12 Cheap Guns People Laughed At — Until...

12 Cheap Guns People Laughed At — Until They Proved Everyone Wrong video from Arms Insider.

Summary:

Cheap guns are easy to dismiss—but some of them earned respect the hard way. In this video, we look at 12 affordable firearms that people mocked, underestimated, or ignored until they proved surprisingly reliable, accurate, durable, or popular. From budget pistols and carbines to working-man rifles and shotguns, these are the cheap guns that ended up proving everyone wrong.

Of the firearms listed, I have number 8 on the list.

10 Rifles NOW Dirt-Cheap In 2026!

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.

Lever-Action Rifles Worth Buying Before Prices Get Worse

Above, buying my Winchester 94 in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I bought my Winchester 94 seven years ago, I got it for just under $500. It was in good shape and a pre-1964.

Nowadays, the price for the same rifle has doubled and, in some areas, even tripled since then.

The Avid Outdoorsman takes a look at lever-action rifles worth buying before prices get worse (you know they will). 

They begin with:

Lever-action rifles have gone from “old deer rifle in the closet” to one of the hottest corners of the gun market. Some of that is nostalgia. Some of it is hunters remembering how handy these rifles are. Some of it is the modern tactical lever-gun trend dragging old models back into the spotlight. Whatever the reason, the days of casually finding clean lever actions for cheap are mostly gone.

That does not mean every lever gun is worth chasing. Some are already overpriced, some are hard to feed, and some are more collectible than useful. But there are still rifles that make sense if you find the right one before prices climb even higher. These are the lever-action rifles worth paying attention to now.

To read more, go here. 

Discontinued Rifles That Jumped In Value While Nobody Watched

Above, purchasing my 1962 Winchester 94 in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I bought my 1962 Winchester 94 in April 2019, I got it on sale for $495. I had been looking for one and it was in great shape. This was before prices of these pre-64 rifles jumped in price when the pandemic hit.

This past week, I saw one of the same year that was bought at a gun show recently for $800. I was lucky to get mine with I did.

Depending on condition, these go anywhere from $600 to $1,500, give or take.

MSN posted (from The Avid Outdoorsman) a slideshow on discontinued rifles that jumped in value while nobody watched. The reason the Winchester 94 is included are the pre-64 versions before the manufacturing of them changed. 

They begin it with:

Some rifles get expensive in obvious ways. Everyone knows the famous collectibles, the military classics, and the rifles that had big reputations from the start. The more interesting ones are the rifles that climbed while most people were not paying attention. They sat in closets, pawn shops, deer camps, and used racks until one day the price tags stopped looking familiar.

That usually happens for a reason. Production ends, quality changes, nostalgia kicks in, or shooters realize a certain rifle filled a role nothing else quite replaced. These discontinued rifles were easy to overlook when they were still affordable. Now clean examples make a lot of people wish they had bought sooner.

To see more, go here. 

Top 5 Dependable SHOTGUNS for HOME DEFENSE (Under $500)

Top 5 Dependable SHOTGUNS for HOME DEFENSE (Under $500) video by FirePower.

Summary: 

Looking for the most reliable home defense shotguns under $500 in 2025? In this video, FirePower breaks down the Top 5 contenders – from the hardworking Stevens 320, the lightning-fast Winchester SXP Defender, to the legendary Mossberg 500 Tactical.

 

Is This The End of All-Inclusive Cruising?

Above, the show aboard the Norwegian Sky last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last year, during the cruise to the Bahamas, we took in a show aboard the Norwegian Sky. It was a rock 'n roll themed show with dancers. We enjoyed the show and, it was free (well, it was part of the cruise cost). 

The show was part the all-included price of the cruise.

Some are concerned that cruise lines may start charging for shows and other amenities that are now included in the price of the cruise. 

This is the topic of an article in Cruise Passenger.

They begin it with:

Once upon a time, cruising was considered an all-inclusive experience. Nearly all activities, restaurants, entertainment, room service, childcare and more were all included in the price.

