Lending Library

I don’t have a huge collection of gun-related books. I glean most of my knowledge from the Internet and magazines like "American Rifleman," "Field & Stream," etc. There are four books I’m going to post here, though. You may borrow one at a time if you’d like. If there are others who'd like to offer some books as part of the Plinkers Lending Library, let me know.

Boston’s Gun Bible by Boston T. Party

Publisher’s description—“Revised edition with 10 new chapters and over 200 additional pages. A complete firearms reference book with real-world information on law, politics, market forces, tactics, firearms type and usage. Test results and equipment rating charts help you select the right firearm for your needs. Learn how to buy and sell, how to avoid BATF stings, how to get quality training in safety and tactics, how to defend the 2nd Amendment and what's next in gun control. Chapter 32 is one of the most concise and stirring rebuttals to "reasonable gun legislation" ever written.”

My thoughts—This is an entertaining read. There’s a lot of good information here as well as some strong opinions, some worthwhile and others not. Though it covers many things, its biggest and most thorough coverage is of MBRs (main battle rifles), none of which I can own. Carbines, shotguns and handguns get minimal coverage. Still, there are many valuable tidbits in here and much that is just entertaining if you’re into guns at all.

NRA Firearms Sourcebook

From the NRA Store website—“Without question the most comprehensive review of technical gun knowledge, ballistics, safety and firearms history ever compiled into a single volume. Produced by NRA publications, this long-awaited compendium spans some 536 pages. No other book compares to the sheer volume of information compiled in the NRA Firearms Sourcebook.”

My thoughts—This thing is big, pricey and fairly dry. It’s good as a reference book but goes into such things as how various types of rifling are done and which metals barrels are made from. Not really a book I’d sit down and peruse for pleasure but will likely answer many firearms questions for you. Incidentally, this is not a illustrated guide to small arms. While there are some diagrams that identify the various parts and styles of firearms, you won’t find different makes and models.

The Poor Man’s Scout Rifle: A How To Guide by Bob Cashner

Publisher’s description—“Learn how to fashion home-built scout rifles from a variety of old military actions, from the 98 Mauser to Mosin-Nagant and the venerable Springfield. Each of the author's creations, built with common tools and easy-to-come-by parts, met most of the basic criteria for a scout/utility rifle yet cost him less than a quarter of what the commercial models would have. Ammo and shooting slings are covered in detail.”

My thoughts—The “Scout Rifle,” defined and popularized (though not invented) by Jeff Cooper, is currently only made by one manufacturer, Steyr, and costs more than $2,000. This book looks at ways for people of more average means or gunsmithing hobbyists to incorporate many of the same features for much, much less. This is particularly interesting if you’re sold on the “Scout” idea; not everyone is. It’s also fun if you just enjoy seeing how people have taken cheap guns and made them unique and tailored to their own particular tastes.

Principles of Personal Defense by Jeff Cooper

Publisher’s description—“This revised edition of Jeff Cooper's classic on personal defense is the best study of the guiding principles of survival in the face of unprovoked violence by human assailants. Cooper discusses the vital elements of defensive mental conditioning, including alertness, decisiveness, aggressiveness, speed, coolness, ruthlessness and surprise.”

My thoughts—This is not really a gun book, though Jeff Cooper is best known as a curmudgeonly elder-statesman in the gun world. This book is more about attitudes and how to think and behave in a defensive manner. It’s a quick read. You (and I) may not care for all of his ideas, but there’s some good stuff in here.