Rank these books

[mahkagari]

I see the following books oft repeated here. Don't know if it's the same few people repeating them.

The Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle
Recreating the American Longrifle
The Gunsmith of Grenville County

For a limited budget, which are the must haves? Where would you start if you were to work your way through them one at a time?

 

[Ames]

The art of building is a good explanation, step by step that will get you through the first few builds. Start with this one.
The gunsmith of Grenville will answer all the questions you may have when the simpler book is not covering your particular question. A must have as it goes much deeper.
The third book I have not read.

 

[gsday]

I agree totally with Ames.

The Art of Building has everything you need to build your first gun and nothing else to confuse you.

Greenville has much more good detail for future projects.

I have not read the third book either.

Greg

 

[Vaino]

I built my first few LRs using "Recreating the American Longrifle" by Buchele and liked the enumerated building procedure which "The Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle" doesn't have. Haven't read the other mentioned book.

"The Art of Building........" has some good info but also contains some misinformation. It's a good second reference.

From what I hear "The Gunsmith of Grenville County" is an excellent "how to" book and is very popular.

"Recreating the American Longrifle" has a later edition by 3 authors and is a slight improvement over the earlier edition.....Fred

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

I started with "Recreating the American Longrifle" eventually bought the other books to see if I was missing some important techniques, turned out I wasn't missing a thing.

 

[GWM]

I think Chuck Dixon`s book is the one to buy if you`re on a budget. In reference to you lock post, it has very good pictures of flint & perc. locks and parts.

 

[Spikebuck]

I started with "Longrifle Construction Manual" by Suzanne Warren-Bicio. This was an excellent book for a person starting out, and probably a few tips for someone who has built for a while. Starts with a great introduction to the different schools so one has some background, then just goes right into building step by step. Mine actually covers starting from a blank with layout OR starting from a pre-carve. I think the new version cut out the blank info, by the description on it.

Historical Armsmaker Books

I also have Gunsmith of Grenville County and agree with others that it may be too much for someone starting out. I'm glad I have it for reference and now that I've got a few under my belt, want to re-read it again as I think I'll get a lot more out of it.

 

[Col. Batguano]

I put them in this order regarding usefulness;
Gunsmith of Grenville County
Recreating the American Long Rifle
The Art of Building.....

As, if not more useful, is this forum. Guys here will give you interactive feedback to your problems you are encountering, that are not covered in any of the books. And, why you encountered the problems, or how to avoid mistakes.

An example of that is to NOT drill your tang bolt until you have your breech area pretty well contoured. If you do it before, you will likely place your tang bolt in a spot that will leave either the front , or rear edge proud to the tang when you snug it up.

 

[B.Habermehl]

My ranking is the order you posted. The art, is a good start. Recreating is more of the same more detail. The gunsmith, is much more detailed, possibly a bit much for a brand new beginners attention span. BJH

 

[ZUG]

I have all those books plus Longrifle Construction Manual" by Suzanne Warren-Bicio and videos by a host of other makers. I find them all informative and entertaining to read or watch. I started with William Buchele original little yellow book Recreating the American Longrifle in the early 70's. Dixon's book is simple to understand but as with anything when you want more info you go and buy more books or videos - all info is GOOD. I think "The Gunsmith of Grenville County: Building the American Longrifle" is very comprehensive and has good drawings detailing what he is saying in words but you have to have the basic idea of what he is trying to accomplish. You will end up with more than one book or videos -- enjoy the journey :hatsoff: .

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Ultimately, they are all quality manuals and each will get you through a successful build on their own, together they make a great start to a library.

I bought (am still buying) the books and passed on the videos, rented a few videos, and without fail the music and laid back nature of them put me to sleep, every time.

Literature is a slippery slope and can drain a wallet in a heartbeat.

A hard copy is worth its weight in gold.

 

[MSW]

if i could only have one, it would be the Gunsmith of Grenville County.

free advice, and no doubt well worth the cost.

i read my copy through several times before i began, which was an accident and certainly nothing brought on by anything close to insight: anything i do that might appear insightful is really accidental.

having said that, i would recommend that whichever book you pick should be read through carefully and completely before you pick up the first tool.

good luck with your upcoming builds

(plural? ... sure ... he's been hooked for sure ... insert mad scientist laugh here...)