Book Review: The World’s Assault Rifles

posted on November 29, 2010
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
2010112915433-assault-rifles-book_f.jpg

Noted arms historian Thomas B. Nelson is considered a legend in the field of firearms in general and assault rifles in particular. After his military service, Nelson worked at Interarmco (later Interarms) for nine years. In 1963 he published the classic reference “The World’s Submachine Guns,” and in 1967 he co-authored the original volume of “The World’s Assault Rifles” with Dan Musgrave. He was the founder of Collector’s Armoury, Ltd.

In the four decades since the original edition of “The World’s Assault Rifles” was published, the market has seen exponential advancements in the design and development of these small arms. Now Nelson has teamed up with Gary Paul Johnston to revise this classic volume. Their painstaking research into classified archives, corporate and private collections, and military and museum arms all around the world brought forth a monumental body of research. From this wealth of data, the authors present 70 chapters comprising more than 1,200 pages of guns from more than 50 countries, fully illustrated with 2,000 photos and drawings.

Encompassing technical and design data starting from the early 1900s, as well as what is on the drawing boards for tomorrow, this encyclopedic volume covers every facet of assault rifle development. Just a few of the topics in this massive tome are World War II German developments, the insider story of the Stoner system, the candid behind-the-scenes story of USSR/Russian developments, and a look inside assault rifle production in China. Ten years in the making and priced at $70, this new edition of “The World’s Assault Rifles” will become the standard reference on assault rifles for decades to come.

Contact: Ironside Int’l Publishers; (800) 336-4572, ext. 11; www.ironsidepub.com.

Latest

Gotw Wilson Combat Nula Model 20 1
Gotw Wilson Combat Nula Model 20 1

Gun Of The Week: Wilson Combat NULA Model 20

In our latest "Gun Of The Week" segment, we’re taking a closer look at Wilson Combat’s NULA Model 20, a lightweight, bolt-action hunting rifle that incorporates innovations first pioneered by the “rifle wizard of West Virginia."

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 2, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: DoubleTap Ammunition SnakeShot Defense

Combining a payload of shot with a light-for-caliber bullet, DoubleTap Ammunition's new SnakeShot Defense load provides a do-it-all cartridge designed to function reliably in semi-automatic actions.

ERGO Grips Walks To Help End Alzheimer's

ERGO Grips joined thousands of walkers nationwide this fall for the annual Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer's. Team ERGO walked in loving memory of company founder Stephen Hines and his wife, Barbara, both of whom battled dementia in their later years.

Ruger Introduces Harrier AR-15 Rifles

Sturm, Ruger & Co. announced the launch of Ruger Harrier rifles, a completely re-engineered line of modern sporting rifles that represents the company's latest evolution in AR-pattern firearms.

I Have This Old Gun: Westley Richards "Monkey Tail" Carbine

In the mid-19th century, Westley Richards, a British firm, developed a breechloading cavalry carbine that, due to its unique mechanism, earned the name "Monkey Tail" carbine.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.