2 comments about Glock Exotic Weapons System.

1. I was VERY disapointed with this book. If all you want to know about is converting the glock to full auto, you might like it, that is all it covers.



2. ....To make a glock full-auto. It is a 58 page book that gives you step by step instructions on how to turn a glock fully automatic including blue prints and schematics, its rather user friendly and easy to do. There is nothing else in this book other than directions to do what I mentioned above.

2 comments about The World Encyclopedia of Pistols, Revolvers & Submachine Guns: An Illustrated Historical Reference To Over 500 Military, Law Enforcement And Antique Firearms From Around The World.

1. Gives a brief history of firearms and leads into different makes by country, etc. Excellent photos and illustrations. Very informative, I just wish they were able to expand on some models. Well worth purchasing.



2. This is a large physically attractive book with beautiful full color pictures on thick slick paper. It has a wealth of good information and lots of misinformation. For example, we are told that the Webley was the first top break revolver. A picture of a Webley Pryse revolver with the typical Pryse latch is described as a Webley Mark VI government model.
   
   In the handgun section the countries are presented in a haphazard order. It begins with Canada, where there are pictures and descriptions of 26 Para-Ordinance pistols, all 1911 clones. However, in the United States section not a single one of the firms making 1911 clones (Kimber, Springfield, etc.) are referred to.
   
   In the U.S. section we are also presented with 30 Taurus handguns, but only 22 Colts and 16 Smith and Wesson models. Strange.
   
   Additionally, we are told that the Steyr Hahn 1911 was adopted toward the end of World War One, the FN Browning 1903 became standard issue for the U.S. forces, the model 1915 Beretta could use the .38 Colt Automatic cartridge (boom), the Norwegian model 1893 Nagant revolver was a variation of the Russian Nagant and manufactured in the Tula Arsenal, etc., etc.
   
   On the good side, this is a beautiful book, and most of the information is correct.

1 comments about The P-08 Parabellum Luger Automatic Pistol.

1. This booklet covers the basics about the P08 Parabellum and is essentially a reprint of the original manual, probably assembled from various manuals. The pictures clearly show their age of origin in the early 20th century but that gives the booklet a bit of vintage charm. And for the price, you can't beat it.

2 comments about Walther P-38 Pistol Manual (Combat bookshelf).

1. This book is just my husband was looking for. It came very quickly and in excellent condition. I would definately reccommend it to others, whom are interested.



2. For me the best pistol of the WWII, produced after the war and still used today in Asia and Africa, a excelent and practical book for the owners of this marksmith weapon.

3 comments about Collector's Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911a1: From 1911 to the End of Production in 1945: Complete Military Identification.

1. Had this book, bought for $ 58 in 1998. Now it's $ 400 to $ 700 which is ridiculous. It is the best book on Colt service models availble to the collector, but save you money and just buy a Colt



2. This is the recent, long awaited, affordable 3rd edition "small book". The BIG Clawson book is going for $700 and up. Excellent coverage of the 1911 and 1911A1 in all respects and a necessary guide to correct identification.



3. Long touted as the standard reference for Colt 1911 collecting, at best this book should be required reading for beginning collectors and those who need to refresh themselves on the most rudimentary details of the subject. There is no question the book strives to be comprehensive in scope, however, more seasoned and knowledgable collectors, especially those who have collected observational data on very large numbers of examples, soon realize a growing number of deficiencies and shortcomings in this work. As in any intensive knowledge-growth field, the motto "Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you read" applies, and rings truer upon realizing many of Clawson's conclusions are based on very, very limited numbers of observations. In essence, he is attempting to recreate a complicated jigsaw puzzle with just a fraction of the pieces in hand. As examples, Clawson's claim that blue finish 1911A1's existed through serial number 760000 is simply wrong, as most long-time collectors agree the appropriate cutoff was more accurately around 735000. His blanket statement that 1911 pistols up to serial number 2400 had high polish finishes with fire blue parts is also inaccurate, as a good number of original U.S. Army and especially U.S. Navy pistols within this serial range have been observed with the dull type blue finish. Illustrating the precariousness of claims based on small numbers of data, Clawson attempts to summarize his (perceived) progression of barrel markings (G, N, 7, F, etc.) on COLT 45 AUTO barrels in the newly added appendix of the 3rd Edition, but close scrutiny of his data reveals a sampling of less than 1% of the total number of possible observations. As more observations have been made by collectors, his proposed classification is immediately called into question if not proven incorrect. A number of barrel markings have been observed that are not mentioned in his book, for example, 1918-1919 interlaced HP barrels with a small G underside the chamber. Clearly, the information presented in the Clawson book represents only a partial, incomplete picture, but that is the joy of collecting and researching an expanding field. Given these limitations, it is still viewed as a useful reference book, if not simply for the fact that no other comprehensive reference books have been published (yet).
   
