3 comments about Gunsmithing - Rifles.

1. This book is well written and contains excellent information ... with the caveat that if you are a grizzled veteran in gunsmithing, it's not for you. Having said that, fairly experienced "do-it-yourselfers" might still pick up some info they don't already know. Simply look over the Table of Contents and decide. I would say that the chapter on how to examine used guns alone makes it worth the price. Of course, this book gives a lot more such as scope mounting and trigger adjustments. So if you like to do things yourself, but need a little guidence in unchartered territory, this book is for you. One last comment. This book does not delve into any hardcore work requiring machining, such as truing an action or the like.



2. This book is perhaps a good introductory text for those who do not have or do not wish to invest in gunsmithing equipment. Topics covered are largely mundane and include: scope mounting, bedding, boresighting, etc. Much of this information could be had from the instructions that come with the materials listed. There are a few genuine jewels of information that probably make it worth its' modest price. It is a superb book for the neophyte, or someone who simply wishes to be an informed consumer of Gunsmithing services.



3. "Gunsmithing: Rifles offers an abundance of quality, useful information in the form of specific instruction for home shop projects. I'm not suggesting the book's contents are simplistic, but rather the range of information spans from detail to conceptual, which provides a good foundation of knowledge before projects are attempted.

   There are virtually no chapters that would not be of value to the average firearms enthusiast, so I didn't feel I purchased the book only for the contents of one or two good chapters. There is a section on refreshing hunting rifles. The coverage includes correcting poor accuracy, refinishing wood and metal parts, drilling and taping scope mounts and metallic sights. But the information continues on into action/bolt lapping, rechambering, changing a bolt handle, installing a new safety....

   I would have purchased the book just for the coverage of trigger work. Finally, a current, inexpensive book that provides detailed coverage of trigger replacement and tuning, by rifle manufacturer, including do's and don'ts for each model. I followed the book to clean up the trigger on a Winchester M70 that's been waiting to get dropped off at the gunsmith for the past 8 months, and had excellent results.

   Great book

2 comments about Guns of the Wild West (Buffalo Bill Historical Centre).

1. A very good book.Full of interesting facts.Could have been a bit more comprehensive, but its a must have for any western ethusiast.



2. The curator of the firearms museum of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, David Kennedy, has written a masterful but all too slim volume about the guns that won the Wild West.
   
   Included here are the Sharps Buffalo Rifle used in great effect in the tragic decimation of the buffalo, the LeMat Revolver and Carbine, used in varying degrees of success by the Confederacy during the Civil War, the 1866 "Trapdoor" Springfields, which were used by Custer's men at the Big Horn, the "pepperbox" pistols (so small they could fit in a pepperbox...and sometimes so dangerous even to the user, as all four shots could go off even if the owner intended on firing only one), the oh-so-familiar Colt Navy Revolvers - used mainly by Army Forces! (I have a replica of Confederate 1860 Navy Colt in my possession), and so many more.
   
   Kennedy has also opined that Custer and his men were done in by sheer numbers of Sioux and Cheyenne, not that the single-shot weapons used by the 7th Cavalry, or that the majority of Braves had repeating rifles. In fact, according to Kennedy, only 30-50% of the Sioux and Cheyenne even possessed firearms. Custer and his men were done in chiefly by the bow, the arrow, and muzzle-loading trade guns.
   
   Kennedy also adds interesting and intriguing vignettes about the owners and users of the guns of the Wild West, from George Custer to Buffalo Bill to Gary Cooper, from Frederick Remington to Dick Cheney, the notorious - Wild Bill Hickok, John Wesley Hardin, and William "The Kid" Bonney, and the great - Annie Oakley.
   
   My only problem is that the volume, while chock full of facts and data, and very informative trivia, is too slim - and does not enough period illustrations. Still, it is deserving of a five-star review.
   
   Required reading for those visiting the wonderful "Guns and Gamblers" exhibition at the Desert Caballeros Museum in Wickenburg, Arizona.

4 comments about Official Soviet Mosin-Nagant Rifle Manual: Operating Instructions for the Model 1891/30 Rifle and Model 1938 and Model 1944 Carbines Originally Issued by the Ministry of Defense of the U.S.S.R..

