5 comments about Complete Bladesmith: Forging Your Way To Perfection.

1. As a beginner this was the book I was looking for, the title says it all "The Complete Bladesmith". Very comprehensive and informative.



2. So far I have found this book to be very straightforward, easy to understand, and quite helpful. Not only do I find it informative, but I enjoy reading it too.



3. This book is about how to make knives by different materials, for example 1050 steel. It's a quite good book, especially for beginners with reasonable price. Highly recommended to all!



4. A great book for the beginner, but not to be taken as a metallurgical point of reference. Antiquated theories such as 'edge-packing' and other misconceptions are taught in this text. This is not a problem, assuming the reader does enough research - either before or after reading this book. It offers great explanations of techniques, complete with well-explained drawings, diagrams and pictures, as well as plenty of good information on intelligent shop layout, tool selection, etc.
   
   Certainly worth owning, just BEWARE the dated information!



5. When i received this book i see much more detais, and contents that i have expected. Details about the forge to the finishing of a sword. I'm a new blacksmith in pratice but i recomend this book to anyone who want to progress in the art of bladesmith !

5 comments about The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly, Pt. V: Shotguns (2nd Edition).

1. WAS HOPING FOR MORE MODERN GUNS THAT I WORK ON, NOT GUNS THAT I WILL PROBABLY NEVER COME A CROSS, GOOD BOOK, JUST NOT WHAT I NEEDED.



2. Of the two books on assembly/disassembly I purchased this was the more thorough. It has good pictures on tear down but is a little lacking on reassembly. I was torn between a three and four rating. This book would actually be helpfull if you had not torn down the project firearm before. So I rated it at four. A little more attention to reassembly would be beneficial for us novices and make this a really good book.



3. A good little book with a lot of information at a very good price.



4. This book along with, "The Gun Digest Book of Exploded Gun Drawings" was given as a gift to my son who, with his brother, is a novice hunter, with a beginning interest in gunsmithing. They have acquired a number of shot guns and rifles and found this book matched their needs exactly. They found this book fascinating and were so excited. Clear, helpful, detailed and would appear to be valuable for both the beginner and serious firearm enthusiasts. They have put it to practical use - so easy to use! These books have not been relegated to the library or reference shelf yet and as reluctant as I am to say it, they remain in the bathroom, so are read and reviewed almost daily and I don't see that changing anytime soon. They can't say enough good things about the book -
   THIS IS A KEEPER!



5. Yet another good reading for the beginner, or for someone who specifically onws one of the shotguns in the book. As I have said in another review, I would like to see Gun Digest publish another volume with newer production shotguns in addition to this book. All in all, very good, worth reading.

5 comments about Workbench Silencers: The Art Of Improvised Designs (Silencers).

1. 
   I came across references to this work while researching improvised silencers and decided to check it out. The author writes a good introduction to the subject of silencers in general and then goes on to show how objects such as aluminum cans and oil filters can be used as components for improvised disposable silencers. Photos of all the components of the silencers are shown, followed by photos of the assembly process, leaving no doubt that the components can indeed be assembled and attached to the end of a gun barrel as demonstrated. This gives the book a plausibility not evident in works that show only drawings.
   
   I also found no evidence of the supposed deficiencies cited by some of the other reviewers. Yes, the author does state that he didn't really make or test any of the silencers in the book (wink, wink, nudge, nudge), that the finished products are just plaster of paris-filled dummies stuck on the ends of guns (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). But I took this as a ruse by the author to keep his butt out of trouble with the ATF. What of the allegations that soda can silencers won't work on larger caliber weapons, that the author doesn't take into account the pressure generated by the larger caliber weapons, and that the author knows nothing about silencer maintenance? Well, the only soda can silencers in the book are for .22 caliber, not larger caliber. The author specifically discusses problems associated with the higer pressures generated by larger caliber weapons in a highlighted section on p. 47. And finally, disposable silencers require no maintenance because they are disposed of (duh!) after use.



2. This book does a tremendous job of de-mystifying firearms and muzzle blast.
   
   It is interesting to read and should never be called "amusing" or fun to read since the author diligently researched the topic.
   
   The book describes how to use 12 ounce soda cans, plumbing tools such as clog busters and how to thread them to common weapons such as a Ruger Mk 22, Colt .45 and Norinco SKS including how to fit attachments to the barrels using simple plumbing fittings.
   
   The author apologizes immediately in the forward section with the disclaimer he never made any of the devices depicted in the book since doing so is a major crime and the man can't admit to that in writing !!!
   
