Stop Trusting Your Lever Action in Bear Country

Stop Trusting Your Lever Action in Bear Country Until You Watch This video from Gunner Zone.

NOTE: This video caught my attention as we have bears in our area. Two were recently killed by vehicles on Interstate 40 near our community.

Summary:

When a 1,200-pound Alaskan bull moose charges at 35 MPH in -30°F weather, your sub-caliber AR-15 or frozen lever action will turn into an expensive liability. We run 10 popular big-game hunting setups through extreme glacial forensics to expose the dangers of intermediate rounds, hydraulic cushion freeze, and magnum flinch—and reveal the ultimate bolt-action workhorse for true backcountry survival.   

Mia Asano In Albuquerque October 20

Here's an additional video short of Mia Asano performing during the Meet & Greet session on October 20 in Albuquerque at Backstage At Revel.

Mia Asano Video Shorts

Here's a couple of video shorts of Mia Asano performing during the V.I.P./Meet & Greet at Backstage At Revel in Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Sushi

Above, yesterday's lunch/dinner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before heading to the Mia Asano concert, I arrived in Albuquerque right at noon, also known as lunchtime.

I was craving sushi so I went to try out one off Coors Blvd. called Sakura.

Above, ah, Japanese beer. 

When I got there, I had a bottle of Sapporo beer (I haven't had Japanese beer since I moved out of California). It was good. I still do prefer Asahi Beer, by the way.

I had tuna, yellowtail and salmon cut rolls. They really hit the spot! They were quite good. 

After the meal, I headed nearby to Albuquerque Guns to browse around. I did buy some Winchester .30-30 cal. 150 grain ammo while there. Then, I headed over to Bass Pro Shops (formerly Cabela's) and did some more browsing. I did get a free Bass Pro cap and gear bag for signing up with their Visa card while there. I didn't stay long as the pre-concert Meet & Greet would be starting in a hour and a half. I had find the venue first. 

I did see a nice Winchester 9422 (the .22 cal. Winchester 94) rifle on the used rifle rack at Bass Pro. It was priced over $900. Nice though it was, it wasn't over $900 nice.

Mia Asano Concert

Above, yours truly with Mia Asano during the meet & greet.

Last night, I attended the concert in Albuquerque of Mia Asano at Backstage At Revel. 

It was an enjoyable evening which started with a "meet & greet" with Asano. There were about 50 of us at the meet & greet. She performed three songs before she greeted and posed for photos with the attendees. This was before the concert, which was attended by around 300 people. Attendees for the V.I.P./Meet & Greet were given a bag of Mia Asano promo goods, including a 3" x 5" autographed tour schedule/photo.

Here's three photos of Mia Asano I took during her meet & greet set:

For the concert, I shared my table with a nice couple from Bernalillo, New Mexico. They discovered Asano through Facebook as I did. 

The show began with a set by Deadgrace. The lead singer was also quite talented with a saxophone. 

Above, autographed tour schedule from the V.I.P./Meet & Greet bag.

After Deadgrace, Asano came out and performed for about an hour and a half (it could have been two hours, I lost track). Much of her song set focused on mythological subjects including dragons. The lead guitarist of her group is also her spouse. They were married earlier this year. 

Above, reproductions of classic rock posters adorned the room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I got better photos of her during the three-song set she performed as I was right up at the stage and with better lighting. During the concert, I sat at a table in the bar area which was further back. 

The crowd enjoyed her performance, although there were a couple of rowdies yelling at times. 

Above, yours truly having a highball before the concert started.

The venue itself is a nice place with a big central bar in the lobby and some eateries. The room we were in also had a bar. 

Some photos of the concert:

I was not disappointed in the concert or the event in total. If anything, Mia Asano can be called the "Jimi Hendrix of electric violins", she's that good! If she should return to Albuquerque for another concert, I'd go again.

After the concert, I headed to the Route 66 Hotel RV Park for some shut-eye. 

