5 comments about Blue Book of Gun Values.

1. If you are buying or selling firearms this is a good reference on general pricing as long as you follow NRA guide lines on rating your firearm ! Also understanding that in some places these prices may be high with the custumer base you have!(online selling on firearm exchange sites will help you reach out to larger custumer base )



2. This Blue Book of Gun Values is Super. It has really helped me understand the grading of guns. It is easy to find the gun I am looking for and the values of it. I like it very much.



3. This book pays for it's self the first time you buy a gun with it.



4. PRICING IS NOT UP TO DATE ON MANY FIREARMS IN TODAYS CURRENT MARKET PLACE. I PREFER THE 2010 STANDARD CATALOG OF FIREARMS AND THE PICTURES IN IT ARE VERY HELPFUL.



5. THIS BOOK IS VERY INFORMATIVE.....EVERYONE WHO ENJOYS SHOOTING AND FINE GUNS SHOULD OWN THIS BOOK !!!!!!!!!

5 comments about Abc's Of Reloading: The Definitive Guide For Novice To Expert.

1. This book is grreat. I know nothing about reloading but wanted to start. This book is well written, clearly explains everything and is otherwise very useful.
   
   A "must have" purchase.



2. The book is excellent in that it gives great detail and explains the science and logic behind each step. I use it as a reference now.



3. This book is great. Before I started target shooting I had no idea about reloading cartridges. After an hour or two of reading this book I am sure if I purchased the required equipment I could safely reload cartridges. It covers every aspect of the subject and is written in plain english.
   Great buy.



4. Why do I give this book 4 stars, but still give a critical statement about it in the title of my review. Well, for starters, this book is written in magazine style as I call it. The author typically puts out a lot of information in the style of a magazine article. What this means is that as problems crop up, you are ushered to a purchasable solution at your local store. Why is this NOT a good writing style, because it costs you unnecessary money and shows a gross lack of thought and research on the part of the author. It is almost like the author did a lot of research, but has not had a lot of practical experience on the subject that he writes about.
   
   What I did not like about the book at hand was that it recommended full length resizing of the cartridge casing (fine if you are using it in an automatic rifle, NOT necessary at all if you are using a bolt action rifle). Full length resizing stresses the cartridge too much, compared to neck sizing it. This leads to premature cartridge casing failure (if you do not periodically ANNEAL the cartridge case neck) Annealing is NEVER mentioned in the book. What the author recommends is full length cartridge case resizing, no annealing, inspect casing for damage, discard damaged (which could have been prevented by ANNEALING). Thanks, more stuff to BUY. Us old guys neck size cartridges and anneal them every 4th or 5th loading to preserve our brass. BUY is a word used by marketing driven magazine writers, NOT old reloaders who know their stuff. Further more, Once a cartridge is fired in a rifle it has had its headspace perfectly adjusted for that gun. Just neck size it and periodically anneal it by standing the cases up in a pan of water and heating the neck red hot before knocking them over. Then deprime, neck size, reprime and reload them. Cases can last a lot longer and shoot a lot more accurately if this procedure (not mentioned in the book) is followed.
   
   In the books defense, it is a decent read and will give you a lot of good information about reloading your own bullets.
   
   Happy reading, Darian Paganelli



5. Great book for your library of reloading manuals and books. Has great detail and lots of good information about the specifics of reloading.

5 comments about The Gun Digest Book Of Concealed Carry.

1. I've read (and reviewed) several books on the topic of concealed carry of handguns over the past few years, and I can say without reservation that of those I have read, this is clearly the best all-around book on the topic.
   
   A top law enforcement official, trainer, and gun writer for decades, Massad Ayoob is a top-notch expert on everything pertaining to the subject of carrying concealed hanguns for self-defense. He's also a well-above-average writer, too, unlike more than a few "gun writers" out there. He's able to get across a massive amount of information and keep it fun and entertaining to read at the same time. The book is very multifaceted, covering in detail everything from guns, ballistics, legal issues, hoslters, carry positions, and much more.
   
   I can't recommend this book enough -- from neophyte to expert to all points in between, I think virtually everybody will learn things from this book.