   Overall I recommend this as a good first text introductory discourse into the 1911 collecting field, with the expectation that most beginners will outgrow it with time and observational experience. Some cutting-edge 1911 specialists may well be amused by what they might perceive as an obsolete state of knowledge promoted by this book, but that is an unfortunate consequence of this continually evolving, dynamic body of knowledge. Once collectors in general keep in mind the number of deficiencies in the book and that already some of the interpretations based on limited data have recently been proven incorrect, the utility of the text becomes apparent. Still, a good supplement to the collecting experience when kept in check with more authoritative, up-to-date collector knowledge. It will be of great interest to see what other ideas in this text are challenged or proven wrong when Edward Scott Meadows' long-anticipated, upcoming authoritative textbook on 1911A1 pistols is soon published.

5 comments about Concealed Carry: The Shooter's Guide to Selecting Handguns.

1. This might have been a good book in 1999, when the author wrote it. Despite its 2002 copyright date, the original printing was 2000, and most of it was written in the 1990s and not updated. So, if you want a detailed look at what guns were available almost 10 years ago, this is it. If you want up-to-date information on CC handguns, this is a waste of money. The other is highly opinionated, and won't even discuss smaller caliber guns, so it's 9mm Luger and up only, folks. Also, many of the models he discusses in detail are no longer made (or are made by other manufacturers now) and many of the very best, most advanced and up-to-date guns aren't covered here because they didn't exist. Overall, this is a historical piece only. It is badly in need of a new edition, and not a quick makeover, but a ground-up rewrite. $16.50 for what you get is too much. There are far better, more up-to-date books out there on the subject.



2. Great service...got book as a gift, some info seems "dated", read in earlier material (in another article); basic info for the novice.



3. I have read the writting of Mr. Clapp for years. This book is well written and contains alot of good details on ammo and handguns. And also the use use of each in self defense. Another good work by Mr. Clapp.



4. Our Son has become concerned with both local/State/Federal Govt. review and involvement in gun ownership....we thought this could help us understand "how to do it right".



5. Quite disappointing. I guess someone who knows nothing at all about firearms would get something out of it but for anyone with the least bit of experience in using guns this is not worth the effort. I thought some of the information was off target (pun intended). Photos did not match captions in some instances. The same old dogma about .45 caliber being the best choice. And, yes, the photo on the cover is Wiley Clapp's favorite snubnose revolver--despite the vast number of other reviewers who report you risk nerve damage in your hand by shooting magnum loads in such a lightweight handgun.
   
   Oh, well....

4 comments about Ruger .22 Automatic Pistol: Standard/ Mark I/ Mark Ii Series.

1. If you are thinking of buying a target pistol, can't decide exactly which to buy, but are considering a Ruger, then read this book. It will make your decision for you.

   The book covers the history of Sturm, Ruger & Company, the various models of the .22 automatic pistols, the chronology of their production, and brief descriptions of other firearms developed by the firm. Also covered are care and maintenance of the pistols, including field- and detail-stripping instructions. The book concludes with chapters on available accessories and a survey of ammunition for use with Rugers.

   The overall story is one of high quality, accuracy, continuous refinement of design, and innovation in weapons manufacture. Enjoy your new Ruger.




2. This book is essential for the Ruger semi-auto pistol collector. It only covers the Standard, the MKI, and MKII pistols, but that is all it should cover. The MKIII pistol is not present, nor are the Ruger revolvers or the Ruger 22/45. The book does cover a few Ruger MKII facsimiles and successful gunsmithing trends, as well as proper maintenance and detail stripping.
   
