Military Model Scene

Title: Infantry Small Arms of the 21st Century

Author: Leigh Neville

Publisher: Pen and Sword

ISBN: 978-1-47389-613-0

 

A new 260-page book looking at the modern infantry weapons in use by military forces around the world. The Introduction which starts it off makes for interesting reading by itself. A lot of experience from combat use of infantry weapons in recent years has come from Afghanistan, and a number of personal accounts within this section illustrate the lessons that have been learnt. They clearly show the changes which continue to influence small arms requirements and design.
The book goes on to to divide the subject across 8 chapters, starting with the smallest and most personal of guns, the Combat Pistol. The value of these weapons is examined, and how the WW2 designs remained in use until relatively recently, until newer designs such as the Glock 17 have grown in popularity. Then it goes on to tackle Sub-Machine Guns & Personal Defence Weapons: Assault Rifles and Carbines: Battle & Designated Marksman Rifles; Combat Shotguns: Sniper and Anti-Materiel Rifles: Light Machine Guns, Light Support Weapons & Squad Automatic Weapons: and finally, Support Weapons, such as Medium Machine-guns and Grenade Launchers. Plenty of detailed information and well illustrated throughout.
An excellent look at the variety of small arms in use with military forces around the world, and interesting factors such as combat ranges, cost, reliability, weight and more. Add other factors such as training and even eye health are all factors to be added in to the various equations for the policy and decision makers.

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Thanks to Pen and Sword for this review copy.

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Robin