   Regardless of whether or not it is illegal or what makes it illegal in different jurisdictions, this is an interesting book.



3. This book might make you think you can manufacture a suppressor with your pocket change, and you can, but you'll probably end up wounded, maimed, jailed, or dead. The pressures created by modern firearms requires fairly precise engineering to build a safe, functional suppressor. Other requirements such as accuracy, securing the suppressor to the weapon, maintainence etc, require the same level of engineering effort. But this book does have a purpose, it serves as a perfect example of how not to manufacture a suppressor, AND, to bring those out of the woodwork who think we should not be allowed to exercise our First Amendments Rights. Case in point is the reviewer who thinks the law should keep tabs on those who purchase books of this topic and then come get us. But if you are new to this topic the book is useful as a way to learn how to identify unsafe features of home made suppressors. And remember, many people in the emergency room (and many serving a sentence) got there with this famous phrase, "Hey, check this out!".



4. It's a decent starting reference for those wanting to delve into 22 cal. silencer experimenting. Good pictures and lots of details on how to make examples in book.



5. Ignore the people who say it is illegal or this books is useless. They know not what they say and have likely never even made or owned a suppressor.
   
   For the money, this is a great basic book on suppressors.
   
   The nay sayers have no idea of the BATF NFA Title II process that legally allows one to make a suppressor using a Form 1 (5320.1) (see www.atf.gov and click on forms then guns for form 1). You need to make sure your state and possibly county/city will allow you to make or possess a suppressor. MOST states allow suppressor ownership!
   
   This book gives one a great starting point to understand how a suppressor works. It is not meant as a do-all / know-all. For that, buy some of the others authors well written books. It is easy reading and gives a person the basic knowledge of how they work.
   
   Various websites provide information on how to buy or sell suppressors. Use Google to look around for sites, such as www.subguns.com.

3 comments about Gun Trader's Guide: 31st Edition.

1. For at least the last five or six years I have purchased this guide. This and the Blue Book of Gun Values really work well together for me in making an educated reference point when out in the field and in the vault as well. I like this guide because of the pictures too and there's quite a bit of information and history in it too.
   jim



2. Excellent book for the photos that show most of the guns listed. Price ranges given are good.



3. This book is of little value to the serious gun buyer/seller and gives only a rough approximation of a small number of guns in the world. I strongly suggest you instead choose the 25th edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values or the 2004 edition of the Standard Catalog of Firearms. Both have much more detailed information than Gun Trader's Guide in terms of number of guns, conditions, variants, prices, and other useful reference info. The Standard Catalog also has a lot of photos, while the Blue Book has almost none. The Standard Catalog and the Blue Book are what the dealers use in pricing used guns. Either is far better than Modern Gun Values, in my opinion, and I have been a gun hobbyuist for 40+ years.

5 comments about Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms.

1. I bought this book because of my interest in Colt firearms, and particularly my interest in Colt automatic pistols, of which I am a collecter. The book is excellent. It begins with a history of Samuel Colt and the Colt Firearms Company. Then it progresses through the earliest inventions and products of Colt firearms from the earliest days to the present. It includes both short guns and long guns. The photographs and illustrations are excellent, and the suggested values (indexed by grade and condition) are reasonably accurate and reliable. The book itself is printed on a very nice grade of heavy slick paper and is well-bound in a durable, illustrated, hard-cover. The price makes this compendium on Colt Firearms a real value. My hat is off to the author and contributors.



2. Finally a Standard catalog of Colt Firearms. The last good resource for Colt Firearms was the BOCFA by Wilson. A lot has happened since in Hartford, Connecticut. It was about time somebody would try to capture that timespan. But oh boy, did the author made a mess out of things. It's a feast for Colt collector's indeed, trying to find all the errors, it's almost laughable and at the same time sad. This standard catalog cannot in any way compete with the issues about S & W or Winchester. Errors in pictures, discribtions, etc. The Colt pricing is a complete joke: Colt prices are rising almost as fast as a barrel of oil. Sorry to say: if you want a picturebook on Colt's buy it. If you want a good and correct Standard catalog, wait for the revised edition!



3. It is difficult for me to believe that this waste of time and money is in the same list with the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. That book is thorough and detailed; this thing is just a rush job and a crude one at that.
   While there may be a room in any gun library for a comprehensive and MODERN Colt catalog (the old Sutherland & Wilson/Wilson is too flawed and dated) this thing isn't it!