1. This book is essential for anyone who owns a M44 type, Mosin Nagant rifle.
   It is easy to read and has some very detailed schematics. There is also some information that was supplied to Russian soldiers that show how to fight with the bayonet, etc. There is even a section showing how to shoot down enemy aircraft. Overall, it was well worth the money.



2. This is a must have book for every one that owns a Mosin Nagant rifle.
   This is a fantastic manual that includes instructions for every aspect of the Mosin Nagant. Take down & assembly, maintenance, cleaning, inspection, troubleshooting and even shooting & sniper tactics.



3. Major James F. Gebhardt has done a great service for all of us who own samples of the Soviet Mosin-Nagant Infantry Rifle. He's translated a Soviet manual published in Russian in 1961.
   
   This manual concentrates on the operation and maintence of the three most commonly encountered versions of the Mosin-Nagant rifle, the M 91-30, the M-38 and the M-44. These remained in reserve for the Red Army and Warsaw Pact armies until the fall of the Soviet Union.
   
   The original Mosin Nagant was adopted by Imperial Russia in 1891. The Soviets improved the sights and shortened the barrel in 1930 (hence M 91-30) and this is the rifle so prominently featured in the movie ENEMY AT THE GATES (in a scoped sniper version, that is.) The 91-30 is a real piece of history and this manual is very helpful for any shooter or collector.
   
   The M-38 is a short, carbine length version of the M 91-30. It is interesting that the M-38 was not equipped to mount a bayonet despite the Red Army's long association with bayonets. The M-38 was designed primarily for cavalry (horse cavalry) and Red Army cavalrymen all carried sabers eliminating the need for a bayonet.
   
   The M 44 is an M-38 equipped with a folding bayonet permanently attached to barrel. This was developed to meet frontline demands for something that was handier (shorter) for soldiers who increasingly rode on tanks and trucks instead of horses. The longer 91-30s, which were usually carried with the antique looking angular bayonets fixed, were too long for soldiers who spent most of their time riding on tanks or Lend-Lease Studebaker 2.5 ton trucks. The M-44 had the reliability of the familiar M 91-30 and the 44's bayonet could be pivoted so that it rode out of the way next to the barrel.
   
   The old 91-30 bayonets could be difficult to dismount and the Red Army never issued scabbards for them. To keep the soldiers from losing them, or throwing them away, a lot of officers insisted that they be mounted all the time which is not much of a problem if you're marching on foot through open country.
   
   It can be a real headache if you're getting in and out of trucks, or off the rear decks of tanks, however. And, by 1944, most Red Army soldiers rode on some sort of motorized transport. This was a rude suprise to the Wehrmacht and a justification for the M-44 which served during the Red Army's advance into Germany during 1944-45.
   
   This manual would be a great companion to Terence W. Lapin's excellent book, THE MOSIN-NAGANT RIFLE. I gave it five stars.
   
   It is interesting that Lapin translated a 1955 edition of this same Soviet manual and published his version in 1999. The material is the same except that Lapin adds some useful comments of his own.



4. 
   For those of you who have bought a Mosin and want to learn more about maintainence and troubleshooting.

5 comments about The Standard Knife Collector's Guide: Identification & Values (Standard Knife Collector's Guide).

1. I found a cigar box full of old pocket knives in my mother in laws attic. I wanted to learn more about them and what they might be worth. This book answered that question easily while also sparking some interest in acquiring other similar knives of value. I would recommend it or "Official Price guide to collector knives" by Price to anyone wanting to know more about pocket knives they might have.
   
   What I didn't like about this book was the poor quality pictures and sketches for many of the knives, they were of copier type quality. But they were good enough for me to learn what I wanted to know.



2. Positives: Comprehensive overview of the various manufacturers. Good valuation system that gives direction on which brands are more desirable. Decent discussion of knife care. Good glossy color insert.
   
   Cons: Does not discuss the history of various patterns(Stockman,Trapper, etc.), but this seems beyond the scope of the book (find an old copy of Bernard Levine's Guide to Knives...either the 3rd or 4th edition). A general overview of patterns and their intended use would be nice.
   
   This book will get you headed in the right direction of knife collecting. This combined with the Bernard Levine book mentioned above is all you need unless you specialize in a brand. There are Case, Cattaraugus, etc... specific books. As to some other comments, I guess I knew this didn't cover fixed blade knives, but I guess it should be "The Standard Pocket Knife Collector's Guide."



