Guerrilla Gunsmithing: Quick And Dirty Methods For Fixing Firearms In Desperate Times (Paperback)

~ Ragnar Benson (Author) "It was a real mess-but a mess that will be fairly common to guerilla gunsmiths..." (more)
Key Phrases: wire gauge drill, catch notches, gunsmith work, Third World, Win Mag, World War (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

There may come a time when government restrictions severely limit not only access to firearms but the tools and means to repair and maintain them, or you may someday find yourself in the boondocks with a busted weapon. That's where the guerrilla gunsmith comes in. Ragnar Benson has had experience fixing "junk" guns in some tough places around the world, and here he shares some innovative ways to patch up, cobble together and otherwise make operational everything from antique rifles still found in remote war zones to modern firearms suffering from appalling abuse. Drawing on lessons and stories from backwoods experts he's worked with under desperate conditions in Africa, the Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan and beyond, Ragnar tells how to employ last-resort but effective techniques to remove hopelessly stuck rounds and other barrel obstructions, straighten bent barrels, replace lost parts, smooth out dented magazines, make repairs to some pretty hopeless stocks, scrounge up workable ammo and more. These are last-ditch, do-it-yourself methods, but they may be all you'll have to fall back on deep in the bush or with your back to the wall, when the only things between you and the enemy are a rifle and the know-how to make it work.

About the Author

Ragnar Benson is America's most-esteemed survival expert. He has written more than 20 books for Paladin throughout the years on a variety of topics covering everything from weapons to politics to survival medicine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581601190
• ISBN-13: 978-1581601190
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #282,542 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, January 26, 2002

By A Customer

This is not a book like "how to make". It's just as the title says, guerilla gunsmithing. It comes very handy when repairing small weaponry under hard improvised conditions. Next to that, it's written in a very pleasant understandable style. When you are in to firearms, just buy this book, you won't regret it. By the way, check out other titles of Rangar, he wrote some great books and it is a shame that some of the ""how to make" series are out of print all the time (hint hint!!)

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Fell short of my expectations, August 1, 2003

By A Customer

This book is exactly what it the title implies - Guerilla Gunsmithing, and explains the techniques of gunsmithing in many worn-torn third-world countries. This book will not be particularly useful to you if you are interested in gunsmithing in modern America.
If you have been doing your own gunsmithing for several years, you may want to skip this book. I found the information to be very basic and not really contain that much information that was new to me. Much of it was "common-sense" type information -- like using duct tape or leather cord to "repair" a stock. I was disappointed that the author censors himself on some of the potentially dangerous aspects of gunsmithing, such as heat-treating receivers and barrels.
On the other hand, I did find a few interesting tips on determining metal type.
If you are a beginner or if you just want to know about the gunsmithing practices in third world countries, then this may be a good book for you.