British Family Reacts to Why Can Americans Just Buy This??? video by L3WG Reacts.
Summary:
L3WG Reacts explores Charlie's journey into an American Fleet Farm, highlighting the vast scale of the store and its extensive inventory. The family observes the accessibility of various hunting gear, power equipment, and firearms, contrasting these retail experiences with those typically found in the United Kingdom.
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| Above, the price of a good pre-64 Winchester 94 doubled and tripled since I bought mine in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Guns that were once commonplace (i.e., easy to find) are becoming more scarce in the used gun market. Finding examples that are in great condition are even harder for find.
That is the topic The Avid Outdoorsman posted yesterday. The article is on 20 guns that became collector favorites by accident. I have some that made the list.
The article begins with:
Every gun counter has that one story: a plain-looking firearm that sat untouched for years, then suddenly everybody wants one. Most of the time it wasn’t designed to be “collectible.” It was designed to be affordable, useful, or just different enough to stand out for a season. Then production stopped, a military contract ended, a movie showed it off, or a new law shifted buying habits, and the thing turned into a safe-queen whether the owner meant it or not.
Here are 20 firearms that ended up becoming collector favorites the hard way—by being in the right place at the right time, and then disappearing.
To read more, go here.
More women are buying guns and taking classes on how to correctly and safely use them. At the same time, some media outlets occasionally post photos of women and guns that makes one scratch their heads.
As there's dos and don't of firearm use, NRA Women posted a list of the cringiest stock photos of women and guns.
They begin it with:
In the media, we often rely on stock photos sites to provide kind of generic images to go with articles. This works well enough when you need a picture of, say, an elk standing in a field, or a “bad guy” type looking threatening. But if you need a photo of a woman shooting a gun, drawing a gun, preparing to defend herself with a gun, hunting with a gun or basically anything that involves women and guns? God help you, because the internet’s idea of what women do with guns is downright absurd. You see the same eye-rolling poses, stupid safety violations and general WTH over the over, like you’ll find in these 10 cringy stock photos.
To read more, go here.
250 Years of American History In 9 Minutes video by Kite & Key Media.
Summary:
250 years of American history in 9 minutes — with no words.
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| Above, Daniel Boone. |
We are celebrating America's 250th birthday today.
One big feature of our heritage is the Second Amendment. From self defense to just plain plinking or hunting, firearms play a big role in that heritage.
American Hunter (NRA) takes a look at 250 years of American hunting and spotlights several notable American hunters in our history.
They begin with:
As we Americans celebrate the semiquincentennial—250th anniversary—of our great country, understand there are, of course, various interpretations of what made our country great. But no one can deny the role of frontiersmen in our history—and they depended on hunting for their survival. (Unfortunately, in some circles there are those who reject the very idea of America being a great country, but such perfidy is not worth our time, for life is too short to waste it on negative nincompoops.) At 250, our country has lived longer than any of us ever will, so let’s celebrate this unique moment with unabashed patriotism.
There are few recreational activities where patriotism runs deeper than in hunting. In a deep sense, we hunters are traditionalists—we go get our meat from the land, just as the frontiersmen did when the country was founded. Our equipment is more sophisticated than theirs, but fundamentally the activity is the same. When the country expanded in the founding era, it was largely thanks to frontiersmen who braved forth and charted uncharted land. Of course, there were no grocery stores in the wilderness—you ate what you brought with you, and when it ran out you hunted your dinner. You cleared the land for farming, but you still depended on meat from the land until your crops were ready.
Therefore, at this time of grateful celebration, we American hunters cannot be faulted if we also indulge in filiopietism—the enthusiastic reverence of traditions and ancestors. In fact, filiopietism should be a very appropriate part of our celebration. After all, hunting made possible the existence of the frontiersmen, and frontiersmen made possible the expansion and thus the continued existence of the country, and therefore hunting is inseparably connected to America’s greatness.
Over the last 250 years, millions of Americans maintained the tradition of hunting by actively engaging in it. We will never know all their names—but we can commemorate those whose names we do know well. Even the latter list would be inordinately long, so we are therefore compelled to pick and choose some names over others, which is a subjective exercise after all. Nevertheless, the American hunters we celebrate here are worthy of being on anyone’s list.
To read more, go here.
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| Above, yours truly with the Winchester Model 12 shotgun. |
I have a friend who has a sizable gun collection. His first born was a son. Later, a daughter was born.
When the sister was born, the son said, "Good! I will inherit the guns!" or something similar.
However, the daughter, after growing up, gained a big interest in firearms. Now who-gets-what is a bit up in the air. My friend is still alive and well.
