Everything you've ever wanted to know about America's favorite handgun cartridge! Designed nearly a century ago, the .45 ACP cartridge has earned a well-deserved reputation as a superbly accurate, slap-em-down handgun cartridge. An honored veteran of two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and lesser conflicts across the globe, the .45 ACP is now more popular than ever for competition shooting, law enforcement and self-defense. Now, just in time for the .45 ACPs 100th anniversary, handgun expert Pat Sweeney gives us the inside scoop on America's favorite big-bore cartridge. If you own a handgun or carbine chambered for the big .45, or if you're considering buying on, you'll find everything you need in the Gun Digest Big Fat Book of the .45 ACP. It's all here: The origins of the .45 ACP and the guns that use it Reloading tips, tricks and techniques The inside story of .45 ACP cases, bullets, primers and powder And so much more! It's the best one-volume guide to the most popular big-bore handgun cartridge of all time!

The basics are just the beginning. In fact, it's the first book on the entire field of .45 caliber arms and cartridges. Dean A. Grennell shows you the .45 Long Colt, .454 Casull, the .45 Winchester Magnum and such experimental cartridges as the .45 Super. 1911 Colt autoloader, too.

When it comes to writing weapons, most authors shoot from the hip--and miss. The Writer's Guide to Weapons will help you hit your target every time. Firearms and knives have starring roles in a wide range of genres--crime, thriller, war, mystery, Western, and more. Unfortunately, many depictions of weapons in novels and film are pure fiction. Knowing the difference between a shotshell and a slug, a pistol and a revolver, or a switchblade and a butterfly knife is essential for imbuing your story with authenticity--and gaining popularity with discerning readers. Inside you'll find: • An in-depth look at the basics of firearms and knives: how they work, why they work, what they look like, and how to depict them accurately in your stories. • The biggest weapons myths in fiction, TV, and film. • A surefire guide for choosing the correct weapon for your characters, no matter their skill level, strength, or background. • A review of major gun and knife laws, weapons safety tips,and common police tactics. • "The Hit List," showcasing the most popular weapons for spies, detectives, gunslingers, gangsters, military characters, and more. • Examples highlighting inaccurate vs. accurate weapons depictions. • An insightful foreword by David Morrell, the award-winning creator of Rambo. Equal parts accessible, humorous, and practical, The Writer's Guide to Weapons is the one resource you need to incorporate firearms and knives into your fiction like a seasoned professional.

Does Your 1911 Stack Up? &break;&break;When John Browning designed the Model 1911 pistol for Colt's Manufacturing Co. he created the standard by which pistols have been judged for more than 90 years. &break;&break;Now Patrick Sweeney provides the first in-depth look at the Model 1911 in all its forms, complete with information on ammunition, after-market parts and performance testing of semi-custom guns. This book shows you what the 1911 is and what it can become. If you own a 1911 now or have ever considered buying one, this book is for you.

In light of the 2nd Amendment debates, shooting may become the national passtime. To act responsibly within the 2nd Amendment, means knowing how to properly "bear arms". Knowing involves understanding firearm types, firearm operation, ammunition, internal ballistics, and shooting. These require training, especially shooting. Whether you own or plan to own a handgun for recreation, competition, or self-defense, training is of the utmost importance. When you fire a projectile (bullet) from a firearm, you are responsible for where it goes. You need to understand how fast it travels, how far it can travel, and how accurate your firearm is in delivering the projectile to your intended target. Yes, bearing arms is a right, but not one to be taken lightly. Firing a handgun is a grave responsibility and must be done correctly and with a full understanding of all the components that make up "shooting".

The Guns. The Loads. &break;It's All Here! &break;&break;It civilized the American frontier, fought the Civil War and tamed the Wild West. Today, the big .44 is still America's favorite caliber for hunting, target shooting and serious self-defense. &break;&break;And who better to write of the .44 than John Taffin? In this entertaining, informative narrative, America's favorite big-bore specialist paints a fascinating portrait of the Big Forty-Four, from the earliest cap-and-ball revolvers and the legendary lever-actions to the .44 Magnum and beyond. &break;&break;You'll enjoy: &break;&break;Range reports on .44-caliber firearms, old and new &break;Hundreds of detailed photos &break;Loading data for .44-caliber handguns, rifles and carbines &break;&break;For the collector, for the hunter, for the reloader - for the Dirty Harry in all of us - Gun Digest Book of the .44 is required reading.

An illustrated catalog of current firearms and accessories.