MORE! of the Greatest Handguns of the World &break;From the Best-Known, Most Popular Handgun Authority in the World After the first edition of Greatest Handguns of the World, author Massad Ayoob cringed at leaving so many great guns on the cutting-room floor, and readers clamored for their favorites that didn't make the cut. This companion volume picks up where Greatest Handguns of the World left off, covering more of your favorite handguns, including: Beretta 92 Bren Ten Browning High Power Colt Pocket Model Colt SAA High Standard Supermatic Mauser C96 Ruger Single Six SigSauer P226 T/C Contender Walther P38 And More! From the best handguns for concealed carry, self-defense and home protection to the world's best hunting and target handguns, Greatest Handguns of the World Volume II informs and entertains with insights from the world's most widely-read, acclaimed expert on the subject of pistols and revolvers.

Each weapon featured in this book is examine d in great detail, with particular emphasis on its origin, d evelopment, unique design features and combat capabilities. Each hand gun example is fully illustrated for easy identifi cation. '

This is the first English language work to examine the subject in detail and the first in any language to identify, describe, and quantify variations and production figures for the models covered. The book focuses on the Czechoslovak Communist period (1948-1989), but reaches back into the 1930s in order to trace the history of the 6.35 mm Duo pocket pistol, which remained in production under the name "Z" until 1974 with a total of thirteen distinct marking variations, and the 6.35 mm model 1945, which had its beginnings as the model 1936. The 7.65 mm model 50 police pistol and its successor, the model 70, are covered in depth, documenting both marking variations and a significant number of design changes introduced during their thirty-three-year production life. The 7.62 mm model 52 Army pistol is given extensive treatment based on data drawn from over 2,000 specimens; in addition to descriptions of both standard and rare variants, significant discussion of the pistol s mechanical characteristics and potential safety problems is presented. Also covered are the more modern commercial CZ 75 and CZ 85, the military model 82, and the commercial CZ 83, as are small calibre target pistols and signal pistols.

This is the first comprehensive work, in either English or Italian, to address Italian small arms used during World War I and World War II. It describes each weapon and covers the developmental history and use of all Italian designed and produced pistols, rifles, submachine guns and machine guns used during both conflicts, as well as prototype weapons and foreign weapons used by the Italians. Other appendices cover bayonets, accoutrements, markings, ammunition, small arms manufacturing facilities, Italian small arms designers, production summaries, and collector's notes. It includes many previously unpublished photographs and background information on small arms producers, ammunition production facilities, and designers. In addition to the new material, it also corrects previously published errors about Italian weapons. AUTHOR: Ralph Riccio spent twenty years as a U.S. Army military intelligence officer. He has written numerous magazine articles, many in Italian, as well as having authored several books dealing with Italian and Irish military equipment and history. His native Italian fluency has enabled him to develop extensive contacts with Italian military history experts and to delve deeply into research on Italian weapons and history. This latest book on Italian military small arms is the culmination of years of research on the subject. ILLUSTRATIONS: 608 b/w and colour photographs