"Victory At Sea" First Two Episodes

As tomorrow is Memorial Day, to salute those who have fallen in defense of freedom, here are the first two episodes of the acclaimed television series, Victory At Sea. 

They are: Episode 1, "Design For War" and Episode 2, "The Pacific Boils Over"

Firearm Antiques

Above, after discovering it, I immediately cleaned and oiled the Manton shotgun. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To start this off, antique is generally defined as follows (Source: Wikipedia):

An antique (from Latin antiquus 'old, ancient') is an item perceived as having value because of its aesthetic or historical significance, and often defined as at least 100 years old (or some other limit), although the term is often used loosely to describe any object that is old. An antique is usually an item that is collected or desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection and/or other unique features. It is an object that represents a previous era or time period in human history. Vintage and collectible are used to describe items that are old, but do not meet the 100-year criterion.

I am not an antique collector, but I do have a couple of items that are classified as antiques. They just happen to be firearms (specifically, shotguns).

Above, the Manton Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first one is a Joseph Manton Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun. It was made somewhere in the 1800s (19th Century). It is not known what year exactly as it has no serial number. It is on display in my living room and I regularly keep it cleaned and oiled.

My dad bought it and I had no idea he even had it until I opened a rifle case and found it. 

Above, the Winchester Model 12 shotgun I bought.

The second antique is a Winchester Model 12 12 gauge shotgun. Its serial number indicates that it was made in 1919. Winchester Model 12 shotguns were produced from 1912 to 1964. 

As both these shotguns are over 100 years old, they fall into the antique category.

10 Lever Action Rifles That Are Making a Huge Comeback in 2026!

10 Lever Action Rifles That Are Making a Huge Comeback in 2026! video by The Gun Warehouse.

Summary:

In 2026, lever action rifles are making one of the biggest comebacks in modern firearm culture. Once seen as outdated cowboy guns, these classic rifles are now being rediscovered by hunters, collectors, and everyday shooters who value reliability, simplicity, and real world performance. Instead, they are evolving into some of the most versatile firearms on the market today.

In this video, we break down 10 lever action rifles leading the 2026 resurgence, including modernized legends from Marlin, Winchester, Henry, Rossi, and Smith & Wesson. Each rifle combines traditional lever action heritage with updated engineering designed for today’s demands whether that’s hunting in dense woods, complying with restrictive state laws, or simply owning a dependable, fast handling firearm. 

Think Twice Before Parking Your RV Overnight At A Buc-Ee's

Until a friend and I were heading to New Mexico through Colorado from South Dakota last summer, I never heard of Buc-ee's. 

Above, the Texas City, Texas Buc-ee's. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was when we were driving on Interstate 25 that we saw signs for a Buc-ee's that was a few miles ahead. We didn't stop there and proceeded south.

Last month, after visiting Galveston, Texas, we made our first stop at a Buc-ee's in Texas City. There were around 104 gas pumps and the store was enormous. At least the men's restroom was clean, but huge. The place was packed full of people. It was a zoo.

Yahoo! Life posted an article on Buc-ee's saying that people should "think twice" before one's RV overnight at a Buc-ee's. They don't allow it.

They begin with:

There you are, road tripping along I-45 from Dallas to Houston. The gas gauge is nearly empty, your wife needs a little pick-me-up, and you could go for some Beaver Nuggets or Texas BBQ brisket. Suddenly, a big sign with a baseball cap-wearing buck-tooth beaver comes into view. A few minutes later, you're pulling your RV into a Buc-ee's, one of the state's most popular roadside stopovers.

While Buc-ee's has many amenities that may tempt you to park overnight, it's not a truck stop or a rest area, either. Buc-ee's has some unwritten rules you need to know, one of which is that it doesn't want people taking up parking slots with campers or massive vehicles. Actually, it doesn't allow anyone to leave their vehicles in its lots for any length of time. What's more, 18-wheelers, commercial vehicles, and trailers aren't even allowed because its facilities are designed for passenger vehicles, not big rigs. Plus, it's trying to maintain a safe, secure environment for all its customers.