That is the crux of a slideshow article in MSN. It is on 15 firearms that "quietly" became the ones families fight over later. I have three on the list: Winchester 94, Winchester Model 12 and Ruger 10/22. Also listed is a Remington 870, but it is a Wingmaster and I have an Express. So I am not counting it.
The slideshow begins with:
Some guns are obviously destined to become heirlooms. The engraved shotgun. The pre-war rifle. The fancy revolver with the presentation case. Everyone knows those pieces will matter, so people treat them carefully from the beginning.
But the guns families fight over later are not always the fancy ones. Sometimes they are the rifles and shotguns that got used the most. The .22 everyone learned on. The deer rifle with the scratched stock. The revolver that sat in the same nightstand for decades. Those guns become valuable because they carry the family’s stories. By the time everyone realizes it, the safe may already have several people emotionally attached to the same firearm.
To see the slideshow, go here.
Last evening, I had my usual dinner at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup with "Uncle Bob" Weekes.
Earlier, I was chatting on the phone with by former roommate Jessica and mentioned that would be going there. She asked me to send her some photos, including one of the enchilada/chile relleno dinner.
So, I obliged.
It is hard to believe that we are celebrating the 250 birthday of America. Officially, it is called the Semiquincentennial.
It was only 50 years ago that we celebrated the Bicentennial (the above image was the official logo). I was at the "ripe old age" of 26 at the time.
My parents and I spent the 1976 July 4th weekend (July 4 fell on a Sunday) in Las Vegas, Nevada with my aunt, uncle and two cousins. On July 3, we went to the Stardust Hotel to see Lido de Paris.
According to Google's A.I. overview:
The Lido de Paris was a legendary French topless revue that ran for 32 years at the Stardust Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, debuting on the resort's opening day in 1958 and running until 1991. Produced by Donn Arden, it was a massive, high-tech production that helped cement the "showgirl" as an enduring icon of Las Vegas culture.
It seemed a little odd (to me) at the time that I should be attending a topless show with my parents and relatives. But it was a good and entertaining show.
On Sunday, July 4, we drove home from during the evening hours and we took in the fireworks displays of the desert towns and the suburbs of Los Angeles along the way during the drive.
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| Above, Nancy and Ronald Reagan arrive at the Hilton Plaza Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The following month, I was in Kansas City, Missouri for the 1976 Republican National Convention. I was a Ronald Reagan delegate for California. The convention was held at the Kemper Arena. This was the convention in which President Gerald Ford won the GOP nomination over Reagan.
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| Above, Kemper Arena, the venue of the 1976 GOP National Convention in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The California Delegation were housed at the Hilton Plaza Hotel. One day during convention week, I managed to take a snapshot of the Reagans arriving at the hotel for a meeting (above photo).
It is amazing that I still vividly remember things from 50 years ago.
Here's a rarity. A Winchester 94 in .375 Winchester cartridge. I don't think I've ever seen .375 Winchester at any gun stores. But then, I wasn't looking for them either.
According to Guns Magazine:
The .375 Winchester was introduced in 1978 and is a modernized version of the .38-55 Winchester from the 1880s. Wanting to breathe life into the popular Winchester 1894 lever-gun, Winchester released their “big bore” 1894s chambered in .375 Winchester. Although slightly shorter than the .38-55, the .375 Winchester operates at a much higher pressure, 52,000 CUP, making it a powerful, modern-day puncher.
Video by WHOTEEWHO CLIPS.
Here is a beat-up 67-year-old Winchester 94 rifle being restored in a time-lapse video:
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| Above, the Ruger P95 made the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Over the years, I have browsed in gun shops here and there. There are some guns that I would have liked to have purchased but didn't. No regrets, though.
There are some that were cheap to buy but now are considered collectibles and are becoming more scarce on the used gun market or priced much higher. I bought my 1962 Winchester 94 in 2019 for $495.This was before prices jumped. I saw one a few minutes ago that was made in 1960 and is for sale at $775.
The Avid Outdoorsman lists 20 guns that should have been bought when cheap. The Winchester 94 is included in the list. Three others that I have are also on the list.
They begin with:
Every gun guy has a “should’ve” story. The one you handled at the gun counter back when rent was cheaper and gas was still under control, and you thought, “I’ll come back for it.” Or the one you sold to fund a new deer rifle and later realized you traded away a dependable tool for a shiny idea.
This isn’t about hoarding or treating everything like a retirement plan. It’s about how certain firearms were once regular working guns, and now they’re either priced like collectibles, hard to find in decent condition, or just plain annoying to replace because magazines and parts dried up. Here are 20 that sting a little when you remember what they used to cost.
