My Eugene Reising Firearm Book is Finally Available, 11/21/22

[dalbert]

This new book has been in the works for 8 years, and as of this morning, is available for purchase on Amazon.  The book's title is "The Many Firearm Designs of Eugene Reising," written by me, and published by Amazon.  The foreword is by Frank Iannamico.  "Thompson Printers" in Newark, OH did the cover layout. 😎

It is available at the following link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1505541166/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=27JP8SDMFHQUC&keywords=the+many+firearm+designs+of+eugene+rising&qid=1669078109&sprefix=the+many+firearm+designs+of+eugene+reising%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Amazon is currently selling the book for 20% off the list price of $59.99, so they are $47.96 at this moment.  You will not be able to get one any cheaper from me, and I don't yet have any author copies in hand.  I expect to have some copies available around December 4th, and will make some signed copies available when I receive them.  If you want the book now, buy it on Amazon!  

For the first time since my early start of the book, I read it all the way through over the weekend.  It affirmed to me just how much information, and especially how much new information is included.  This book will not win any artistic awards, and it's not a marvel of digital layout.  It's full of collector and historical information, and hundreds of photos.  It contains over 46,600 written words, plus thousands more included in letters, manuals, and vintage advertising content.  It is a 350 page paperback book, in 6" x 9" format, printed in color.

So, why would this new book on Eugene Reising be interesting to me?  There are many reasons.  

• It covers Eugene Reising's career from start to finish, with information gained from research and family resources, including some very surprising twists and turns
• The history of Harrington and Richardson Arms Co. (H&R) is covered more than in any other previously published work, including a very detailed account of the H&R bankruptcy, and subsequent activity since the original company folded in 1986
• Learn about Eugene Reising's involvement with the design and adoption of the iconic M1911 pistol, while working with legendary gun designer John Browning, and stumping for the pistol with the likes of John T. Thompson
• If you like marksmanship, you will be impressed with Mr. Reising's proficiency, how it relates to the M1911, and how it influenced his designs
• Included in the book, printed in their entirety are two manuals for the MC-58 Rifle from my collection that have been virtually unobtainable - They are USMC TM-ORD-2000, and USMC SL-4-01423A - This includes a technical manual, and a stock list - This content is worth the price of the book by itself
• The Reising .22 Automatic Pistol is covered in great detail, which is a subject that has had very little coverage previously
• New information on the Reising Model 50 Submachine Gun, including a rebuttal to critics by Eugene Reising himself
• Reising .22 automatic rifles are covered in 4 chapters, including the Models 65, 165, 150, 151, and MC-58 - Mr. Reising's .22 rifles are the main focus of the book
• If you have any interest in Reising manuals, catalogs, and other paper items, they are covered extensively, as well as various accessories for the Reising pistol, submachine guns, and .22 rifles
• In addition to the two MC-58 manuals that are reprinted within, several instruction sheets for various Reising firearms are included
• You can explore many other firearms that Eugene Reising designed over the years, including a belt fed machine gun that competed with the Browning M1917 during WWI, some other submachine guns, tubular receiver M14's, the M14 Simulator, T30's, the "Guerrilla Rifle," and various other prototypes and personal firearms
• The book includes photos of many family heirlooms handed down by Eugene Reising and many previously unpublished photos
• It contains serial number data for over 460 examples of Reising .22 rifles collected over the last 8 years

 

If you are a firearm collector, you will find interest in this book.  It may even inspire you to seek more information that can expand our knowledge of the subject.  I hope you will enjoy it, and if you're looking for an easy Christmas or Hanukkah present for which you can just send your significant other an Amazon link, this is a book for you.

Thanks!

David Albert
dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

[copdoc]

Thank YOU. 

[Ryo]

FYI It is selling for $29.67 on Amazon..

[jim c 351]

David,

Received my copy yesterday. 

Excellent book, highly recommend .

One thing that caught my eye was the cracked slide on page 66. I can't help but wonder if it was caused by a design/manufacturing defect rather than high velocity ammo.

Both cracks originate at the same place on both slides, at a dog leg in the slide. 

If not precisely machined, the dogleg would hit the barrel before the mass of the slide face, causing stress at that point.

Its my opinion that the damage was caused when the slide slammed against the barrel, rather than recoiling to rear.

I would hesitate to shoot these pistols with any ammo.

What's your opinion.

Once again, excellent book,

Jim C

[Ivan]

Got your book a few days ago from Amazon. So far a good read !

Did not know Eugene Reising had such "colorful" associates ! Hmm.

His assessment of his SMG would figure to be positive as he was the inventor. However, being well acquainted with the Reising SMG I cannot see it being used as an Infantry combat weapon.  Police and Citizen use yes but it is too fragile and too many tight tolerances for a combat weapon.

Lots of good info on his other inventions especially the .22 rifles. 

[dalbert]

On 12/3/2022 at 8:41 AM, jim c 351 said:

David,

Received my copy yesterday. 

Excellent book, highly recommend .

One thing that caught my eye was the cracked slide on page 66. I can't help but wonder if it was caused by a design/manufacturing defect rather than high velocity ammo.

Both cracks originate at the same place on both slides, at a dog leg in the slide. 

If not precisely machined, the dogleg would hit the barrel before the mass of the slide face, causing stress at that point.

Its my opinion that the damage was caused when the slide slammed against the barrel, rather than recoiling to rear.

I would hesitate to shoot these pistols with any ammo.

What's your opinion.

Once again, excellent book,

Jim C

Hi Jim,

Thank for your kind words about the book!

There is no doubt that the sharp angle where the cracks develop in the slide was an inherent weak point in the design.  These were still the early days for semi-auto firearm design, and ammo was changing at the same time.  I think your assessment about the damage occurring  when the slide slams against the barrel is correct, but it's been documented previously that such damage results from high velocity ammo.  There are many Reising pistols which have been fired for almost 100 years with standard velocity ammo that show no signs of cracks.  

If you are reading this, and have the opportunity to shoot a Reising pistol, please do so only with standard velocity ammunition.  Do not shoot high velocity ammo, as it could be extremely harmful to yourself and the pistol.

David Albert
dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

[jim c 351]

David,

Don't worry. Your the only one I know of who owns a Reising 22 pistol and you live far away.

Best of luck with you book sales.

Jim

[Burns556]

Found a copy under the tree yesterday! My wife is a real gem! Really good read and much more meat than I expected. I’ve read about a third of it, though I jump around. Very happy with it, wish you the best of luck and Merry Christmas! 

[dalbert]

If anyone is interested in buying my book, "The Many Firearm Designs of Eugene Reising," I have copies available for $45 shipped.  I will inscribe them to you, and ship them via USPS Media Mail for that price.  Amazon has kept the book at over $50 since January, and I don't know if it will ever be discounted again, so I'm the cheapest source currently to obtain it.

Just let me know via private message on this site, or to my email address below if you're interested, and I can either send you a PayPal payment request, or give you an address where you can mail a check.

Thanks!

David Albert
dalbert@sturmgewehr.com