Sixguns by Keith: The Standard Reference Work [Illustrated Edition] Paperback – May 16, 2012

If you're a fan of classic "gun writing", handguns and hunting adventures then you've probably heard the name Elmer Keith. Sometimes referred to as the "grand old man", Keith blazed a trail in bullets and magazine print for much of the 20th Century and emerged as one of the modern "gunfighters" of his era (alongside Charles Askins, Bill Jordan and others). While Keith may never have fired a shot in anger against a criminal or enemy soldier, he was a well respected shooter, outdoorsman and innovator. He pioneered many of the modern cartridge rounds still in use and was an excellent marksman and a favorite of the gun magazines in the 1950s for sure.Along the way Elmer Keith wrote some first rate books on rifles, shotguns, ammunition and his own autobiography that's treasured by any lucky enough to own a copy. Of course his best known work is probably "Sixguns", a complete and accurate guide and endorsement for weapons, safety, shooting, hunting and collecting. Its been in print in various forms for decades and some copies are highly prized (and equally priced).Unfortunately this edition (with the photo of actor Tom Mix on the cover) is a lesser reprint. While the text is clear and complete, many of the images are poorly copied and some are impossible to make out, which is a shame given that Keith shot a lot of still images in addition to a lot of lead."Sixguns" remains a great book, but if you're going to pick up a copy to sit on the shelf beside volumes by Jordan, Skelton and Askins, get an older copy or one of the higher end reprints. You'll be glad you did.

Classic Keith. He mentions this book in his autobiography "Hell I was There!" Some overlap from the anecdotes in that one. For those in the hobby who remember Elmer and who like to understand the history of the hobby and the companies, this is a must read. Technology and the business world have moved on, but the book helps you to understand what our grandfathers went through. You can also pick up on the great gap between the real old west and western movies. This does a pretty good job of covering all aspects of sixguns as well as a smattering of the 1911 and other landmark autoloaders.

It is a zerox (yes, spelled wrong) copy of the original text, so it is not always easy for 50+ eyes to read. Having said that, it is great to have this classic available at a reasonable price.

Even though it is an older book all of Keith’s thoughts and information can be helpful in today’s world

book is a great read. The story teller details all the significant facts about his shooting as well as the guns he used.Being written in 1950 when a few things were different, but haven't changed is interesting to pore over.The printing of the book is apparently copied from another book (think xerox) AND IS NOT AS CLEAR AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN. The price was about half that of another publisher, making the print quality a bit more acceptable.

Being a firearm aficionado, especially of old west guns, and very much Pro 2nd Amendment, I purchased this book with enthusiasm. While there is some good information, I was utterly disgusted by Kieth's utter disrespect and callous attitude towards living things. It is one thing to kill in self defense or to eat, but Kieth tells of many times when he tests ammunition on animals who are just resting-killing them just because.For example: shooting a flying bird of prey multiple times just to test the range of his ammo, until it finally drops from the sky.Shooting another bird of prey that is just resting.Having a dog disturb a hibernating sow bear with two cubs, shooting and killing the sow and one cub, then finally killing the last cub. And more.I heard many tales of Elmer Kieth in the past and always thought of him as someone honorable and worth knowing about. After reading through this book, however, I was disappointing at finding he was little more than a callous poser who thought being a "man" or a "cowboy" was defined by what he can kill just for the hell of it. THe kind of person that gives decent people a bad name.

Outstanding book for a 50 years old man (or more). The revolver ruled in the 50's when this book was written (and for about 20 plus years more it remained in the top). Now it's semiauto pistol time (unfortunately). Plenty of info for and avid revolver lover reader. Elmer explains everything. He forgets only to tell you how to choose a wife.

The content is magnificent - it's Keith after all. The format and quality is pathetic though. The print is light in many places and there appears to be NO attempt to correlate images to the text on any given page. This means that while you're reading a set of pages dedicated to describing bullet cases, you're presented with a set of images that are all about reloading dies and powder measures. It's extremely annoying and I find myself constantly flipping pages trying to find an image I think I saw earlier that relates to the topic that I'm reading about now.

Some excellent information regards historical loads for me. A pity the photographs could not be enhanced, some are not clear to view.

This is a great book for those interested in handgun shooting. Keith writes in a down to earth and fun manner. Although some of the information is dated it's still a great read.

Very interesting!

a well-done book, both by its author and by its publisher. elmer keith was a real old-timer cowboy out of the tail-end of the gunfighting days of the old west. he knew old gunfighters personally and his take on sixguns and other firearms remains unprecedented to this day, in terms of hands-on experience. i used to read him as a kid when he wrote for gun magazines in the early-mid nineteen-sixties, and have never found a better-informed writer who knew first-hand how various calibres worked on all kinds of game, especially on humans. a wonderful and nostalgic read about wider, freer skies and landscapes now passed, alas, forever, and about those who roamed them and whose lives depended on how well their sidearms worked and how well they could use them.

I have the original hardback version given to me by a good friend who I have known for many long years. It has been well read and is much sort after. I feel I can use this reprinted version. It is an excellent read and a classic written by a man who many regard as the leading authority on his subject. It doesn't get better than this one by Elmer Keith. Thoroughly recommended.