To read more, go here. 

7 Shotguns That Are Becoming Impossible To Find (Never Sell These!)

7 Shotguns That Are Becoming Impossible To Find (Never Sell These!) video by AimX Range.

Summary:

If you own any of these legendary shotguns, NEVER sell them! From the classic Remington 870 Wingmaster and Browning Auto 5 to the ultimate tactical Benelli M4 and Franchi SPAS-12, these are the best shotguns in history. Today on Ax Range, we are diving deep into the history, reliability, and cultural impact of the 6 most iconic scatterguns ever produced. Whether you are looking for the best home defense shotgun, a reliable pump-action for waterfowl, or a bomb-proof semi-auto tactical shotgun, these firearms shaped the industry.

15 Guns That Owners Wish They Had Bought Two Of

Above, a Winchester Model 12 shotgun made in 1919. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have a friend who has a history of buying two (or more) of everything such as tools. I don't thing this quirk extends into firearms, but I really wouldn't be surprised if it did.

Speaking of buying two of everything, MSN (via The Avid Outdoorsman) posted a slideshow article on 15 guns that owners wish they had bought two of. I have some of the guns that made the list.

They begin it with:

Every shooter has at least one gun they should have doubled up on when the price was right. Maybe it was sitting cheap in the used case. Maybe it was still in production. Maybe magazines were everywhere, parts were easy, and nobody thought the market would care later.

Then the price climbed, the model disappeared, the quality changed, or the gun simply became harder to find. That’s when “I should’ve bought one” turns into “I should’ve bought two.” These are the guns that made owners learn that lesson the annoying way.

 To read more, go here.

7 Lever Action Rifles You Are Going To REGRET Selling In 2026!

 7 Lever Action Rifles You Are Going To REGRET Selling In 2026! video by Line45.

Summary:

Selling a good lever gun cheap is one of those decisions that feels smart for about twelve minutes, right up until you try to buy the same rifle back and the new owner suddenly thinks he’s sitting on museum-grade walnut and cowboy gold. The lever actions worth talking about here are the ones with real market heat behind them, where discontinued production, condition, markings, chambering, and plain old nostalgia can turn yesterday’s “extra rifle” into tomorrow’s expensive regret. 

 

Memorial Day Weekend

Above, the Jeep in Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tomorrow is the start of this year's Memorial Day weekend.

 As has been my usual custom, I plan on spending it at home. Many others will likely do the same since gasoline prices has jumped. 

There was a time when my family and I would head to the Mother Lode region of California for Memorial Day weekend and camp in Columbia, a gold rush mining town. It still is a mining town, except it is mining tourist dollars. We camped at the Marble Quarry RV Park. It is so-named as it is near a marble quarry. 

I will probably take a Jeep drive or two into Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest. It is located right next to our community in Jamestown, New Mexico (nice and handy, eh?). 

"The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" (1966)

Yesterday, I was watching the classic The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) on the Tubi channel. 

While watching it, I saw some scenes I don't remember seeing before. Then it hit me, this was probably the extended version that tries to emulate the Italian release that debuted in 2003. 

Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach were brought in to dub the added scenes and an imitator dubbed Lee Van Cleef's (deceased) scenes. Eastwood and Wallach didn't sound like they did in the movie (Eastwood was in his 70s and Wallach in his 80s at the time) and Van Cleef's dubber was a poor imitation.

It was interesting to see, but I much prefer (so do many critics and fans) the international theatrical version that I have on DVD. The additional scenes did not favorably enhance the story. They were more of a distraction. 

"Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" (1974)

For the first time in years, I watched the 1974 Clint Eastwood movie, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot last night. It co-starred Jeff Bridges, George Kennedy and Geoffrey Lewis. Gary Busey, Catherine Bach, Dub Taylor and June Fairchild had smaller roles. Screenplay and direction was by Michael Cimino.

