger #1 to .32-40. This is a pure vanity piece, of no interest unless for some strange reason you want to do the same. The third article is entitled "The Automatic Question," which sort of covers the development of semi-automatic sporting arms, touching on the question of advantages over other types of arms over the years. It's only mildly interesting. The next is a long story about the Bowie Knife. Maybe I'm mistaken, but this is not the "Knife Digest." Following is a story about "Premium Bullet Performance." The conclusion is simply that they are all pretty good. Ho-Hum. Next is a long picture piece on engraved weapons. Fine if you like pretty pictures, otherwise, a yawner. Next is a very long article covering the last 60 years of revolver development. It's moderately interesting. I think you get the idea. Anyway, it seems the effort was more on publishing a lot of slick pages in full color than in offering interesting articles that used to be GD's stock in trade. If I could return my copy to Amazon for a refund, I would. My assessment is simple - donate the cost of a copy of GD 2006 to the NRA. Your money will be much better spent.



4. If you have a copy of the 2004 or 2005 editions of Gun Digest, definitely don't bother with GD 2006. If you have none at all and need to browse the market for guns, the 2006 edition is a start -- but be aware, it's a limited one. The cover states; "Since 1944, GD has delivered the very latest in firearms product information..." Well, GD may try, but it simply doesn't (any more!). Mainly, it is incomplete, but it also contains errors.
   
   I was really disappointed to have spent money on this book. I usually buy the year's GD every two years, to keep up with what's going on. But browsing the lists of available rifles, shotguns, handguns etc in the 2006 edition it felt, this time, as if I was still reading the 2004 edition -- the one that has had to suffice this past two years. It read like the same data, the same guns with, often, the same prices. It's as if the editors added a few color-paged articles and photos at the front, and then just hit the "Print 2004 edition" button on their printing press. They certainly haven't reviewed their old data this year.
   
   Several of the latest (and existing) guns are unmentioned, to my knowledge, and probably more that I don't know of are also overlooked. I needed the spec's and prices of, for example:
   -- the new Beretta Cx4 Storm rifle
   -- the Blaser K95 single shot rifle
   -- the new Sako Quad rimfire with interchangeable barrels
   -- the full line of Hammerli target pistols (only two shown)
   -- the Kimber Tactical 1911 handgun
   -- the Anschutz 1720 in WMR
   -- the new Remington bolt action in 22LR
   -- etc., etc., etc. They don't exist in GD 2006.
   
   And there are errors: the Kimber Super Match II is shown as having a "7-shot magazine" when it is an 8-shot, or a 10-shot with the relevant mag. The so-called "Reports from the Field" which are intended as a rundown of what's new this year, are a once-over-lightly, incomplete reviews, that at times are just vehicles for the reviewer to show several shots of himself on his latest safari beside dead animals plus the rifles he used -- even though they often have little or nothing to do with the new products of that year!!
   
   The glossy pages are fine, but only if they're filled with something valid. Most articles cover mainly arcane topics -- interesting to some no doubt -- but frankly, I am not that interested in the 400 Brown Whelen "maverick" rifle, or the Remington 700 in 8mm Mauser. I thought the articles on 60 years of ammo development, and the one on custom engraving were interesting but could have done with a mainstream article or two as well.
   
   One final grouch! Seems the publisher doesn't use his own books after they are published. If he did, he'd notice that the plastic glazing on the front and back covers shrinks once in use, hand warmth causing the covers to curl up in the most annoying fashion. This is not the first year of this problem. If you do buy this year's GD, keep a heavy weight on the cover to keep it flat -- temporarily. But it'll curl up again soon enough.



5. The tag line for the Gun Digest is "The World's Greatest Gun Book" and that pretty well sums it up. This is the bible of the gun hobby. It has a series of articles that range from an analysis of the 400 Whelan, to a major article on the Bowie knife. As usual, it has a summary of what's new in handguns, rifles, shotguns and accessory items, and finally it has a complete catalog of all of the offerings of all the gun companies. I have each annual volume of Gun Digest in my library going back more than 50 years. I can't imagine doing without them.
   