3. The fifth updated edition of The Standard Knife Collector's Guide remains a 'must' pick for any who would regularly consult a 'bible' of knife values and history. Over seven hundred pages pack in details on major knife companies, issues, collectible ratings, current stampings and more, with small black and white photos and illustrations enhancing the book's reference value for collectors. It's a specialty item to be sure - but knife collecting is one of the most popular collector's items and so this book is sure to see ongoing interest for any collector library patron.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



4. Excellent in every way. The authors have incorporated years of common sense in their advice. The rating scale is a stroke of genius. Thank you.



5. Other than proposing to be a knife price guide, this book has no information about knives, other than a very cursory overview, for someone who knows absolutely nothing about knives. The book fails miserably in its attempt to be an informative price guide. The concockted mathematical formula for determining a knife's value is devoid of reality. In the case of certain brands, such as "Case" and "Cattaraugus", the values are so far below real world values that the book is almost entertaining as a jest. Someone who wants to learn about knives and gain a feel for their values would best be served by getting a copy of Levine's 4th Edition. I wish I had read my own review before I purchased this book.

5 comments about Bolt Action Rifles.

1. Let me say that i have had the 3rd edition of this book for 10 years or so and that it is one of my most treasured reference books.
   When i ordered this one, i was expecting an expanded edition in its true sense: Reviews and detailed analysis of bolt actions that had in the meanwhile come to the market, NAMELY the ones on the front cover,the Blaser R93 and the Sauer 200-202 ! Also updates on the CZ-Brno section including the 550 series.
   
   The core content is basically the same, the excellent work done by the late Frank de Haas, already present in past editions.But the title is loosing its place as a major reference work due to the lack of new entries.
   
   Its like when you buy the latest edition of "cartridges of the world" when you had an older edition. you expect most of the newcomer cartridges to be featured. The short magnums, the .17HMR, and so on.



2. I have always been interested in rifles and have collected and shot many different types of rifles ranging from muzzle-loaders to assault rifles. My abiding favorites for hunting and shooting are bolt-action repeaters and Frank de Haas' excellent book is a treasure trove of information.
   
   There are probably some bolt action repeaters that de Haas has omitted, but I am not aware of them. I should explain that he does not include straight-pull bolt actions, just turn-bolt repeaters.
   
   That might be a problem for some Swiss or Austrian shooters and collectors, but they can get SWISS MAGAZINE LOADING RIFLES 1869 TO 1958 by Joe Poyer or MANNLICHER MODEL 95 translated by Terence W. Lapin for those rifles.
   
   The book is well written, well illustrated with black & white photographs and line drawings. I gave it five stars and have always found it to be a great reference for bolt action rifles.



3. I have taken my guns apart and looked at the design, but now I am learning more about my guns with this book.
   
   De Haas can take guns apart, see more, and write more than I can for myself.
   
   If you have a zillion bolt action rifles, get this book and read about what you have got.
   
   De Haas lists advantages and disadvantages of each rifle design. This is not light reading from some stupid gun writer, this is like engineering, and may be too much for some readers.
   
   700 pages, and he shows drawings of the threads and shanks of the barrels, for those into re barreling.



4. I have the older 2nd edition of this book, and it is one of the most dog-eared volumes in my library.

   Sometimes the author is not quite as technical as I might like. For example, he frequently asserts that this or that old military action "must have been" made out of high-grade steel without having done any actual analysis or even hardness testing of the material in question. But, his descriptions do convey at least as much information about the many designs covered as I would have gotten if I had the chance to disassemble and study them all myself. I don't have a hardness tester either.

   The book is generally well written and fun to read.

   If you're thinking about buying a modern sporting rifle, you might want to read this and compare the various designs before you lay down your money. If you enjoy sporterizing old military junkers, collecting old military classics, or just lurking around gun shows, you need this book.




5. This is one of the frequently-quoted "classics" in the field of firearms literature (first edition was in 1971). But even a classic deserves a critical review, such as to determine its (remaining) usefulness, and its strengthes and weaknesses.

   This book is not a true encyclopedia of rifles; for such a purpose, a work like John Walter's "Rifles of the World" (or, formerly, W.H.B. Smith's now outdated "Book of Rifles") would be more comprehensive. It is mainly a thorough (528 pp.) technical treatise on most of the major military (17) and civilian (56) rifle actions. Its strength lies in the very good and very thorough technical descriptions, instructions for disassembly, hints for reworking and sporterizing. Nevertheless, the book also contains a remarkable amount of historical and general information; it is therefore suitable not only for the professional and amateur gunsmith, but also for any hunter or collector who wishes to gain a more thorough understanding of his gun, and who contemplates acquiring a new one.