To read more, go here.
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| Above, flying my Gadsden flag at the Lava Hot Springs KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
When I am camping at a campground for more than one night, I usually put my flag up on the rear RV ladder bracket.
There are many ways to displaying a flag while camping. Do It Yourself RV shows the many ways of doing so.
They begin with:
A flag can make an RV campsite easier to spot, more personal, or just a little more fun. But once you move beyond a tiny garden flag, the question gets trickier: where do you safely mount the pole?
RV walls are not house walls, rear ladders vary in strength, and a tall pole with a full-size flag can catch more wind than people expect. That is why RVers have come up with so many different mounting solutions, from ladder brackets and hitch receivers to under-tire bases, pin box mounts, and homemade PVC setups.
To read more, go here.
British Couple Visit Bass Pro Shop for the FIRST TIME...We Were NOT Ready!🇺🇸 video by James & Siana.
Summary:
We finally visited a Bass Pro Shops for the very first time as a British couple… and honestly, nothing could’ve prepared us for how wild this place is. This store felt more like a theme park than a shop (in the best way possible!!)
After exploring Bass Pro, we jumped back in the RV and drove through Pigeon Forge on our way toward Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. Pigeon Forge completely surprised us… neon signs, roller coasters and family attractions everywhere you look. It’s one of those places you have to see to believe.
The drive into Gatlinburg and toward the Smokies was stunning, and we can’t wait to show you what we got up to next.
Everything We Thought About The USA Was Wrong… video by James & Siana.
Summary:
For years, I (Siana) had always dreamed of travelling across the USA in an RV.
James, on the other hand, was hesitant. He’d only ever heard negative things about America in the media and wasn’t sure it was somewhere he even wanted to go.
But I convinced him to take the chance… and it completely changed our lives.
Our first trip started in Phoenix, Arizona, where we picked up our very first Cruise America RV and spent two weeks exploring Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. We’ve travelled to many countries before, but nothing came close to what we experienced on that trip.
We fell in love with the USA.
As soon as we got home, we couldn’t stop thinking about it… so we booked another trip. This time exploring California and Oregon — and we even extended it up to Washington State because we just couldn’t get enough.
The landscapes, the people, the diversity… it blew us away all over again.
Then came our third RV road trip — starting in Chicago and travelling through Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
And that’s when we realised something…
We don’t feel at home in the UK anymore.
If we could live in the USA right now, we would.
The only thing stopping us is the visa process — but we’re determined to make it happen in the next few years.
This video is our honest opinion of the USA as a British couple… and why we were so wrong.
What if the biggest surprise of the U.S. World Cup wasn't just the football—but the country itself? This documentary explores why thousands of European fans arrived with certain expectations about America, only to discover experiences that challenged many long-held assumptions. Through observations, public reactions, travel experiences, and economic context, we examine how the 2026 World Cup is reshaping international perceptions of the United States.Rather than making sweeping claims, this video analyzes how the World Cup USA has influenced American culture, sports tourism, and international travel. We also look at how European travel habits compare with domestic tourism, why American cities prepared differently for the tournament, and what visitors have highlighted after experiencing everyday life across the country.From transportation and hospitality to food, entertainment, and fan culture, the FIFA World Cup 2026 provides a unique opportunity to compare expectations with reality. By examining U.S. tourism, Europe vs America, and changing patterns in global tourism, we discuss practical lessons for future host nations while exploring how mega sporting events can reshape international reputation.This educational analysis also explores broader themes surrounding the U.S. economy, travel trends, sports economy, host cities, fan experience, cultural exchange, international visitors, tourism industry, North America travel, and global events. Instead of promoting one perspective, we present multiple viewpoints and possible explanations supported by observable trends and public discussion.
Contrary to what the American Left says, World Cup Fans saw a different America. They love it!
Thousands of World Cup Fans Discover the Real America — And Realize They Were Lied To video by Europeans In America.
Summary:
Thousands of World Cup fans are arriving in America with one image in their minds — but the real America they discover feels very different.
This travel documentary explores World Cup fans, real America, America travel, World Cup 2026, Europeans react, America first time, visiting America, life in America, American culture, American hospitality, Europe vs America, US vs Europe, culture shock, cultural differences, European perspective, football fans, Americans react, America experience, and educational comparison.
From stadiums and fan zones to small conversations, local food, road trips, city streets, suburbs, service culture, and everyday kindness, many visitors are realizing that the real America is more complex than the version they were told to expect.
This is not about saying Europe or America is better. Instead, we look at World Cup fans, Europeans react moments, American hospitality, cultural differences, culture shock, European perspective, and America experience through a balanced and educational lens.