2. A learnt a lot from this book about concealed carry techniques, holsters, limitations ,tactics. Overall a must read. My only complaint, and the reason behind the 4 stars and not 5, is that it would have been very useful to show with more photos and of better quality the various holsters mentioned in the text. It is confusing sometimes to distinguish between the various alternatives, many of which are not showed in the pics. A good work overall, but lacking some useful pics on many occasions.



3. Ayoob has been carrying weapons and writing about self defense with firearms longer than most of us have been alive. I recently decided to carry a concealed weapon since I live in a state where it is allowed. We have long had weapons around our home for home defense, but with things as they are these days, carrying a concealed weapon sounded better and better.
   
   Not knowing much about it, I wanted to read whatever I could, and literally everyone I spoke to who knew anything about it referred me to Ayoob.
   
   The book is a little dated - especially some of the photos - but the information is virtually timeless. Ayoob writes in a conversational style that makes it easy to read and understand. This book will give you a decent introduction to the topic.
   
   NOTE: No book, no matter how good, can take the place of hands-on instruction with your own weapon. Get this book and read it if you are considering carrying a concealed weapon; but ALSO be SURE to sign up for a professionally-taught course on the subject.



4. "GDB: Concealed Carry" should be your first read if you are contemplating carrying a handgun for self-defense...or using any gun in home-defense, for that matter. The discussions of holsters and carry methods are extensive (nine full chapters!), including detailed, illustrated explanations on drawing techniques from various carry locations.
   
   In a refreshing change of pace, the section on defense ammunition is based on practical results from investigated shootings and insights from law enforcement instead of the usual laboratory ballistics testing.
   
   A critical undercurrent throughout is what to expect if you ever have to face a prosecutor or plaintiff's attorney in court after a self-defense shooting, i.e. Why did you choose THAT bullet to shoot the victim? (Yeah,that's the word they'll use.)
   
   As I say, this book should be your first read on the subject. Your second read should be Ayoob's classic In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection. Both make fine additions to a reference library on self-defense weaponry.



5. It's a great book with lots of very practical advice on concealed carry. I would also recommend the Combat Handgunnery and In the Gravest Extreme books usually offered together. Combat Handgunnery is a much better resource for the 'how to use a handgun in defense' aspect. Concealed Carry is more focused on how to carry the gun. In the Gravest Extreme deals well with the legal aspects of firearms in self defense. I've read all three (this one most recently) and can't really single out one as most important. If I were forced to choose I might pick Combat Handgunnery as it touches on concealed carry and focuses on the skills that would allow you to effectively use the handgun in defense. That said, I own both and have read In the Graves Extreme (it's available at most libraries).

5 comments about 2010 Standard Catalog of Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide.

1. 
   Disappointing.
   
   
   Lots of pictures.
   
   Some information.
   
   But not enough information.
   
   So have ordered the next edition of "The Blue Book"



2. I PREFER THIS PUBLICATION OVER THE BLUEBOOK .MORE ACCURATE PRICING AND THE PHOTOS ARE A PLUS



3. For an otherwise helpful publication, in some area eg, Smith & Wesson, there is a lack of separation between generations of models ie, SW Model 29. 5 Screw, 4 Screw, 29, 29-1etc... The difference between a first year revolver and a used current revolver is several thousand dollars. It would have been very helpful to an investor to have an accurate guide in determining the correct model as well as current value. I hope this comment is taken as positive criticism because there is also much useful info in this publication.



4. The best book of it's kind I have seen. Can save a buyer of guns money by avoiding paying too much for a certain model. Good reference book to have around.



5. These were Christmas gifts...the guys LOVED Them. Me, well not so much, but they weren't for me. Thanks.

No comments about Blue Book of Gun Values.

5 comments about Gun Digest 2010.

1. I bought this for my guy. He loves guns and reloading. He hadn't known about the Gun Digest, and is still reading it, months later.



2. This is a tremendous work and belongs in the personal library of any big bore rifle or double rifle enthusiast... any shooter, gun enthusiast or reloader for that matter.
   
   As the gun annuals go, this book is "IT". Gun Digest is evolving and doing it's best to keep up with the very fast rate of change that we see in the world of firearms and ammunition these days. There are others in the same category but none that can be considered better.
   
   I found inspiration and valuable information in the pages of this book (all editions) when writing my own book, rexGun by Templar Rexgun, which addresses safari and dangerous game rifles and how to select appropriate cartridges for any given game, up to T. rex.
   