Backstage At Revel In Albuquerque

This evening, I'll be attending Mia Asano's concert in Albuquerque at Backstage At Revel.

I have never heard of this venue (or been there) until I bought a ticket to the show. It does look like a nice venue for concerts in an intimate setting. The seating capacity is 500.

Here's a photo from their website: 

 

From their website:

Backstage at Revel, is an intimate live music venue. Our distinctive space offers a full bar, and a unique fun atmosphere, here is the perfect spot for product launches, networking events, exclusive performances, corporate gatherings,  parties & more, 

To read more, go here. 

Which Airlines Have Oldest and Newest Fleets

Air Force One has garnered some interesting publicity in recent years. The Boeing 747s that presidents have used since 1990 are over 35 years old. A new fleet is currently under construction while President Trump has been using a Boeing 747 that was gifted by Qatar. It is a Boeing 747-8 (designated as the VC-25B Bridge), which entered service on July 1, 2026. This is serving as a temporary Air Force One until the new ones are ready, therefore it is why it is called a "bridge". The President of the United States isn't the only one who had been flying on old jets.

An interesting email came through from PR Newswire this morning. 

It is on which airlines has the oldest and newest planes in their fleets. I have never given much thought to this when boarding a jet. Maybe it is something we should all think about perhaps?

The email came with this:

They wrote:

Average age tells only part of the story. The share of an airline's fleet that is at least 25 years old offers another way to compare how many veteran aircraft each airline operates.

United has the largest share of planes at least 25 years old, followed by Delta and American. United and Delta are the only airlines in the study with planes aged 30 or older, representing 4.9% and 3.6% of their fleets, respectively. Southwest has no planes aged 25 or older among its 798 aircraft. Nearly one-quarter of Frontier's fleet is less than two years old.

• United Airlines: 30.7% (share of fleet 25+ years old)
• Delta Air Lines: 27.6%
• American Airlines: 24.3%
• Hawaiian Airlines: 15.3%
• JetBlue: 5.7%
• Allegiant Air: 4.8%
• Alaska Airlines: 3.7%
• Frontier Airlines: 0.0%
• Southwest Airlines: 0.0%

These 7 Rifles That Will Be Worth 3x More by 2028

These 7 Rifles That Will Be Worth 3x More by 2028 — Collectors Are Already Buying video from Guns Reloaded.

Summary:

These 7 rifles could become some of the most sought-after collector firearms by 2028! From forgotten .22 rifles to legendary military classics, discover why collectors are paying attention to these discontinued and historically significant rifles.

In this episode of GUNS RELOADED, we explore 7 collectible rifles, their history, rarity, original manufacturing quality, and the factors that could influence their future value.

🔫 7 Rifles Featured:

#7 Remington Nylon 66

#6 Marlin 39A

#5 Remington Model 600

#4 Winchester 9422

#3 Winchester Model 94 (Pre-1964)

#2 Winchester Model 70 (Pre-1964)

#1 M1 Garand

Are these classic rifles becoming increasingly valuable collectibles? Discover why original condition, limited supply, historical significance, and collector demand matter.

Stop Buying Winchester 94s Until You See This .30-30 Rifle

Stop Buying Winchester 94s Until You See This .30-30 Rifle video from Gun Insight.

Summary:

Paying $1,500 for a heritage .30-30 lever action rifle no longer guarantees the best deer hunting gun. We rank the 5 best .30-30 lever guns in 2026—comparing the Winchester 94, Marlin 336 Dark, Marlin 30AS, Mossberg 464, and Henry Steel Side Gate H009 on real field utility and value.   

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist. 

To start off the week, we have JoJo with her 2006 hit, "Too Little, Too Late" from her album The High Road. 

Her career got off to a bumpy start as she had major disputes with her then-record label, Blackground Records. She eventually settled with them and finally her career progressed. 

