The Gun Digest Book of the AR-15 [Paperback]

Patrick Sweeney (Author)

Book Description

Series: Gun Digest Book of the Ar 15 | Publication Date: September 23, 2005

A Shooter's Guide

Now you can become an AR-15 expert. Noted author and gunsmith Patrick Sweeney takes an inside look at an icon among American rifles. The AR-15 first became known to American shooters in the early 1960s. Since then is have become one of the most versatile rifles in the world, tackling everything from military and police operations to long-range target competitions.

Sweeney's expertly written text and outstanding photography show you everything you need to know about understanding the AR-15 operating system and his dedicated group of testers honestly evaluate just about every rifle on the market. If there is something you want to know about an AR-15, you will find it here.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Gun Digest Books; 2 edition (September 23, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873499476
• ISBN-13: 978-0873499477
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #850,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Sweeney gives full value to gun makers, not to his readers, November 21, 2007

By 

Stephen Fleischer (Monument, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gun Digest Book of the AR-15, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

Sweeney gives a lot of information, most of it interesting and valuable. The comparative benefits of the AR, the AK and various calibers are well analyzed.

Unfortunately, Sweeney also knows where his bread is buttered (hint - it is not by the readers who bought his book). Sweeney admits that he got a lot of free goodies from the gun manufacturers (presumably in the expectation that he would write favorable reviews) and he delivers. The readers bought the book in the expectation that Sweeney would write the whole truth about what he learned testing guns; unfortunately, the writer short changes us there. All reviews are either favorable (very) or bland. We can infer that the bland reviews mean that there wasn't much good that he could find to say about those products, but I don't pay $20+ dollars for a book to read between the lines.

On a couple occasions, Sweeney discusses interesting topics, but stops short with the explanation that the public does not need to know that kind of sensitive information. Once again, I don't pay a writer to tell me that I am not entitled to know what he knows; I pay him to tell me what he knows. If he keeps the information to himself while being paid for the book, he is not delivering on the bargain.

Buy this book on the remainder shelf for $5, or better yet, get it from the Amazon used book department where I am selling my copy. You don't need this book on your permanent shelf.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Patrick let us down, September 7, 2007

By 

V. Morgillo (NW Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gun Digest Book of the AR-15, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

Regarding AR-15 Volume #2
Most of the reviews here are clearly for the first volume which I also enjoyed thoroughly. I could hardly wait for volume 2 to become available. However it was quite a let down. It was virtually void of the technical information Patrick usually provides and instead was filled with quips and comments. He spent too much time trying to be funny and or arrogant instead of providing his usual first class reviews. Editing left a lot to be desired as relevant pictures were often pages away from the text they supported. I have many of Patrick's books, but,I definitely would not recommend AR-15 Volume 2, sorry Patrick, you let us down with this one.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as it should be., July 12, 2007

By 

R. Winkle - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gun Digest Book of the AR-15, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

I am very disappointed in Gun Digest Book of the AR-15 Vol 2. I found volume 1 enjoyable and informative, however volume 2 is neither of these. My main impression from reading the book is that it was thrown together in a hurry just to get it published. The topics of the chapters are presented with very little detailed information being given.
I have read other books and many magazine articles by Patrick Sweeney and know he is very knowledgeable and usually is able to give the reader useful information in a way that is enjoyable and easy to understand. However, this book falls well short of his normal standards.