I had the movie on VHS (I may still have it but it maybe is somewhere in the garage) and is one of my favorite Eastwood movies. The locations used were in Montana and were nicely shot.

I watched the movie on Tubi/Pluto TV and it was a nice print and, surprisingly, uncut. There were no commercials either! Best of all, it was free!

I remember seeing Thunderbolt and Lightfoot at the Roadium Drive-In in Torrance, California in 1974. 

Winchester Model 12: A Slamfire Tank of a Shotgun

Winchester Model 12: A Slamfire Tank of a Shotgun video by Pinnacle Mountain Gunsmithing.

Summary:

Hello, Friends! Today, Joel takes you through the manual of arms, features, and basic disassembly for the Winchester Model 12 shotgun we recently did some woodwork on. This is a classic design in the vintage shotgun space that has a reputation for being "unkillable." Is it well-deserved? Does this old classic hold up to today's standards? Tune in to find out! 

If you found value in today's episode, please support us by going to our website at www.pinnaclemountaingunsmithing.com to fill out our contact form and schedule your appointment today. If you can't do that, we completely understand. Just do all the good Youtube stuff: like, comment and subscribe. Hope to see you next time!

 

The Jewish Community Is Embracing Our 2A Freedom

The Jewish community is embracing the Second Amendment. 

I am surprised that they haven't up until now. Or, maybe they had but nobody said anything and kept things to themselves. 

In any case, recent events have spurred the Jewish community into taking up arms.

American Rifleman (NRA) posted an article on this.

They begin it with:

In this episode of the NRA’s The Armed Citizen Podcast, we interview Gayle Pearlstein, COO and co-founder of Lox & Loaded, a Jewish-owned and -operated gun club that now—after being launched only a year ago—has 50 chapters around the United States.

Pearlstein is an NRA-certified instructor who calls the NRA a “fantastic partner. We are truly blessed to have them on our side and helping us.”

She helped start Lox & Loaded after the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel made her—and so many others—realize she needs to do even more to show the Jewish community how to utilize their Second Amendment-protected rights to defend their own lives and loved ones.  

To read more and see the interview video, go here. 

5 Classic Hunting Rifles That Refuse to Die

5 Classic Hunting Rifles That Refuse to Die video by Firearm Collector.

Summary: 

There’s this persistent myth in American hunting circles that if you aren’t carrying a space-age chassis rifle covered in Picatinny rails and polymer, you aren’t a real marksman. But out in the real world, hunters are walking away from the "plastic-tastic" trend and reaching for the iron their grandfathers trusted.  In this briefing, we are stripping it back to the essentials and breaking down five legendary rifles that simply refused to fade away. These are machines built back when American manufacturing was measured by how many generations it would last.  We examine the blistering speed of the Remington Model 760 Gamemaster pump-action , the genius rotary magazine of the 19th-century Savage Model 99 , and the "pure-blood" steel and walnut construction of the Ruger M77 Hawkeye. We also pay our respects to the absolute gold standard, the Winchester Model 70 , before revealing our number one pick: the highly accurate, working-class Remington Model 788.  These rifles prove you don't need a five-thousand-dollar custom rig to hit the X-ring.  

💥 If you found value in this breakdown, SMASH that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE to the channel!  

 

Top 7 Best-Selling Hunting Rifles of 2026

Top 7 Best-Selling Hunting Rifles of 2026 – The Market Has Officially Spoken video by Alpha GunReview.

Summary:

Are you searching for the best hunting rifles 2026, the best budget rifle 2026, or the best deer hunting rifle 2026? This video breaks down the real market winners based on actual sales movement, retailer demand, and buying trends across the hunting industry.

The results may surprise you. Some rifles on this list are modern precision hunting platforms while others are classic hunting legends that still refuse to disappear.

Which rifle took the number one spot in 2026?

 

Schlitz Beer Production Ending

Schlitz Beer, the "beer that made Milwaukee famous", is to be discontinued.

