The 20th century was among the most violent eras in human history--barely a day has passed that has not witnessed a war or uprising in some part of the world. Because of this, arms manufacturers have never been busier, and with increased business comes an accompanying advance in technology, as rival weapons makers compete with each other to produce the most accurate and powerful guns to supply the armies, police forces, and sportspeople of the world.
From the early "Suicide Special" revolvers--so called because their cheap manufacture was as likely to cause harm to the firer as to any target--to modern military rifles that are masterpieces of design and rugged durability, HANDGUNS & RIFLES examines revolvers and automatics, bolt-action and magazine-loaded rifles. The innovations and failures within the arms-making industry are also discussed, showing the patterns and shifts that have occurred as the needs and the interests of its customers--both military and civilian--have changed. It details such famous weapons as the Automat Kalashnikov (AK) 47, which has dominated the market since its design in 1946 due to its simplicity and reliability, as well as less well-known guns such as the Stechkin machine pistol, which promised much but was virtually uncontrollable when fired.

Comprehensively illustrated with color and black-and-white photographs, HANDGUNS & RIFLES traces the evolution of modern weapons from the turn of the 20th century to the present day.