Gunsmiths of greenville?

[lost arrow 801]

I was thinking of buying the gunsmiths of greenville county and was wondering what your opinions on it

[oldtravler61]

Lost Arrow First off its a very good book I have it an you will learn alot. If you are a first time builder it might  be alittle intimidating or so it might seem. My advice if you do get it. Is read it front to back first. Mr. Alexander does a very good job at explaining each step an the reasons for it. Second recommendation is get the CD that accompanies the book. IMHO

[Hemo]

Opinions are mixed about this book. I have it and have used it repeatedly over the years. I think it's a great reference, with lots of very clear drawings and instructions. I would highly recommend it as a source for someone starting out rifle building. There are also DVD's coming out (one or two now available) from the same author which are very instructive.
On the other hand, I've talked with several nationally known rifle builders who look upon this book with fair measure  of disdain, which I believe is due to personal disagreements regarding various procedures and techniques put forth in the book. Just be aware that the content in this book represents one man's way of doing things, and that opinions may vary. Check out other sources of information before leaping into anything, one of the very best sources being this very forum!

Gregg

[Rolf]

Great book. It's the one I've learned the most from. There are other good books, but they are not as detailed.
I'm working on my first rifle (Beck inspired). I'm working from a blank.  Having never buildt a rifle, I would have made some serious mistakes on basic arcitecture without the detailed instructions. At the moment the rifle project is in mothballs, done some practice carvings. but not happy with the results.
And I got kind side tracked with a brace of pistols. Pistol stocks are easier to do because the left and rigth side are symetrical.  A rifle butstock is asymetrical, but it still has to look balanced. That hard to do without detailed instructions or good rifles to study.

Best regards
Rolf

[Pete G.]

Peter Alexander goes into extensive detail in explaining even the most mundane tasks in building; sometimes I needed to just lay the book down and come back to it later to really understand the point he was trying to make. Having said that, you will not find any book that covers so much in so many areas of longrifle building. Perhaps my difficulties stem from translating the Canadian English into Southern American English. Incidentally, it is Grenville County, not Greenville.

[Mark Elliott]

It would be my recommended reference for the beginner.    It has all the content of Recreating the American Longrifle with a lot of extra content.   Peter does a good job of teaching the basics.  

As a followup, I would recommend taking your work to Dixons for the critique until you are winning ribbons in the Master category.    Make sure you sit down with the judges to go over your critique.  I have found it very useful, if not hard to take the criticism.  

[Mike Brooks]

Well, since you're asking for opinions, it sucks. There are far better  books out there.

[Dewster257]

If you are a first time builder as I am, you need this book. It has baled me out a lot. I must add however, you will learn even more on this website.

[ddoyle]

Buy two copies cause you aint gettin more value out of 40 bucks any time soon.

[Nordnecker]

I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said. The book (and this forum) being my only resources, I have been able to complete 2 long rifles. I certainly couldn't have done as well without either. The book is full of information. Some of this information, observations, comparisons, relationships is kind of hard to digest. There really isn't any information on southern/ mountain type guns. Mr. Alexander certainly has put in the time and effort to write and illustrate a thorough guide to longrifle building. I just don't care for his style of writing.

[Mark Elliott]

Well, since you're asking for opinions, it sucks. There are far better  books out there.

Which ones?   What books on building do you recommend?

[David Rase]

Since this forum frowns upon publicly making negative comments about different suppliers, I have no comment.
David

[David Rase]

Well, since you're asking for opinions, it sucks. There are far better  books out there.

Which ones?   What books on building do you recommend?

Recreating the American Longrifle
Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle

[Mark Elliott]

Well, since you're asking for opinions, it sucks. There are far better  books out there.

Which ones?   What books on building do you recommend?

Recreating the American Longrifle
Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle

I have those books.   At least I had those books.  I gave away the Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle to a starting builder who had no other resources.  

I started building with Recreating the American Longrifle.  It was all there was at the time.  Peter Alexander was the last editor of Recreating the American Longrifle and included the same content in his book.  

 One thing I think Peter did to improve on Recreating the American longrifle was illustrations showing how to shape the various sections of a stock.   That is a really hard thing to try and explain.  You might not do it the same, but I believe those illustrations are very helpful to beginners.  

I look at the Gunsmith of Grenville County as an encyclopedia.   It is a broad introduction to the subject and a good jumping off place for further research.   I have never seen another book that does that.  The only way I could think to improve on Peter's work is to add video, which he is doing.  