Pabst Brewing Company, which owns Schlitz, is dropping the beer. Schlitz beer had been brewed for over 175 years.

Above, is Schlitz beer "Once Around Life" 1972 radio music. 

According to USA Today:

Schlitz, the beer that made Milwaukee famous, is no more.

Pabst Brewing Co. is ending production of Schlitz, which began as a Milwaukee tavern brewery and was once America's largest brewer. The company, founded in 1849, was bought by Pabst in 1999.

To send the Milwaukee icon off, Kirby Nelson with Wisconsin Brewing Co. will brew a final 80-barrel batch of Schlitz on Saturday, May 23 at its Verona brewery. Nelson will then give a talk about the brand at 1 p.m.

Nelson said Schlitz deserves to go out with "dignity and respect." So, he'll be brewing with the company's specifications from 1948, when it was on top of the U.S. brewing industry.

To read more, go here. 

Willys Spring Reunion 2026

The Willys Spring Reunion was held last weekend in North Canton, Ohio. This is an annual car show of Willys Jeeps. People from around the country bring their Jeeps to show them off and have a lot of fun.

If it were closer, or if I had a trailer (it would have to be enclosed as the wind during a tow would probably shred my Jeep's vinyl top), I wouldn't mind attending. Their Fall 2025 show was held in Fulton, Missouri. 

Here's a video produced by Kaiser Willys Jeep. They are one of the vintage Jeep vendors that I buy my Jeep parts from.

For more information on the Willys Reunion, go here.

G-FAN #150 At The Printers

Above, G-FAN #36, the first issue I saw.

Mrs. Ruth Lees reported on Facebook that the last issue of G-FAN is currently at the printers and should be done by the May 27.

It is issue number 150 and she said that it will be "extra long & extra good."

While it is sad that this is the final issue, but it is still remarkable that it lasted for so many years. I first discovered it in 1998 with issue number 36 at Tower Records in Sherman Oaks, California. It was started in 1992 by J. D. Lees. I don't think any other fan magazine has lasted so long with so many issues. I checked, but I didn't see anything in the website of Guinness World Records for longest-running fan magazine (or fanzine). 

However, the AI feature of Google posted this:

• G-FAN: Deemed the world's longest-running fanzine (fan magazine) dedicated specifically to a film subculture, this quarterly publication began covering Godzilla and Japanese monsters in 1993.

G-FAN started out "as a four-page photocopied newsletter for distribution to three recent acquaintances who were also Godzilla fans." (Source: G-FAN.com history.)  It began its run as a professionally printed magazine with issue number 8.

So we should be seeing G-FAN #150 arriving in our mailboxes in early June. 

15 Guns That Got More Respected After The Market Moved On

Above, the Winchester Model 12 shotgun. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The firearms market can be fickle. What was a hot item at any given time can fall out of vogue for something else. But, eventually, they come back into favor with shooters for various reasons. 

The Avid Outdoorsman took a look at 15 guns that got more respect after the market moved on.

They begin with:

Some guns don’t get their full credit while they’re still easy to find. They sit on racks, get passed over for newer models, and spend years being treated like plain working guns. Then production changes, prices climb, parts of the market shift, and shooters start realizing those old “regular” guns had more going for them than anyone wanted to admit.

That’s how a lot of respected firearms earn their second life. Not through marketing, not through internet noise, but because owners finally compare them against what replaced them. These are the guns that got more respected after the market moved on.

To read more, go here. 

15 Reasons The Winchester 94 Became So Famous

Above, the Winchester 94 I bought in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Winchester 94 (known originally as the Winchester 1894) has been around since the 19th Century. Over seven million have been made over the years. I was lucky to find one seven years ago that was produced in 1962, making it a highly sought after pre-64. Without hesitation, I bought it.

It is currently made by the Miroku company of Japan. But it is still a popular deer hunting rifle.

The Avid Outdoorsman posted an article yesterday on 15 reasons why the Winchester 94 became so famous. 

