Foreword
By James Reeves, Firearm Blog
Useful, reliable, easy to use and accurate.
While many would describe the AK-47 with those words, in this instance I am referring to Rob Kay’s book, How to Buy an AK-47.
I had the privilege of reviewing a draft copy of How to Buy an AK-47 prior to its publication, and, expecting the generalization, over-simplification and gun-forum regurgitation typically found in a “how-to-buy” gun book, I was instead leveled by the content quality, correctness and, more important, the originality of Mr. Kay’s manuscript.
I found that, notwithstanding this book’s technical depth, it is easy to read. Despite the breadth of content, each significant factor is covered with enough detail to be sufficiently informative but not so much to become redundant or dull.
Even though the AK is hardly new, the material is presented in an innovative style with updated information geared towards today’s market. Moreover, Kay’s book taps into a font of knowledge from today’s Kalashnikov masters in one-of-a-kind interviews. This is a fresh approach, presenting several perspectives to the reader. You can see the points of consensus from the contributors on some issues, while weighing the few points where they disagree.
Finally, Kay’s 30 years of writing experience brings the material to a polish, truly a book worth reading whether the reader is in the market for or already an AK owner.
After reading this book, you’ll be able to:
>> Select the best and most useful AK within your budget (and you will discover that, for being more or less one model of rifle, the AK price, quality and feature range varies widely);
>> Accessorize it practically
>> Possess the knowledge to maintain a tool that will last for at least two lifetimes.
Many first-time gun buyers spend a good deal of money on a rig they end up regretting — think of the purchase price of this book as a form of insurance against buyer’s remorse.
While forewords are typically a paragraph or two of flattery exchanged between colleagues, this endeavor is a bit different from that tradition. The difference here is that I had never met Mr. Kay prior to writing this piece. It was Phil White, my editor at The Firearm Blog, who approached me at Rob’s behest to pen this foreword.
And I am glad he did.
After I read this book, I felt both honored and underqualified to give you this recommendation. I enjoyed reading How to Buy an AK-47 and, in spite of my familiarity with the platform, learned a good deal about the AK and saw a new angle of this proven design from the viewpoints of some of its most reputed apostles.
I found How to Buy an AK-47 compelling to read and enlightening, and I know you, the reader, will too.
James Reeves
James Reeves, who labors by day as an attorney, is a staff writer for The Firearm Blog and the owner and operator of the NRA-certified Pelican Handgun Instruction in New Orleans. Reeves has owned a gun shop, worked in sales and consultation for industry wholesalers, trained on the AK-47 at Tier 1 Group (AR), and used the AK to become the first civilian champion of Maxim Magazine’s “MAXIMum Warrior” Challenge.