What Is Xavier Reading?
"Bill Ruger's .22 Pistol" by Don Findley is a wonderful surprise I found at a book fair. I have been unable to locate it on Amazon.com, other than a $100 leather bound version. My lesser quality copy had a $44.95 cover price. The Book Fair price was five bucks. Don Findley's publication is a coffee table sized book filled with detailed two page spreads of the Ruger Standard, MKI, and MKII pistols. It also contains photos of Bill Ruger's hand tools from his first abandoned business. The large clear photos are accompanied by text that explains the evolution of the little plinker and the myriad variations that collectors relish and justify their latest purchases by. While not a reference book or a definitive anthology of the pistol, the book certainly lives up to it's billing as a "photographic essay of the Ruger Rimfire Pistol." If you enjoy Ruger rimfire pistols, and see the book for an affordable price, do not hesitate to purchase it.
"The Ruger .22 Automatic Pistol" by Duncan Long is available on Amazon.com for $10.88.
It is a history of Strum Ruger as well, and a good, inexpensive reference to their auto loading pistols. Duncan Long's book adequately covers the Ruger pistol through the Mark II line. The illustrations obviously can't compare with the coffee table book, but they are sufficient. Long's book also covers the care and maintenance, disassembly and reassembly, accessories, and ammunition.
Both books are certainly worth the price to the Ruger plinker aficionado. The Findley book is certainly directed more towards the collector, with enlarged macro photos. The Long book is more information packed, aimed at another niche in the esoteric world of accumulating firearms. If you accumulate the Ruger pistol, you may as well pick up both books if you have the chance.
Labels: 22 Caliber Handguns, Books, Ruger
posted by Xavier at 6:02 AM
9 Comments:
Why do people collect these things and write books about them?
Jessica,
The same reason people collect or write books about anything. Because that particular thing somehow tickled their fancy. If you don't understand, that's fine. I don't understand why people collect or write books about porcelain dolls, or stuffed animals, or coca-cola branded items. That does not mean that that these items are any less worthy of receiving attention. To each his own is a useful creed.
To Jessica (who I think is also "Beth") -
Why do people who appear not to have read a blog that explains its subject extensively, post comments in that same blog?
If you have read the archives from the last 2 1/2 years you found a wealth of information. The nature of your comments suggests you have another agenda.
On January 15 Zane and others made long replies to "Beth". "If you raise your points in a way that is not obviously inflammatory then maybe we could have some useful discourse with you, maybe even answer real questions."
If you ask sincere questions, you will get sincere replies. You might even learn something if you have an open mind. Otherwise you just appear oblivious or inane.
Hmmm.... Bill Ruger. Isn't that the guy who said that people don't need more than 10 bullets?
No, anonymous, I think he said an honest man doesn't need more than ten rounds in his magazine.
Still upset with a dead man to the extent that you can not appreciate his pistol?
Jessica, I collect these things and write about them because I like them. I don't think I need any further reason. If you don't like it, I suggest you join me at the range.
"Still upset with a dead man to the extent that you can not appreciate his pistol?"
What he said--on a subject in which he was queried as an expert--is as much part of his legacy as are his firearm designs. He sold his customers down the river. Who needs the Clinton's with friend like Bill Ruger? That he's dead doesn't change anything to the matter: his outfit is still standing and doing well.
It's not about being upset--and I don't disagree with your appreciation of the design-- but it's about survival. I wouldn't vote for a politician who said something against my 2nd Amendment rights. I'll never buy a Ruger, new or used.
Here's the information on Bill Ruger and his comments. If you don't want to buy a Ruger, then don't buy a Ruger. That's your choice. It's also your choice to continue to hold a grudge against a dead man. I don't think he's still profiting form Strum Ruger Corporation though.
Back to the subject of books...Encyclopedia of Ruger Semi-Automatic Rimfire Pistols 1949-1992 by Chad Hiddleson is an excellent book.
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