3 comments about Knives 2006.

1. I decided to buy this book basing on the pictures of the knives inside. Once received, the pictures are worth more than the price I have paid for. Details with each knife is the extra bonus to the owner. Very good especially for custom knife collectors, and myself as a trader on ebay's -unclevit- listing store. I will buy more from this writer, perhaps every year. Recommend. Good Value.



2. Not the book I wanted. I wanted a book listing Case and Buck knives values. My mistake.



3. I have every edition of the "KNIVES" annuals since the first one came out in 1980. As a knifemaker and collector I like to keep up with the state-of-the art knives that these amazing makers present in this book. The photos are plentiful and the paper quality of these softcover books has greatly improved since editor Joe Kertzman has taken over the helm. If you like knives in all their glory, then all of these books are highly recommended. The only reason that I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that I feel that Mr. Kertzman gets a little "ornate" in some of his descriptions. Let the knives speak for themselves, Joe. Hee hee.

5 comments about Classic M1 Garand: An Ongoing Legacy For Shooters And Collectors.

1. Between the covers of "The Classic M1 Garand" by Jim Thompson, lies the intertwined stories of many whose lives have been touched by the legacy of this beautiful rifle. The opening pages tell the sensitive, true story of two men touched by time and linked by family, who had lived through two different wars. They grew to discover another thing which they had in common was their respect for the M1 Garand, a weapon that for each of them served to retain the memories of a time and place too horrible to remember...... and too much a part of what they were as men, to forget.
   I am not a gun collector or a shooter. I am merely a woman who has had the incredible luck to browse through this excellently composed book which is full of history. The descriptions of the birth and re birth of the M1 are perfect in their detail and interesting in that the author weaves anecdotes and personal stories into the factual data. This is a wonderful way to keep the reader's attention riveted. It is apparant that this weapon has been around the world in it's various incarnations, each of them given ample space for photographs and exacting descriptions. And , speaking of photographs, this book is full of them. Many more so than I would have thought to find. There are photos of the various parts, markings and accessories to the gun and many pictures dedicated to the beauty of the rifle itself. Believe me, it is a wonderful machine with it's clean lines and spare design. Gorgeous wood and shining metal. This M1 Garand is a beautiful piece of art. It is no wonder that the M1 Garand is sought after by collectors the world over! The author, Jim Thompson, is credited with several of the photographs and appears in some as well. He is as capable an artist with the camera as he is with the pen. I enjoyed reading and looking through "The Classic M1 Garand", and will keep it visible to all who come to my home. It has become my newest and most treasured coffee table book. Thank you Mr. Thompson. Please write more books......for a long time to come.



2. While the M1 Garand is certainly a classic american rifle this book hardly rates in the same catagory.

   As a new M1 owner I was looking for a book full of technical information on operation and maintenance along with some history. This book is short on all of the above but very long on attitude. Mr. Thompson makes his opinions clear on everything from his local police department to the general state of world affairs. I do not dispute the validity, or factuality, of Mr. Thompsons statements. I would be more than willing to sit down and discuss them. I do not, however, enjoy spending my hard earned money on a book entitled "The Classic M1 Garand" which is overly rife with page upon page of geo-political posturing.

   The book is actually pretty scant on technical data and most of the photos are too dark and unfocused to be of any real value. This book is simply too full of useless information. I had intended to purchase Mr. Thompsons previous book, The Complete M1 Garand. Since I don't believe in throwing good money after bad I think I'll pass.

   I suggest that you do the same.




3. The COMPLETE M1 GARAND and THE CLASSIC M1 GARAND are a pair of the most practical and straightforward firearms books I have ever read or seen. Most important, they saved me money, trouble, and thumbs. This writer does not fool around! Rather than elaborate charts of which 99% are useless to the typical gunnie, this guy gets to the meat, and in a hurry. And yet, the material is easy to handle.

   He even covers and shows fake and real and rare and common parts, the way they ACTUALLY look, instead of all fancified and restored. I had lots of trouble with other books, where the parts arrays were new or better-than-new, and didn't seem even similar to mine.

   I invested, I think, %45.00 in these books. Dollarwise, I have saved maybe $2000 or more, and a lot of problems. This guy knows the gun, knows the market, knows the parts, and tells you what you need to know, in practical, plain English, not mumbo-jumbo garbage.

   I got all the M1 books. This one is the easiest to use, and makes more sense than all the others together.




4. These are the best of the M1 books, the easiest to read and
   understand, with the detail laid out in a way that anybody can
   understand. And the guns he shows look like the real thing.

   The notes on the gun confiscation movement and local politics bring this World War II veteran rifle into modern context, and make it very obvious what the motiviations of the antigunners really are.

   Scholarly without being pretentious, I found myself absorbing techniques and information without even noticing it.
   And I did most of his maintenance stuff, and it all worked. With the trouble shooting information in Thompson's other book, THE COMPLETE M1 GARAND, the books have saved me thousands of dollars and lots of hours.