The beauty of cruising is that additions like entertainment and most meals are included in your fare. But we are seeing more and more amenities incur extra charges, rather than being included in the base cruise fare. 

In the same way that some years ago, every restaurant on a cruise ship was free, and now some are specialty restaurants that require forking out extra, we’re likely to see this happen with more cruise amenities that we currently enjoy as inclusions. 

Could shows be next to go?

A huge perk of cruising is seeing Broadway-style shows in massive theatres for free, as well as having free access to all sorts of other live entertainment and more intricate and intimate shows that can be found across cruise ships.

Cunard, for example, has started charging USD$20 per person for select shows carried out in their Bright Lights Society bar, and USD$46 per person for their onboard show, Bitter Sweet Symphony. For now, charges for shows only apply to their newest ship, Queen Anne, and the tickets for the shows do come with some drinks included.

While other major cruise lines don’t charge for entertainment, some cruise lines, such as Virgin Voyages, also charge extra for certain shows. 

Some cruisers on social media are worried that this will become the norm for contemporary and premium cruise lines.

To read more, go here. 

Winchester 94 Value

Above, the Winchester 94 .30-30 made in 1962. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As of last month, I've had my Winchester 94 carbine .30-30 cal. for six years. I bought it for just under $500 in Albuquerque at Ron Peterson Firearms. It is a pre-1964 rifle made in 1962. As I was looking for one and this rifle was in great shape, I bought it.

It looks like I bought it before prices started to skyrocket for new and used guns. 

According to True Gun Value:

A WINCHESTER 1894 rifle is currently worth an average price of $1,469.38 new and $993.60 used . The 12 month average price is $1,445.78 new and $991.42 used.

The new value of a WINCHESTER 1894 rifle has risen $453.01 dollars over the past 12 months to a price of $1,469.38 . The used value of a WINCHESTER 1894 rifle has risen $64.95 dollars over the past 12 months to a price of $993.60 .

The demand of new WINCHESTER 1894 rifle's has risen 2 units over the past 12 months. The demand of used WINCHESTER 1894 rifle's has risen 44 units over the past 12 months.

The only quibble I have over True Gun Value's pricing is that it doesn't differentiate the values for pre-1964 and post-1964 models. On average, pre-1964 Winchester 94 rifles are more valuable than ones made in 1964 and after. Winchester changed their manufacturing process and materials in 1964.

Japan's Popular Rail Pass Is About to Get More Expensive

Above, inside a Shinkansen (bullet train) car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have posted about this before, but those planning to travel to Japan can still purchase the JR Rail Pass at the current price until October 1.

That's when the price is hiked about 70%.

According to Travel + Leisure:

The Japan Rail Pass, one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to travel around the country, is going up in price this fall. 

The cost of a 7-day rail pass, known as the JR Pass, will increase from as low as 29,650 yen ($201.19) when purchased from an authorized retailer to 50,000 yen ($339.28), a nearly 70 percent increase, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. The price increase will go into effect on Oct. 1 and become the first increase in several years.

A spokesman for the JR Group told The New York Times the increase follows improvements to its service, including extending lines and updating reservation systems.

“As a result, the actual benefits greatly exceed the product price,” the spokesman said, adding, “we have decided to revise the price to an appropriate level.”

When the price increase goes into effect, a 14-day JR Pass will rise from as low as 47,250 yen ($320.62) to 80,000 yen ($542.85) and a 21-day pass will rise from as low as 60,450 yen ($410.19) to 100,000 yen ($678.56). Passes for children 6 to 11 years old will cost 50 percent of the adult price. 

 To read more, go here.

Japan Rail Pass Price Hikes Will Be A Big Blunder

 

Above, Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji. The rail pass price hike will solve Kyoto's over-tourism. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The planned JR Rail Pass price hikes set for October will effectively kill the convenient and affordable means of travel throughout Japan for many. Paying nearly $500 for a 7-day rail pass would not be cost-effective for foreign travelers unless they take more than two round-trips from Tokyo to Osaka.