From Wikipedia:

Joanna Noëlle "JoJo" Levesque (la-VEK; born December 20, 1990) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She began performing in singing competitions and local talent shows as a child. In 2003, record producer Vincent Herbert noticed her after she competed on the television show America's Most Talented Kids and asked her to audition for his record label Blackground Records. After signing with the label, JoJo released her debut album JoJo in 2004. It peaked at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over four million copies worldwide to date.

With her debut single "Leave (Get Out)" peaking atop the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart, JoJo, aged just 13 at release, became the youngest solo artist in history to top the chart. The song peaked at 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the RIAA along with its follow-up single "Baby It's You". Her second studio album The High Road (2006) spawned her first top-five Hot 100 hit "Too Little Too Late".

For this spotlight, we have her original version of "Too Little, Too Late" and a re-recording of it after the record company disputes ended and she got her song rights back.

The Most Famous Lever-Action: The Winchester Model M94

The Most Famous Lever-Action: The Winchester Model M94 video from Ron Spomer Outdoors.

Summary:

Welcome to Ron Spomer Outdoors! Today we get the wonderful chance to shoot the absolutely beautiful rifle!

NOTE: The original owner of the rifle had it custom-made at Winchester in 1902.

Rangers Give 12 Tips For Best Grand Teton Experience

Above, a view of the Grand Tetons from Jenny Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. I have been there a few times, the last time being in 2019 following a visit with a friend in Buhl, Idaho. Since we were in "the neighborhood," Mitch Geriminsky and I headed to Wyoming to visit it and do some whitewater rafting near Jackson.

Islands posted an article with 12 tips from park rangers for having the best Grand Teton National Park experience. 

They begin it with: 

With well over three million visitors annually, Grand Teton National Park is one of the most-visited national parks in the country. Its namesake mountain is the tallest peak in the Teton Range, which crests above the gorgeous, year-round tourist destination of Jackson Hole. Its rarefied air, remarkable wildlife, stunning views, and historic places make it a bucket list national park destination. But if you're visiting for the first time — especially if you've never been to this part of the world — there are some things rangers would love for you to know about making the most of your visit.

Above, about to have lunch at Signal Mountain Lodge at Grand Teton National Park.

To read more, go here.

Camping In A Winterized RV

Above, camping in a snow-covered Red Rock Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I will be using my motorhome this week while in Albuquerque for the Mia Asano concert, I haven't yet winterized it.

Do It Yourself RV posted an article with a great topic asking if one can still go camping in an RV after winterizing it. I have done so a couple of times. I just don't use the water system and use instead the campground/RV park restroom facilities. 

The article begins with:

You’ve winterized the RV, put away the water hose, and figured the next trip would wait until spring. Then a mild weekend appears in the forecast, friends invite you along, or you realize you aren’t quite ready to give up camping for the season.

The RV doesn’t have to stay parked. You can camp with its plumbing still winterized, using portable water and separate bathroom arrangements. Or you can restore running water if the trip warrants it. The choice comes down to the conveniences you want and the conditions you’ll encounter.

To read more, go here.

Mia Asano In Albuquerque

This week, I'll be in Albuquerque to attend a concert by Mia Asano. 

Asano is an up-and-coming musician who plays an electric violin. Normally, I wouldn't be impressed with violins, but her artistry on the instrument is eye and ear catching. 

I will be attending a "meet and greet" event before the concert. 

Here's her cover of "Go Go Power Rangers" from two years ago.

Summary:

Hi everyone! It's about time I made a video for my cover of Go Go Power Rangers from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This song is very special to me and has been a dedication to Jason David Frank at live shows and online. I'm linking mental health resources below if you or someone you love are struggling, and a portion of streaming and ad revenue is donated to the AFSP. Love you all very much 

Fuel Discounts and Rewards Programs

Above, getting gasoline at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever since I bought my motorhome back in 2015, I have been a member of the Good Sam Club. 