   De Haas' language is clear and simple, not without an occasional touch of humour. The author's modesty and willingness to acknowledge some limits of knowledge in such a vast field are remarkable and greatly underline his general credibility and experience.

   Small drawbacks of the book are the generally mediocre quality of illustrations (while often okay, they are sometimes dark, sometimes downright blotchy). The bibliography is limited to articles in the "American Rifleman" and "Gun Digest", and an expanded edition would be appreciated. And some commercial German rifle actions might be added.

5 comments about More Workbench Silencers.

1. Mr. Hollenbeck's first how to book on silencers was terrific, and this one follows suit. The instructions are easy to follow with clear pictures. You can't go wrong with this book.



2. I bought this book out of curiosity. Upon reading this book, I am not impressed. I am not an engineer, nor do I claim to be, But in my opinion,
   there is no information in here that anyone who even knows what a suppressor is does not know already. I am dissapointed with my purchase and wished I bought other literature.



3. The designs in this book are simple, lo-tech, and surprisingly effective. Being a good do-it-yourselfer helps, as does a good assortment of hand tools (which if you don't own, you will end up owning by the time you finish the book). Some of the designs are open to improvement, and adaptation to other circumstances. Additionally, they can be adapted to what supplies you have available. It makes for interesting trips to hardware stores.
   
   Remember safety first. Start with wide tolerances, which reduce effectiveness but increase safety. As your skills become more precise, reduce the tolerances. Oh, and of course, don't do any of it, because it is illegal.



4. You will be better off doing a search on the net. I will say this positive about the book...it proves anything can actually get published. If you spend a couple of hours on the net you could write a better book...



5. The only criticism I have of this little book is that it was way too short; I wanted to see more of these elegant designs.
   
   My favorite was the silencer for the Maverick 88 bullpup shotgun firing 575 grain subsonic slugs. With some aluminum tubing, sturdy PVC pipe and fittings, steel wool, and a clamp, the author puts together a heavy-duty silencer capable of withstanding and suppressing the blast of a 12-gauge shotgun. Although an easily-constructed "disposable" silencer, it has the lines of a professional model that was designed for that particular weapon.
   
   I don't know what the other reviewer's problem is; anyone who knows anything about silencers can attest the soundness of these designs. (Maybe it's George Hayduke trying to disparage his competition!)

2 comments about Standard Catalog Of Remington Firearms (Standard Catalog).

1. Firearms enthusiasts worldwide now have a complete and comprehensive price guide for their collections with "Standard Catalog of Remington Firearms". The Remington was the gun brand of choice for the pioneers, and for the Confederate army - and to this day it's treasured by many collectors. This collectors guide is packed with over 700 photos, current values, and fully detailed descriptions. "Standard Catalog of Remington Firearms" is a must for any collector of firearms.



2. Excellent clear photos, well laid out, easy to find and use information on any specific gun.

5 comments about Shotgunning: The Art and the Science, Second Edition.

1. This book is a great book containing lots of useful information. I would recommend this book to beginners and advanced shooters alike.



2. Shotgunning: The Art and Science provides a good basic introduction to almost every aspect of shotguns and should prove especially beneficial for new shooters. That said, it comes up short in any substantial discussion of wingshooting technique--which was my primary need. And while the very detailed empirical discussions of ballistics and patterning are thorough and illuminating, much has changed in shotgunning technology since this book was published 30 years ago, and, of course, none of those changes are reflected. For instance, the move away from lead shot for virtually all waterfowling applications has had a profound effect on choke recommendations. Also, the birth and development of sporting clays has rejuvenated many shooters and brought countless other new shooters into shotgunning. Sporting clays is perhaps the most popular clays game being shot today, but it arrived after this book did.
   
   In short, buy this book for its focus on the immutable fundamentals of shotgunning, but look elsewhere for a discussion of technique or a more up to date overview of new and emerging technologies.



3. I thought Brsiter's work was very well written and showed how dedicated he was to the sport. For me, a person relatively new to shotgun sports and wing-shooting, this book is an excellent introduction to shotgunning fundamentals and why shooting a shotgun is so different than any other type of firearm.
   