   I highly recommend this book, every edition of this book, to all shooters and gun enthusiasts.



3. On the front cover of this book are the words, "THE WORLD'S GREATEST GUN BOOK!".
   Unfortunately, if you try to use the "GUNDEX" or gun index, the page numbers are all wrong. In other words, someone forgot to edit the index for this edition.
   Ah, you say, who cares! Who indeed. Therein lies the greatest tragedy of all; apathy.



4. i purchased the gun digest to be more knowlegable about guns .i have been going to auctions.and know nothing about the guns for auction. thought the digest had it all .it does not.and the prices it lists for the guns in this book are very high as i have several of the guns that are listed in the book .maybe i dont under stand how to use the book i dont know.or i bought the the wrong book.



5. Gun Digest is an excellent source for gun enthusiasts. My husband has every copy since 1982. I buy it for him every year for Christmas.

5 comments about The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery.

1. The subject matter covered in this book is best learned by taking a course in hand gun combat - which I recommend. The book is an OK reference, but it isn't nearly enough for a rookie to become competent.



2. A bit dated but still a good reference source. I refer to it often.



3. This book is a great guide for the beginner gun owner. Ayoob is a great writer who simplifies things to a level that anyone understands. More important than giving you technical information about handguns, ammo, stances, etc. (which is very good by the way), this book makes you think from a different and practical perspective regarding to personal, home defense and responsible gun ownership.



4. Just like everyone else says, this book is great and Massad Ayoob is the subject matter expert. Excellent investment, the best thing about the book is tying his suggestions into past events.



5. * I am a TRUE martial artist, meaning that I train in the ways of war. I was in the military during the Cold War, and served in combat, so I have a reason for that focus. I also survived some brutal streets that offered more consistent threat than I ever saw in Desert Storm or Bosnia. Additionally, I've also been a correctional officer and patrol cop, earning the rank of lieutenant and serving on special response teams.
   * With all that in mind, I NEED books and vids that cover more than just punch-and-kick/ throw-and-grapple fighting. This book does an excellent job of not only presenting firearms info, but provides you with a complete scope that allows you to meet all threats with flexibility and assertiveness. This is important for any man or woman that values their life enough to prepare for its defense, martial artist or not.
   * In modern times, we need to focus on modern weapons that we will encounter on the streets or can carry on our person. Swords and spears don't fit that criteria... making this kind of book all the more important for the modern MA man.

5 comments about Tactical Pistol Shooting: Your Guide to Tactics & Techniques that Work.

1. Its pretty simple...there is only one pistol shooting book you need and this is it. Hands down the best i have read. Pictures are detailed and excellent quality. The books is written in a clear and concise manner that is easy to follow. Its not filled with "cool" tactical ninja crap. Everything in this book is functional and will make you a better shooter.



2. I got this along with a couple of Ayoob books as I'm trying to get into pistol shooting a little more in-depth. I was pretty disappointed with this book.
   
   Good: lots of pictures and step-by-step, simple explanations of shooting stances, grips, malfunction drills, etc. The pictures were the main substance of the book - without them it would have been maybe 40 pages of normally spaced text. They did work well to demonstrate the techniques being taught. However, if you are looking for visual explanation, there are videos available that I think work much better to show how a procedure is carried out in reality. This would be a handy book for your range bag though, to be able to refer to and quickly check on a drill you want to do, as it's mostly in the pictures.
   
   Bad: The text is pretty simplistic and while not being closed-minded per se, it doesn't present many different opinions on how to do certain things. It reads a lot like a police manual where procedures must be followed precisely as shown because everyone is issued the same equipment, and that's how the instructor/boss wants you to do it. For example: I just got through the section of Combat Handgunnery on the grip, and Ayoob presents multiple styles of grip along with a ton of explanation on why you might choose one or the other (different guns, different safeties, differently sized hands, different situations). The same section in this book spends two short pages and three pictures explaining the single correct way to do it, with no real acknowledgement of the different circumstances that different shooters will face. It basically assumes you are shooting a Glock and the grip shown would not necessarily work for some other guns. The same "one right way to do it" attitude comes through often in the book.
   
