At one time I collected coins and there was a saying that said a lot in a short sentence, "Buy the book before the coin." This meant that you should educate yourself before spending money on collectable coin or coins. Learn about what you are buying, educate yourself, etc, etc. Well, I think that applies to buying firearms. I am not trying to criticize anyone but I see questions on here all the time that are easily answered in the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson by authors Supica and Nahas. I know that members on the forum love to answer questions and help others and that is great! However, if you are willing to spend less than one-tenth the price of a $300 gun you will have loads of enjoyable reading, color photos, and tons of information about SW firearms from the beginning. So, my suggestion is...Buy the book before the gun. If you go to Amazon.com you will find new copies of the hardbound latest edition of the book for like $20 plus $4 shipping...the MSRP of the book is like $42 but you can have it at your door for significantly less. THINK ABOUT IT!
Suggestion: Buy the book before the Gun
- Thread starter Moe W
- Start date
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I agree that the book is a Excellent book and value for what you receive. A hard cover with all that info for that price. Hard to believe. I think you can get it as a eE book now also for the Kindle.
There are some folks that perhaps do not need all that and maybe only have one or two guns.
There are some folks that perhaps do not need all that and maybe only have one or two guns.
Agreed. I wonder if the Kindle edition would have ful color on an iPad. Would be a very hamdy reference.
The SCSW is an amazing value.
The SCSW is an amazing value.
Good advise i also give to anyone who is thinking
about getting serious about collecting and/or buying
S&W's to shoot or collect. Educate yourself to the
best of your ability before buying. It will save you
money and help you identify bargains others might
miss. A great reference resource.
Chuck
about getting serious about collecting and/or buying
S&W's to shoot or collect. Educate yourself to the
best of your ability before buying. It will save you
money and help you identify bargains others might
miss. A great reference resource.
Chuck
Texas Star
US Veteran
I think the problem is that some people will spend a mint (saw your coin reference 
) on attending football games or beer but aren't culturally conditioned to buy books.
Anyone getting into handguns should buy the latest Nahas & Supica item AND buy Keith's, "Sixguns", Boothroyd's, "The Handgun", and Roy Jinks's, "History of Smith & Wesson." The wise will locate the 1945 book by McHenry & Roper, too. It's been reprinted.
I get pretty disgusted when I see a post from someone here who says that he knows N-frames well, but not K-frames or smaller. Doesn't know diddly about Colts or basic Webleys or Rugers! That seems like extreme tunnel vision.
I have bookcases full of gun books. I started buying them at age 12. And any gun enthusiast needs at least the few that I cited, even if primarily into S&W's alone!
Look at it this way: I spend an average of maybe $35 for a meal at Outback Steakhouse or Red Lobster. (When I'm alone, without wine.) If I skipped just one of those meals in one month, I could buy a a copy of Supica & Nahas! Used book stores also have bargains. I have seen remarkable values for under $25, sometimes just half of that.
) on attending football games or beer but aren't culturally conditioned to buy books. Anyone getting into handguns should buy the latest Nahas & Supica item AND buy Keith's, "Sixguns", Boothroyd's, "The Handgun", and Roy Jinks's, "History of Smith & Wesson." The wise will locate the 1945 book by McHenry & Roper, too. It's been reprinted.
I get pretty disgusted when I see a post from someone here who says that he knows N-frames well, but not K-frames or smaller. Doesn't know diddly about Colts or basic Webleys or Rugers! That seems like extreme tunnel vision.
I have bookcases full of gun books. I started buying them at age 12. And any gun enthusiast needs at least the few that I cited, even if primarily into S&W's alone!
Look at it this way: I spend an average of maybe $35 for a meal at Outback Steakhouse or Red Lobster. (When I'm alone, without wine.) If I skipped just one of those meals in one month, I could buy a a copy of Supica & Nahas! Used book stores also have bargains. I have seen remarkable values for under $25, sometimes just half of that.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Well... when I got my first S&W I came here asking questions that were quickly & graciously answered. I also asked questions about subsequent purchases, which were also answered.
This forum is how I found out about "the book" and I wound up buying one even though I am not really interested in "collecting" but enjoy looking up info on questions that pop up from time to time.
...AND I like to look at the pitchers!
This forum is also a trove of information not necessarily covered in the book.
It would get pretty dull around here if we answered all n00b questions with "Look it up in the book."
This forum is how I found out about "the book" and I wound up buying one even though I am not really interested in "collecting" but enjoy looking up info on questions that pop up from time to time.
...AND I like to look at the pitchers!
This forum is also a trove of information not necessarily covered in the book.
It would get pretty dull around here if we answered all n00b questions with "Look it up in the book."
Someone once said that for every gun you buy, you should buy at least one book. The books available now are vastly better than those when I was a gun-struck kid. Heck, there's even one on the Whitney Wolverine!
With what's available today (and on-line sources, chosen carefully!) there is no excuse for willful ignorance anymore.
BTW the SCSW on my Kindle is color and quite usable. I also put Flayderman on as well. How times do change.
With what's available today (and on-line sources, chosen carefully!) there is no excuse for willful ignorance anymore.
BTW the SCSW on my Kindle is color and quite usable. I also put Flayderman on as well. How times do change.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
This is true, but there seems to be a shortage of S&W specific databases online. WE, of course know where to look, but not everybody does. I always encourage S&W n00bs to buy the book. I tell them that once they drop the hammer on a nice S&W their goose is pretty much cooked. There WILL be others!
Well... when I got my first S&W I came here asking questions that were quickly & graciously answered. I also asked questions about subsequent purchases, which were also answered.
This forum is how I found out about "the book" and I wound up buying one even though I am not really interested in "collecting" but enjoy looking up info on questions that pop up from time to time.
...AND I like to look at the pitchers!
This forum is also a trove of information not necessarily covered in the book.
It would get pretty dull around here if we answered all n00b questions with "Look it up in the book."
Or "Have you tried the search function"??
Can I use +P ammo in this??
sqhead
US Veteran
when is the next edition gonna come out? i need ,want,another book with the latest and greatest.
ogilvyspecial
Member
I bought the book, you know the one, the SCS&W, and about wore it out
looking for which gun would be the best for bears, not to mention
which boolits, and didn't find the answers until coming here.
looking for which gun would be the best for bears, not to mention
which boolits, and didn't find the answers until coming here.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Or "Have you tried the search function"??
The search function leaves a bit to be desired when looking up very short keywords or model numbers.
looking for which gun would be the best for bears, not to mention
which boolits, and didn't find the answers until coming here.
Everybody knows the CTG is best for bears.
This yer first day here?
ogilvyspecial
Member
For anybody that might have trouble using
the search function, please click & read this.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/forum-office/106031-search-instructions.html
the search function, please click & read this.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/forum-office/106031-search-instructions.html
jlrhiner
US Veteran
ogilvyspecial
Member
Don't post THAT! All us old guys will have nothing to do!
Fer cryin' out loud, go Bear Huntin'.....
jlrhiner
US Veteran
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