No comments about Del Falcon Al Bowie.

2 comments about Know Your Ruger 10/22 (Know Your Gun Series).

1. In this short easy to read book, the author discusses his experiences with collecting this popular firearm. He addresses the various variations seen, with specifics related to years and serial number ranges. His writing style is conversational as opposed to narrative. The graphics are adequate although color would've been more useful. For those looking for operator manual type information, this is not the book for you. If you are interested in collecting the 10/22, this is a good place to start.



2. The content of the book is overly personalized to the author and contains little information useful to the average 10/22 shooter. The book reads as if the author is writing for himself rather than for the reader; the most commonly used word being "I". Collectors may find some valuable information though the presentation makes the book a below average and boring read. There is a copy of the original 10/22 patent, which is interesting, and some "blow up" shots showing the firearm parts and assembly in detail. These are the only pluses in the book but can be found in other 10/22 manuals which are much better written than this book. In short, if one is looking for a little history, and some collector information on the Ruger 10/22, this might be a book to consider. If one is a shooter looking for details on how to use, repair or modify this firearm, look elsewhere.

No comments about Annals of legislation: If you love your guns.

No comments about The complete book of gun collecting.

No comments about Handguns 1994 (Handguns).

2 comments about Fighting Rifle.

1. This is a really good, concise book about exactly what the title indicates -- rifles used for fighting. The author is a renowned combat/law enforcement firearms expert. Unlike many others who claim that status, he actually has seen a fair amount of real-world combat. Thus his advice is always based on experience, not theory, with an emphasis always on practicality. He tells you what works, and why, in an objective, no-nonsense way. His derision of "slide-rule commando[s]" and "armchair expert[s]", i.e. those who spend more time number-crunching than shooting, made me think of several current 'gunwriters' who shall remain nameless. He also lampoons IPSC, which has strayed far from its original purpose, a criticism with which I believe Jeff Cooper agreed.
   
   The author makes his preferences on the subject of combat longarms clear, but doesn't belabor the point and definitely allows that other weapons may work better for other people in different situations. I particularly liked his focus on what combat really is: trying to kill another person before he kills you. That's a point too often neglected. On this same line, I liked the fact that the author spent more time on tactics than on formal shooting positions. I also appreciated that he devoted a chapter to the bayonet, which never really went obsolete (I believe Marines in Fallujah used them quite recently.)
   
   My only complaints have to do with packaging. I think this book could be significantly improved with better-quality, color photos, as the pics in this edition are b/w and sometimes hard to decipher in detail. Jeff Cooper's excellent ART OF THE RIFLE benefitted from this (see the color version and compare to the original.) This book could likewise benefit from a facelift.



2. As someone who has taken courses with Taylor, this is the definitive work on the subject and I believe represents the best and most concise available source to civilians by where they can learn the actual uses for various military rifles, deployment of same, etc. As we have all been poisoned by movies and TV, where we see the guy with the Uzi pistol take out rifle toting goons at 300 yards, our minds have to be de-toxed from the umpteen years of garbage implanted there and this book it as close as you can come to an enema to remove that. Each infantry arm, SMG, Shotgun, Carbine and Battle Rifle are addressed, from both a select fire and semi fire perspective. The carrying and deployment of same is addressed. Practical applications, like muzzle blast, carrying of magazines, changing of magazines, are all addressed. While some of the material is dated, and several of Taylor's shooting techniques have been modified by him to make them better and quicker, whether or not you could ever go to one of this classes, this book and diligent practice of its techniques will put you a mile on top of everyone else.

No comments about Guns Illustrated-86.

No comments about Ancient Metal Axes and Other Tools in the Royal Ontario Museum: European and Mediterranean Types.

No comments about Supplement to the handbook for shooters and reloaders.

No comments about Gun Digest; 37th Anniversary; 1983 Deluxe Edition.