The AR-15/M16: A Practical Guide [Paperback]

Duncan Long (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1985

Here is the definitive book on the rifle that has been the inspiration for so many modern assault rifle designs. Invaluable to the M16 owner, it includes info on grenade launchers, assembly/disassembly, conversion kits and modifications, troubleshooting, ballistics and ammunition, combat use, testing, cleaning and lubrication. Also includes detailed step-by-step instructions and materials lists for the do-it-yourselfer.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Duncan Long is an internationally recognized nonfiction and fiction writer of countless books and magazine articles on weapons and warfare. He is a best-selling Paladin author, with more than 20 firearms manuals in print.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (February 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873643216
• ISBN-13: 978-0873643214
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #885,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Duncan Long (http://DuncanLong.com/) is a freelance writer/illustrator who has authored 13 novels including Anti-Grav Unlimited (Avon Books), the Spider Worlds triology (HarperCollins), and the Night Stalkers series (Harper Collins). He's also written 60-some technical books and how-to manuals (with Paladin Press, Delta Press, Lyons Press/Globe Pequot, and others). Additionally, he's ghostwritten over a dozen titles for TV, radio, and stage celebrities.

Some of Long's technical manuals can be found in the private libraries of the CIA, US Marines, FEMA, the FBI's FTU (Firearms Training Unit), and other US agencies. Excerpts from his books and technical drawings have even appeared in US Congressional hearings.

As an illustrator Long has created cover and interior illustrations for HarperCollins, PS Publishing (UK), Byron Preiss/ibooks, Pocket Books, Fort Ross, American Media, Delirium Books, Ballistic Media, Mermaid Books, Swimming Kangaroo Books, and others. His artwork also appears in national magazines (including the Sun and Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine), and at Web sites and on CD covers.

Long's illustrations are noted for their often whimsical, dreamlike quality. Talk-show host Victor Thorn named Long one of the three "best graphic artists in the entire world." And the reviewer at 3D Millennium (M3 Corp., Inc.) wrote about Long's collected works, "To call him a prolific artist would be understatement, at best. Get yourself a snack and settle back while Duncan takes you on a wild ride through worlds only he has dreamt of."

You can find Long's graphic artwork and articles online at his site: http://DuncanLong.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent, but dated, August 12, 2002

By 

Jon Konrath "Jon" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The AR-15/M16: A Practical Guide (Paperback)

This book is a good primer on the AR-15 and M-16, and it's a decent book to flip through and browse around various different versions of the weapon while reading up on its history. For the price, it's got a decent amount of information and some good illustrations. My main beef, however, is that this book was written over 15 years ago, well before the Brady Bill changed the playing field of assault rifles. It would be much more useful if there was information on the changing legality of pre- and post-ban AR-15/M-16s. I haven't read Long's other books, so maybe they cover this information. Although I find this is good, casual reading, I think it might be more practical to save your money and invest in a newer book by the same author.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Ar-15/M16 : A Practical Guide, April 1, 2000

By 

T. Clark (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The AR-15/M16: A Practical Guide (Paperback)

Excellent book on the AR-15. Was very informative filled with details. Full of information for the not so knowledgable. Great book to read prior to Mr. Longs current book on the AR-15.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book - would help a new person to this rifle., October 19, 2009

By 

multi book reader (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The AR-15/M16: A Practical Guide (Paperback)

There are several ways that this book can be used. You can read the entire book sequentially or you can use this book as a good source book. I believe that this book is written well that it could be used either way. The reason that I mention that the book could be used for a new user is that - barrel twist rates and grain ammo is clearly to very well. Sure there are other sources for some of this information but this book should be a good source of basic knowledge for any owner of the Armorlite Rifle. I know that many people feel that this rifle is not a true rifle and have labeled this weapon and material as an Assault Rifle. This is very unfair. The first assault rifle from the Allied side of WWII was the M1 Carbine.

The subject matter is explained well and uses good basic English. There are some complex topics covered by the book but the material is very understandable. The illustrations are not technical but basic drawings that are similar to the front of the book. It is the content that is most important. I believe that this book could help a new owner understand what they have purchased or help refine a future purchase. The content can also help a collector on some of the earlier Colt models that were produced.