When you think about the firearms industry and all it entails, books are not always a subject that hits your radar. After all, a gun guy or gal is supposed to be on the range training, out hunting, or gearing up for a competition, right? Cozying up to a fire with a good book isn’t part of that picture.
And yet, there is so much we can learn from a good book; it’s hard to ignore. Stories of guns, inventors, and famous people who carried them are fascinating and insightful.
I’ve decided to leave books specifically about military events off this list because I think they should have a list of their own. So, here are my top 5 favorite books when it comes to the history of firearms, their inventors, and people who carried them.
1. Texas Ranger by John Boessenecker
Texas Ranger: The Epic Life of Frank Hammer, the Man Who Killed Bonnie and Clyde, is one of my favorite books. Ok, this title is a bit on the lengthy side. But trust me, it’s a good book. Most people know Frank Hamer as the guy who tracked down Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. This event happened closer to the end of his career, however, and it’s a small story compared to the rest of his life.
In the book, Boessenecker tells Hamer’s entire life story, starting early on when Hamer was shot at the age of 16. He explains how he became a Texas Ranger at the age of 22 and how stories about him became legend.
It is believed that Hammer was involved in at least 52 shootings during his career. Hammer resigned from the Rangers after serving just a few years but came back and worked until his retirement in 1932. He was called back up from retirement as a “Special Investigator” to track down Bonnie and Clyde.
As you read, Boessenecker paints a vivid portrait of early 20th-century Texas, showing how Hamer helped restore order to the frontier. He also ended the infamous Taylor-Sutton feud. This long, bloody conflict ended with Hammer being shot multiple times during the process.
Hamer’s Colt single-action .45 that he called “Old Lucky” is mentioned throughout the book. Hamer also liked to use a Smith & Wesson Triple Lock in .44 Special and a Remington Model 8 in .25 Remington. If you want to read about a real-life cowboy, this is a good read.
2. The Guns of John Moses Browning by Nathan Gorenstein
You can’t learn much at all in the firearms world without hearing about John Moses Browning. He is arguably the most influential firearms designer in history. This book tells the story of his struggles, successes, and inventions.
He made his first firearm at the age of 13 and went on to receive 128 firearm patents. Browning’s designs include some of the most iconic firearms like the Colt M1911 pistol, the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), and the Winchester Model 1894 lever-action rifle.
There are very few photos of Browning today, as he didn’t like taking them. This was a guy who just enjoyed designing things, and he worked on new designs until he died in 1926.
Gorenstein starts by telling Browning’s story of humble beginnings in Ogden, Utah, and his long, complex relationship with major arms manufacturers like Winchester and Colt.
The book shares how Browning once presented a revolutionary repeating shotgun to Winchester’s executives. They were so dismissive that he walked away and licensed the design to Remington instead. This model became the highly successful Remington Model 17. It’s hard to argue that Browning’s creations involving reliable automatic mechanisms completely changed infantry combat forever.
If you’re planning to read any gun books at all, this one should be on your list.
3. Glock: The Rise of America’s Gun by Paul M. Barrett
The most revolutionary design we have seen since the days of John Moses Browning is the Glock pistol. Paul M. Barrett’s book tells the dramatic story of the rise of Gaston Glock and the empire he created.
The entire book was easy to read and extremely interesting, but I liked the beginning the most. Gaston was a guy who saw an opportunity to make something better than current designs and took it.
It talks about the pistol’s innovative polymer frame and safe, simple design, and how Glock developed. He also covers the interesting story of how Glock pistols were first adopted by law enforcement after being called “plastic pistols” early on.
Gaston Glock ended up being in the right place at the right time. His curiosity and ingenuity helped him create an iconic handgun. If you have ever wondered where the model names come from, how the gun was created, and how it became popular in the US, this book explains it all.
For anyone who enjoys the history of firearms, Barrett’s book is a must-read.
4. American Gun: A History of the U.S. in Ten Firearms by Chris Kyle with William Doyle
Co-authored by the late Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, this book examines American history through the lens of ten important firearms. I thought this was a neat approach to discussing these all-time greats.
Each chapter focuses on a specific gun and the historical period it defined. It covers classics like the Kentucky Rifle, which played a huge role during the Revolutionary War. He also covers modern firearms like the M-16/AR-15 rifle.
The book connects each firearm to an important moment in our nation’s development. It’s also interesting to read about these firearms from a soldier’s perspective compared to an inventor’s or business perspective.
Here is a complete list of firearms discussed in their own chapter:
- American Long Rifle (Kentucky Rifle)
- Spencer Repeating Rifle
- Colt Single Action Army (Colt .45)
- Winchester 1873 Lever Action Rifle
- 1903 Springfield
- M1911 Army Pistol
- Thompson Submachine Gun
- M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle
- .38 Special Police Revolver
- M16 Rifle
5. Firepower: How Weapons Shaped Warfare by Paul Lockhart
For a comprehensive book that traces the origin and evolution of firearms from the very beginning, this is the book to read. Paul Lockhart explains how weapons technology has been the single greatest driver of military change.
It goes beyond the invention of a specific gun. He covers the complex relationship between new weapons and the tactics, doctrine, and societal structures they create. It ranges from early bows and gunpowder weapons to modern cruise missiles used today.
Lockhart argues that military innovation is often more important than leadership or strategy in determining the outcome of conflicts. This is an interesting theory, but he makes some really good points, using history to do so.
The book also talks about the revolutionary impact of specific advancements. These include the introduction of the smoothbore musket and, later, the rifled barrel. Lockhart details how the transition to mass-produced, interchangeable parts in the 19th century created the industrial powerhouses of modern warfare.
Another interesting point he brings up is that the best new weapon can be neutralized if military leadership fails to adapt thinking and tactics to its capabilities.
With just under 600 pages, it’s a big book to get through, but it’s one of the most interesting I’ve read about the subject.
