I have my doubts about the longevity in use of a gun constructed from this book, but the book is more professionally written and more thorough than I have come to expect in this genre. There is certainly a lot of ingenuity shown here, and it is believable that the plans could result in a workable gun. This book is definitely worth study. One minor complaint would be the author's odd mixing of inch and metric dimensions, often in the same sentence. Maybe that's how it is in Great Britain these days? Anyway, I'm very familiar with both systems myself.

With certain exceptions a firearm may be made by a non-licensee provided it is not for sale and the maker is not prohibited from possessing firearms. However, a person is prohibited from assembling a non-sporting semi-automatic rifle or non-sporting shotgun from imported parts. In addition, the making of an NFA firearm requires a tax payment and approval by ATF. An application to make a machine gun will not be approved unless documentation is submitted showing that the firearm is being made for a Federal or State agency.

[18 U.S.C. 922(o) and (r), 26 U.S.C. 5822, 27 CFR 478.39, 479.62 and 479.105]

So it is NOT ILLEGAL for someone to make the gun in this or any other book as long as it is built as a sporting semi-auto weapon. Making it a full auto weapon would be illegal not as a semi-auto. So making a few mods to this gun to qualify as a sporting gun would be easy enough for anyone with a brain so DON"T listen to people saying building your own gun is illegal check the ATF website yourselves

Very impressive, I don't believe Mr. Luty is a threat to the public, but judging from what the British government has had to say about him, he is still a threat, I would say a mortal threat, to the status quo, vis-a-vis British gun laws. I have read Bill Holmes. I have read Metral. Luty's book is the only one that I came away from with the impression that I might actually be able to build the gun the author showed how to make, no machine tools required. The lack of a rifled barrel makes that possible. The instructions did require a thorough reading and re-reading, in my case, before I really "got it", but aside from a few minor spelling and grammatical errors, they were very clear, step-by-step, and concise, while of sufficient detail to properly demonstrate the concepts involved. The author provides cutting templates, and all the needed specifications for the the necessary materials. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the subject of improvised firearms.

I will not be building this firearm, nor would I advocate that to anyone else. The BATF has no more sense of humor than the British constabulary on this subject. But I think such books are vitally important because they make it clear to politicians that such things are possible and keep them all just that little bit fearful of what the general populace might do if they ever go too far. I think a little bit of that sort of fear in the back of the minds of those in power is a healthy thing for a free society interested in remaining free. So long as it is there, the instructions in Mr. Luty's book will probably not need to be followed.

A very intresting book explaining the workings of the machine gun with easy to understand text however I dont imagine building one is as straight forward as it seems,an excellant book though.

Luty lays it out like blueprints with specific and informative instructions. Relatively easy to understand for anyone who knows tools or works well with hands. Carbonized steel is hard to get through with hand tools like Luty describes. Power tools help tremendously and most of you probably have these anyway. They are cheap. (Unless you're like me and only buy Dewalt...)
Bottom line: if you want to build this, you can. metalsdepot.com is a good location to get most of the parts.

This is one of the many books I have bought in order to more fully understand the design and function of fully automatic weapons. I read through it, and felt that it did a decent job of explaining how truly easy it is to make a fully automatic gun using the simple blowback method. Once I felt I had extracted all the value and knowledge I could from the book, I actually traded it for some other gun related books at a used book store. After reading through several other books on the different theories of full auto firearms, including Brassey's book on small arms, I felt a need to review the basics that the P.A. book presented.

Although it's illegal for the civilian to make the gun in Luty's book, anyone who desires to understand the simplicity of how some of the full auto's work, or future Class 3 manufacture's who might someday make machine guns for law enforcement or the government, really need to have this book as a reference.

As this book clearly states: 'This material is presented for academic study only.' It is clearly illegal to build the gun described in the book. And if you have enough money to pay all the taxes, you don't need to build one, you can go buy a real gun. When I say real, I mean that you'd have more confidence it wouldn't blow up.



Having said that, the academic interest in this gun is just to see how simple it is to build a gun, and in turn, how impossible it is to prevent the manufacture of weapons by simply passing a law.



The particular gun described here is the simplest I've ever seen. It's constructed from commonly available steel tubing. (I didn't realize that so many standard tubing sizes were so close to what was needed for gun building.) Strangely enough, you don't even need a lathe or milling machine for this gun. Everything is made using hand tools such as hacksaw and file. Normally accepted things such as rifling in the barrel and sights are simply eliminated.



