"Small Arms of the World" new edition?

R

Ruben Nasser

New member
Have any of you read the latest edition of "Small Arms of the World"? Mine is 1977 11th. edition, by Edward Clinton Ezell, revised by W. H. B. Smith, and I would like to know if the changes/new articles/sections make it worthwhile to purchase a new one. This is a very good reference book, I read it eagerly long time ago, and has served me to win countless stupid discussions with other gun aficionados.
 
Jane's

Dear Ruben,
There are several avenues available to you. First is to go to the source: http://www.janes.com/
Second is your local library. Usually in the reference section.
Third. If you have a college near by with an ROTC department you may find this in their library or ROTC office.
And then there's: http://dogbert.abebooks.com/abe/BookSearch
I did a search here with just a title and a few dozen newer vintage items were presented.
Sometimes there will be a book distributor that occasionally "clears" themselves of older umoved stock. I've garnered a Jane's for a tenth of their Mfr.'s suggested retail price!
Best regards,
Lance Gothic
 
Thanks Lance!! The problem is I live in Paraguay, South America, I'm probably one of the relatively few owners of this book here (all copies I know of are the same edition), and it is not available at libraries or bookstores.
Since I have an old edition and I really like this particular book, I would like to buy the latest edition if worthwhile. Any coments on post '77 editions compared to the old ones?
 
There is a 12th edition which, in my opinion, is outdated and in need of revision (13th edition). Unfortunately, Dr. Ezell is deceased. The first chapter of the 12th edition has been expanded to include a wider array of firearms, including an indepth discussion on the HK's G11 and its ammunition.

The second chapter on machine guns has similarly been expanded. There's more info on the XM248, FN's Minimi and even the XM106 (M16 based SAW).

The third chapter on SMGs includes a lenghty discussion on caseless SMG ammo and drawings of the Fiocchi-Benelli SMG.

The fourth has info on Blank Firing Attachments, grenade launchers and newer shotguns.

In the Sporting Guns section the two Mini14s shown (GB & GB with folding stock) have been mislabeled as full automatic. The section itself has been expanded to include a lot of semi-automatic weapons (at one time freely) available on the U.S. market (Austrialian Leader, Valmet M71S, Egyptian Maadi).

The 12th edition (as well as the 10th) is well worth addition to your shelf.
 
the one i have is old Copright 1969, i fond the book the first time in an old Librarie here in Missouri, i love the book so i look and i fond one on BARNES&NOBLE.com in the old books. if you go to http://www.barnesandnoble.com and look at the old books you mit find one. but it was a long time looking for me, but if you look and look you mit find one more there:)
 
12th edition is the newest one. True, the author is deceased and it was indeed a sad day. More recent comment on bolt-actions can be found in the third edition of "Bolt-Action Rifles of the World" by another dearly departed author, Frank de Haas. The book was recent as of 1993. I don't know of another Authoritative small-Arms book on the market to replace "Small-Arms." You can't have my copy, but a search under Small Arms on eBay will give you many hits. I just ordered a 10th edition also.
 
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