Three entertainment greats have passed away this week. Here's my take on each.
Walter Koenig. Best known as Ensign Pavel Chekov in the original cast of Star Trek, both the television series of the 1960s and the movies of Star Trek. I used to see him at a bank in Sherman Oaks where I worked in the 1990s. He was 90.
Susan Staint James. She was a favorite actress in the NBC Mystery Movie revolving movie, McMillan & Wife with Rock Hudson. Her personality really made that show a joy to watch. She was 80.
Donnie Iris. Whenever I hear his son, "Ah, Leah", it brings me back to 1980. He performed almost right up to his death. His last concert was September 28 and he had to sing sitting in a chair due to the pain he endured from bladder cancer. He was 83.
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Overstock may be your answer. These orders normally ship within a week, so you can get quality gun leather without the usual wait.
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Above, the 100,000th Buffalo Bill Commemorative Winchester 94 on display at the Cody Firearms Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Lever-action rifles have made a huge comeback in the firearms market. Their popularity seemed to climb in the seven years since I bought my used 1962 Winchester 94 in .30-30. Sometimes I wonder if I caused this trend. But before I bought it, I had been on the lookout for one for a while.
Whether they be old used classics or new modern lever-action rifles, it doesn't seem to make any difference. I am glad I bought mine before prices went through the roof following the 2020 pandemic.
Outdoor Life has posted a list of the best new and classic lever-action rifles of 2026.
They begin it with:
When I was a kid, there were three reasons I wanted a lever action rifle. First, they were cool. Second, because I grew up just outside New Haven, Conn., the historic home to Marlin and Winchester, they were my hometown guns. Third, they were cheap.
Only one of these things is still true. Lever guns always have been and always will be cool, though they will never again be cheap, nor—barring divine intervention—will they ever again be produced in Gun Valley.
Writing about the top lever action rifles is a bit tricky. Do you focus on the best of all time, which is great for us nostalgic sorts, or do you talk about great lever action rifles that you can buy new?
I tilted this list of the best lever action rifles in favor of those you can order new. Though if you have a hankering for one of the old-time classics, there are plenty to be had on the used market. Just don’t expect to find any bargains. Nearly all quality lever actions command a premium.
.357 vs .30-30: The Biggest Lever-Gun Mistake Buyers Make video from GUNS360.
Summary:
The .357 Magnum carbine vs .30-30 Winchester debate looks simple on paper—but muzzle velocity and energy numbers don't tell the whole story.
These two cartridges can live in remarkably similar lever-action rifles, yet they're optimized for very different jobs.
In this video, we break down the real differences between .357 Magnum and .30-30 Winchester, including muzzle velocity, downrange energy, recoil, effective range, magazine capacity, ammunition cost, .38 Special compatibility, optics, suppressor use, and rifle pricing.
A .357 Magnum lever gun offers mild recoil, higher tube capacity, inexpensive .38 Special practice, and a compact, fast-handling platform. For frequent range use and short-range applications, that combination can make it incredibly appealing.
The .30-30 takes the advantage when distance and rifle-level ballistic performance become the priority. Its bullets retain velocity and energy substantially better downrange, which is why the cartridge has remained synonymous with the American deer rifle for generations.
We’ll also compare popular lever guns including the Rossi R92, Rossi R95, Henry Big Boy, Marlin 1894, Marlin 336, Winchester 94, Henry Side Gate, Marlin SBL, and Dark Series.
The biggest mistake isn't choosing .357 Magnum or .30-30.
It's buying one based on a ballistic chart without considering where you'll actually shoot it, how often you'll practice, what ammunition you'll use, and how much the complete setup will cost you over time.
So which lever-gun cartridge would you choose: .357 Magnum or .30-30 Winchester?
Why .30-30 Is Suddenly Relevant Again in 2026 video from Gun Myths.
Summary:
Why is the .30-30 Winchester suddenly getting attention again in 2026? Despite the rise of modern hunting cartridges, advanced rifle designs, and newer ammunition technology, this legendary hunting round continues to hold its place among America's most recognizable deer cartridges.
In this video, we explore why the .30-30 Winchester remains relevant in 2026, how its long history shaped American deer hunting, and why so many hunters still appreciate this classic cartridge. From its legendary connection to lever-action rifles to its practical performance in traditional hunting environments, the .30-30 has a story that modern calibers haven't erased.
We'll look at the strengths and limitations of the .30-30 Winchester, how it compares with newer hunting cartridges, and why its reputation continues to attract both experienced hunters and new generations of shooting enthusiasts. Is the .30-30 outdated, or have hunters been overlooking what made it so popular in the first place?
If you enjoy classic hunting calibers, deer hunting cartridges, lever-action rifles, and the debate between traditional and modern ammunition, this video is for you.
Watch until the end to discover why the .30-30 Winchester may be more relevant than many hunters realize in 2026.
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