Product Description

Three times larger than the closest competing reference, Gun Digest 2009 delivers a balanced mix of thoroughly researched articles about elements of shooting sports and new product reports, with a detailed and current catalog of firearms and accessories which outlines specifications and prices. All of that, plus a firearms industry directory unlike any you've ever seen is yours for the taking in this legendary gun guide.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11559 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 568 pages

About the Author
Ken Ramage is the fourth editor of Gun Digest, and has held the position since the 55th Edition, published in 2000. He has an extensive background in the shooting sports, and the shooting sports industry. Over the years he has developed/edited some 60 books, including three major titles in print for 25 years or longer.

Customer Reviews

Best Mass-Market Guide Available
Short of trade-only publications or, heaven help us, collecting every available catalog from every manufacturer, Gun Digest is the best compendium available. Typically thought of as a sort of compressed catalog of gun makers' offerings, Gun Digest actually has several major sections, including a good selection of articles, recaps of the year's major changes and highlights in each category (e.g., handguns, reloading and components, etc.), a reference section, and more.

I don't typically buy Gun Digest every year, but it's not a bad idea, if for no other reason than the update sections. I did buy the 2009 edition.

Why four stars instead of five? Two reasons: inherent limitations of the format, and omissions.

Inherent limitations include (necessarily) over-brief descriptions of each offering, minimal photo quality, and the fact that not all makers are represented, and not all guns are pictured - even major items in some cases, like the new Winchester Model 70. The decision on which guns to picture almost seems random.

Coverage is generally good, but there are whole categories of omissions - smaller makers, non-cataloged guns, custom-shop guns (manufacturers custom shop models, that is, not custom makers), and distributor specials, that account for a lot of guns that you will routinely see in any major gun shop. While it might not be practical to list each in its own entry, as with stock guns, some sort of coverage is warranted, even without specifications, perhaps in the annual recap pages or in a preface for each manufacturer in the catalog section. The smaller and niche makers deserve some sort of treatment as well.

Gun Digest will occupy any gun enthusiast for hours at a time - again and again. When it comes time to get down to brass tacks, however, you'll still need to go to the real catalogs and/or manufacturers websites to validate and get more complete specifications. I.e., this book functions best as a comparative starting point when it comes to actual purchase decisions.

ruger,ruger,ruger
First off, I do own Rugers and they're fine guns. But, come on! I get my copy and what do I see, rugers on the front and rugers on the back page and in the middle. I hadn't even read table of contents and I said to myself gee I wonder how many ruger articles on their products. Suprise! Yeah, I'm going to beleive your reviews. I haven't bought Gun Digest in 5 years so what I want to know is information on smaller less known companys and pictures. I know what a ruger blackhawk and smith & wesson model 10 looks like! Don't be so lazy next time.

The World's Greatest Gun Book -- NOT!
"Gun Digest 2009" is an OK review of firearms. My main disappointment with the book is the lack of coverage on certain manufacturers (one main example is the almost nonexistant listing of Rock River Arms).

I wouldn't recommend this as "The World's Greatest Gun Book" as it is described, more like an average gun book.

I looked through it once and gave it away.