4. this hardback is now one of my favorite books. the photography is the best of any colt work i have ever owned.this is the most complete source for information on the colt single action army i have read.



5. In my opinion, this book is a major let-down. To be fair, with a book of this kind the author is more apt to be blamed for omissions and errors than credited for what he includes. But whether or not Mr. Sapp put time, work, and enthusiasm into the book, the result of his work simply falls short. Compare the Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms with, say, even the first edition of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. The authors of the S&W book clearly exerted due diligence in their research and made every effort to be thorough. In contrast, the author of the Colt book needed to do another two years of research and, as it seems, set a higher standard for what he would accomplish. For example, a "standard catalog" ought to round up and impose order on special production runs about which little is generally known. The S&W book essays this very thing. However, in the Colt book, although commemoratives are represented, what about non-commemorative, limited production items like the Super Lite Commander, Super Commander, Custom Carry Commander, 1911 Recon, etc.? They are not here. What about the run of 9mm Government Models produced in the 1991A1 series? I'd like to know how many 9mm 1991A1 GM's were made and why they were produced, and I look to a book like this to do the research and tell me. But the information is absent. In what calibers has Colt produced the 1991A1 series? Not here. What is the difference between the old and new 1991A1 rollmarks? Every Colt newbie wants to know, and this book should have included an illustrated comparison, but did not. And so it goes: omissions, mixed-up captions, confusing organization (like putting ordinary MK IV Series 80 GMs and Commanders under the Gunsite heading). Too bad! It's a pity to write, edit, and publish a book of this kind without a greater effort to be thorough. I suggest that anyone considering the purchase of this book save his or her money. And--with respect--I suggest the author study the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson as an example to aspire to for the next and hopefully better edition.

5 comments about Mastering Skeet.

1. Very helpful book for those just learning skeet. It is written in a fashion that is easy to follow.



2. I'm just getting into skeet shooting and this was my first book that I have read. Its very well laid out and offers a significant amount of information. I was concerned that it my be a very dry read, but it turned out to be a quick and easy read.
   
   Great for the beginners, I think some long time shooters would value the information also. I left one star off since the graphics could be better, although they do make the point.



3. The book i ordered (mastering Skeet) actually came to me withthe packaging and the book completely destroyed. The book had been folded over and the binding popped which allowed all the pages to come apart. I had to throw it away.
   
   "Very Disappointing"



4. I bought this book for my husband. He found it very helpful. There are many good illustrations and very detailed lessons to practice. It covers many areas of skeet shooting that the new shooter or the veteran can utilize.



5. Really good source for every skill level shooters. Nice and smooth expalnations and covered with pictured examples and effective exercises. Very liked it...

5 comments about Master Gunmaker's Guide to Building Bolt-Action Rifles.

1. I like the books by Bill Holmes, as well as many books from Paladin Press, but the drawings in this title are terrible. Having a mechanical engineering, machining background, and a decent amount of common sense, I can mostly make sense of them, but I can see where many people would have trouble. And this is a real shame, as this book, though not for the beginner to begin with, could be a real gem but loses some credibility with the very unprofessional drawings that don't actually reflect Bill Holmes' ability. Many if not all Paladin Press books appeal to the DIY person and perhaps by letting the authors create their own drawings they maintain this image and keep costs down as well. I personally would rather pay a few extra dollars for a book and have it contain quality drawings. Still, the text is worth the price of the book, and many of the other photographs and illustrations found in the book are just fine. For these reasons it definitely deserves four stars and I recommend it though to people with some experience.



2. Bill Holmes is a true gunmaker. He may not make all the screws and pins or rifle his barrels, but everything else is of his design and fabrication. Other than the work of Frank DeHass and one or two others, there has been little published work on how to produce a firearm from raw material that is competitive in function, appearance and performance to ones commercially produced. His experience in gun work spans over fifty years. In that time he has designed, modified, and produced most every type of firearm from 22 rim-fire to 50 BMG. Mr. Holmes readily admits that there may other methods and designs that can produce the same results. His goal was to develop methods that work as simply as possible within the means of his shop and with his tools. Bill Holmes has accomplished a goal that many hobbyist and professionals can only dream of. Adequate machine drawings of each part are included with photographs of tools and machine setups. The drawings are hand sketched and some of the photographs are out of focus. Mr. Holmes' book will not tell how to do everything. If you do not know how to drill and tap a hole, properly use a spoke shave, mix bluing salts, or what head space means, you will have to learn those and many other things from other sources. This is no fault to Mr. Holmes. There is no use in repeating what is listed in many other fine gunsmithing books. This review is structured with the table of contents by describing the scope of each chapter and the addition of my comments.
   