One final comment. He uses a series of 'steel collars' in his design. I presume that's a British term. If you look up 'steel collars' on Google you get a bunch of bondage sites. Instead look up 'shaft collars.'

As this book clearly states: 'This material is presented for academic study only.' It is clearly illegal to build the gun described in the book. And if you have enough money to pay all the taxes, you don't need to build one, you can go buy a real gun. When I say real, I mean that you'd have more confidence it wouldn't blow up.

Having said that, the academic interest in this gun is just to see how simple it is to build a gun, and in turn, how impossible it is to prevent the manufacture of weapons by simply passing a law.

The particular gun described here is the simplest I've ever seen. It's constructed from commonly available steel tubing. (I didn't realize that so many standard tubing sizes were so close to what was needed for gun building.) Strangely enough, you don't even need a lathe or milling machine for this gun. Everything is made using hand tools such as hacksaw and file. Normally accepted things such as rifling in the barrel and sights are simply eliminated.

One final comment. He uses a series of 'steel collars' in his design. I presume that's a British term. If you look up 'steel collars' on Google you get a bunch of bondage sites. Instead look up 'shaft collars.'

As this book clearly states: 'This material is presented for academic study only.' It is clearly illegal to build the gun described in the book. And if you have enough money to pay all the taxes, you don't need to build one, you can go buy a real gun. When I say real, I mean that you'd have more confidence it wouldn't blow up.

Having said that, the academic interest in this gun is just to see how simple it is to build a gun, and in turn, how impossible it is to prevent the manufacture of weapons by simply passing a law.

The particular gun described here is the simplest I've ever seen. It's constructed from commonly available steel tubing. (I didn't realize that so many standard tubing sizes were so close to what was needed for gun building.) Strangely enough, you don't even need a lathe or milling machine for this gun. Everything is made using hand tools such as hacksaw and file. Normally accepted things such as rifling in the barrel and sights are simply eliminated.

One final comment. He uses a series of 'steel collars' in his design. I presume that's a British term. If you look up 'steel collars' on Google you get a bunch of bondage sites. Instead look up 'shaft collars.'

A very interesting read, simple step by step instructions.If you can obtain the materials & trust the authors word-in no time at all you would probably have a neat little weapon on your hands.

This is a must have for all gun fans. It shows exactly how to build an automatic gun any size from 22 caliber to 12 gauge. Can be built by anyone from simple easily found materials, it looks great too.

Great shop drawings for Machining parts.. Historical information about the Metral. In a SHTF scenario this will/would be a useful book to have on the workbench.

I prefer .223 or 7.62x39 for a variety of reasons.. I've built several of each with no machining from kits. Don't think I'll ever built a Mitral unless DOT.GOV decides to try and usurp the constitution and confiscate legally owned firearms from citizens, in that case, more people then myself would "redeclare our independence from tyranny."

Great shop drawings for Machining parts.. Historical information about the Metral. In a SHTF scenario this will/would be a useful book to have on the workbench.

I prefer .223 or 7.62x39 for a variety of reasons.. I've built several of each with no machining from kits. Don't think I'll ever built a Mitral unless DOT.GOV decides to try and usurp the constitution and confiscate legally owned firearms from citizens, in that case, more people then myself would "redeclare our independence from tyranny."

The following is an extract of the decsion of the Parole Board in considering the four year prison sentance given to the author. Read the book, but don't act on it!

"The prisoner was convicted in Leeds Crown Court on 24th.April 1998 of the manufacture of a prohibited weapon...............he was sentenced to a total of four years imprisonment. Mr.Luty admitted a long term interest in guns and gun making (3) ...At the time of interview he expressed strong views about the stringent gun laws in this country and on issues related to the individual and the state. To an extent he appears to have embraced the views promulgated by much of the "Right to keep and bear arms" lobby in the United States. I understand police seized a number of publications making reference to these views ....Whilst there is no evidence to suggest Mr.Luty has established any contact with militia or other extreme groups in the United States , his apparent sympathy for their views is of ongoing concern (4) ...............of special concern , I understand Mr.Luty's brother attempted to send him an article from the internet by an organization called "Jews for the preservation of firearms ownership" (JPFO) (5). This appears to be yet another "Right to keep and bear arms" group. Since his imprisonment, Mr.Luty's mother has died and I understand his father remains chronically ill............The prisoner's attitude to the role of the state and the possession and use of firearms gives rise to serious concern. This ,taken together with...the anti-authority stance exhibited during this sentence, adds to the concern that he could represent a very great danger to members of the public in future. The fact that his mother has died since imprisonment and that he appears to have developed an embittered view of his treatment in prison may reinforce his anti-social and anti- authority attitudes, making the likelihood of grave crimes being committed in the future even more likely. (6)

