When you first begin to read this volume, you may begin to wonder whether it really is a gunsmithing book at all. You will note that there are chapters that appear to cover shotshell design, gun design and even how to shoot.

Well call that background, if you will. The author, who is one of the nation's top shotgun experts when it comes to design and correcting a gun's faults, is a firm believer in the fact that you can't work on a shotgun unless you fully understand how it functions and why. And interspersed with what might be a review of old knowledge are countless tips on gunsmithing that can be of value both to the amateur and the professional.

Much of the information contained in this volume never has been published before and is based upon the hard-learned lessons of the author. In the writing he manages to explain fully some devious facets of the shotgun that are poorly understood by the average shooter. His chapter on choke forcing cone length, as an example, covers a subject from which other gun writers tend to shy away, since they don't understand the subject and would be hard put to explain it to one seeking such knowledge.

This is a labor of love for the author, since he has been keeping notes on his findings for more decades than some readers have been alive. He has verified and reverified his findings in some of the obscure areas of shotgunning and shotgun gunsmithing before passing on die information to those with less experience.

We think you'll find this a worthwhile book in all respects.