Book Review

by David R. Chicoine

Feb. 2008

 

Standard Catalog of Firearms 2008, 18th edition by Dan Shideler, softcover, 1,502 pages, price $34.99. Order this book online from KP Books an imprint of F+W Publications, Dept. BNP, 700 East State St., Iola, WI 54990 (715) 445-2214, ISBN: 0-89689-608-0

The 2008 edition is the 18th edition of the old stand-by; Standard Catalog of Firearms. As I have for many years here in Bullet 'N Press, I am very grateful to be asked to review the annually updated editions of this firearms industry "must have". Standard Catalog of Firearms is a high quality, encyclopedic source-book for fireams value, but much more than just values, the book is loaded with useful information on just about every small arm known to man.

This great big book contains values for more than 25,000 firearms, 110,000 prices, over 7,500 b/w photos as well as a 16 page full color center spread! A very thoughtfully presented firearms price/identification guide, Standard Catalog also contains excellent, user-friendly arms grading standards with quick and easy methods of identifying thousands of firearms, as well as just tons of valuable firearms reference information.

Cheap at twice the price. . .

Firearms dealers; reading and using this book will earn you back the initial cost quickly, probably on the first couple of transactions. This book has become an important tool to me and I recommend that all firearms dealers have a current copy on hand, I wouldn't try to operate without one.

Gun collectors; that last statement applies equally to you and just as strongly. You may easily save yourself thousands of dollars by using this reference as a purchasing and selling tool. Internet firearms auctions: Don't visit an auction site without a copy in hand!

Yet another great use for Standard Catalog; this is a perfect ready-referrence to keep on your desk for use on Internet gun auction sites!

Who needs a book like this? Anyone who buys and sells guns, heck, anyone who works with guns in almost any capacity. Whether for profit or hobby, dealers, collectors, law enforcement armorers, pawn shops, museums, colleges and trade schools, this necessary book is the most complete, up-to-date all-around reference/price guide you can own.

I am compelled to repeat once again a statement I have made in several of our past reviews, starting in 1998 in the Bullet N Press, "this is one book that I consider as a necessary and important component part of my arms library."

This book gets four stars!****

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