In all the circumstances, in my opinion, the presumption must be that he is potentially dangerous and the case must be managed accordingly. The prisoner has not shown any progress in understanding the concerns highlighted in his case and, if anything, appears even more intransigent in his views than before conviction. Therefore, in my view, he is not a suitable candidate for early release on parole. His future supervision on licence will have to be undertaken with a view to managing risk to the public as an overriding priority.

The following is an extract of the decsion of the Parole Board in considering the four year prison sentance given to the author. Read the book, but don't act on it!

"The prisoner was convicted in Leeds Crown Court on 24th.April 1998 of the manufacture of a prohibited weapon...............he was sentenced to a total of four years imprisonment. Mr.Luty admitted a long term interest in guns and gun making (3) ...At the time of interview he expressed strong views about the stringent gun laws in this country and on issues related to the individual and the state. To an extent he appears to have embraced the views promulgated by much of the "Right to keep and bear arms" lobby in the United States. I understand police seized a number of publications making reference to these views ....Whilst there is no evidence to suggest Mr.Luty has established any contact with militia or other extreme groups in the United States , his apparent sympathy for their views is of ongoing concern (4) ...............of special concern , I understand Mr.Luty's brother attempted to send him an article from the internet by an organization called "Jews for the preservation of firearms ownership" (JPFO) (5). This appears to be yet another "Right to keep and bear arms" group. Since his imprisonment, Mr.Luty's mother has died and I understand his father remains chronically ill............The prisoner's attitude to the role of the state and the possession and use of firearms gives rise to serious concern. This ,taken together with...the anti-authority stance exhibited during this sentence, adds to the concern that he could represent a very great danger to members of the public in future. The fact that his mother has died since imprisonment and that he appears to have developed an embittered view of his treatment in prison may reinforce his anti-social and anti- authority attitudes, making the likelihood of grave crimes being committed in the future even more likely. (6)

In all the circumstances, in my opinion, the presumption must be that he is potentially dangerous and the case must be managed accordingly. The prisoner has not shown any progress in understanding the concerns highlighted in his case and, if anything, appears even more intransigent in his views than before conviction. Therefore, in my view, he is not a suitable candidate for early release on parole. His future supervision on licence will have to be undertaken with a view to managing risk to the public as an overriding priority.

Full marks to Mr Luty for this excellent book. He succeeds entirely in describing how to build a simple machine gun using basic and commonly available tools and materials, and this makes for a great academic source for understanding the realities of what a "firearm" really is & how counterproductive extreme firearms laws can be. Would this book exist if the UK laws weren't so ridiculously excessive? Not according to the author.

The project is clearly minimalist & therefore won't entirely satisfy those who want a paint-by-numbers approach to a beautifully finished weapon, but that's nothing that a little imagination, Gun-Kote finish & some wood or resin grips wouldn't resolve.

My sympathies to the author for the harsh price he is paying for completing this book. He was jailed for being in possession of the gun that he built, & after his release he published the www.thehomegunsmith.com website (presently offline) for which he is currently being charged with "conspiracy to supply firearms" by the police (as of Feb 2005; see http://www.ncc-1776.com/tle2005/tle313-20050403-02.html).

I'm sure we used to have the right to free speech over here in England because I read it somewhere. Or was that banned as well?

On this amazing volume, you'll find the most fascinating book on the subject that, really, tells it all. Don't get me wrong: I have all the books from Master Gunsmith Bill Holmes, as well as anything on the subject of home-building firearms. But be sure you'll need a complete small shop at least to make even a single-shot falling-block pistol or rifle. No place for amateurs there. But there are times when "Average Joe" need combat weapons to survive in bad times. I have seen it before. I'm a former special-operations officer with 16 years of service in my country's intelligence agency (something like a "mix" of CIA/FBI/Secret Service, now defunct), and I have done years of overseas "contractor" work... I've been in five major guerrilla wars (Angola, Mozambique, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Lebanon), and alt. I had previous experience with all kinds of land-warfare weapons, sometimes you need a gun and can not get one, even in a land in War. Old warriors never die (they only go to Hell to regroup), and I even ask some "insiders" on contrating me to work in Iraq, earlier this year, as a "security advisor", but they find me too fat & unfit to be of use in there... a close friend, former Royal Marine and veteran of Northern Ireland and Malvinas/Falklands, who lived in another big town here, go there, and now is doing what he was trained for... and alt. in all wars we once fought we can get any ammount of firearms, ammo, support weapons, you name it, there was a lack of combat weapons to the common citizens there, who are not a "Soldiers-of-Fortune" like I was. If I had this amazing book with me on "my wars" back in the '80's, I could have helped hundreds of indigenous guys survive "their" Wars,and so I could have done things in a better, faster, more funny way, if you can get what I'm talking about. I love the idea of making weapons with simple, common, cheap tools & parts, weapons that can be a life-saving tool in dark times. Be sure that these cheap guns are as capable in short-time combat as the most expensive military guns ever avaiable and they are at anyone's reach - even without any experience in this field. If you want real weapons, this is the book for you. This book tells all the "secrets" in a way it CAN be put into practice. It's author is a Paladin of Freedom. Buy this book - you'll love it!

i have read the other reviews on this book and i must say that i agree with most of them... however i did read one that said something about mr.Luty not giving enough information on the finish work of this gun, and to that i have to say"its an expedient firearm for self defence in areas where you otherwise would not be able to procure a gun legally or for within your budget! its not supposed to be the most beautiful piece around, its just supposed to reliably spray lead!" sheesh i dont know about anyone else out there but the last time you were in a situation that called for a real need to use a firearm, did you stop to show your attacker the detailing on your grip? i reccomend this book wholeheartedly to anyone, and especially to those in need. ANYONE COULD BUILD THIS GUN IF THEY TRIED! and if you say that it cant be done, then you're a lazy retard!

Ok this book takes you step by step through making the 9mm youl love it so easy to make that i all ready had all the parts at home buy this book if you want a effective close range machinegun and no it is not hard to make as other reviewers have said they just are mentaly defective they were proberly born with downsindrome. poor fat little mental patients.buy this book and learn to make your first machinegun enjoy.

This book is the best i have read on the subject of homemade firearms. It is written from the standpoint that no gunsmithing supplies are available.The gun is constructed from tubing and hardware products with a good deal of inginuity and inventivness. If you are interested in homemade fireams this is the book. I can also recommend the authors website,which is well worth a look at www.thehomegunsmith.com.

i'm a spanish customer, i bought this book last summer and i'm making this gun.you can see the photographs and more comments at es.geocities.com/subfusil_asalto/
.this book is very good and very very easy to do.

I am not going to praise this book again, it is of good quality and that is that. But..... the author is in severe trouble and this needs attention. Check out the link: www.jpfo.org/alert11.htm and try to help this man by sending an email to the gouvernment.

I found out the book satisfactory.Gun easy to built & require a lot of patience to complete project. Buy the book if you live in an industrialized country because mat'ls(materials) are easily obtained in such locations. Buy it for educatonal, refference or experimental purpose only. ABC

I have a handful of improvised firearms books and by far this one is the best. Most other books require too much equipment or are just too impractical to use. This is straight forward and easy to follow. I don't know how much I would trust the end product, however, it would put rounds down range.
For general information about improvised open bolt submachine guns, this is it.

First off, let me just say much respect to Mr. Luty. The fact that he went to prison over this book tells us more than we think. This is a good book and is probably better than most, if not all, "do it yourself" gun guides on the market (but I haven't read many). It doesn't require a whole machinist workshop, it doesn't require a lot of money, and the weapon could be produced in bulk if necessary. I haven't built it yet, so some of that could prove untrue. I don't think Mr. Luty has lied to us though. If you want details on durability, accuracy, etc., you're going to have to ask someone who has built it. I would assume that any problems with the gun Mr. Luty did not cover could be easily solved.

Now, this book is not really a laymen's guide to building a submachine gun, but as I said, it does not require a lot. If you have some good experience with tools, you will have no problems. Geez, if you had Shop in high school, you probably won't struggle much. Me? Nah, the ATF can breathe one more sigh of relief. I'd probably drill holes in my fingers before I got anywhere near the lower receiver! Don't get me wrong, anyone can do this but I suggest you have someone with a decent amount of workshop experience around if you're not familiar with the tools or materials. I opened the book, looked at the tools and on a few, I just went "huh?" Coming from a family of carpenters, I suspect they would be ashamed. Meh, maybe they would just be ashamed to know I had the book. It's a moot point though.