   The book is not a volume worshiping Bill Ruger. Rather it is an information packed publication of the origins and development of the most popular .22 auto-pistol of all time.
   
   For under $12, it's an absolute steal. Buy it.



3. The entire history of one of the best .22 pistols ever made. For those who want to know how to care for their handgun and make it more fun to shoot, this is the book to have in your library.



4. Shooting the Ruger .22 automatic target pistol is widely enjoyed by many of us and this book gives us the details of it's history, development, the many varieties, care and maintenance - including how to break it down in an easy to understand text and much more. It is a must have for all Ruger Standard, MK I and MK II pistol owners. MK III owners will be disappointed if they are looking for information on that model - no mention of it at all. My copy is copyrighted 1988. Provided D. Long is still with us it certainly would be worth his while to update this wonderful book to include the newer model MK IIIs, new ammo available, grips, optics and the list goes on.... Hats off to Duncan Long, a Ruger .22 auto pistol authority, for his most informative writing.

5 comments about The Gun Digest Book of Exploded Gun Drawings: 975 Isometric Views.

1. I was a bit disappointed with this volume. Probably should have paid more attention to the description. I assumed that there would be an exploded view of each gun I own-and wanted to buy. This would then serve as "do all" reference for componentry. Not quite--lot's of drawings but not some of the more common Taurus revolvers among others. Some of the drawings are also a bit difficult to see/read numbers part shapes etc..Not a bad investment-just not a great investment. Excellent paperweight!!



2. Overall I am definitely happy I bought the book, it is worth the money and everyone who has or plans to have a substantial collection of firearms or an interest in firearms should purchase this book.
   
   There are inconsistencies in terminology that make it a bit hard to read, for example on the Japaneese Nambu diagram they call it a "frame" while on the Glock diagram they call it a "receiver." This is misleading since both parts serve the excact same purpose.
   
   That being said, the only MAJOR gripe I have with this book - the issue that caused it to lose a star- is its lack of coverage of more modern firearms.
   
   Here is a short list of firearms the book has no coverage of that it should:
   CZ rifles
   Saiga shotguns and rifles
   Imbel and DSA FALs
   AK-74 rifles
   Century Arms Bullpup AK
   Fn2000
   Beretta CX4 storm carbine, RX4 rifle
   Benelli M3 Super 90
   Robinson XCR
   
   The list goes on
   
   Also it is very hard to find many military firearms even if they have listings, one has to look under "mitchel arms" to find the only ak-47 and one of the few Ar-15s even though many manufacturers make such weapons and they are far more popular then other series of guns which have far more coverage.
   
   -Had to look under "brno" to find the CZ 75 pistol, the book should take more effort to put things under the names which they are known.
   
   
   So in conclusion the book is a great resource for any gun owner and especially those with mainly older firearms in their collections, the price is right and with a few additions and better organization it could of gotten five stars.



3. Many of the drawings are very difficult to study. Some are faint, some are drawn with very thick ink lines, and some are so small as to be virtually useless. Don't buy this book unless you can see it in a B&M store and determine if the drawings you are interested in can even be seen



4. This book has a very large collection of drawings. Most are fine, but a significant number are low quality:
   * all black so you can't see the parts clearly
   * diagram omits parts
   * the parts for one firearm are substituted for another.



5. well i can't disagree with the unfavorable reviews entirely, as the index is a little strange and some of the diagrams are off, illegible, missing, or borrowed from other weapons.
   
   However, a book like this could be vital to a gunsmith or someone wanting to upgrade their weapon. For most of the guns, it shows a pic of what the gun looks like originally, then it explodes into all of the little springs, sights, etc. SO, in short you can see where those parts go, and where they came from.
   
   Overall very useful to me, i hope it is the same for you.

3 comments about The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols.