   In addition, Brister takes the time to provide perspective on various types of shotguns, and even more perspective on various shotshell loads. The summaries of his shotshell tests were very eye-opening for me, as they can teach beginners how shot spreads are affected by larger payloads and higher powder charges, and also, how various loads may affect your ability to produce clean kills in the field, rather than crippling game or causing a slow and painful passing for birds.
   
   Though this book is almost 30 years old at the time of this review, ALL of the principles taught in it hold true today. Some argue that Brister was visionary when he wrote this book and I agree. Much of what is written could very well have had a huge part in shaping the shotgun and shotshell industry as we know it today.



4. I bought this book when it first came out over 20 years ago. I loved it then, and love it now. Much of what Brister wrote forms the bases for many current articles where his information is presented as "new" and he's not even credited! There's very little to criticize in the book. There's excellent chapters on guns, gauges, chokes, shooting styles, etc. It really was a comprehensive book at the time it was published.
   
   That said, the book was written before the lead shot ban in waterfowl hunting, before widespread availability of choke tubes, and before the rapid rise in popularity of sporting clays. Thus the book really doesn't address these issues, and the reader will have to look elsewhere to find current information. (Well, it does talk about choke tubes some, but at that time most shotguns still were purchased with fixed chokes while the reverse is true today.)
   
   This book should be in every serious shotgunner's library, and should be read, and then revisited every year or so, to remind the shooter that whatever recent article he/she just read was already covered by Brister!
   
   Brister's writing style is clear and concise. The book was well edited. Most topics are explained in detail, and information is presented in such a way that most readers should be able to understand. In this day and age of computers, DVD's and other communication media, though, some younger readers may prefer a different approach.
   
   I would love to see this book updated, with current photos and chapters covering some missing topics.



5. I agree with the other reviews in that this is a very indepth guide to shotguns (but with an emphasis on trap shooting). Unfortunately this is not a good book for waterfowl hunting as Bob goes in depth about *lead* shot and how it performs. While his testing methods and insights on how to shoot are good, I really would care less how #4 would perform on ducks as I can't legally use it in the US. This book was written before the ban on lead shot and hasn't been updated accordingly! This book is good for the trap/skeet shooter who can use lead shot but much less useful for the waterfowl hunter. Other than this I like the book as its a good read with clear points.

1 comments about Automatic Pistols Assembly/Disassembly.

1. happy with my purchase. even had the Coonan Model B . I was really impressed with all of the guns, and full breakdowns explained. Thank you

5 comments about Do-It-Yourself Submachine Gun: It's Homemade, 9mm, Lightweight, Durable-And It'll Never Be On Any Import Ban Lists!.

1. If you do any gunsmithing, this book offers usable information that may be applied to many simple projects. Actually building the gun is out of the question because it is against the law to build, but still a good read.



2. This book is by far the best of its kind.
   
   Of course you will need a lathe and milling machine to make this firearm... it would be pure fantasy to expect to build a reliable submachine gun without them.
   
   This book is metric which is great for those of us in rational countries which adopted it long ago, for those who aren't... 1 inch equals 2.54 cm - it's not that hard guys. I've never understood why the U.S., which was the first country in the world to adopt a metric currency (common sense right?) would drag its feet so badly when it comes to adopting metric measurement! Perhaps it would be a different story it they had thought of it first ;)
   
   This gun is built around the Sten magazine, magazine manufacture is not covered in this book, but Bill Holmes book "Submachine gun" has a good section on how to manufacture a Sten magazine if they are not available; so the two work very well together. Regarding the lack of a section on the magazines... no book of this type is ever going to hand you everything on a silver platter, for example it doesn't cover how to deep hole drill a barrel or button or cut rifle a barrel, but that sort of specialist knowledge needed to create a firearm can be found elsewhere.
   
   Also a complete set of exceptional Sten gun blueprints including the magazine can be found in the book "Submachine gun designers handbook" So if you're serious I'd highly recommend it also.



3. very informative,how ever I don't believe that a person with limited machinist skills would ever be able to construct one one of these.The metric system used sucks.



4. I bout this book for a refrenece guide,so I would understand how fullauto weapons worked....



5. he has great ideas for mass underground production. other than that there are lots of usefull ideas, but better guns can be made with less work.