   Introduction - Mr. Holmes defines what gunmaking is and how one may become a gunmaker.
   
   Tools and Equipment - A good lathe and mill are mandatory. If you cannot acquire good machine tools and learn how to use them, then you should just forget about trying to fabricate a quality firearm.
   
   Materials - Description of high-alloy steel, chamber reamers and stock wood with sources for purchasing.
   
   Design - Bolt-action design featuring a one-piece receiver with three forward locking lugs, one-piece bolt with three locking lugs, model 70-type three position safety, model 70-type trigger, and a Sako-type extractor. The advantage of three locking lugs is that they are easier to cut with a shop-made broach. The proper scope base will have to be determined by the maker.
   
   Receiver Manufacture - Describes the design and machining process of producing the receiver. Also included are instructions on making the broach used to form the receiver locking lugs.
   
   Bolt Manufacture - Describes the design and machining process, fitting the extractor, and welding the bolt handle.
   
   Trigger Assemblies - Describes the design and machining process of a model 70-type trigger. Also included, are instructions for fitting such a trigger to the 98 Mauser, P14/17 Enfield, and US Springfield. This chapter alone is worth the price of the book.
   
   Safeties - Describes the design and machining process of a three-position model 70-type safety, bolt sleeve, firing pin, and cocking piece.
   
   Bolt Stop and Ejector - Describes the design and machining process of the bolt stop and ejector.
   
   Magazines, Trigger Guards, and Floorplates - Describes the design and fabrication process of a one-piece steel trigger guard with hinged floorplate. A custom Savage 110 or Remington Model Seven would not be complete without an elegantly shaped steel trigger guard. Since none are available for purchase, you will have to make them.
   
   Modification of Existing Actions - Brief descriptions of what can be done to sporterize the Mauser 98, P-14/17 Enfield, and US Springfield.
   
   Barrel Fitting, Chambering, and Shaping - Very little is described about threading, chambering, and fitting a rifle barrel. Most of the chapter is devoted to the process of forming fluted and octagon barrels. A drawing of a barrel support tool used in machining is included.
   
   Iron Sights and Quarter Ribs - A very good description on tooling and process for producing band sight bases, and quarter ribs.
   
   Muzzle Brakes - Describes the design and machining process of making muzzle brakes. I have no doubt that Mr. Holmes muzzle brakes work well, but they add nothing to the appearance of the completed rifle.
   
   Stocks - Describes producing a one-piece wood stock from the blank by hand. Semi-inleted and shaped stocks are not readily available for such a unique rifle action. This is something that more hobby gunsmiths should consider learning. With practice, it is not really that hard to do. Brief description of quality stock wood and stock finishing.
   
   Checkering - A very good chapter with patterns on hand checkering. This is another skill that more hobby gunsmiths should consider learning. It's too bad Mr. Holmes did not include plans for making a checkering cradle.
   
   Buttplates - Describes producing and forming a curved steel butt plate and grip cap. Make or buy? You can decide, but it is still a good process to know.
   
   Heat Treatment - Describes the heat treatment of high-alloy steel. Mr. Holmes recommends that the receiver and bolt be sent to experts. The other parts can be heat treated in shop.
   
   Finishing and Coloring - Instructions are given only for metal preparation. The preparation requires most of the work and skill in producing a fine metal finish. No bluing process is explained.
   
   Adjusting and Test-Firing - Describes proper checking and testing of the trigger-safety system, feeding, extraction, and ejection before live firing. The rest is safety precautions.
   
   Conclusion - I recommend that A Master Gunmaker's Guide to Building Bolt-Action Rifles be added to any gun worker's book collection who wishes to become more than a parts-changer. Is making your own rifle worth the time, trouble, and expense when there are many surplus actions that will give the same results with less trouble? The reader will have to decide for himself. Competing against products of the major gun manufactures is not the goal of most gunsmiths. The goal of most high-level gunsmiths is to produce a small number of products with features of refinement and elegance that their customers want and major gun manufactures are unable or unwilling to produce. Another goal is the sense of pride and accomplishment of showing off a fine rifle that I made myself. A Master Gunmaker's Guide to Building Bolt-Action Rifles can be a useful guide and inspiration for one wishing to reach that level of skill, expertise, and pride.