   One really big change in this year's edition is that the front half of the book with the articles is printed on slick paper and in color. This really improves the appearance.
   
   As for changes in the guns themselves for this year, the big news is the sunset laws that removed the Assault Weapons Ban. This means that large (or as the Gun Digest says) full capacity magazines can now be sold again, and the evil appearing nasty looking rifles can be sold again.
   
   The one complaint that I might voice is that in the pistol section there appears to be nothing but 1911's shown. Regardless of the manufacturer, these all look the same. I'd like to see some of the more unusual guns pictures. For instance: the Olympic Arms .223 pistol, the Steyr, the Wilkinson Sherry and Linda. I guess what I'm really saying is that we need another hundred pages or so.

No comments about Gun Trader's Guide.

No comments about Hand Cannons: The World'S Most Powerful Handguns.

4 comments about Classic Handguns of the 20th Century.

1. This text discusses approximately twenty categories of handguns (plus variations within each category) during the specified time period. Writing, photography, and graphic illustration is excellent. The level of detail is extremely helpful to the beginner. Those more experienced with handguns, who have works that specifically deal with their favorites, may find it less informative, though they may still enjoy it as a general historical overview, and for the quality of the photography and graphics. There are some noteworthy omissions (such as the Colt Model M or "pocket hammerless"), but this is still a fine overview.



2. very nice book, the information for the included handguns was very informative. I was able to learn some things about a couple of S&W handguns I owned which was very interesting.The book is a good read for anyone interested in some of the more famous and popular handguns of the 20th century.



3. I thought this is a wonderful book. There are terrific close-up photos of the guns from different angles which are the next best thing to actually holding them. In addition there are exploded diagrams, historical background, and stories about individuals who are particulary associated with each gun. I only wish the book was longer, more in depth, and had more examples of these classics . (The S&W K-22 .22 caliber revolver is one of my favorites that wasn't in the book, for example.) - - I hope the author comes out with additional editions covering other firearms presented in this same style and format. I would definitely buy them. - - - (Note: I'm a very picky buyer - 4 stars is an extremely high rating for me.)



4. Don't get your hopes up with this slim tome. It only covers 20 models of handguns and six of those are pretty much the same guns in different calibers, Colt and Smith and Wesson double action revolvers.

5 comments about The Official Overstreet Indian Arrowheads Identification and Price Guide, 7th Edition (Official Overstreet Indian Arrowhead Identification and Price Guide).

1. Since there are few references available on point types, this was added to my reference library. Disregarding the prices, for the types, descriptions, etc. I have the Texas type book also. What puzzles me is why Overstreet has listed some types for Texas, which are not covered in the current Texas book, nor any of the old books (and I have them back to the second or so book from the 1960s). Example is the Texas point type Overstreet calls Edwards. Not in any other Texas books I find. No explanation by Overstreet. Not a bad reference for types, just wish there was a better one available, more akin to the 1960s book from Texas.



2. Despite the emotional opinions of some, on the whole monetary value issue, I found this book to be quite a valuable reference guide in terms of tool typing, and assessing style variations and aiding in establishing era. In fact I've not seen a more comprehensive reference guide. In addition to this being a fine guide for the collector, it is also a nice reference for the amateur or serious archeologist. I have participated in several responsible, (academic), archaeological digs and have witnessed more than one academic reference this book for regional typing purposes.
   
   The issue of affixing value to antiquities is always subjective (and it is reality on a Global scale) I believe the author is simply providing a range of what collectors have paid for certain examples. Again, this may be useful information to some collectors, or for Museum curators in establishing the 'street' value of collections for insurance purposes.



3. I bought this book to figure-out the monetary value of pot hunted artifacts, in order to change pothunters of federal and state crimes. Very informative. Thank you.



4. This book and the whole collection of Overstreet guides are a unsubstantiated ruse! DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK. The author seeks to mislead and misdirect the general public by putting a monetary price on human history. is the value of an artifact monetary? Can riches be made from stealing the history of the public? This book would like you to think so.

