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

Walther Arms Pdp Match Steel Frame Rifleman Review 1
Walther Arms Pdp Match Steel Frame Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Walther Arms PDP Match Steel Frame

Walther Arms took its polymer-frame Performance Duty Pistol design and crafted it entirely from steel to create its PDP Match Steel Frame, which is a true heavyweight designed just for the pure joy of shooting.

150 Years Of The Boxlock Shotgun

Many hunters think of the iconic boxlock shotgun as an American field gun, but although the design was popularized on American hunting fields, it was initially developed 150 years ago for a renowned gunmaker in Great Britain.

Preview: Alpine Products Gun Slicker V2

Mother Nature can unexpectedly unleash her wrath on any outdoor range session or hunt, and this lightweight product from Alpine Innovations will protect your most valuable long guns without completely limiting their use.

Beretta AX800 Suprema: The Future Of Hunting Shotguns?

With its new AX800 Suprema, Beretta went back to the drawing board and developed an entirely new shotgun designed specifically for waterfowl hunting.

Preview: Daisy Woodland Trail Model 1999

The Daisy that Ralphie would want if he were still pining for a gravity-fed, lever-action BB gun in 2025, the feature-packed new Woodland Trail Model 1999 provides a modern update to the venerable platform while remaining highly affordable.

MidwayUSA Completes Corporate Office Building

Construction is complete on MidwayUSA’s new Roosevelt Corporate Offices Building, in Columbia, Mo., marking another major milestone in the company’s development of its 500-Year Campus.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.