When I first started getting serious about collecting
firearms I was fortunate to receive advice from a much older fellow who
had
been a collector for several decades. Of all the advice he gave me
probably the
one that struck home the most and has served me best was this: “Every time you
buy a gun, buy a book.”
It was his way of telling me that knowledge was one of
the most important things in collecting. Over the years I have noticed
that the
more comprehensive and complete a collection is, the larger the owners
library.
Books are not cheap. Good books are expensive, but so are
mistakes. I have books that cost more than some of the guns I’ve
bought. I’ve
also used information gleaned from my books to buy a $250 revolver that
I later
sold for $6,000. I’ve also passed on deals that looked good in
person while
standing in a gun show aisle but that a few minutes of reading showed
me was
not a good deal.
My opinions and estimations of a book are subjective. I prefer certain styles and formats that others may not. Even if you don't agree with what I value in a book, at least let me information prod you into looking at it and deciding for yourself.
The Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson 3rd Ed.
- Best overall reference going for Smith & Wesson products.