Why do so many football fans arrive with fear, doubt, or negative expectations — then leave talking about friendly people, big energy, surprising convenience, and unforgettable memories?
This video breaks down how World Cup 2026 is changing the way visitors see America, why visiting America can challenge old assumptions, and what life in America looks like when people experience it directly instead of only through headlines.
Topics include World Cup fans, real America, America travel, World Cup 2026, Europeans react, America first time, visiting America, life in America, American culture, American hospitality, Europe vs America, US vs Europe, culture shock, cultural differences, European perspective, football fans, Americans react, travel documentary, America experience, and educational comparison.
The Grim Reality Behind the Legendary Winchester Rifles! video by The Gun Warehouse.
Summary:
Hollywood made Winchester rifles look like unstoppable symbols of the American frontier, but the real history behind them is far more complicated. Some Winchester models truly changed firearms forever, while others were weaker, outdated, or remembered more because of movies than reality. In this video, we rank legendary Winchester rifles and uncover the hidden stories behind their designs, failures, factory struggles, and the myths that made them famous.
From the early Volcanic Rifle and Henry Rifle to the iconic Model 1873, Winchester’s legacy is filled with innovation, business ambition, conquest, and personal tragedy. We explore how these rifles shaped the West, how advertising created the Gun That Won the West legend, and the heartbreaking story of Sarah Winchester and the mansion built from a fortune connected to these famous firearms.
The Ultimate LEVER ACTION RIFLE Every American Should Own! video by Survival Gear.
Summary:
Discover the legacy of lever action rifles and their role in American history. See why this design remains relevant over a century later.
This video examines the historical impact of lever action rifles and how they helped shape the development of the United States. Whether you are a firearms enthusiast or a history buff, you will learn how these tools evolved from frontier essentials into the refined, modern lever action platforms available today.
We explore the engineering endurance that keeps these classic rifles in production long after their introduction. By contrasting early models with current manufacturing standards, we highlight why the fundamental mechanics of the lever action rifle continue to impress shooters and collectors alike. You will gain a clearer understanding of why this specific action has stood the test of time.
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| Above, The Thumb (or a.k.a. John Wayne's Boot) in Monument Valley. It was prominently shown in the classic western, The Searchers. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
I have always been fascinated by filming locations, whether they were used for movies or television shows in the U.S. or in foreign countries.
Back in 2010, I published The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan that spotlights locations used (or depicted in miniature) in Japanese monster movies. (I still have some copies available. If you want a copy, go here.)
MSN posted a slideshow article on nine famous filming locations across the United States.
They begin it with:
From iconic city landmarks to remote natural wonders, these locations have played memorable roles in television and film. Each site, from bustling restaurants and historic buildings to dramatic landscapes, has become a destination for fans eager to connect with their favorite on-screen moments. Together, they showcase the diverse settings that have shaped American pop culture on screen.
To read more and see the slideshow, go here.
Rifle Prices COLLAPSED in 2026 — 10 Rifles NOW Dirt-Cheap in 2026! video by Gun Addicts.
Summary:
The rifle market has taken a dramatic turn in 2026, and savvy buyers are taking full advantage. After years of soaring prices, supply shortages, and overwhelming demand, many popular rifles have become far more affordable than anyone expected. Whether it's increased production, changing consumer trends, or an oversupplied market, some outstanding rifles are now available at prices that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.
In this video, we're counting down Rifle Prices COLLAPSED in 2026 — 10 Rifles NOW Dirt-Cheap in 2026! From dependable hunting rifles and tactical favorites to precision bolt-actions and budget-friendly semi-autos, these firearms offer exceptional performance without the premium price tag.
We'll break down what makes each rifle a standout bargain, including accuracy, reliability, build quality, features, aftermarket support, and overall value. Some of these rifles were once considered expensive dream guns, while others have quietly become the best bargains on the market thanks to recent price drops and increased availability.
If you love getting the most value for your money, this is one countdown you won't want to miss. Stay until the end because our number one pick is a rifle that combines premium performance, legendary reliability, and a surprisingly affordable price—making it one of the biggest bargains of 2026.
Well, we are now in a new month. June came and went in a flash it seems.
It is time to take a peek at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen in Tokyo foreign exchange trading for those planning a vacation to the Land of the Rising Sun.
According to Japan Today:
TOKYO - The yen hit a fresh 39-year low past 162 versus the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, despite concerns by market players of possible intervention by Japanese authorities to stem the currency's fall.