1. I am a fan and collector of John Browning's creation that has seen service in two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and numerous other military operations throughout the world during the past 90+ years. So when this book came out I was among the first to get a copy and read it. The content is excellent and the information pertinent for the serious collector or admirer of these fine guns. Most of it is a re-hash of the information found in Charles Clawson's notable books, most of which are now out of print. I should also state that most of this information can now be found on the internet on various forums and newsgroups. For the price (nearly $40.00) I was expecting a quality book that would hold up under use. The book itself is little more than a cheap paperback printed on a mediocre grade of paper with a flimsy paper cover. I was disappointed with the quality of the book itself, and thought it was greatly over-priced for a paperback handbook. If you don't have another source for this information, you will probably need this book. If you don't want to spend nearly $40.00 for a cheap paperback, you may be able to get most of the information elsewhere. On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate the content as a 10, while I rate the quality of the book itself as a 3. Overall, I would give it a 5-6.



2. I picked this up at the NGD in Louisville It is an excellent stand alone reference and a compliment to the Clawson volume. And with Karl Karash involved you know it will be accurate. $40.00 well spent and more bang for the buck compared to Clawsons book now over 700. The only downside is it's paperback and won't stand up to daily use.



3. Extensive facts and details covering both the pistols themselves and their related accessories. Brief story history of their developement and first use. Excellent as a fact check book to verify the correctness of any 1911 or 1911a1. Contains all the facts currently believed to be correct with many excellent pictures and drawings.

5 comments about Tactical Pistol: Advanced Gunfighting Concepts And Techniques.

1. Suarez is both experienced and opinionated, and this is his best book on using pistols. It is well written, and decently illustrated. The author covers a very wide range of topics, from basics of grip, aiming, loading, etc, to tactical movement in different situations, mental states, anatomy and shot placement, what have you. The book is older than some of the others on the market, and Suarez's own training and practices have moved on (i.e. he no longer insists that larger caliber is better etc). That said, the book is a great starting point from where to learn the basics and then refer to it over time for specific skills and situations. Newer books by Suarez and other authors can then serve to fill in any gaps or for more advanced topics. In my humble opinion this is the most complete and best book by Suarez, and the first one of his you should consider getting.



2. I like this book. I read it from cover to cover. I like the combat mindset techniques, especially the psychology behind combat shooting. I like the section on training the startle response, dynamics of a gun fight, and sharpening the mental trigger. The book is careful on this aspect, that not everything and everyone is a target. When you own a gun, it is your responsibility to hit anything but your intended target. My favorite section is regarding shot placement and stopping power. There are many helpful illustrations and demonstrations in the book. Another favorite section is firing modes of the combat pistol. It goes over the firing techniques such as the dedicated pair, split hammers, double taps, and my personal favorite, the Mozambique drill.
   
   The author is very descriptive and is very knowledgeable about the subject matter. The author was once an LAPD officer who has had numerous encounters in his career. The book kept my interest and I picked up a few good tips to train with when I go target shooting.



3. I was trained in the Army by Veterans of WW2 and Korea, simply paying attention in class and on the range helped me to recognize many of the techniques used by Mr. Suarez. Some of the things I was taught were simple like in making sure the gun was loaded before engaging the target and making sure the gun is always pointed at the target, nowhere else. And other techniques I have used to simply show off because I knew what the gun would do when used correctly. Knowing this helped me to shoot two out of three shots into a man sized silhouette target at one hundred yards using an Army issue .45, in 1963, when I was much younger and could see much better. Then in 1979, assuming the supine position and firing five shots into a target that I could cover with the palm of my hand, to demonstrate what I was talking about to the range officer when I asked him if I could use that position instead of the prone position. His answer? No. But it was fun anyway.



4. This books provides good safety handling instructions and practicle tips for experts and beginners! The instructions and techniquies details in this book have improved my Marksmanship and weapon handling.



5. Then this is the book to purchase: Mr. Suarez adheres to the KISS principle, which is exactly what you need when you are in a life and death situation. (Some self-defense books get absurdly complex as to how you should move and shoot, but when that adrenalin is flowing, simple is what you need). Mr. Suarez covers all the bases a armed person needs to know, such as stopping power, mind set, safety, accuracy, stance, shot placement, grip, trigger control, sight picture, speed reloads, tactics, etc.
   
   If you require a general book on CCW itself, then purchase Ayoob's 'The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry', but if you need to know how to safely and effectively use your CCW firearm to protect yourself, then purchase 'Tactical Pistol: Advanced Gunfighting Concepts And Techniques'. Better yet, buy both books; they are all a person will ever need if you are the average CCW citizen.