Instead of just saying that you don't like something or something sucks,  why not explain why you don't like it and give some examples of what you do like.  

[smylee grouch]

I have read both of Dave Rase's alternatives and like them alot. I have not read Mr. alexander's book but read his articles in Muzzleloader Mag. and found them to be hard to fallow along.

[tallbear]

Since this forum frowns upon publicly making negative comments about different suppliers

While the forum does discourage "bashing" of suppliers we also try and support honest opinions. We recognize that sometimes it can be a fine line and that line does sometimes get crossed(resulting in locked or deleted topics) but honest opinions ARE welcomed.

That being said I find Gunsmith of Grenville somewhat wordy   and sometimes confusing particularly for new builders. I've had two new builders that I've been helping get overly frustrated trying to follow Peters book.Sometimes too much information clouds what are really simple concepts. The two that Dave Rase suggested are much more to the point and better for first time builders in my opinion.

Mitch Yates

[T*O*F]

Of the books mentioned, it's a simple fact that none of them are the complete answer.  Each contains information that is omitted or unclear in the others.  Each will get you started, but you really need them all in your library.

When you ask for opinions, you only receive biased answers which may or may not be of any value.

[conquerordie]

I've used it as a source. Found good solid info in it. I've never built a longrifle, but many other styles of 18th century firearms. There's knowledge in it, it's up to you to find and use the parts you can use.
Greg

[David Price]

I agree with Dave Rase.  Someone gave me The Gunsmith Of Greenville County book,and I found it very hard to follow, even though I have been building guns for well over fifty years.  Every time I find a used book,  "The Art of Building The Pennsylvania Long Rifle ", I buy it and give it to someone that is just starting to build.  I think it is a great book for anyone that is just about to start there first rifle.  I have given away several.

David Price
s

[Mike Brooks]

Well, since you're asking for opinions, it sucks. There are far better  books out there.

Which ones?   What books on building do you recommend?

Recreating the American Longrifle
Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle

I learned on Recreating the American Longrifle, the version before Alexander. Don't think I ever saw the version he meddled with.
The Gunville County book creates too much confusion. There is entirely too much emphasis on measuring....laying out grids etc. When I used to teach I had some very confused students . Their confusion came from this particular book. I have only lightly thumbed through the book after a student handed it to me. Just a quick perusal was ridiculous. It sucks, I'll stick with my opinion. I think the fact that it does suck is important and people should know....only my opinion after all, which is what was asked for. If we need to cover up the truth then this forum losses all relevance. There are far more usefull and less confusing books on the subject. But, if you like this book by all means keep studying it.
  I used to get Muzzleloader Mag, this guy's God awfull articles on gun building is what cancelled my subscription....that and that "Old Horse Feathers" guy. Rant over, carry on.

[Captchee]

 I started out  with these two years and years ago
  Recreating the American Longrifle
Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle
 I purchase peters book not a few years ago , to see what all the hoopla was about
 My problem with Peters book is just what others have said . He covers to much and people get confused . Those that don’t often times follow step by step and then lose the part of themselves that IMO should be  put into every build .
Myself I think it’s a good reference . Lots of photos  and descriptions. Thus again a good reference when your not quite understand or picture how something may be done .

[Okefinokee Outlaw]

I have all 3 books.  I did find that in some cases I had to refer to Recreating the American Longrifle in order to gain a clearer understanding of what Peter was trying to say in the Gunsmith of Grenville County.  Nevertheless, without Peter's book, on my first build, I would have been pestering you all much more than I have.

[lost arrow 801]

Thank you so much for all your replies , and advice. I think ill go ahead and order it.

[WKevinD]

I have read it and the others and have found nuggets in each, I have probably found as many if not more here.
I am a student of the flintlock past, present and intended. I don't want to stagnate with my opinion or practice, if I ever say I know and understand all there is it will probably be on the other side of the grass.
My advice- read them, all take what works, learn from your mistakes, if you know more than others, share it.

[oldtravler61]

As you can see. Everyone here has opinions to the book. The easiest to follow is the art of making the Pennsylvania longrifle. But to learn this craft or art you have to handle well made contemporary rifles and look at originals. Also spend time(alot) in the tutorial section of this site. If you have questions ask. The people here have the answers period!! You might not like the way they put it. But they dang well know what there talking about. An it's far better than any book you can buy!! No humble opinion either just a fact!! The best builders in this country are on this site. An when they say something listen, listen an listen again enough said.