The Gun by C.J. Chivers

Terry G · 03-20-2017, 01:35 PM

If you are looking for an informative and very readable book on the development of the AK 47, M-16, and the development of automatic weapons in general, this book is great. Not dry technical stuff, but inventors and salesman, personalities, and outright corporate greed make this work fascinating. Many think the AK 47 sprang from the genius of Kalishnikov in a few short months. Not so. How hard was the M-16 tested before it was issued in large quantities? Try not much. Very interesting.

Garand · 03-20-2017, 03:38 PM

I have actually had the book for 2 years now, I'm hoping to spend some time on the back deck reading this summer and get into it.

Terry G · 03-20-2017, 04:39 PM

It's a real good read. The Author come's off as neither pro or anti-gun. A real solid point he makes is about the U.S development of the M-14, when the concept of the "Assault Rifle" was over 10 years old. The U.S. was a generation behind with the M-14, and tried to play catch up before the M-16 was near ready for combat conditions.

ethereal · 03-21-2017, 08:46 AM

Can I ask which versions you have? Amazon has hardcover for less than the paperback and the ISBNs are pretty spread out. Didn't know if the paperback was somehow updated in the reprint or if there were any differences.

Terry G · 03-21-2017, 12:33 PM

I borrowed the hardcover edition fro our Public Library. I was unaware there were more than one edition.

Garand · 03-21-2017, 08:43 PM

Simon & Schuster 2010, ISBN 978-0-7432-7076-2

BigEd · 03-27-2017, 12:24 PM

I read it about 5 years ago. Borrowed it from a fellow at work who had it.

I agree it is pretty good at being both informative and entertaining.

03-20-2017, 01:35 PM	#1
Terry G Registered User Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,898	The Gun by C.J. Chivers If you are looking for an informative and very readable book on the development of the AK 47, M-16, and the development of automatic weapons in general, this book is great. Not dry technical stuff, but inventors and salesman, personalities, and outright corporate greed make this work fascinating. Many think the AK 47 sprang from the genius of Kalishnikov in a few short months. Not so. How hard was the M-16 tested before it was issued in large quantities? Try not much. Very interesting.

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03-20-2017, 03:38 PM	#2
Garand Registered User Joined: Jun 2004 From: Canadian Badlands Posts: 8,761	I have actually had the book for 2 years now, I'm hoping to spend some time on the back deck reading this summer and get into it.

03-20-2017, 04:39 PM	#3
Terry G Registered User Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,898	It's a real good read. The Author come's off as neither pro or anti-gun. A real solid point he makes is about the U.S development of the M-14, when the concept of the "Assault Rifle" was over 10 years old. The U.S. was a generation behind with the M-14, and tried to play catch up before the M-16 was near ready for combat conditions.

03-21-2017, 08:46 AM	#4
ethereal Registered User Joined: Oct 2016 From: Somewhere Posts: 51	Can I ask which versions you have? Amazon has hardcover for less than the paperback and the ISBNs are pretty spread out. Didn't know if the paperback was somehow updated in the reprint or if there were any differences.

03-21-2017, 12:33 PM	#5
Terry G Registered User Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,898	I borrowed the hardcover edition fro our Public Library. I was unaware there were more than one edition.

03-21-2017, 08:43 PM	#6
Garand Registered User Joined: Jun 2004 From: Canadian Badlands Posts: 8,761	Simon & Schuster 2010, ISBN 978-0-7432-7076-2

03-27-2017, 12:24 PM	#7
BigEd Registered User Joined: Mar 2017 From: Arkansas Posts: 259	I read it about 5 years ago. Borrowed it from a fellow at work who had it. I agree it is pretty good at being both informative and entertaining.