Best Weaponsmithing Books of 2026

The Best Of Smith & Wesson: 2010 – 2019 is a must-read book for gun enthusiasts and historians alike. With 354 colorful pages filled with detailed images and fascinating content, this book features classic and contemporary Smith & Wesson guns that have been featured in American Handgunner and GUNS Magazine from 2010 through 2019. The book takes readers on a journey through history, offering insights and stories behind some of the most iconic guns of Smith & Wesson. Overall, this book is an excellent addition to any collection and a testament to the incredible legacy of Smith & Wesson.

If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to prepare for any disaster, "The Prepper’s Survival Bible: 8 in 1" is the book for you. This guide covers everything from long-term survival to off-grid living, canning, self-sufficiency, and home defense. The author provides practical tips and life-saving strategies to help readers survive any calamity. The book also includes prepper recipes and a detailed list of the best canned food for preppers. Overall, "The Prepper’s Survival Bible: 8 in 1" is an excellent resource for anyone looking to be better prepared for any disaster.

The Anarchist Cookbook is a controversial survival guide that covers a range of topics from drug use to explosives and booby traps. Written by William Powell, the book is not intended for radical groups but for the "silent majority" who must educate themselves to survive. The book contains explicit information and detailed advice on electronics, sabotage, and surveillance, making it a must-read for anyone interested in these topics. While it has been criticized for promoting dangerous activities, it remains a unique and thought-provoking book that challenges traditional beliefs about authority and control.

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition is a comprehensive and detailed guide for fans and collectors of Smith & Wesson firearms. With 528 pages of annotated identification, pricing, and collector information, this book is a must-have for enthusiasts. The book includes hundreds of full-color photos, 14 new revolver models, and dozens of new variations of the M&P pistol. It also features new S&W rifles and shotguns, including many new M&P 15 rifles. The authors, Jim Supica and Richard Nahas, have done a fantastic job of organizing the listings to help identify firearms quickly and accurately. Overall, this book is a great resource for anyone interested in Smith & Wesson firearms.

The Gun Trader's Guide - Forty-Fourth Edition is a comprehensive reference book for collectors, curators, dealers, shooters, and gun enthusiasts. It lists extensive details of collectible firearms from popular manufacturers such as Colt, Beretta, Winchester, and more. The guide is updated annually and remains the standard reference for making informed decisions on used firearms purchases. Written by Robert A. Sadowski, a seasoned firearms writer, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in firearm collecting.

The illustrated guide to guns, Firearms: An Illustrated History, is a fascinating visual account of firearms that charts the evolution of guns from over seven centuries. This beautifully photographed catalog captures pivotal moments in gun development, showcases iconic firearms, and highlights important moments in gun history. Written by an international team of firearms experts, this book is an essential purchase for everyone interested in guns and weaponry. The book is a coffee-table book guaranteed to provide several evenings' worth of entertaining reading to any gun or history enthusiast in search of a general overview of firearms development.

The Prepper’s Survival Bible is a comprehensive guide on military survival techniques that can be used in handling and overcoming the most dangerous situations one can face in the modern world. It provides practical advice on home & self-defense, medical emergencies, off-grid life-saving strategies, and much more. The book contains valuable information on how to prepare for emergencies, identify the necessary items, and solve more than 57 struggling scenarios in the harshest environments. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in survival techniques and wants to learn from the best.

The Complete Guide to Gunsmithing: Gun Care and Repair is a comprehensive and essential reference for gun enthusiasts and gunsmiths. Written by firearms expert Charles Edward Chapel, the book covers topics from proper tools to gunsmithing jobs in over forty chapters of clear prose. The book also provides a fascinating look at firearms in the first half of the twentieth century, with a thoughtful introductory note by Dr. Jim Casada and eighty-five illustrations. The book is published by SKYHORSE and is a must-have for those interested in firearm collecting and gun repair.

The Firearms Acquisition and Disposition Record Book from SKYHORSE is a must-have for firearm enthusiasts, collectors, and dealers. Approved by the ATF, this log book provides ample space for recording firearm purchases and sales, including information such as the caliber of firearm, serial number, price, and manufacturer. It also includes a unique space for the National Criminal Instant Background Check System number. With hardbound covers and space for over one thousand entries, this log book is durable enough to last for years. Overall, this book is a valuable tool for firearm dealers and collectors alike.

Gunsmithing Modern Firearms by Bryce Towsley is a must-have guide for anyone interested in firearms care, modification, repair, or improvement. The book offers detailed explanations and color illustrations for just about every aspect of gun modification, builds, and repair. From easy-to-do “kitchen table” projects to advanced techniques, the book takes the reader through various tutorials, including building a precision or hunting rifle from scratch and turning a Mosin-Nagant into a tactical rifle. What makes this book unique is Towsley's easy-to-read and humorous writing style, making it an enjoyable read while learning about gunsmithing.