Weapons Tests And Evaluations: The Best Of Soldier Of Fortune [Paperback]

Peter Kokalis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1581601220 | ISBN-13: 978-1581601220 | Publication Date: January 1, 2001 | Edition: No Edition Stated

For more than 20 years, Peter G. Kokalis has traveled the globe - often risking enemy fire - to bring his readers more exclusives than any other writer on small arms. In this comprehensive anthology of his best articles from SOF and Fighting Firearms magazines, you'll get authoritative reviews and detailed information on dozens of handguns, rifles, SMGs, sniper rifles and shotguns. You'll also travel with Kokalis as he trains El Salvador's Atlacatl Battalion and goes where no Western writer has gone before for his groundbreaking eight-part series examining the weapons of the Chinese army. This is a must-read for anyone interested in modern weapons.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter G. Kokalis, one of the world's foremost authorities on small arms, is the senior editor for The Small Arms Review.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press; No Edition Stated edition (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581601220
• ISBN-13: 978-1581601220
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #985,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Armchair Tactical Operators Unite!, January 28, 2001

By 

Eric in IL (Champaign, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weapons Tests And Evaluations: The Best Of Soldier Of Fortune (Paperback)

Kokalis's Weapons Tests and Evaluations is an interesting read for armchair tactical operators. The book is a collection of various stories and weapons reviews that Kokalis wrote during his tenure at Soldier of Fortune magazine. As a collection, the articles date from 1982 to 2000, with many of the articles coming from before 1990. Because of the dates of when the articles were originally written, Kokalis skips many newer designs. At the time, Kokalis professes to be the first or one of the first to review some of the systems (AGS-17, etc).

It is somewhat difficult to review the book without commenting on Kokalis's blatent disregard for journalistic or scientific integrity. As a 'journalist', he tought courses in small arms handling and secured ammuntion and parts. Kokalis makes much ado about following military specifications for the M16A2 evaluation, but admits to changing the specification to evaluate other critera.

The book is a good read, but should be taken with a grain of salt or two. Kokalis isn't shy about his opinions; by the end, it's obvious that he has an axe or two to grind.

For most of us, the closest we will ever get to many of the weapons reviewed is in the pages of Jane's Infantry Weapons. If we're lucky, we will see it in a museum. Kokalis provides useful qualitative information that most of us simply don't have access to about the weapons he reviews. So often, gun reviews gush over every product. Kokalis, especially in his early reviews, isn't afraid of calling a spade a spade.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gun Reviews Backed Up By Real Testing., January 30, 2007

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Weapons Tests And Evaluations: The Best Of Soldier Of Fortune (Paperback)

A series of articles reprinted from 'Soldier of Fortune' magazine from the 80's and 90's. In today's time the articles are a mixed bag. For instance, there is no coverage of the large number of guns that have come out in the last half dozen years.

For instance there is a lengthy article on the M60 machine gun and its faults. And another on the M60E3 version that is highly praised. In reality, subsequent use of the E3 has shown it to have almost as many new problems as it fixed on the original guns. Most front line units have replace their M60's with M240's.

One nice thing, the author does not hesitate to state his opinions, and his opinions seem to be based on actual testing. As a result this gives a refreshing tone to the articles. You might agree with him or not, but at least he seems to have some basis for his views. So many magazines seem to simply report from the press releases sent out by the manufacturers.

Conclusion. Great reading for us arm chair types. But please put out a second edition to cover the newer stuff.

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the best!, July 16, 2011

By 

Florida Police Detective - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weapons Tests And Evaluations: The Best Of Soldier Of Fortune (Paperback)

The author is the #1 best "been there" combat arms authority in the world. His tests are excellent. This book is a keeper to be read and re-read for years and years.