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Thread: Modern Pneumatic Rifle - book review

  1. #1
    Sid Guest

    Modern Pneumatic Rifle - book review

    A mate has kindly lent me a copy of "The Modern Pneumatic Airgun" which is a guide to building your own PCP rifle.
    The author is a chap called Howard M. Buckley.

    I've been meaning to do a little review of the book and seeing it mentioned elsewhere on the BBS I thought I'd get stuck in and write something.

    The book is a softback, ring bound and the printing quality is cottage industry, but VERY high quality cottage industry, I didn't count the pages, but it's about an inch thick...
    The illustrations are clearer than some I have seen in professional works.

    Buckley starts you from first principles - history of the air rifle, how it works, accuracy, shooting disciplines and the law.
    What he can't do is make you an engineer, so you will need access to a lathe, mill and pillar drill and the basic knowledge to use them. You do get a lot of tips on machining along the way however.

    His rifle design is very much like a Falcon in general concept - which is no bad thing at all.
    The machining instructions and drawings are nothing short of superb. The making of each sub assembly is set out in a logical sequence with suggestions for machine setup and explanations of design issues ( the information on O-rings alone is worth 50% of the books price )

    To cut a long story short the book is well written, easy to understand and offers high quality, valuable information. I think it's marvellous and will be buying my own copy - Howard Buckley has done a great job.

    Disclaimer for the pedantic - I don't know Mr Buckley, or anyone connected with his company, I just think it's an excellent book <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:-->

  2. #2
    rustambana Guest
    Thanks, Sid. I have been meaning to buy this book for some time.

    Does the book cover barrel and stock making for this particular rifle?

    Rustam

  3. #3
    jpdbromley Guest
    Sid,

    Where can you buy the book from?

    JB

  4. #4
    Sid Guest
    Rustam - there isn't any info on stock making, but the author does recommend a book that can help. There is however a section on building a slow ( rust ) blueing setup !

    No barrelmaking I'm afraid - this is a subject you will struggle to find useful info on. An American chap called Bill Holmes apparently details building a simple rifling setup in a book called " The Home Workshop 9mm Submachinegun " - I don't have this book though.
    There are drawings for making hook rifling cutters in " DIY Machinegun " by Gerard Metral but I don't think they would scale down to .22 <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_frown.gif" alt="Frown" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:-->
    Finally there is a video and plan package available from the USA showing the construction of a rifling machine - pretty expensive if I remember - about $200.

    JB - the telephone number given is 01405 860378

  5. #5
    ans-ltd Guest
    MPA Ltd
    East Lodge
    Snaith Road
    East Cowick
    Goole DN14 9DA

    01405 860378

    Ah, you beat me to it. <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smile" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:-->

    Andy

  6. #6
    rustambana Guest
    <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Sid:
    Rustam - there isn't any info on stock making, but the author does recommend a book that can help. There is however a section on building a slow ( rust ) blueing setup !

    No barrelmaking I'm afraid - this is a subject you will struggle to find useful info on. An American chap called Bill Holmes apparently details building a simple rifling setup in a book called " The Home Workshop 9mm Submachinegun " - I don't have this book though.

    [/quote]

    Thanks to Rising Phoenix, I have the CD version of Holmes' book. I haven't seen it all, so I am not sure if it covers rifling. However, I think I can wrangle a good match grade barrel at this end.

    Rustam

  7. #7
    jpdbromley Guest
    Sid / Andy

    Cheers <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_wink.gif" alt="Wink" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:-->

    JB

  8. #8
    Norfolkngood Guest
    I remember Howard. He was in the GB Air Rifle target squad in the 1980's and trained as an Architect. Stayed at his wierd gatehouse in Goole once near the Croda paints mansion. He owned one of the first pre charged field target guns (Daystate?) some time before they were available to the general public. Bit of a hippy was Howard, but harmless enough. Thought he had given it up years ago.

  9. #9
    Sandy Smith Guest
    Hi Guys,
    just been on the phone to Mr. Buckley.

    Seems surprised Re. the attention his book is receiving.

    He says there is a very limited print run of the book (500 only). I've booked mine <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:--> but he is unable to take plastic.

