[UKarmourer]

I have been looking into these books, mainly as a sort of reference library for any weapons I get handed in while away in the sandpit later this year.
(we dont get much training on 'foreign' weapons:banghead:)

what is the general consensus of opinion on them?
will they cover things like the AK family, the AR15 type weapons, I see there are like 10 different books, but the most pertinent ones should be in there somewhere.

alternatively does anyone know of a resource for complete strip downs, maybe in CD or Pdf format?

cheers guys

[rcmodel]

These four books by J.B. Wood are very good if they cover what you need covered. But they are more "sporting arms" orientated then military stuff.

The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: Automatic Pistols
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: Centerfire Rifles
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: Revolvers
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: Shotguns

But for what you are looking for, I highly recommend Small Arms of the World: It covers them all (military stuff), and how to use & maintain them!
Everything from handguns, all the way up to heavy machineguns.

http://www.amazon.com/Small-Arms-World-Basic-Manual/dp/0811716872

rcmodel

[dfariswheel]

Another great reference is the NRA's Books of Firearms Assembly.
These two volumes are available on the NRA web site.
These cover most sporting and all US military arms.

In OLD books that can still be found are the classics by W.H.B. Smith.
They are still to be found in used book stores, and on eBay:
"Small Arms of The World" is THE reference for military arms from pistols to heavy machine guns. up to the M16.
It was later edited by Etzel.

"Pistols and Revolvers" cover the subject of just about everything up to the 1950's both sporting and military.
"Rifles and Shotguns" does the same.

A really good reference is available from Brownell's.
"Brownell's Encyclopedia of Modern Firearms, Parts & Assembly, Vol One".
This is available as a hard bound or loose leaf form and covers virtually every modern sporting gun up to 1959

A fantastic reference that's been reprinted about a year ago is THE classic International Armaments" originally by Johnson and Lockhoven.
This covers ALL military firearms up to the AK and M16, and does so in depth.

[ClarkEMyers]

Accession Number : AD0867982
Title : U. S. Army Special Forces Foreign Weapons Handbook.
Corporate Author : ARMY JOHN F KENNEDY SPECIAL WARFARE CENTER FORT BRAGG NC
Report Date : 01 JAN 1967
Pagination or Media Count : 380
Abstract : The unique role of Special Forces has long required that a handbook devoted to foreign small-arms weapons be assembled. Such a handbook would serve at one time as both a learning and a teaching aid. This handbook has been compiled to furnish the Special Forces soldier with vital information on a number of foreign small arms he may encounter on a worldwide basis. Explanations in simple terms of assembly, disassembly, operation and firing have been assembled in a concise, uncomplicated format. This publication, in filling a long-standing need, will play a vital part in maintaining the reputation of the Special Forces soldier as being one whose training and ability to teach others places him in the front rank of the finest soldiers in the world. (Author)
Descriptors : (*SMALL ARMS, HANDBOOKS), (*ARMY TRAINING, SMALL ARMS), GOVERNMENT(FOREIGN), SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION, PERFORMANCE(ENGINEERING), EDUCATION.
Subject Categories : HUMANITIES AND HISTORY
GUNS
Distribution Statement : APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

Readily available in commercial editions from $6 or so at Amazon U.S. - try Amazon UK or Amazon DE or any local Ami where you might be

Special Forces Foreign Weapons Handbook. by Moyer F.A. (Hardcover - 1983)
1 Used & new from £27.00 Amazon Co. UK

Special Forces Foreign Weapons Handbook - Taschenbuch (März 1987) von Frank A. Moyer
2 Angebote ab EUR 31,62
Englische Bücher: Alle 3 Artikel ansehen Amazon.de

Small Arms of the World has more historical and less practical.

Notice that for the United States Army and Marine small arms manuals are freely available including on line as are Canadian.

Of course it is entirely possible that anything at all might turn up - FREX - John Dean Cooper was someplace betwen amused and surprised to see a Steyr Scout in pictures from the former Yugoslavia - the Steyr SBS action is unusual in having a rotating sleeve inside the action around the bolt that can be turned out of alignment and a real issue with the cocking cam if somebody gets frisky with the bolt - only the newest references will describe that - and anything at all from the ancient past can come out of Afghnistan - genuine broomhandles or copies out of China.

[moosehunt]

Adding to Mr. Model's list, I feel that all the "Gun Digest" assembly/disassembly books are pretty good, but I doubt they are for your purposes. As he said, mainly sporting firearms.

[mrmeval]

For surplus rifles check out http://www.surplusrifle.com to support them I bought the CD a while back that had everything to 2006. It wasn't too pricey. I notice they have several now and one with copies of military manuals. You can read any of their articles and disassembly instructions online.

[Clemson]

The Gun Digest books are among the best if they cover the particular gun that you have. Just browsing through the index on the "Part IV: Centerfire Rifles," there are 22 different military rifles covered.

Clemson

[UKarmourer]

many thanks to all, going to start with the latest NRA titles and work from there