The Japanese currency sank to the lower 162 zone in Tokyo, marking its lowest level since December 1986, amid expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes this year. Yen selling was also accelerated at one point by domestic importers who bought the dollar.
"There is a growing view that it will be difficult for the yen to compete with the dollar if the Fed does go ahead with rate hikes," said Takuya Kanda, senior researcher at the Gaitame.com Research.
Although Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama warned earlier in the day that the government is "always" ready to act when necessary, in response to the yen's fall against the dollar, the currency market showed little reaction.
To read more, go here.
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| Above, the Jeep where Six Mile Canyon Road branches off. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Yesterday afternoon, I took a drive in Six Mile Canyon. The weather was nice with a few clouds and some wind. But otherwise it was sunny.
I saw a couple of other vehicles driving in the canyon and one camper. It was a relaxing drive.
Naturally, I took a few photos.
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| Above, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at High Line. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
One of the joys of travel has to include riding on scenic/tourist railroad.
I've ridden a few, such as the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado, the 1880 Train in South Dakota, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in California and others.
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| Above, at one point, the Durango train is 300 feet above the Animas River. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
RV Travel posted a poll asking readers how interested they are in riding scenic/tourist railroads.
They begin it with:
How interested are you in riding scenic or tourist railroads? Maybe you’ve already crossed a few famous routes off your bucket list, or perhaps you’ve never really given them much thought. Either way, we’d love to know where you stand.
There’s something undeniably nostalgic about traveling by train. Instead of white-knuckle traffic, endless construction zones, and watching your fuel gauge creep toward empty, you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery rolling by. Some of the most famous tourist railroads wind through breathtaking mountain passes, hug dramatic coastlines, cross towering bridges, or travel through places that aren’t accessible by road at all.
To read more and participate in the poll, go here.
Now that we're in summer, with students on summer vacation and some seasonal workers idly relaxing, here is a suggestion for a movie to watch.
It is Tim Burton's Ed Wood (1994), a comedy-drama based on the schlock film producer-director and his friendship with the late horror star Bela Lugosi. The movie stars Johnny Depp as Ed Wood.
Ed Wood, at the time of its release, was given two thumb's up by critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert (see video below).
Although it didn't make that much theatrically, it is now considered a cult classic by movie fans. It is hard to believe that it was released 32 years ago.
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| Above, yours truly with Martin Landau at Monsterpalooza in 2013. |
Back in 2013, I met actor Martin Landau, who garnered a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role as Bela Lugosi at Monsterpalooza. Rick Baker, who created Landau's Lugosi make-up, also received an Oscar for his Ed Wood work.
I highly recommend getting the DVD (or Blu-ray) of Ed Wood. It is available at Amazon or at other dealers.
20 Secrets Winchester Doesn't Want You to Know About the .30-30 video by At The Range.
Summary:
Everybody calls it the deer gun. The truck rifle. The cheap old 30-30. They've got it wrong, and the rifle in your safe can prove it.
The Winchester 94 is the best-selling centerfire lever rifle in American history, more than 7 million built since 1894. But the cartridge's own famous name started as a competitor's insult. Winchester gutted the gun in 1964 to cut costs and damaged its own reputation doing it. And your rifle sits on one side of that 1964 line or the other, worth a few hundred dollars or a few thousand depending on details most owners were never told to look for.
The 15,000 dollar Browning patent. The serial number and safety tells that date your rifle almost to the year. The U.S. military 94s hiding at estate sales. How to read your own gun in 10 seconds. Every date, price, and part detail verified 2026.
If you own one, tell me your serial and whether it's a pre-64. And for the men who've carried both, Winchester or Marlin, which one earned its spot in your safe and which one's been the safe queen? Some of you are already loaded for that fight.
New breakdowns every day. Subscribe so you don't miss the next one.
Winchester 1894: The Rifle That Turned a Frontier Myth Into an American Empire video by Mercy Ian.
Summary:
Winchester 1894 was never just another lever-action rifle. It arrived at a moment when the American frontier was already becoming memory, yet the market for that memory was only beginning to grow. This video traces how the Model 1894 joined new smokeless-powder cartridges, mass production, hunting culture, and Winchester’s powerful brand identity to become one of the most enduring rifles in American history. Behind the cowboy image was a deeper industrial story: a company that understood timing, distribution, mythology, and the changing needs of civilian shooters. The result was not simply a gun of the Old West, but a machine that helped turn the Old West into a lasting commercial legend.
For those of us ex-Californians in New Mexico needing their fix of an In-In-Out Burger, they will be be able to partake in Albuquerque next year.
One store is slated to open next year and two more are planned for Albuquerque.
Here a video from KOB Channel 4 News:
