Ak-47: the Grim Reaper: 2nd Edition

Wow, what have I done. $400 for a book because it's out of print!? Am I stupid? Am I high? No, I just really need this book for a personal project I'm working on, and I have to say, this work is more than worth it. The level of detail on the history of each and every variant of the AK-47 rifle is essential to anybody that wants a true understanding of the platform and its uses. Some rifles with completely different designs (such as the VZ-58) even get a section just to disspell the myth that it is a variant of the AK, an appreciated motion in an already ginormous book. The level of detail, the pictures, the quality of research which has gone into the work, and the breadth of the book combine to make this book more than worth the price I paid. That being said, I really do wish there were just another printing of the book so I could have paid the MSRP, but oh well.

Definire questo libro una "Bibbia" del AK è semplicemente riduttivo, è molto di piu! Sapevo dell'imponenza dell'opera, ma appena sfogliato il libro mi sono accorto che è realmente "un' opera d'arte" Non vi è altra bibliografia analitica su di un'arma che sia paragonabile al libro di Frank Iannamico. Basta semplicemente aprirlo, leggerlo e guardare le foto ed i disegni per capire l'importanza di questo libro. Sicuramente è il miglior libro, in assoluto, che un'appassionato del settore possa trovare. Complimenti, quindi, a Frank Innamico per quello che io giudico uno dei più bei libri del settore armiero, e non solo.......Ed un grazie particolare a The Book Depository che in Ak-47 - the Grim Reaper solo 7 giorni mi ha spedito il libro. Maurizio.

This is the definitive collector's book on the AK series of firearms. It covers the full series of the AK rifles country by country, and is lavishly illustrated with excellent mostly B&W photos covering the most minute details. It makes identifying the exact model of the rifle by country and by version of the rifle a cinch. By way of an example: I was sold a Chinese type 56 (AKM) with the built in spike bayonet. On close examination I noted absence of Chinese factory marks plus a few other small anomalies, compared with the illustrations in other AK books. Frank's book showed it was an Albanian copy of the type 56, and in seconds I could establish this. It details ALL of the differences, some of which I had missed. The book is fully comprehensive at this level throughout. The only thing that could add to the book is colour illustrations throughout, although there is a pretty comprehensive set of colour illustrations at the end. This would add a lot to the cost though. I rate this book as the 'bible' of the AK series. Don't waste your money on any others, as you will end up having to buy this one anyway.

Un testo completo, accurato, scritto con passione, che tratta tutte le varianti possibili ed immaginabili della piattaforma AK sino alla data di pubblicazione. Purtroppo disponibile solo in lingua inglese, ne consiglio l'acquisto a prescindere data la grande qualità della stampa e della carta utilizzati, nonché per le moltissime foto di cui parte a colori, raccolte nella parte finale del libro.

Having owned and built many different makes and configurations of the AKM and AK-74 rifles, this is by far the most information packed book I have in my collection. My wife can't figure out how I flip through the pages, going back and forth! I remember being a kid in the early 80's and wanting a Steyr Maadi to go with my Colt SP-1. Still a black rifle guy but have more AK's than I do AR's!