Book: "My Life Journey with Smith & Wesson"

[BarryinIN]

By Dwayne W. Charron

I have no affiliation whatsoever with this book, the publisher, writer, family- nothing. I just thought it would be of interest to some here. I haven't even read the book yet. I've only skimmed through it and read a couple of especially interesting sections. What I've read already was worth buying it for.

The author hired on at S&W at age 16. WWII had just begun and he was too young to sign up. He was too young to "work the machines" at S&W, so they put him to work pushing the food cart through the plant handing out sandwiches. At 17, he began a toolmaking apprenticeship. He went on to become the director of their Research and Development department. He retired at the end of the 469 "Mini Gun" project in 1987, only to go to work in the museum, from which he retired in 2010. He saw a lot in between.

Thankfully, he wrote a book about it.

He worked on the Model 41, the 52, the 53 .22 Jet, the 61 Escort, and even the Maximum Security handcuffs. As the owner of one, and knowing stories behind it are scant and often conflicting, the fact he worked on designing the model 76 SMG was interesting to me. He worked on redesigning the 39 into the 59, and actually tested a polymer (nylon) receiver 39 around 1970, test firing it for at least 1,000 rounds. There are some even more bizarre guns, but I won't give it all away.

In addition to the text, there are pictures of most guns discussed. I liked the original sketches and drawings used to work out some design details we are now familiar with.

At this point they are only making 500 copies, but I'm sure that could change. I have to admit the book isn't the best value, at $29.95 and only 90 pages, but I decided there weren't many people who could tell this story. After looking through it, I don't think anyone else could have. And that's what you're paying for- A first hand account from inside the factory during six of the most productive and evolving decades in firearms. For me, that's hard to put a value on.

The copies are numbered, and signed by the author. It just came out in mid to late September, and mine is numbered #134. My public school education tells me there should be just over 350 left, which, at the present rate will last until about the new year. That's not long. The book and certificate of authenticity are signed and numbered by the author.

All info is right here:

http://www.mljwsw.com/