   He goes beyond other researchers, who seem to dig up all their stuff at the armories, the factories, and from dry delivery records, and who pay no attention to the reports of veterans and actual units in the field. This makes his work very practical. He also puts holes in some of the "stand operating b.s." and lies of the past, which someone out there is surely going to find troubling, but what he says, I found out, works, makes sense, and is the truth. He has spent a lot of time getting this stuff from gunsmiths and armorers, and a lot of it I had heard previously but discarded because it wasn't in the dry books of other authors. It seems he is right on virtually every score, and much of the "official" stuff is smokescreen. My gunsmith (who built M1's during World War II, and wound up carrying one in Korea) loves the M1, and says Thompson obviously listened to "the right guys"... He also affirms Thompson's data and analysis of the gas traps and their performance, and that everything else in the book is obviously the way it really was.




5. These books are way better than Canfield's, and
   have way less errors. And they include the Italian
   rifles and the ones a guy is likely to actually GET,
   too, and in MUCH MORE detail.

3 comments about The History of Remington Firearms: The History of One of the World's Most Famous Gun Makers.

1. My father use to work for Remington Arms as a project engineer back in the sixties. I was born in Ilion, New York. He really enjoys the book. I gave it to him for Christmas.



2. This is a superficial look a Remington's products. It is fine for the novice but there is little new information for the more informed gun nut. Pictures are nice of the old factory and early development.
   There are better sources.



3. The information in this book is amazing. It is very interesting for any person interested in rifles. Pictures are real and very informative.

No comments about The Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values: Pricing for Firearms from 1900 to Present (Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values).

3 comments about The Gun Digest Blackpowder Loading Manual.

1. Fadela has done it again. This seminal work, now in its third edition is updated and better than ever. Anyone, who uses a blackpowder rifle , pistol or shotgun should be equipped with this due to its sheer range of information.

   The book usefully covers the history of blackpowder rifles, what is avalible and basic care. Safety is emphasised, complete with enough horror stories to ensure one is always careful.

   Basic loading techniques are covered- flintlock, and cap lock for all types of firearm. The illustrations are clear, and the text nicely liad out and readily understandable by even the most novice shooter. Even the expert would learn a lot from Fadala in some of his tips- I certainly did. The rest of the book covers loads for practically all (I certainly am unaware of any brand that has been missed) blackpowder and pyrodex muzzle loaders in the market today. Loads are suggested together with ballistics. I have checked the figures with my own rifle and they are spot on. Everything is covered from .75 Cal Smoothbore "Brown Bess" Flintlocks to .32 cal cap lock squirrel guns. There is no critism that can be made of this book but for binding which is a soft cardboard- yours will soon fall to bits as it is taken to ranges and on shoots. Other than that- highly recomended.

   Grade: A+




2. The author (S. Fadala) is a recognized expert in the area of black powder shooting sports. The manual is well planned, referenced and provides a progressive experience in the use and feeding of black powder firearms. All areas of loading and shooting are represented in the manual. However, as might be expected, emphasis is placed on the rifle and pistol loads. Unfortunately, this does not carry over to the muzzle loading shotgun(s). This is an area that requires further work and shooters in this discipline might feel slighted.



3. I got this book for my brother who is totally
   into collecting guns (no, he's not a scary guy!).
   He was thrilled when he got it.

No comments about 2009 Standard Catalog Of Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide (Standard Catalog of Firearms).

5 comments about The Gun Digest Book of Assault Weapons.

1. As a builder and collector of AR-15's, I purchased this book in the hopes of getting some new info on the military versions of the rifle. The cover of the book certainly caught my eye, and perhaps that was the intention. However, I found myself getting a bit "depressed" as page after page of non-M16 info was thumbed through. Finally, after reaching nearly the end, there was one story on the M4 Carbine. It was just enough to make me keep the book. That's more than I can say about a few other books I also ordered.



2. This book has almost all the right things to be a hit. It has tons of pictures, gun tests, gun specifications, and hard to find information about guns never built. You can read it once and be amazed and then you can still pick it up and learn more. you can never stop learning from it. The reason I gave it four stars, though, is because of its lack in amount of guns. I understand it is the fifth installment in a series, so I can't wait for the sixth!



3. This book is a mishmash of articles in no logical order with lots of factual errors and lots of outdated information. Obviously slapped together from existing articles. Really a disappointing waste of time.



4. I have generally enjoyed reading the previous editions of the "Gun Digest Book of Assault Weapons", but this book was dismal in my humble opinion. As other reviewers have noted, there is general discordance with the style of writing, with most chapters appearing to be quickly slapped together from old articles. Most of the material is old and outdated, and most of the firearms written about in this book would not fit the current definition of "Assault weapon" that the picture on the front would convey (Ranch rifles, bolt action 'sniper' rifles, semi-auto shotguns, AR-15 type rifles, and standard handguns seem to take up most of the space). For an updated book about assault weapons, there was little information on current production models of the excellent new firearms available today.
   