Along with campground discounts and other perks that come with membership, discounted gasoline at Pilot/Flying J Travel Centers is also included. I happen to live up the hill from the Jamestown, New Mexico Flying J. My Good Sam discount there is ten cents per gallon. It used to be five cents. 

Sometimes though, I have found gasoline prices cheaper in Gallup (18 miles west) than the Flying J even with the discount.

RV Travel posted an article on breaking down the best discounts and fuel rewards programs. Oddly, they don't mention Pilot/Flying J, even though it is tied to the largest RV club in the nation. Go figure. 

They start their article with:

Fuel is one of the biggest expenses RVers face, especially on long trips. Fortunately, fuel loyalty programs, grocery rewards, and truck stop discounts can help reduce the cost of gasoline and diesel. That leaves more money for campgrounds and attractions.

Finding the best

The best fuel rewards program depends on where you travel, how often you fuel up, and whether you drive a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle.

I’ve looked at several fuel discount programs, and while one may be best for the way we RV, you may find that a different card works best for you. So, how do you choose the best program? Read the basic tenets of each program as a first step. Then, check out the website for more details.

To read more, go here. 

Silver Around $57.00 Per Troy Ounce

Above, 2024 American Silver Eagles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Currently, silver's spot price at COMEX is at around $57/toz. 

This is quite a fall since the beginning of the year.

From Numismatic News: 

But the price of silver has not traded normally over the past three years.  Its price jumped +460.1 percent from the COMEX close on Oct. 5, 2023, at $20.84 to settle at $116.73 on Jan. 28, 2026.

If silver falls into the $40 range, I may start buying again. (Remember, buy low, sell high.)  

Numismatic News posted an article on the future of 90% silver coins. To read it, go here.

The Amelia Earhart Search In South Pacific

Above, Amelia Earhart and her Lockheed Electra.

The mystery of aviator Amelia Earhart has fascinated people for nearly 80 years. She was on a world flight in July 1937 when she and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared somewhere in the South Pacific. 

An expedition by is currently undergoing a search for her plane, a Lockheed Electra, or artifacts that can be directly traced to her. 

According to a YouTube post by CBS News:

A team of researchers has honed in on a specific piece of potential evidence that could crack open the mystery of Amelia Earhart's disappearance. CBS News' Lana Zak breaks down the latest.

National Park Reservations For Those Who Plan

Above, camping at Yosemite Valley's North Pines Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have only made national park campsite reservations twice. 

The first was in November 2015 for a site at North Pines Campground in Yosemite National Park in April 2016. I calendared the date the reservation system for when it opened for the campground and got a site within minutes of its opening. Sites were gobbled up pretty fast.

The second was easier, I just logged into the Grand Canyon National Park's Trailer Village site and made a reservation. 

Both times, I did so while living in California. I am not so sure if my zip code at the time made any difference. Apparently, to some, higher zip codes give people an advantage. At least that's what an article in RV Travel says.

They begin with:

RVers know how this works. You map out a trip months in advance, then weather turns bad, the truck needs repairs, somebody gets sick—or you find a place you like and decide to stay another week.

That can make national park reservations a problem. Some campsites and park-entry permits disappear almost as soon as they become available. Others have to be booked months before you arrive.

New research suggests those systems may give an advantage to people from better-off communities.

Jonathan Hughes, an economist at the University of Colorado Boulder, studied reservation systems at seven national parks. He found that people who won some of the toughest reservation scrambles tended to live in higher-income ZIP codes. So did people who booked months ahead.

Twice in recent years, I pulled into two national parks without reservations and got a campsite. The first was at Joshua Tree National Park and the other was at Lassen Volcanic National Park.

To read more, go here.

