This book is one of the best guides to handguns out today. As previously stated, it covers just about all the handgun makers, their offerings, and relevant information one could want. If a more updated version comes out, I fully intend to add it to my collection as well. The only real nit-picky things about this book are that it doesn't show photos of all the guns listed, and I'd have liked for some more detailing into "sub models" such as the Sig Sauer 226 Navy and Blackwater models but that is superficial when compared to the mostly empty content of the Jane's Gun Guide handgun section.

This is another of the top ten books on handguns. This covers virtually every known handgun manufacturer from 1870 to 1978, including most of the makers of the "Ruby" pistols supplied by Spanish producers to the French during World War I. And in detail. The 1978 edition is the one to have. I bought a copy of the latest edition in paperback which I eventually gave away. If you have a basic interest in handguns, buy this 1978 book.

Over 2,000 handguns are described, over 600 illustrated. it includes a glossary that defines the terms used to describe these firearms. This book covers the world's pistols and revolver from 1870 to the present. Both Ian V. Hogg and John Weeks are well respected authors that know what they are talking about when it comes to firearms.

If you own a pistol or revolver, it's probably described in PISTOLS OF THE WORLD: A COMPREHENSIVE ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE WORLD'S PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS FROM 1870 TO THE PRESENT DAY by Ian V. Hogg and John Walter. This is truly a case of the subtitle telling all.

I tested it by looking for information on a couple of old Colts (a 1909 in .45 Colt) and an "Army Special Revolver" in .32-20 WCF. Both entries were concise, but accurate. The entry on the .32-20 even included the information that this revolver was built on the ".41 caliber frame", a fact not mentioned in A HISTORY OF THE COLT REVOLVER by Charles T. Haven and Frank A. Belden which runs over 700 pages.

Information on other handguns was just as good. My "Finnish Luger", actually a Parabellum M. 1908 supplied to Finland for its army was the subject of similarly concise, informative entry (on p. 100). These were converted by the Finns to 9 mm from 7.65 mm. The Finns also added a 4.7 inch long barrel from their Tikkakoski plant.

My 4th edition was published in 2004 and is one of the last, if not the last, publication by Ian V. Hogg, one of the world's foremost authorities on firearms. This edition was finished up by John Walter, an authority on Lugers and other handguns. Hogg passed away in March 2002 and PISTOLS OF THE WORLD is a fitting monument to a long and distinguished career.

This book is illustrated by black and white photographs and it is 432 pages long including an extensive bibliography and a very useful appendix entitled tthe "Pistol Data Bank" which abstracts the contents of the book for quick refence. The body of the book consists of entries in alphabetical order.

This book is authoritative and easy to use. If you are interested in the shooting sports or in collecting pistols and revolvers, you'll enjoy this book. Hollywood scriptwriters and other authors should also keep a copy of this book handy since most of them clearly have no idea what kind of pistol or revolver their protagonists should be carrying.

I like this book and gave it five stars.