   One large discrimination of this book is the fact that the prices within are set by a bunch of country yahoos sitting around a swap meet, spitting tabacky into priceless ming vases. The fact that there is little mention of the money it may cost you if you collect artifacts on public land and the fact that looting significant archaeological sites for arrowheads can land your butt in jail, is barely mentioned.

   Do yourself a favor, take a class in archaeology from your local junior college, pick up the Bruce Bradley video called Flintknapping or Andrefsky's lithic book from Cambridge and start making your own arrowheads. Then go to your local swap meet and sale them to dumbasses that buy this book!

   Remember price is only what you can get some country bumpkin to give you for an arrowhead, and looting sites on public or private land will only land you in jail, or even worse get you filled with lead from an angry landowner.




5. Purchased to study projectile points. I was not disapointed with the packed information and photos on this subject. Used as well, as a price guide for collectors, I none the less use it as a reference manual. It lists point artifacts from each part of the country broken down in groups of states. It then shows most of what is common for that area as far as shapes, sizes, etc. It is a good guide for the beginner to learn both projectile shapes and nomenclature. I carry it as a supplement to other books on archaeology and prehistoric American Native studies.............

1 comments about Pistols: History, Technology, And Models From 1550-1913.

1. This books adds a little bit of perspective that I hadn't got elsewhere. Of course, since it was written by a European, it didn't tell you very much about how many people had protected their families by using this technology. But this was all before American prosperity, and not many people could afford a gun, and it was still sticks and rocks for most people.

No comments about America's Premier Gunmakers: Colt.

No comments about Suicide specials.

5 comments about One Nation Under Guns: An Essay on an American Epidemic (Speaker's Corner).

1. This book is an essay on why we need gun control in the United States. It has some valid arguments about what we need to do in this country to curb gun violence. It is not, however, a call for the banning of guns, as others has indicated.
   
   Some of the issues discussed are closing loop holes in laws that allow sales at gun shows to anyone who wants to buy a gun, mandatory background checks for all buyers, stricter enforcement against "straw purchases" and the reinstitution of the assault weapon ban.
   
   The author is trying to find middle ground on the subject, which is what, as a nation, we should be trying to do. We need to get together, realize that there is no absolute right to own all guns, (much like the free speech right has some limitations) and figure out which controls are common sense and then implement them.
   
   This is not "the book" to end the discussion for gun control. There are some factual mistakes in the book, but the ones I found are minor. But it is generally well written and will provide a platform to start a discussion and for thought on the subject. In the wake of Virginia Tech and other tragedies, we need to start the discussion somewhere, and this is a good place to start. If you are a gun fanatic, don't bother with the book. If however, you want to open your mind a little, buy the book and think about what it has to say.



2. I have followed the various gun-related debates and concerns in our country for over 32 year now. I have lived in both restrictive and open states. I consider myself pretty well informed on most of the topics covered by this author, but I'm always checking for more information.
   
   Unfortunately, this book proved to be just another tired rehash of the anti-gun misinformation I've seen on the Brady Campaign web site. "We need more laws controlling guns." Why, when criminals - by definition - don't obey the law? For that matter why bother, when the convicted violent criminals are released back into the public despite their records? "Statistics show" ...anything you want them to show, when taken out of context, as most of these are. "Assault weapons..." are defined by the military as capable of fully automatic fire (think "machine gun") and as such have been banned from general purchase since the 1934. Even the factually challenged definition of "assault weapons" banned in the nineties described firearms that were used in .026 of One Percent(!) of firearms related crimes. See, I can quote statistics too.
   
   Bottom line: There are an enormous number of factual errors in this document. There are many quotes from the Brady Campaign, including quotations attributed to individual members of that campaign. It's quite apparent that the author spent many hours with the anti-gun organizations. On the other hand, I saw no quotations or evidence that his research was more widely spread.
   
   My recommendation: If you're reading this, you're on the Internet. Do your own research from the data available out "here" if you want real facts about this topic. If you are merely looking for a good summation of the anti-gun lobby's platform, this book is a good resource. But PLEASE check his "facts" before agreeing to the premise. You'll find many if not most of them are incorrect.