8 Lever-Action Rifles That Are DOMINATING 2026!

8 Lever-Action Rifles That Are DOMINATING 2026! video from The Gun Warehouse.

Summary:

Lever action rifles are making a serious comeback in 2026, combining classic American firearm history with modern materials, new cartridges, updated designs, and precision-focused features. In this countdown, we look at eight standout lever-action rifles, from the legendary Winchester Model 1894 and budget-friendly Rossi R95 to the versatile Browning BLR, Henry Big Boy X, and Marlin’s modern comeback models. Each rifle brings something different to the table, whether it’s historical significance, innovative engineering, compact dimensions, or a distinctive place in today’s market.

We’ll look at published specifications, launch prices, reported reviews, and the historical milestones that helped shape these designs. This is an editorial ranking based on documented 2026 relevance, product features, and available reviews, not a sales ranking. Which lever-action rifle deserves the number-one spot? Share your pick in the comments.

"Slight Chance" of Snow Showers

Above, Navajo Code Talker statue in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Moments ago, I spotted this at the National Weather Service for Jamestown New Mexico:

Sunday

A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 9am, then a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

I doubt that the snow showers will come, but one never knows. We've received some snow in October a few times since I've moved here over eight years ago. 

Weather, Etc.

Above, yours truly at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup last Tuesday.

Thank God I came down with a bad cold or flu (I think it was a flu as the symptoms were more etreme than a typical cold) when I did. I have to be in Albuquerque next week for Mia Asano's concert next week. I have been looking forward to it. This'll be the first concert I am attending since Rush's last ever concert at The Forum in 2015. 

With the exception of an annoying runny nose, I am pretty much over it. I took things easy yesterday and stayed indoors as it was cold and windy outside. It is 39 degrees outside as I am writing this. Yes, we're definitely in autumn here. 

Today's high is expected to be 59 degrees and tomorrow's high will be 63. 

About half of the Jamestown gang has been under the weather besides me in recent days. Greg and Larry came down with colds or flu a few days before I did and Larry was hospitalized with pneumonia in Albuquerque. At last report, he is feeling better. I think I caught mine from them. Victor, Roger and Uncle Bob seem to be doing fine. I'll be meeting up with Uncle Bob for dinner at Jerry's Cafe today. We'll see who makes it for breakfast tomorrow at Grandpa's Grill.  

Do’s and Don’ts with Lever Action Rifles

Do’s and Don’ts with Lever Action Rifles (Levergun Tricks for Practical Use) video from Ivan's Journal. 

Summary:

Set two lever guns side by side. Walnut stocks, exposed hammers, both looking like they rode out of the same western. Now read the manuals that came with them. One says you can carry it fully loaded with the hammer down. The other says never carry it with a cartridge in the chamber at all.

The lever action is sold to us as the simple rifle, the grandpa gun, the one nobody needs a class for. It is not foolproof. It is honest, and it tells you exactly what you did wrong.

So nobody writes in about it, here is where I stand. I have owned lever guns most of my adult life, Marlins from three different eras and a couple of Henrys, and I have watched a lot of people run them at the range. I love these rifles. That is exactly why I stopped saying a lever gun is a lever gun.

The scariest moment I ever watched with one did not happen when somebody pulled the trigger. It happened when a man was trying to make the rifle safe. Hammer back, thumb sliding off a wet spur, muzzle drifting somewhere it had no business being. Nothing happened that day. But for a moment his thumb was the only thing holding that hammer, and he believed the simple rifle did not have rules.

What we go through:

Why Henry says hammer down on a loaded chamber is fine and Uberti says do not dare, and how the transfer bar explains it When Marlin and the Winchester Model 94 picked up their safeties, and why the era of your rifle matters Lowering a hammer on a live round, and the habit that removes a whole category of risk Why pointed bullets do not belong in a tube magazine, and the exception Hornady engineered with LEVERevolution Short-stroking, the most common lever gun jam, and why the rifle is usually innocent Cheap 38 Special in a 357 Magnum lever gun, double feeds, and the ring of crud that put one Marlin on a gunsmith's bench The Henry front-loading tube people laughed at for years, and why Henry kept it when the side gate finally came Topping off through the loading gate, and the thumb bite everybody pays for Cleaning a Marlin against a Winchester pattern, and why you never flood the action with solvent Big loop levers, spin-cocking, optics, and the federal short-barreled rifle line JM, Remlin and Ruger: how to read a Marlin by its serial number and markings before you read the price tag Transport, storage, and why an empty chamber over a full tube may not count as unloaded

