The Complete AR-15/M16 Sourcebook by Duncan Long Paladin Press, 1992, softcover 224 pages ISBN 0-9676896-1-9 $29.95

1. Assume that the reader is an intelligent individual able to assimilate a variety of concepts.
2. Break each concept down to its most fundamental elements
3. Explain each of those elements without using jargon or abstruse technical terminology
4. Use analogies and illustrations whenever possible.
5. Use a building block approach where each concept follow naturally from the last.

While the Dummies books are well designed and executed, the concept is hardly new.  Duncan Long's The Complete AR-15/M16 Sourcebook is an excellent example the paradigm's application to firearms.  And what a topic Mr. Long has chosen!  The AR-15/M16 family of rifles are among the most controversial, ubiquitous, complex, and copied designs ever produced.  An exposition of the aftermarket industry devoted to these rifles alone could fill volumes.  It is into this confusing warren that Long thrusts his readers, offering his volume as a guide and roadmap.

As guides go, the book is a good one, carefully organized into eleven chapters and four appendices:

Chapter 1:  The History of the AR-15 Rifle
Chapter 2:  Failures, Problems and Solutions
Chapter 3:  Colt's AR-15 Variations
Chapter 4:  Grenades, SPIWs, and the AR-15
Chapter 5:  Other AR-15's
Chapter 6:  Operating the AR-15
Chapter 7:  Cleaning and Disassembling the AR-15
Chapter 8:  Assembling the AR-15
Chapter 9:  Accessories for the AR-15
Chapter 10:  Selective-Fire Conversions
Chapter 11:  Troubleshooting the AR-15
Appendix A:  Accessory Manufacturers
Appendix B:  Ammunition Manufacturers
Appendix C:  Firearms Manufacturers and Importers
Appendix D:  A Bibliography of Books, Magazines, and (Even) Videotape About the AR-15

(From Chapter 1:  The History of the AR-15 Rifle)
Much of the bolt and receiver-mounted recoil tube of the AR-10 (and later the AR-15) can be traced to the original design of the Johnson Light Machine Gun, developed toward the end of World War II by American inventor Melvin M. Johnson, Jr.  While this automatic rifle saw only limited use during the war, it proved to be a successful and forward-looking design, and it is obvious from a casual inspection of the AR-10 that Johnson's rifle exercised a strong influence on ArmaLite designers.

In fact, it's probable that Johnson himself had a hand in some of the developmental work with the AR-10 because he was on ArmaLite's payroll as "military rifle consultant and publicist," perhaps one of the odder job descriptions of the century.  At any rate, one of the most important features of the Johnson Light Machine Gun to find its way into the AR-10 was the cam-controlled rotary bolt, which locked into the barrel rather than the receiver, making it possible to use a lightweight aluminum receiver with the firearm since the barrel supported all the gas pressure produced when the weapon was fired.

(From Chapter 8:  Assembling the AR-15)
Lower Receiver Assembly

• Clean out the holes of the lower receiver with small, hand-held drill bits.
• Mount the trigger spring (2-10) around the trigger post (2-9).  Notice that the spring has its crosspiece to the front and under the front bar of the trigger.  Each loop goes around the outside hub on either side of the trigger.
• Set the disconnector spring (2-11) in its well in the trigger.  The small end of the spring points down toward the trigger.
• Next, put the disconnector (2-8) on its spring in the trigger slot.  To hasten assembly, temporarily slip the disconnector lever detent (2-23) into the pin hole to hold the disconnector and trigger together.  The thickest part of the detent should be inside the center of the disconnector's hole.

Despite its usefulness as a reference and a resource, there are a couple of improvements we'd like to see.   The book is a good reference, but would be even better if it had an index.  The lack of an index makes the book significantly less useful than it could be. The current edition of The Complete AR-15/M16 Sourcebook was published in 1992.  This was prior to the Brady Act's "ban" on military style self loading rifles, and the tremendous impact that it had on the firearms industry.   We'd like to see an updated edition of the book that incorporates data about the ban and its impact on the AR-15 community, as well as the technological advances that have been applied to the rifle in the last ten years.

Additionally, we'd like to see Paladin Press publish a "shop" edition of the book, preferably one in an oil resistant three ring binder with punched pages and a detailed index.  Ideally, this version of the book would be a "living" text with periodic updates mailed out on a subscription basis.

In the final analysis, The Complete AR-15/M16 Sourcebook is an excellent companion volume to the AR-15 rifle, and certainly one that the firearms novice who find himself in possession of an AR-15 should own.  The clear, lucid and logical writing style is one that technical writers of any given subject would do well to imitate, and the illustrations are an excellent template for illustrating a point without overwhelming the reader.  While rough around the edges, and somewhat dated, Long's work remains de rigeur reading for AR-15 aficionados.

The Complete AR-15/M16 Sourcebook is available from Amazon.com.  Click on the image to order:

 
 

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