   When someone sells a book about assault weapons, you would expect most of the book to be about assault weapons. This one is not. I can not recommend this book because of its poorly written and outdated chapters and subjects and a general lack of any semblance to its title. Go and read through the book at a local store before considering a purchase, it might well save you some money.



5. I have generally enjoyed reading the previous editions of the "Gun Digest Book of Assault Weapons", but this book was dismal in my humble opinion. As other reviewers have noted, there is general discordance with the style of writing, with most chapters appearing to be quickly slapped together from old articles. Most of the material is old and outdated, and most of the firearms written about in this book would not fit the current definition of "Assault weapon" that the picture on the front would convey (Ranch rifles, bolt action 'sniper' rifles, semi-auto shotguns, AR-15 type rifles, and standard handguns seem to take up most of the space). For an updated book about assault weapons, there was little information on current production models of the excellent new firearms available today.
   
   When someone sells a book about assault weapons, you would expect most of the book to be about assault weapons. This one is not. I can not recommend this book because of its poorly written and outdated chapters and subjects and a general lack of any semblance to its title. Go and read through the book at a local store before considering a purchase, it might well save you some money.

5 comments about Guns of the Old West: An Illustrated History.

1. Guns Of The Old West: An Illustrated History by firearms expert and historian Dean K. Boorman (President of the Armor and Arms Club of new York) is detailed guide to the revolvers and firearms of America during the course of its frontier years. Black-and-white as well as color photographs present examples of numerous guns and gun-related memorabilia, thereby enhancing a thorough history describing the evolution of guns and the relentless advance of a technology that changed how wars and individuals on the American frontier fought for their lives. Guns Of The Old West is a fascinating, informative volume which is especially recommended for antique gun collectors and western history buffs.



2. A "mixed review" is about the best possible for this book,
   because there is such disparity between the good and negative
   elements. The photos are fabulous, which much detail and
   well-informed captions, and that part is clearly the best
   part of this book. Most photos were taken of gun collections
   in famous museums, mainly the Gene Autry museum in L.A., and
   the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, WY, so the guns themselves
   are rare and usually documented in a way that clearly sets them

   apart from what most of us will ever see. Anyone who has ever
   tried to photograph a gun will have their breathe taken away
   by the clarity and beauty of these photos, and they have to
   be seen to be believed. Any student of the Old West, or of
   firearms, will want to study these photos and relish the
   details.
   Unhappily, the text doesn't seem to have as much detail or
   accuracy. Many old legends are repeated, seemingly without
   verification, and some of them are rather discredited now.
   So the stories have to be read with an open mind, knowing
   that further reading would be required before forming an opinion
   of some of the historic figures of the Old West.
   So there is an odd mix in going through this book, but the
   photos alone make this an interesting and worthwhile project.




3. This is a really good book.

   It has a lot of information about old guns that you simply will not be able to find elsewhere.




4. This was a gift to my husband. He loves it.



5. This is a great book for anyone who does not already own a collection of books on guns of the Old West. For the money it is SPECTACULAR! The book is color throughout. The only black and white material is actually from the 19th century and includes fine period photos of people with the guns being discussed as well as old drawings and correspondence. The text is brief and works as companion to the photos. I would recommend this to anyone with a new interest in this topic.

2 comments about The American Krag Rifle and Carbine.

1. If you need to know the in's and out's of the Krag firearm systems, this is the place to go. Perhaps not everything but pretty close to it. A good book for a good price.



2. THE AMERICAN KRAG RIFLE AND CARBINE by Joe Poyer is one North Cape Publication's FOR COLLECTORS ONLY series. This book is edited by Craig Riesch and is essential for those who shoot and/or collect .30-40 Krag Rifles and Carbines.
   
   It's also the only source available unless you can find a copy of Colonel William S. Brophy's classic book on the Krag. It'll set you back about $200, or so, but is worth it to dedicated collectors and shooters.
   
   I'm not quite that dedicated and am quite content with Poyer's book. Like all books in this series, it includes part-by-part descriptions of the various Krags which served our armed forces in Cuba, the Philippines and China (during the Boxer Rebellion). Despite its relatively short service life of 15 years, the Krag is an interesting and eminently shootable piece of American history.
   
   It's the first bolt-action repeater chambered for modern
   smokeless" powder and it replaced the obsolete "Trapdoor Springfield" which was a breech-loading single shot chambered for the .45-70 cartride, a black powder round.
   
   Poyer includes descriptions of the ammunition, accoutrments, etc. issued with the Krag and he has the best, most coherent discussion of the US Army's preference for cartridge cut-offs enabling the rifle to be operated as a single shot, thus preserving the five rounds in the magazine for close quarters. This tactical doctrine has always puzzled me, but Poyer's concise, coherent explanation of it finally caused the scales to fall from my eyes.
   
   This book would be even more useful if it had an index, but I guess you can't always have eggs in your beer. I was very impressed by this book and I gave it five stars.

5 comments about Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms.

1. 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.



2. 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.



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. 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!



5. 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.