3. I am getting into Benchrest Shooting and gunsmithing match quality rifles. I was hoping that this book would give me some good info and teach me some new techniques. Unfortunately the book is pretty dated and is more suited to hunting rifles and actions. The illustrations are sometimes blurry and all are in black & white. There is some good information but there are a lot better books out there in my opinion. For benchrest precision, I just got a book from John Hinnant titled "Complete illustrated guide to precision rifle barrel fitting", it is a lot better. YMMV



4. This book is a very interesting read and there is no doubt that Bill Holmes knows what he is doing when it comes to building a rifle. However, the drawings are not accurate and there is simply to much information left out of the plans for an individual that has never built a rifle before to read this book and build a bolt action rifle. The information that I found most useful in this book is the information about materials selection, heat treating, and the machining processes used to build a one off rifle.



5. The reason I gave this book a 4 star rating is because the way Bill Holmes wrote this is like he expects you to know what all the words mean. What I mean is that all the "hard" words dealing with gunsmithing (i.e. chuck, broach, etc.) are not told what they mean and he doesn't have a glossary. This is a good book for advanced riflesmiths but not beginners.

5 comments about 2007 Standard Catalog of Firearms: The Collector's Price & Reference Guide (Standard Catalog of Firearms).

1. This 2007 edition has been updated very nicely. Lots more information than previously. A few illustrations could be updated to match current knowledge of the product. This shortcoming is unavoidable as the information might not have been known at time of publishing. We look forward to such updates being included in its next printing. Overall, the book has been greatly improved in appearance and "readability." It's a MUST HAVE for all who are interested in historical firearms.



2. Not as updated as it would have you believe but still a good reference if you don't already own an earlier version and it does have a lot of photos.



3. While not the end all of reference guides, when used in combination with other reference guides the book is very useful. The pictures have proven to be invaluable for identifying a certain model or type of firearm.



4. Very useful and full of information. We buy a new book every year to keep up with the pricing, but also to see how our investments have done!!



5. I have purchased this book since they started publishing it. I collect guns and this is a great pricing guide. This issue is a little below the standards of previous years. They seem to have changed some subtle things that won't affect the first time buyer but for the perpetual purchaser are disappointing.

5 comments about The Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide (Japanese Arts Library).

1. Although the title is a bit misleading, as the book also includes other edge weapons besides swords as well as their fittings, it was informative for a novice collector. The color photographs are outstanding.



2. 
   This is one of the BEST books on the Japanese Sword including history, terminology, et cetera. I really don't know how anyone could have a sword collection or interest without this book. A friend bought this for me as a gift, way before I was interested in swords... now I have hundreds of books (mainly on swords), and this is certainly my favorite. Great book, GREAT illustrations and photographs, superb glossary. You certainly wont be disappointed.



3. This book is exactly what the title says it is. It truly is a comprehensive guide to various japanese swords detailing the types and nomenclature of the swords.



4. i loved this book it gave me all the information i needed on the art of the japanese swords.



5. IF YOU COLLECT JAPANESE SWORDS YOU MUST HAVE THIS EXCELLEBT BOOK

5 comments about Mauser Military Rifles of the World.

1. While it has a few errors and can't go into as much depth as one would like on any given rifle, this is still the most complete overview of military Mausers available, and a must have for any collector's library. No one book can do it all, but for general info and quick identification, this one is hard to beat.



2. I enjoy the information this book gives. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is I wish some of the info was a little more detailed. All in all a great reference book.



3. This, the Fourth Edition, is the best yet. All-colour, with additional features such as tables of production runs by manufacturers within countries enhances the value of this book to the student of system Mauser.
   
   The photographs are in the main of high quality and the crests and markings have been enhanced by skilful techniques which show off the (sometimes) faint markings.
   
   A worthy reference to supplement the works by Olson and Smith.
   
   C Forsyth



4. I had hesitation to buy this book reading other reviews; but I am positively surprised when I received the book 4 days ago, and just be really happy with it. It is NOT a book to cover the technical details of mauser rifle design; that one should refer to the book by Olson. Robert Ball did a wonderful job to cover so many mauser rifle versions and its derivatives across the world, and cross-referenced as much as he could. Of course, if any one focuse on the mauser rifles in a particular country, he would probably find this book lacking the depth. With so many countries/models, it is no surprise that the situation can be very confusing; and Ball did a damn good job sorting through; and every single page is for color pictures!



5. This is the most comprehensive work on Mauser style rifles I have seen.
   It covers rifles made from all over the world. If you are into Mauser Rifle history, this is the book for you.