They begin with:

The Winchester 94 did not become famous because it was rare, delicate, or expensive. It became famous because it was the rifle people actually carried. It rode in saddle scabbards, pickups, cabins, deer camps, barns, closets, and behind kitchen doors for generations. It was light, handy, fast, and chambered for cartridges that made sense for the kind of hunting most people were actually doing.

Designed by John Browning and introduced in 1894, the Winchester Model 1894 became one of the most important lever-action rifles ever made. It was later chambered for the .30 WCF, better known now as the .30-30 Winchester, and became the first commercial sporting rifle to sell more than 7 million units. Winchester still offers Model 94 lever-action rifles today in versions like the Sporter, Deluxe Sporting, and Trails End Takedown.

To read more, go here. 

USA Today: Cheapest Way To Buy Silver

Above, 2023 silver King Charles III Britannias. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Silver has been getting a lot of attention in recent months. There's a good reason why. 

The spot price for silver hit over $100/toz (troy ounce) since the beginning of the year. It is now around $74/toz.

When I was buying a lot of silver, the spot price was below $40/toz. 

USA Today posted an article on the cheapest ways to buy silver, a guide for beginners.

They begin it with:

Silver is where many precious metals investors begin. The price is a fraction of gold’s, and record highs in early 2026 have only sharpened the interest — and in many cases, pushed premiums higher. 

That’s why a lower price per ounce doesn’t always mean a better deal.

The cheapest way to buy silver comes down to minimizing the amount you pay above the spot price, which is the raw market price of silver on any given day. Premiums vary depending on the form of silver you buy, how much you purchase and where you shop. Here’s what to know before you spend a dollar.

To read more, go here.

When The Police Can Search Your RV Without A Warrant

You're driving your motorhome on an Interstate highway and the police pull you over. Can they search inside your motorhome without a warrant? 

That is a question that basically has one answer: it depends. 

I have never been stopped by the police in my motorhome, but the following article in RV Travel is a good one to read so that one knows their rights.

It begins with:

Ever wondered what your rights are when you’re on the road in your RV and encounter law enforcement? It’s a unique situation because an RV is both your vehicle and, potentially, your home. This dual nature brings up some interesting legal questions, especially when it comes to police searches.

In the video near the bottom of this article, the team from The Camping Loop outlines five scenarios where police can search your RV without a warrant.

Can they really search your RV without a warrant? There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and understanding the law can keep you out of trouble. Let’s break down the key things you need to know about RV searches and your rights.

To read more and see a video, go here. 

15 Things Most Shooters Don’t Know About Ruger

Above, my Ruger P95 on the gun cleaning mat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sturm, Ruger & Co. is one of the biggest names in firearm manufacturing. 

I personally own two of their products: a Ruger 10/22 .22 caliber rifle and a Ruger P85 semi-automatic pistol 9 mm. Neither one has ever given me any problems over the years. 

The Avid Outdoorsman posted an acticle on 15 things most shooters don't know about Ruger. It is an interesting read.

They begin it with:

Ruger is one of those brands almost every shooter knows, but a lot of people only know the surface version. They know the 10/22. They know the Mark pistols. They know the GP100, the American Rifle, the Mini-14, and the fact that Ruger usually builds guns with a practical, working-man reputation. But the company’s story is a lot more interesting than “they make affordable guns that work.”

Ruger has been around since 1949, and it grew from a small startup built around a $37.50 rimfire pistol into one of the biggest American firearm manufacturers. The company still manufactures firearms in the United States, with major facilities tied to places like Newport, New Hampshire; Prescott, Arizona; and Mayodan, North Carolina. Ruger also owns Marlin now, which pulled one of America’s most loved lever-gun names under the Ruger roof.

To read more, go here. 

