Any books that you would recommend, specifically for IDing differences from countries/manufacturers?

Anyone have this one?

LINK

I can't recommend any specific books, but since AK identification is your objective, here's a link you might find informative and helpful.

AK info

This web site has lots of good AK info too.

AK-47.us

Quoted: I can't recommend any specific books, but since AK identification is your objective, here's a link you might find informative and helpful. AK info This web site has lots of good AK info too. AK-47.us

Good stuff.  Thanks!

Thanks, guys.  I really expected more books on this subject considering the AK's availability around the world.

Maybe one of you guys should get busy and write a book on AK's that sets everything straight.  

I'm going to make two mistakes in one post.  I'm going off topic, and I'm exposing myself to ridicule by endorsing a controversial fellow.  Please enjoy my mistakes.

I had a good time reading "Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting" by Gabe Suarez.  It's not an ID book, but rather a book on how to run your Kalashnikov.  I'd say it was written more with the armed citizen in mind, rather than .mil or LEO's.  I picked up a few good tips, especially when it comes to how to run the AK's switching gear, and I had a good time reading it.  

My only gripe with the book is that it's chocked full of grammatical and spelling errors.  I mean chock full, from beginning to end.  

I know Mr. Suarez has his share of detractors.  I've never taken any of his classes, and I've never met him, so I can't speak to any of that.  However, I did enjoy his book, and I feel like I learned a few good things from it.

Let the bashing begin...

Quoted: I'm going to make two mistakes in one post.  I'm going off topic, and I'm exposing myself to ridicule by endorsing a controversial fellow.  Please enjoy my mistakes. I had a good time reading "Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting" by Gabe Suarez.  It's not an ID book, but rather a book on how to run your Kalashnikov.  I'd say it was written more with the armed citizen in mind, rather than .mil or LEO's.  I picked up a few good tips, especially when it comes to how to run the AK's switching gear, and I had a good time reading it.   My only gripe with the book is that it's chocked full of grammatical and spelling errors.  I mean chock full, from beginning to end.   I know Mr. Suarez has his share of detractors.  I've never taken any of his classes, and I've never met him, so I can't speak to any of that.  However, I did enjoy his book, and I feel like I learned a few good things from it. Let the bashing begin...

I haven't read the book but plan to purchase it. I've met Gabe and have taken one of his courses. I plan to take a few more as well. I found nothing controversial about him. All the students in my class were gun-toting professionals both LEOs and .gov agents. You are right about the grammatical errors. I don't mind some but he has a lot. I guess his editor doesn't use Spellcheck.

I've heard that the book: "Kalashnikov:The Arms and the Man" is a good book.  I've wanted to buy it for some time, anybody second this?

+1 on the Ezell book (arms and the man).  Want to get it, but don't want to pay what I am seeing right now for it.  The only defect with that book that I can think of is that it is kind of old (last edition was late-80s or early-90s, if I remember right), so a lot of the information that has come out since the Union broke up, especially relating to AK-74s and the AK-100 series, is missing from this book I would guess.  This would probably lead to a few historical and technical statements, and assumptions that have since been proven wrong.  Not sure though; I haven't had a chance to inspect Ezell's book in person yet.  I would be interested in others' opinions of it.

(Edit):  It looks like they have made a new version in 2001, but it is $$$

Chris McNabb (McNab?) also wrote one called "The AK-47."
Pretty good overview book, with lots of in-action pics and color schematics and etc, and is pretty wide-based (covers design, training, combat use, tactics which affected how the AK was used. etc).  He only covers the military side of the house, however.  Don't look for anything in-depth on any thing that is not specific to armies and whatnot.  Also, it is an overview, not a detail-oriented book (mostly, although he does cover basic things like the 3 types of AK-47 recievers), so don't look to find super-detailed parts lists or cleaning operations or anything like that.

My two cents (or two paragraphs)

I like Gabe's book as well, for its thoughts on how to use the AK.