Book report!!

[PALADIN85020]

I'm pleased to tell you all that progress on my coming book has been made to the point where it should go to printing soon. I anticipate that Dillon Precision will have books on hand for sale in late September or early October, in plenty of time for Christmas.

All the hi-resolution photos (most of which were done by me) have been taken, and the text for each particular gun has been drafted, edited, and finalized.

The dust jacket (book cover) has been put together; here are the front and back covers:

We gave an advance copy of the book to J.B. Wood, a noted firearms author with whom most of you are familiar. I was honored when he wrote back with the comment you see at the top of the back cover.

I will autograph a limited number of the books before they are sold, and the present plan is to offer the autographed books for a slight premium. The projected price for the basic book will be $29.95, plus shipping and handling. It will be available initially exclusively through Dillon Precision.

I wanted to share my joy that this has finally come to pass, and I want to thank sincerely those who took the time and trouble to write to Dillon to help make it happen. I'll keep you posted as things develop.

John

P.S. There will be a total of 14 Smith & Wesson firearms covered! Six are pictured on the front cover - can you ID them?

 

[DR505]

Very nice! I'll definitely grab a copy.

 

[Coldshooter]

I'm looking forward to it. Is the Krag and Bayonet yours?

 

[Mike McLellan]

A picture of me on the cover might garner interest from a particular demographic. Just saying'.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I'm looking forward to it. Is the Krag and Bayonet yours?

Yes, on both counts. I was so tickled at finally acquiring a Krag Bowie bayonet (extremely rare) that I had to display it in that back cover picture. I knew it would generate some interest, and I was proud to show what it looks like. The last one I saw was at Springfield Armory many years ago under lock and key!

John

 

[sipowicz]

Good job. I proofed the dedication to me John and although I'm flattered I think 9 pages might be a tad long. Also, I decided I rather you use my real name rather than "Sipowicz."

 

[Rule3]

John,

You know I will be wanting one.

Not to blow my own horn but I did discuss it with you and e mailed Dillon on getting folks here to write in with Lees OK.

Glad to see that it is actually happening!! Hope everyone here realizes how good your articles are and the amount of time and research that went into them.

How does one get a autograph copy?

 

[Autococker07]

Well DUH! I will definitely spring for one of the autographed ones! (#7 would be really cool, if not spoken for!!!) How will those be offered? It looks like a great book, and since I enjoy The Blue Press, this is a natural for me!

 

[shouldazagged]

I'll pick up one for me and one for my son and his boys, all of whom are shooters.

I'm glad to see this come to fruition. Ought to sell extremely well.

And Sip, your modesty is exceeded only by your nerve.

 

[5-Shot]

Keep us posted and let us know when and where the line starts.

Ed

 

[rwsmith]

This is an occasion.....

This is an occasion to celebrate. Congratulations on the new 'birth'. I'll be looking for a copy.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Well DUH! I will definitely spring for one of the autographed ones! (#7 would be really cool, if not spoken for!!!) How will those be offered? It looks like a great book, and since I enjoy The Blue Press, this is a natural for me!

A generic, not personalized, autographed copy is planned to be offered directly from Dillon for a small premium.

A personalized autograph would be somewhat more difficult, but possible. As we get closer to publication, I'm hopeful we can work things out through Dillon. They'd have to divert such requests in the shipping department, and I'd have to go in periodically to do them before they get shipped. We'll see.

John

 

[A10]

Congratulations John! I am very much looking forward to my autographed copy!

 

[jlrhiner]

Well done John! I'm in for an autographed copy, too.

 

[Rule3]

A generic, not personalized, autographed copy is planned to be offered directly from Dillon for a small premium.

A personalized autograph would be somewhat more difficult, but possible. As we get closer to publication, I'm hopeful we can work things out through Dillon. They'd have to divert such requests in the shipping department, and I'd have to go in periodically to do them before they get shipped. We'll see.

John

I'll buy a copy and mail it to you! Get ready for a lot of incoming mail!

 

[mc5aw]

Congratulations, John ... I'm looking forward this book!

BTW ... Can I get Sip to autograph my copy for a smaller premium?

 

[vigil617]

Sincere congratulations, John.

As an aside: you are now on the cusp, as the author of a book, of encountering what an author friend of mine says is the least-appreciated sentence in the English language:

"Hey, I read your book! I got it at the library."

 

[islamoradamark]

congratulations and hats off to you for all your hard word and being an outstanding member on this forum. i always enjoy reading your posts

 

[Bugkiller99]

Kudos to you sir. I'll be sure that goes on my Christmas list.

 

[Jessie]

Congratulations! Just wondering, how did you choose the 101? Maybe you explain in the book?

 

[PALADIN85020]

Congratulations! Just wondering, how did you choose the 101? Maybe you explain in the book?

Yes, I did explain it in the book!

John

 

[george minze]

Back page third rifle down I see a rifle that reminds me of a rifle that I saw in MCRD in 1956...It was in a display with a comment about the Marines using that rifle during WW2...I can't remember the name or designation......Help I will buy the book but my 75 year old memory will drive me nutter than I already am...I guess I could Google it but take pity on me and my already abused PC....

 

[PALADIN85020]

Back page third rifle down I see a rifle that reminds me of a rifle that I saw in MCRD in 1956...It was in a display with a comment about the Marines using that rifle during WW2...I can't remember the name or designation......Help I will buy the book but my 75 year old memory will drive me nutter than I already am...I guess I could Google it but take pity on me and my already abused PC....

Johnson, Model of 1941. Some Marines used them in WWII. It had a rotary 10-shot magazine, a detachable barrel, and was recoil operated. The rotary bolt locking up in a barrel collar was one of the principles later used in the AR-10 and AR-15/M16. These are rare birds today.

John

 

[george minze]

Johnson, Model of 1941. Some Marines used them in WWII. It had a rotary 10-shot magazine, a detachable barrel, and was recoil operated. The rotary bolt locking up in a barrel collar was one of the principles later used in the AR-10 and AR-15/M16. These are rare birds today.

John

Thank You John...You have saved a little piece of what mind is left....Johnson....... Seems like a little light does shine trough the haze...I wonder what caused the Marines to use this rifle....During my time in the Marines we started with the M1 Garand, and slowly transitioned to the M14..Was not a difficult transition......

 

[Brian41]

Good news and I'll certainly be wanting a copy myself, congratulations Sir.

 

[PALADIN85020]

..I wonder what caused the Marines to use this rifle..

The Marines may have felt a family kinship with the inventor, Melvin M. Johnson, who was a captain in the Marine Corps Reserves. Also, because the rifle's barrel could be removed, it would pack easily for USMC paratrooper use.

John

 

[Old TexMex]

Will there be an audio version?
The sounds of 101 classics, it would put the 1812 Overture to shame!

Seriously John, congrats. Looking forward to owning a copy.
Jg

 

[george minze]

The Marines may have felt a family kinship with the inventor, Melvin M. Johnson, who was a captain in the Marine Corps Reserves. Also, because the rifle's barrel could be removed, it would pack easily for USMC paratrooper use.

John

Interesting, very interesting......Wonder why they discontinued their use? The few jumpers in the mid 50's usually went to Lakehurst NJ for jump training, All riggers had to jump back then or that is what we were told...The Marine Corps didn't feel the need for to much casual information back then....Later jump qualification was with the army jump school..

 

[Weimar]

Well done !

Having published a few books myself, folks don't realize the work involved It is incredibly time consuming and the pay off is slow and not enough to live on