5 comments about American Air Rifles.

1. This is by far the best book for beginners and intermediate users of air rifles that I have seen so far. Lots of practical information on the selection and use of pellets and rifles. The author has a way of explaining some difficult topics in ballistics that makes the material useful to the non expert. I was also suprised to find out how accurate and powerful American air rifles are. The only additions I would have liked to have seen in the book are, 1) A chapter on shooting technique (target and hunting. and 2) A chapter on maintenance and lubrication. I would highly recommend this book.



2. Mr. House's book on air rifles is a good informational book for the masses. It may fall short of Mr. Lumley's expectations but it is fine for the rest of us.

   Mr. Lumley stoops to attacking the author and supposing his motives for writing the book. I don't think Mr. Lumley's comments are constructive nor will they scare off a thinking person.

   The book has good information on air rifles and their performance.




3. I purchased this book for my husband who loves airguns(all guns), hence the title. He would not put that book down until he read the whole thing! Especially about the Benjamin 392, which is his personal favorite(if you could pin him down to choose a favorite). In his own words,"It is the best book written on American made pneumatic "pump-up" Air rifles that he has read to date. It has plenty of statistics on fps and fpe and pellet accuracy just to name a few. Also great info on small game hunting using "magnum" powered airguns". I am very pleased with my husband's pleasure with this book and I would imagine any airgun buff/collector would not be complete with a copy for his/her library.
   Sincerely,
   S.Morales-SAN JOSE,CA



4. This book is an excellent introduction to air rifles, pellets and the ballistics of air rifles. It would serve as a good guide to someone interested in purchasing an air rifle for hunting or plinking. The cover indicates that it covers target shooting, small-game hunting, complete ballistics and pellet selection. The latter three items are covered. However, there is essentially no information on target shooting or rifles designed for target shooting. I realize that the book is limited to American air rifles, but at least the Daisy Avanti models could have been included. There was also a lack of discussion of triggers, a critical rifle component for accurate shooting. I would have rated the book at least 4 stars, if it had not given the impression on the front cover that it included target shooting and target rifles, which was the reason that I bought it.



5. The information in this book is now 5-6 years old and, in this age of product volatility, a lot of the mentioned rifles are no longer available. There's more here than you probably want to know when it comes to ballistics--I just skip the technical parts. As a casual airgun shooter, I'm really not too interested in the finer points involving physics. What House did in this book was to investigate a subject that is mostly ignored. He reviewed relatively inexpensive American multi-pump air rifles in the context of how they perform in relation to the more sophisticated, expensive--and decidedly less shooter-friendly--European rifles. His conclusion is somewhat astonishing in finding that the American rifles offer a lot of accuracy and utility for a reasonable price.
   
   After reading this book, I felt obliged to dust off my old Daisy and give it a try at 10 meters. Unfortunately, it's been abused and neglected for well over 10 years and the whole barrel assembly was too loose to even attempt to use it again. I again consulted House and went out and picked up a Benjamin 392 that has proven to be a real joy. Every pellet I've tried gives substantially less than .5" groups at 10 meters even in my fairly unsteady hands and with my aging eyes.
   
   The Crosmans, Daisies, Benjamins and Sheridans will never have the following or accolades of the finely crafted spring-piston European models but this book goes a long way in giving them the respect they deserve.

No comments about Old Gunsights: A Collectors Guide, 1850-1965.

No comments about Gun World's Guide to Defensive Handguns.

2 comments about The Winchester Single-Shot, Vol. 1.

1. This book has it all for the 1885 enthusiast, as well as for anyone who has an interest in John Browning, Winchester Repeating Arms, single shot rifles, and/or the beginnings of the modern gun industry here in America. Highly readable, with plenty of facts, figures, and illustrations. Well-edited, and excellent graphic presentation. A beautifully written, edited, and executed book, and one that you will read several times for the sheer enjoyment.

   The quality of this book is a standard to which all others of its genre should be written to, but unfortunately too often aren't. I salute the author for a job truly well-done, and I unreservedly recommend this title to anyone who has even a remote interest in the subject matter; the cost of the book is money well-spent. The book is that good.




2. John Campbell is to the Winchester Single-Shots as Frank Sellers is to the Sharps. This book, and its Volume II, are outstanding books about John Browning's first gun. It covers EVERYTHING you will ever want to know about this rifle, and then some. It is a must for anyone interested in the history of John Browning, Winchester and the famous Model 1885 Single-Shot Rifle. The book is FULL of pictures, diagrams and information about the 1885, including every modification and improvement this rifle went through during its long years in production. It also gives unbelievable details about every customized option or version that the rifle was ever made into. So if you are interested in the Winchester Single-Shot and its history, this book is the one, of two, to read.

5 comments about Gun Digest 2006 (Gun Digest).

1. 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.



2. 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.



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



5. 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.

5 comments about Bolt Action Rifles.

1. 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.




2. 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.




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 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.



5. 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.

1 comments about Black Powder and the Old West: Frontier Cartridge Guns & Cap-N-Ball.

1. This book is what appears to be a compilation of SHOOT MAGAZINE's different articles. It is all black and white with the exception of a few full page inside cover ads. Material is similar to "GUNS of the Old West" Magazine, but the articles (chapters) are more in depth and has more about actual shooting experiences than just reviews of various guns. Also includes some black powder cartridge reloading info, which seems very hard to come by if you don't shoot long range rifle matches. Normally I am hesitant to buy magazine compilation "books", but the quality and variety of info in this book make it well worth even the full cover price. GREAT book for those getting into black powder shooting - especially those interested in Cowboy Action type shooting. People who enjoy reading about "old west" guns and related history will find it a good read as well. It may be slightly less useful to those solely interested in long range single shot black powder range matches, as there are better sources for that type of info.

5 comments about The Gun Digest Book of Smith & Wesson.

1. I am a novice S&W collector and was hoping for more of a reference work covering specific models and variations of Smith & Wesson handguns. This book is biased towards current models, both revolvers and semi-autos. The material that is covered is well written, interesting, and timely. Sections are devoted to a sampling of current models, company history, accessories, proper disassembly and maintenance, etc. However, if you are a collector looking for wider coverage of specific models this book may dissappoint. The book is better suited to people who are interested in what S&W is currently offering or how to care for their S&W guns.



2. Patrick Sweeney has taken on the task of giving an extensive review of the available handguns of Smith & Wesson. He goes into considerable depth on the practical use of the various models and what can be expected on the range, in competion and for the very serious job of Concealed Weapons Carry. Chapters on History, Ammunition, Buying Used, and Competion round this fine effort out.



3. Not quite what I was expecting in this book,but is very informative on later model handguns from this great gunmaker.
   Will have to look further for a book with models and serial numbers.



4. This book provides an excellent survey of handguns currently offered by Smith and Wesson. The writer has extensive pratical experience and has been assisted with test firing by a group of friends. Very readable and lots of good photos. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone thinking of purchasing a new or near new S&W.



5. The book is built around several "tests" of different S&W handguns, and it also gives some historical- and tech info.

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

1. 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.



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

1 comments about The Classic British Rook and Rabbit Rifle.

1. This is an excellent reference at a bargain price!
   Well written and the photos are worth the price of the book