So if you have some experience with building things, specifically out of steel tubes, you can probably build this. If you know what a countersink tool is... ehhh... you're ahead of me. The bottom line is that if you think you can build the thing, you probably can (for display only and with the proper licenses, of course).

Oh, and thankfully there IS a picture of the finished product and it DOES look pretty cool, if you ask me.

I gave this book 4 stars because it is not complete in certain parts. Fortunately I bought the Do-It-Yourself Submachine Gun Book from Gerard Metral from a Shop here in Brasil (Actually I bought those books, because a civilian war is iminent here in Rio de Janeiro, and Brasil now have laws prohibiting the selling of Weapons).

Well, the Expedient Homemade Firearms is complete with the aquisition of Do-It-Yourself Submachine Gun book, because this book covers important steps that the Expedient Homemade Firearms doesn't cover, like the Parkerization Process, Handgrip manufature and some most technical details.

If you wanna make your weapon, buy both books, focus on building the weapon explained in the Expedient Homemade Firearms, and add to it the important details described on Do-It-Yourself book.

Very informative book. All the stuff you need is in there for academic study. It would have been nice to see sources in which to purchase the metal. There are a lot online for bulk supply, but I could only find one - "onlinemetals.com" - that offers small quantities instead. Well, good book, and you don't need a machine shop. If you're reading these reviews, buy the book.

If built, I doubt this gun would last 1000 rounds, due to the soft materials used, but at least that's 1000 rounds more than most others (too complicated to make) would.

There are too many good things to say about this book. It is clearly written and easy to understand, complete with templates, diagrams and photos taken during the various stages of the guns development.The author also elaborates on how the gun works and how the different components work together. While it is homemade, its just as durable as its factory-made counterparts.
The end result is an attractive all steel submachine gun.the author also explains some details some as test firing,maintenance,and finishing. This is definitly a must-buy for those interested in the subject.

I have read numerous books on the subject, and ALL of them require a mini machine shop (lathe, milling machine, etc.). This is the ONE book that has actual instructions on how one would go about building a working firearm without a machine shop. The only annoyances are a few listings of metric measurements when referring to aome material that is a standard (i.e. 2" x 1") American size, and a typo or two. Normally I am a stickler for these things, but due to the fact tht this book delivers on its claims warrants a high rating. Given the instability of the nations of the world, this is a very valuable book for the aware citizen.

This book is a great read overall. It explains how to make a 9mm SMG with only a few tools and pieces of metal. It covers all parts: receiver, barrel, breeh/bolt, springs, magazine, etc. The author also spends a lot of time describing how to make certain improvised tools necessary for construction (like a form to make springs for the magazine, modifying a reamer to chamber the barrel). The end product described has a smooth-bore barrel. I think the hardest part would be finding small quantities of the different size and shapes of metal tubing and finding and modifying the right sized reamer for making the chamber. One annoying thing about this book is that the measurements keeping changing back and forth between millimeters and inches. Otherwise, this book is entertaining and informative. I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in the subject.

Ive notice some reviews about how crude this weapon is but REMEMBER this weapon is built with just hand tools. I am a tool and die guy! it is VERY hard to get things concentric and good fitting parts without a lathe and mill. you need good measuring tool's but anyway's i thought he did a decent job on it...

I cannot say enough good things about this book...The material presented is easy to understand, and the accompanying photographs and templates offer great visual aides. I am not a machinist, but after reading this book a couple of times I feel confident that given enough effort almost anyone in fact could produce the desired results.

This is trully an informative book on the process of making your own 9mm submachine gun. The charts are easy to follow, it hase a material list of all the parts & tools needed. This gun could be assembled using tools that most people have laying around or are cheap to buy at any toolshop, but a few power tools would speed up the process. Highly Recommended

This book is great, with precise diagrams and photographs, however the material is certainly not for the layperson, although given enough time almost anyone could fabricate a device. The quality is almost certainly horrible, as they are simply composed of basic plumbing. The book is well worth the money, but don't expect an easy thing to put together in a day (at least not without help, tools, and know-how).

Just as advertised, all you need are files, drill although drill press is desirable, and tap set. Also real photos and not just diagrams to reflect the real thing. A material list and supplier list would have been a plus. For a $200 BATF fee, you can legally own one. However, I can't vouch whether the pistol is really viable. More testimonies would be further enlightening.