Must Read Book on AK

[Schmalkald]

I'm about 2/3 of the way through this amazing book on the history of the development of the AK, but to describe the book as merely the history of the AK's development is to do a true injustice to this incredible work of history and prose.

This book has blown me away. It is packed with the real story of the development of a man-portable machine gun, and then the development of the AK, it's background, history, proliferation, use around the world, how it was that millions and millions of these rifles have found their way all over the globe. It totally destroys the Soviet Union's propaganda machine narrative about Kalishnikov and provides a realistic analysis of the AK's development team.

The book also documents the utter fiasco that was America's rush to develop and field an assault rifle: the M-16. It will make you furious reading about the government and military leadership's utter incompetence, callous disregard for human life and what it took finally to convince Colt's and the Defense Department to get the M-16 upgraded with the necessary changes to make it something other than a "good bayonet holder" as one Vietnam platoon leader described it. I was so angry after reading this part of the book, I could not sit still.

It is a MUST READ.

The good news is you can get a nice, clean used copy in great condition for under $6 if you buy a used copy, hardback! That's how I got mine. Also available in eBook Kindle edition.

The thing that makes this book so good is how well written it is. It is masterful and it feels like you are reading, as one other reviewer put, a Steven Ambrose book about World War II. It is compelling and hard to put down!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...condition=used

[halmbarte]

The author is a journalist for the New York Times and is a former USMC captain, which gives him a perspective that's pretty rare.

Chiver's blog is at http://cjchivers.com and frequently has good stuff that he runs across.

H

[Schmalkald]

Awesome....I'll sign up to read it.

[JoshNC]

It's a phenomenal book. A must read.

[ralfabco]

I read a book about the original Army issued AR-15. The Army did not want the small caliber AR-15 and was content with the M-14. The U.S. Army was forced to field the AR-15 after the Air Force began to purchase some examples. According to the book the Army tried to sabotage the AR by switching out the spec powder. The original spec'd powder was replaced and the substituted item caused malfunctions. In addition, the twist rate was changed. I believe the original twist was 1:14. The original twist rate was even more lethal.

When marketed, the AR rifle was advertised as not needing any type of field cleaning. This may have had some truth, if it was issued with the original powder. When the IMR powder heated up and cooled off it would dry and lock up the bolt carrier. The units had no forward assist and rods to unseat the bolt. The rifle reliability increased substantially after units began to clean the rifles in the field and individual cleaning kits were issued. The book never spoke about issues with the magazines. I wish I could give you the name of the book .

[SteyrAUG]

This is so two months ago...

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...by-C-J-Chivers

Probably the best "overview and development" book on firearms.

[JoshuaAgar]

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[SteyrAUG]

It's a phenomenal book. A must read.

I would say second only to The Grim Reaper regarding the AK specifically. As an overview of the history of firearms with special attention to the AK series, complete with historical corrections, there is probably not many better than The Gun by Chivers.