10 Rifles That Will Be Worth a Fortune (Never Sell These!)

10 Rifles That Will Be Worth a Fortune (Never Sell These!) video by Arms Insider.

Summary:

We rank 10 rifles that are quietly sitting in safes and closets, often with owners unaware of their true worth. This video highlights their real auction prices and historical context, showcasing why these firearms hold enduring value for any gun collector. From vintage firearms to military history pieces, we explore the legacy of these collectibles and provide reasons never to let them go.

 

NRA Sues Virginia's Assault Weapons and Magazine Bans

Above, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

When Abigail Spanberger ran for Virginia governor last year, she hid her radical left policy positions and tricked people into voting for her.

After she won, her true colors came out and she recently signed into law some anti-gun bills, some of which bans firearms that are commonly owned and used defying U.S. Supreme Court rulings.

The National Rifle Association has filed suit against the gun laws that ban so-called "assault weapons" (there's no such thing, by the way) and magazines.

American Hunter posted an article on the lawsuits.

They begin it with:

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has announced the filing of lawsuits in both Virginia state court and federal court challenging the so-called "assault weapons" ban and magazine ban signed into law by Governor Abigail Spanberger.

"As promised, we are taking Abigail Spanberger to court," said John Commerford, NRA-ILA Executive Director. "Throughout the legislative session, the NRA and our members fought Richmond's radical gun control package tooth and nail. We made it clear that this extreme anti-gun proposal, which bans the new purchase of commonly owned firearms and standard capacity magazines in the Commonwealth, is a blatant violation of Second Amendment rights and an affront to landmark Supreme Court cases. Instead of listening to these factual concerns from their constituents, progressive politicians sided with Michael Bloomberg and his gun-grabbing groups. The NRA will not sit idly by while progressive politicians strip the rights of law-abiding citizens, and our world-class legal team is locked, loaded, and ready to shoot down this outrageous gun-control law."

There is a petition campaign to recall Spanberger from office. To sign the petition, go here. (Virginia voters only.)

To read more, go here. 

The Second Amendment is Not Up For Debate

The Democrat Party is hell-bent on trying to strip away our Second Amendment rights state-by-state.

The Republican Party is trying to protect those rights. 

Congressman Jason Smith has an opinion piece posted in the Wayne County Journal Banner on this subject.

He begins it with:

The Second Amendment is not a suggestion. It is a constitutional right enshrined into law by our Founding Fathers, but Democrats across the nation have made it their mission to strip that right away.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger just signed legislation making it illegal to sell, purchase, or manufacture certain types of firearms in her state — without question infringing on citizens’ constitutional rights. If Democrats had their way, Missouri and the rest of the country would follow suit. This is not just a Virginia problem. This is the Democrat agenda: strip law-abiding Americans of their right to defend themselves, one state at a time.

To read the full article, go here. Pass it on, too! 

Worst Guns for Beginners (And Some Good Ones)

Above, Clint Eastwood with his .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson Model 29 in Dirty Harry. Warner Bros. photo.

Anything in life always has a beginning. This is also true for guns. 

Anyone thinking about taking up target shooting or hunting as a beginner should read a post by Pew Pew Tactical on the worst guns for beginners (and some good ones).  

They start it with:

So, you decided to buy your first gun. Congrats and welcome!

We're lucky to live in a time when there are more genuinely good, affordable firearms available than we know what to do with.

But there are some you should avoid.

Some are objectively lousy; some just aren't suitable for new shooters. Don't worry, though; we've got your back. I'll point out the worst guns for beginners and then recommend a few that are great guns for new shooters.

Let the learning begin!

To read more, go here.

Too Windy

Above, the Ruger 10/22 and scope. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was a planned shoot at the shooting area to zero (adjust) the mounted scope on my Ruger 10/22. But, it is very windy out (which woke me up) right now. It looks like I'll have to wait a few days.

According to the National Weather Service forecast for Jamestown, New Mexico:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 64. Windy, with a west wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Winchester Model 94

Winchester Model 94 video by Jack of All Trades.

Summary:

Today we discuss the legendary Winchester Model 94 lever action rifle.