Said plainly on safety: if you do not need a round in the chamber, do not keep one there. Follow the manual for your exact rifle, not somebody else's, and the rules of your state and any state you drive through. Practice the full lever stroke with dummy rounds, rifle pointed in a safe direction. Clean only an unloaded rifle with the chamber and tube checked and the ammunition somewhere else. Anything past normal field stripping is a gunsmith's job.

There is no secret trick in any of this. There are good habits. It is only that nobody gets famous telling you to read the thin little booklet that came in the box.

Tonight, take out your lever gun, unloaded, and find out exactly which rifle you own. The maker, the era, the safety, the markings on the barrel. Then dig out the manual and read it like it matters, because it does.

Tell me in the comments what lever gun you shoot and how old it is. And tell me this: what is the one lever gun mistake you made early on that nobody warned you about?

The notes I have gathered over the years on the small mistakes that cost people money, or worse, are in my book at ivansjournal.com

It's Getting Cold

Above, it won't be long before the yard starts to look like this. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It didn't seem that long ago that we were enjoying warm weather here in Jamestown, New Mexico.

Then, the seasons changed late last month, and now the temperatures are going down into the 30s at night. It won't be long that we'll be getting snow in the area.

The weather this coming week in the area is shaping up like this according to the National Weather Service:

 Today

Sunny, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 10 to 15 mph in the morning.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Northeast wind 10 to 20 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 61. East wind 15 to 20 mph.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 32. East wind 15 to 20 mph.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Sunday

Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Ruger Halts Production of Several Models

Above, Ruger's popular Ruger 10/22 rimfire rifles will continue to be produced. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fans of the firearms products of Sturm, Ruger & Company are dismayed to learn that some of the company's product line has been halted or discontinued. 

Many are wondering, "What is going on?" 

According to the NRA's American Hunter website:

On Oct. 13 Ruger issued a memo to distributors informing them that after an exhaustive internal review of its product portfolio—that weighed demand, manufacturing expense and complexity—production of four revolvers has been halted. Pending orders were cancelled. Affected guns include the Bearcat, GP100, LCR and SP101.

“Ruger announced changes to several current-generation product families yesterday as part of our ongoing Ruger 2030 strategy,” Abbey Clary—Ruger’s director of media, advertising and public relations—told NRA’s American Rifleman magazine. “This does not necessarily mean these product families are permanently discontinued.”

In addition, production of Redhawk, Super Redhawk, Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, Single-Series and Vaquero revolvers stop at the end of 2026. SR1911s, LC Carbines, LC Chargers, PC Chargers, PC Carbines, No. 1s, 77-Series rifles, Hawkeyes and Ruger Precision Rifles are also subject to the New Year’s Eve halt.

To read more, go here. 

RadioTimes "Godzilla Minus Zero" Review

Godzilla Minus Zero, the latest entry of Toho's long-running Godzilla franchise, opens in U.S. theaters (including IMAX) on November 6.

It is a direct sequel to Godzilla Minus One, the acclaimed Oscar-winning film of 2023. It is the first Godzilla movie to garner an 'R' rating.

RadioTimes has posted a review of Godzilla Minus Zero and it begins with:

Godzilla is too often misunderstood. For more than 70 years, the giant ocean lizard has remained one of cinema’s most enduring characters, but expanding franchises and Hollywood commercialism have frequently lost sight of the atom-bomb allegory that the King of the Monsters was supposed to symbolise in 1954.

Takashi Yamazaki is here to set the record straight, though. Three years ago, the Matsumoto-born writer and director was the man behind Godzilla Minus One, a new story set in 1940s Japan that received international acclaim and a visual effects Oscar on its way to becoming the highest-grossing Japanese-language film of all time in the US.