   Bad continued: There are lots of drills and positions shown, but no real 'tactics', and for a book with this title, I felt ripped off. I was expecting some room/house clearing, entry techniques, etc. There's a quick section on transitioning from your carbine to a sidearm, and a little on using cover, shooting while moving etc., but nothing about how or where (not) to move while shooting and why.
   
   Bad again: The text of the book is quite poorly edited with quite a few misspellings and some pages that appeared to be half copy/pasted in the wrong place, etc. I'm a bit obsessive about this but it was pretty distracting. Though I didn't notice any dangerously wrong text, it seemed to be rushed to print, and just somewhat unprofessionally presented.
   
   Finally, I should emphasize that aside from all the pictures, there is really not very much information in this book. It has wide margins and double-spaced text, so don't be fooled by the page count. Pretty much all the information in this book is in Combat Handgunnery, and aside from the many full color photos, I can't see any reason to have both. No I'm not an Ayoob fanboy by the way, there just seems to be much more information in his books than this one. I might exchange it for the Suarez book and see if that has what I'm looking for.



3. Good book to have for any novice that is seeking a beginners guide to tactical pistol shooting.



4. Great overview of tactical shooting. Has the most illustrations of any similar book I've seen on the market. The chapter on "Shooting While Wounded", for example, contains 40 pages of text and pictures.
   
   Some of the pictures are repetitive and the chapter on "Pistol Nomenclature & Terms" could have been greatly shortened or eliminated all together. Most people reading this type of book already know terms such as - slide, trigger and muzzle.
   
   Overall a worthwhile book to read and keep around as a reference.



5. This book answers a lot of the "little" questions about pistols. The author describes in detail how to grip, draw, aim and other things. This book has an interesting first chapter. It covers mindset. It also covers things like nomenclature, safety, shooting positions, reloading,low-light conditions, drills,etc. In contrast to the title, it is not a tactical book. There are individual movement techniques but not a lot of tactics. There is shooting behind cover and shooting while wounded but no slicing the pie or room entry. Overall, it's a great book for beginners to learn with. There are too many books out there that take you from step one and then straight to step ten. This one doesn't do that.

5 comments about Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson).

1. Don't be fooled by other "Standard catalog of...." books. I found the Colt and other books to be a waste of time. However, this S&W is truly the standard catalog. It is amazing. I learned more about models, dates of manufacture, boxes, grips, finishes, etc than I ever imagined. Amazing! The color photos are outstanding and the format is very quick and ease to catch on to. There are also almost no mistakes.



2. Probably the best history and cataloging of Smith and Wesson in existence. The author is certainly open for added info as I contacted him to update information on a specific model and it was noted in this version of the book. A great work.



3. If you collect or are just interested in the variety of S&W models produced this book is a "must have"
   for your reference library. It is well written and filled with copious pictures of the different models. It is more than a
   fitting companion publication to the History of S&W by Roy Jinks.
   What is really helpful is the detailed changes in the respective models.If it was a -2,or-3 variation you will
   also find what that change entailed. An excellent book.



4. This book is a must for Smith & Wesson collectors. My husband has spent hours reading it, looking for certain guns. It is a great book.



5. Simply put, THE BOOK on Smith & Wesson pistols. A must for any serious collector or enthusiast....... a must !

5 comments about Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide.

1. brilliant. An extremely spellbinding work. This exercise in brilliant analysis and insight would make even experts of history like Joe McCarthy proud.



2. If you have any interest in C&R collecting or hold an FFL then this periodical should be a well-worn tool on your bookshelf.



3. As many of the reviewers pointed out, just a basic description of the weapons. Variations of individual weapons may be pointed out, but prices for those variations aren't necessarily mentioned. It typically only refers to the primary manufacturer of a weapon, even though other arsenals may have supplied the same weapon (which can mean a substantial pricing difference), the variations probably won't be there or barely mentioned. Also remember this is a MILITARY gun book, if you have a commercial version of the weapon or import for civilian sale it is most likely not there at all(AK-47s, AR-15 etc). I also expected some mention of importers and their markings to help identify the weapons. You can get as good or better information from most of the gun forums on the internet.



4. Every year it improves....more info, better detail, only wished the printed pitures had better detail.....



5. This book is a great reference for the Gun collector and firearm enthusiast. The material is well written and a good point to search for values on military firearms.