2 comments about Handguns 2006 (Handguns).

1. This should be a book-size collection of articles on handguns, ranging from semi-automatics to revolvers. The problem with these annual productions is that it wastes most of the pages with a catalog of available guns (information readily available on the Internet). Also, it wastes even more space on black powder guns, a real ho-hum for most modern handgunners. Finally, only in-production handguns tend to be featured, when many readers have older, but fully functional models that could be compared to today's models as a frame of reference.
   
   Another problem with such books is the influence of gun manufacturers. You won't find the scathing comments that perhaps should be included about guns that have spotty reputations. It's all politely overlooked. Of primary concern is that it's difficult to find any 1911 pistol to be reliable out of the box; most require some "work" to reach a point where someone would want to bet their life on them. In contrast, most newly designed guns for the same price (or even less expensive) are flawlessly reliable right out of the box.
   
   Again, the chief criticism of these annual books is that perhaps half of the book consists of a catalog, which is a waste of space in my view. I'd rather it contain articles from fore to aft.



2. I've found over the last few years that one not need to buy this book if one has purchased Gun Digest 2006. Many of the articles in this book are exact copies found in the Gun Digest book.
   Save your money and buy somthing that is not just a re-run!!!

No comments about Bibliography On Treatment Of Gunshot And Blast Injuries, 1984-1990.

No comments about Book of Knives.

No comments about P C 832 Arrest and firearms: Peace officer orientation and firearms.

1 comments about The Handgun.

1. As an aside to this excellent book, it can be mentioned that Mjr. Boothroyd recommended to Ian Fleming that his new spy-story main character should use the new Walther PPK. That's right. The agent in question was James Bond, agent 007 of her British Majestys MI6. And, as a thank you, Mjr. Boothroyd appeared in the stories, and later the movies, as Q, the Equipment Officer.

No comments about German Military Rifles & Machine Pistols 1871-1945:.

No comments about The rights of gun owners.

3 comments about Knives '99 (Knives).

1. The book contains spelling errors and is marred by pictures overlaying other pictures. The paper used is so-so and will yellow like it's previous versions. As a resource to the custom knife industry, it is valuable however.



2. I use this book for one reason. If I find a custom knife I am interested it I use the directory in the book to find out where the maker lives, their contact info and price range. That alone is worth the price of the book though Ken could improve upon it by providing page numbers in the directory that would show you examples of a maker's work instead of flipping through the book trying to find them. I would recommend for next year Ken try to get at least one photo per maker.



3. This book is a review of trends happening in the past year for the cutlery enthusiast. Pictures are B&W but the paper this book uses is so-so.

   This particular issue lacks the maker photo index and is marred with misspellings. Also pictures were overlayed on each other which makes seeing some of these fine handmade knives difficult. Articles are informative.

2 comments about The Krag Rifle.

1. Lt. Cl. Brophy has done a decent job of outlining the history, machanical changes and service use that the U.S. Model Krag- Jorgenson rifle was involved in. Chapters are layed out in cronological order beginning with the quest for smokless powder and ending with the inception of the Model of '03.

   Yet after reading and rereading this work, it becomes apparant that the author could have been much clearer in the way that he layed out the facts most important to the arms collector. Perhaps the one charactoristic that contributed to the lack of clarity in this book is that much of the text are reprinted copies of the Springfield Arsonal's formal records and corespondances on the arm, and the many changes that underwent. As a result the book tends to bog down and the reader is left with no alternative but to skim along looking for the facts relevant to the collecting of these arms. The vast majority of these transcriptions would have been better left for the appendicies, (of which there are many). Yet, the appendacies that were constructed for this work are written in such small font that they are all but unreadable. (There are typically four transcribed pages to each appendacized page).

   In addition the author's use of pictures was less then optimal for the reader wishing to collect the Krag. Many of the pictures in this book are too dark to clearly illustrate the small details for which they were provided. This proves frustrating to the reader. Also, with regard to pictures, the author did not use them to compare and contrast various configurations of the rifle by placing different configurations along side one another. He did however do this with some pictures of some of the internal parts of the weapon which was indeed helpful.

   This book is fine as a coffee table book. It provides an excellent look into the inner workings of the Springfield Armory at a very critical time in the history of firearms development, as well as some information on the detailed changes that took place on the martial arm of that time. Yet if one seeks information pertinent to the collecting of this arm, such as is found in "The Trapdoor", by Earnst and Wait, or in any of the "Collector Field Guide Series", by J.C. Harrison, they are looking in the wrong place.




2. This book covers the history and traces the changes this fine rifle went through as the US forces converted from black powder to smokeless. It is a great resource for identifing proper parts makeup for that rifle you are looking to collect. The rear sight options are extensive.

No comments about Armas cortas/ Small Arms: Mas De 250 De Las Mejores Armas Personales Del Mundo.