    Cost including postage is £31.50. seems very reasonable considering low print run and is over 200 pages, covering a fair amount of gun lore.

    HTH
    Sandy

  10. #10
    Nigel Buckley Guest
    Mr Buckley a Hippy, well i can say my bro still has that look and mannerisms of one.
    I can say I’ve read the book, yep its good and well written – not plugging it bro.
    I don’t live that far from my bro and he’s still shooting, well all his family are shooting actually.
    In fact were we out shooting Sat afternoon.
    Oh and that daystate that was mentioned in passing was mine (Mk 1 Huntsman stainless steel cyl with a John Ford Stock) bough in 1981 – I wonder where it ended up !
    And by the way don’t believe all he says about me !
    Have fun and take care
    Nigel Buckley –
    Ps I guns I’ve got
    Steyr LG100
    BSA S10
    AA S200
    BSA magnum 240

  11. #11
    Norfolkngood Guest
    Nigel
    Howard also had a 12fp single stroke pneumatic which was a bit agricultural, can't remember what it was called but it was readily available. I sold him a Nickel twin post scope for running boar shooting, wonder if he has still got that?

    Norfolkngood aka TK

  12. #12
    Nigel Buckley Guest
    Tony (norforkngood)
    my bro still has that scope.
    The Single stroker was a genisis in .22
    I'd describe that rifle as a bull worker to cock and at 11lbs without a scope its too heavey
    i think he still has it - but was on about flogging it, u know what hippies are like they dont through owt away !
    he's still into running bore a bit, but he's pushing his eldist daughter into 10m pistol.
    she's knocking in 340/350 in practice (she's 14 yrs old and a blooming good shot) - i'd only say one thing about her, she like shooting rabbit and woodies more punching holes in paper.
    i once saw her drop a bunnie at 50yds with my S10
    (she range found scope, dailed in, allowed for wind and droped it clean) i had to take my hat off to that 1.
    I'll tell our kid u have been asking about him, he sometimes comes on here but not as often as myself.
    u take care and keep shooting !
    Regards
    Nigel

  13. #13
    Sandy Smith Guest

    Book delivery

    Hi all,
    just a quick update to this thread.

    Sent off my cheque on the 28th Nov. Cheque cleared through my bank on 4th Dec. Book arrived this morning.

    Considering the time of year for post, I'm a happy chappie. <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:-->

    At a cursory glance through, it appears to be very good value for money and must have taken a lot of work to put together.

    It'll take a fair bit of reading to take it all in but so far, Mr. Buckley's writing style makes this pretty easy.

    Can feel my little Compact 5 CNC lathe twitching already. <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:-->

    Sandy

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    La Murta, Spain
    Posts
    1,114
    Ordered my copy of his second book this morning. Here are the details (I am no way connected, etc. etc.):

    There are two books:

    Book 1
    The Modern Pneumatic Airgun: a step by step guide to building your own - £30 plus £12 air mail or £7 surface mail USA / rest of the world, £6.50 Europe and £4.50 UK (big book and expensive mail)

    Book 2
    The Modern Pneumatic Airgun: Making the modern stock reservoir rifle - £20 plus £5 air mail to USA / rest of the world, £4.50 to Europe and £4.00 to UK.

    There is information on the airgundevelopment.com website
    If you are interested you can pay with PayPal to this email address or send an old fashioned cheque.
    Please note. If paying with a cheque or postal order please understand time is needed for the monies to clear. In addition, I cannot accept postal orders from overseas because they will not cash in the UK.
    Thank you for your interest
    Howard Buckley

    ps - there is a video of the stock reservoir rifle on youtube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4gDZPEDMbs

    I have a nice new lathe and milling machine arrived yesterday (Amadeal AMA250V*750 and AMA25LV) to go up onto the benches in the cellar (waiting for friend to come around with engine hoist): will be a perfect first project!
    Last edited by marcusj; 07-05-2010 at 01:42 PM.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Gold Coast, Australia
    Posts
    299
    Is this an old post?, i thought these books sold out years ago as i always wanted one!

    Jack.
    Living in Australia (despite the blooming gun laws)!

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