3. Like Sarah Brady and her ilk, this book is full of factual errors, absurdities, fabrications, and outright lies. For example, the author claims that anyone can buy a .50-caliber machine gun on the spot at gun shows. That ludicrous assertion displays an irresponsible ignorance of the law and what really goes on at gun shows. Even the photo on the cover is a gross deception -- it is unlawful for a juvenile to own or handle a handgun, or handgun ammunition, without a parent's written permission. The only value of this book is its role as a window into the minds of anti-gun radicals. Anyone who, like Diogenes, seeks honesty should look elsewhere. If the author is as wreckless with a gun as he is with facts and his exercise of his freedom of speech and of the press, stay well out of shooting range!



4. Gun violence is not a political issue. Violence is instead a social problem. One where one person in a senseless act can march into an Amish one-room school house and kill 5 young girls. It's true that a gun, by itself without human intervention, does not kill people - that in fact it requires a person to use the gun, to create this terrible means to an end. However, the question that we as a society need to evaluate - or at least being open to consider, is how do people that are likely to commit violent crime get the weapon to do so.
   
   It is this question that leads us back to the courts, and the laws that both protect the right to bear arms, and the need to protect the citizens of this country. I bought and read One Nation Under Guns after I heard Arnold Grossman on a Denver radio show. His arguement was sound, moderate, and leaned towards finding a solution for this exact problem, not stripping away the right to bear arms, or destroying every gun.
   
   After reading the book, and reviewing the statistics provided (which are from the FBI, ATF and the National Crime Lab - not Mother Jones). It reinforced my concern for finding a solution to this issue, where the average "smart" gun-owning American does not lose or impede his rights to own a firearm, while those at "high risk" of commiting a dangerous crime are limited in their ability to get a gun. Sure, if someone "really wants" to get a hold of a gun they will find a way on the black market, or steal one, but here is where the statistics in the US compared to other countries where guns are legal, but controls exist to keep felons from owning them are in place - prove that smart gun purchasing and ownership laws make a huge difference. Let's consider the gun violence that we hear about - it's not someone commiting some large scale assualt on the government or massive terrorist acts, it's a milk truck driver who flips out one day and decides to enter a school room and commit a senseless crime. The odds of this (idiot) guy taking the time and initiative to track down a black market contact to buy a gun to commit this crime are highly unlikely if not impossible.
   
   Grossman argues for sensible laws to be put in place - not an outright end to guns. These laws include requiring background checks so that felons and those previously convicted of violent crimes cannot buy a weapon. It includes hardening specific state laws - for example - Texas has some of the most stringent requirements of any state to receive a concealed carry permit - why don't other states follow this model? And, Grossman focuses a lot of attention on gun shows - and how the lack of stringent controls here has enabled anyone (legal, Illegal, terrorist, or felon) to walk into a local show and purchase guns without going through the existing requirements if you were to go to your local gunsmith.
   
   Those that are law-abiding gun owners, should be concerned about the fact that a select statistical few are bringing "a bad name" to guns and in turn, putting second ammendment rights at risk. You can only have so many school shootings, before someone is able to lobby a case to the Supreme Court, and if you are overly confident enough to believe that this won't happen, or that it won't pass - I'd suggest picking up a copy of the Constitution and reviewing the ammendments that have been passed, and considering some of the Supreme Court rulings that have as well.
   
   Bottomline is that One Nation Under Guns is not "liberal opinion" it is not full of weightless statistics, or hype. It's a call to a problem. That violence, where a gun is involved, is on the rise and that action should be and can be taken that keep our citizens safe and our rights in tact.
   
   Thus, 5 - Stars for Grossman for not making this a political topic, but instead providing a thoughtfully written essay that encourages people on both sides of the gun debate to communicate, stop finger pointing, and address the problems at hand.



5. This is basically a liberal opinion piece, with little to NO FACTS. The notions presented go from quasi-common sense to the ridiculous.
   
   Try "More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun-Control Laws" by John R. Lott Jr.

No comments about The Shooter's Corner.