The Japanese government had been clamoring for years that they'd like to see foreign visitors travel to other places in Japan besides Tokyo. This will effectively kill that. Is this supposed to encourage the tourism industry? How idiotic!

Prior to the pandemic, Kyoto had been complaining about over-tourism to the city by foreigners, some of which were ill-mannered. Well, this will certainly solve that problem! Who wants to pay sky-high prices to go to Kyoto or Osaka? I went to both cities in 2015 with the JR Rail Pass. It appears that that will be my last time visiting them.

This will also hurt the merchants in Japan. Instead of spending money in shops, restaurants and hotels in areas outside of Tokyo, people will pay for the higher rail pass prices instead or just not travel around the country as they once did. Is this going to aid the Japanese economy?

I could understand a more moderate price increase, but to hike rail pass prices by 70% is ridiculous. It won't be worth getting anymore. If the price hikes as announced goes through, this will land on the list of Japan's biggest blunders. R.I.P. Japan Rail Pass!

Between now and October, people should be raising holy hell over this!

Steep Price Increases For Japan Rail Passes Planned

Above, a couple of JR Rail Passes I used. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japan Rail Pass available to foreign tourists is one great benefit that I and many others visiting Japan have taken advantage of.

It allows visitors to travel around Japan on JR rail lines, including bullet trains, and other affiliated transports at lower cost.

Visitors are able to save a lot of money using the rail pass.

But all that may change this coming October if plans to greatly hike the prices of the rail passes go through. Hardly a "welcome back" for foreign tourists after three years of pandemic closures.

The price increases will greatly affect tour packages as the cost of rail passes are added into the cost of tours. 

If I should go back to Japan, I will likely pass on the Rail Pass if the prices are drastically raised.

The Japan Times reported (some snippets):

Tourists planning to take advantage of Japan’s train network could face a more expensive rail pass starting this fall.

Japan Railway Group announced on April 14 that it intends to raise the cost of its Japan Rail Pass this October.

The pass is a popular purchase for sightseers without Japanese passports and a convenient, discounted way to travel around certain parts of the country via rail, including on some bullet trains.

The change would add an almost 70% average price increase to the flat-fee ordinary and green car tickets. But, according to JR, the price hike will come with expanded services.

While an announcement detailing final changes is planned for a later date, JR has announced that pass-holders will be able to access the Nozomi and Mizuho shinkansen lines — which are currently off-limits with the pass — through the purchase of additional special tickets.

While subject to change, the price hikes for adults have been announced as follows:

• 7-day pass: From ¥29,650 to ¥50,000.
• 14-day pass: From ¥47,250 to ¥80,000.
• 21-day pass: From ¥60,450 to ¥100,000.
• 7-day Green Car pass: ¥39,600 to ¥70,000
• 14-day Green Car pass: ¥64,120 to ¥110,000
• 21-day Green Car pass: ¥83,390 to ¥140,000

To read the full article, go here.

What Is "Spot Price"?

If you have been reading my blog posts on gold and silver (mainly silver), you'll note that the term "spot price" has been used.

What is exactly is spot price? 

From Investopedia:

The spot price is the current price in the marketplace at which a given asset—such as a security, commodity, or currency—can be bought or sold for immediate delivery.

For example, silver has a spot price around $24/ounce. I recently purchased two coins at $24.99 each (see ad above for one of them that I found on Facebook). That is roughly a dollar above silver's spot price. This made the purchase such a great deal. I try to buy silver coins as close to the current spot price of silver as possible. 

One collects coins and bullion as an investment. They are held indefinitely or until the market spot prices makes it desirable (i.e., profitable) to sell. With that aside, I collect coins that I like.

To read more, go here.  

SD Bullion Video: Silver Price In Future

Gas Price on California Highway 1

Along California Highway 1, there is a gas station charging a ridiculous price for premium gasoline.

Unleaded regular and the mid-range grade are over $7.00/gallon.

This is the price for unleaded premium:

Glad I moved out of Commiefornia!