Now, Yamazaki is back with Godzilla Minus Zero, a sequel of more awe-inspiring spectacle and postwar drama. Premiering at film festivals in New York and London, the film has plenty to say, but tell us first of all that it’s time to take Godzilla more seriously.

To read more, go here.

Official State Firearms

Above, a Colt M1911 .45 caliber pistol. Colt website photo.

Idaho voters will be voting on an advisory measure on what should be the Official State Firearm November 3. 

The choices include: 

• Winchester Model 1894 (.30-30);
• Winchester Model 1873 (.44-40);
• 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver (.45 Colt);
• M1 Garand rifle (.30-06);
• Colt M1911 .45 automatic Colt pistol (.45 ACP); and
• Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle (.30-06). 

There are currently 10 states who already have an official state firearm. 

Here are the states and the guns:

• Alaska: Winchester Model 70 Rifle
• Arizona: Colt Single Action Army Revolver
• Arkansas: State firearm designated
• Indiana: Grouseland Rifle
• Kentucky: Kentucky Long Rifle
• Missouri: Hawken Rifle
• Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Long Rifle
• Tennessee: Barrett M82 Rifle
• Texas: Colt Walker Revolver
• Utah: M1911 Pistol
• West Virginia: Hall Model 1819 Flintlock Rifle 

Things You Might Think Are Banned At National Parks But Aren’t

Above, camping in North Pines Campground at Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many people visit national parks in their cars, trucks and RVs. There are some things people possess legally can get one into trouble if used in a national park. 

Some things may be allowed at one national park while they are prohibited in others. One must check the rules first to see where one's item is allowed or not.

That is the topic of an article in RV Travel.

They begin it with:

A recent travel article warns about 11 things that can be “confiscated” at national parks. That sounds like RVers arriving at Yellowstone, opening the truck door, and watching a ranger start emptying the glove box.

The actual rules are considerably more complicated.

Some items really are illegal to possess. Some are perfectly legal to have but illegal to use. Others are prohibited only at particular National Park Service (NPS) sites or under particular circumstances. And “prohibited” does not automatically mean “confiscated.”

Here’s what we found.

 To read more, go here.

Idaho Gun Gurus Shake Heads Over Ballot Choices

Above, the Winchester 94 is one of the choices on the Idaho ballot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some gun gurus in Idaho are shaking their heads over the choices of guns for the ballot advisory question on what should become the Idaho State Gun.

They are wondering about the reasoning for the guns selected for the the November 3rd ballot. The idea for the ballot advisory question is for getting more Republicans (in a Republican state) out to vote.

According to the The Coeur d'Alene Press:

Idaho lawmakers are aiming for an official state firearm. Like the huckleberry being its state fruit, Idaho could have a Winchester Model 1873 level-action rifle as its state gun.  

What do local Coeur d'Alene gun gurus think about it?

“It’s been a laughing joke of what’s been chosen,” said George Milton, owner of Gem State Firearms in Coeur d’Alene. “That’s the question we ask each other here: How did they come up with some of the guns? How did they come up with those specific guns when none of them tie back to Idaho?”

An advisory question on this year’s general election ballot asks whether voters think Idaho legislators should designate the state gun among a list of possible six options: 

• Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle (.30-06) 

• Colt M1911 .45 automatic Colt pistol (.45ACP) 

• M1 Garand rifle (.30-06) 

• 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver (.45 Colt) 

• Winchester Model 1894 (.30-30)

• Winchester Model 1873 (.44-40) 

The effort to name a state gun was introduced by Rep. Jason Monks, R-Meridian, who argued it’ll increase voter turnout in an election year that doesn’t involve the president on the ballot. 

Meanwhile, the gun options themselves were selected based on Idaho’s frontier history as well as broader American military history.

Ten states already have designated "state guns."

To read more, go here.