Guns People Swore They'd Never Sell, But...

Above, Colt Python revolvers. Photo by Jeff Dean, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Did you ever have a gun (pistol, rifle or shotgun) what you swore you'd never part with? 

Then, you found that you needed cash badly enough that you sold your prized gun thinking you can later replace it but found the price skyrocketed.

The Avid Outdoorsman posted an article listing several guns that fall into that category. 

It begins with:

There are guns you buy because they make sense, and then there are guns you hang onto because something about them gets under your skin. Maybe they shoot better than they should. Maybe they remind you of a different time, when prices were sane and racks were still full of models people now treat like lost treasure. Either way, these are the guns owners used to say they’d keep forever, and a lot of them meant it.

The rough part is that life happens. Bills show up, priorities change, and sometimes a gun gets sold with the honest belief that another one can always be found later. Then later shows up and the market has gone completely sideways. These are the firearms that turned that lesson into a painful one for a whole lot of people.

To read more, go here.

Winchester Plant In New Haven, Connecticut

Above, the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in the 1950s.

The Winchester Repeating Arms Company factory buildings in New Haven, Connecticut were demolished last year. 

Here's a video of the demolition of the last buildings: 

During its heyday, the Winchester company was a big firearm manufacturer in the area. 

Here's some historical photos of the plant:

Gun Brands That Built Their Reputation The Hard Way

Above, my Ruger P-95 and magazine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are many gun brands out there in the hinterlands. Some have poor reputations while others are with great reputations.

Some gun brands that are considered with great reputations appear to have gained them "the hard way" according to a MSN article. They list gun brands that did get their reputations the hard way over the years..

They wrote:

Some gun brands get hot because of marketing, timing, or one product that catches the right wave at the right moment. Others earn their standing in a slower, harder way. They build it through years of rifles and pistols that actually work, through law enforcement contracts, military use, hunting camps, competition circuits, and the kind of customer loyalty that only forms when a company keeps turning out firearms people trust. That kind of reputation usually takes a long time to build and a lot of chances to lose.

What makes these brands different is that their name means something because shooters attached it to real experience. Not every model was perfect, and not every era was equally strong, but these companies earned their place by surviving hard use and hard judgment. They were tested by people who depended on the guns, not only admired them at a counter. That is why their reputation stuck. It was built by performance first and image second.

To read more, go here. 

Why Some Collector Firearms Look Better With Honest Wear

Above, yours truly with the Winchester 94. Photo by Larry Lucier.

When I bought my Winchester 94 in 2019, it was in good shape with some wear here and there. The bluing, for the most part was nice with just one long scratch. It was made in 1962.

It appears that collector firearms that show some "honest wear" are possibly more valuable than those supposedly in mint condition.

That's the crux of an article in The Avid Outdoorsman. 

They begin it with:

Not every collectible firearm needs to look untouched to feel valuable. In fact, some of the most appealing collector guns are the ones that show they actually lived a life. Holster wear, thinning blue, softened edges, a darkened walnut stock, and small marks from real use can make certain guns feel more authentic, not less. There is a big difference between abuse and honest wear. Abuse feels careless. Honest wear feels earned.

That is especially true with firearms tied to military service, law enforcement use, hunting camps, ranch work, or the kinds of ownership stories collectors still care about most. A gun that looks too perfect can sometimes feel distant, almost frozen. A gun with the right wear often feels more believable and more connected to the role that made it collectible in the first place. These are the firearms that often wear age well, because age looks right on them.

To read more, go here. 

Turkey Hunters Trending To Smaller Gauge Shotguns

Above, the Mossberg 500E shotgun. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A few years ago, I discovered a Mossberg 500E .410 Pump Shotgun that was in a gun case my dad left. I didn't know I had it until I unzipped the case.

I took it out to the shooting range not too long after and I worked great. 

It appears that people in my age group (I'm at the "youthful" age of 72) are moving towards .410 shotguns for turkey hunting. 

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette posted an article on this.

It begins with:

Willie Johnston of Hamburg is a traditionalist hunter, but he embraces the .410-bore shotgun for turkey hunting.

Johnston, 72, represents an evolution in the turkey hunting retail market. An older demographic of hunters is gravitating to smaller, lighter guns with less recoil.

Johnston said he is impressed with the tight patterns his Stevens 301 prints at conventional turkey hunting distances. The red dot sight that came with the package assures him that his shot will be true.

"Wherever you put that dot is where it's going to hit," Johnston said. "You don't have to worry about pulling off or your sights not being aligned just right. Just put that dot on his head and shoot."

Nathan Dunn, owner of Dunn's Sporting Goods in Pevely, Mo., acknowledged the trend in the Midwest.

"The last few years we've sold a lot more sub-gauge guns, a lot of 20-gauges and a lot of .410," Dunn said. "A lot of hunters are getting older. They're tired of packing around that big 12-gauge."

To read the full article, go here. 

5 Reasons Why Pre-64 Winchesters Still Hold Their Magic

Above, my three pre-1964 Winchesters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Prior to 2019, the only Winchester I owned was a Model 62A .22 cal. pump rifle. I inherited it from my maternal grandfather. It was made in 1947. 

Since then, I have bought two more pre-1964 Winchesters. The first was a 1962 Winchester 94 .30-30 rifle. The second was a Winchester Model 12 shot gun in 12 gauge made in 1919. 

Collectors of vintage Winchesters seek them out as they were manufactured better (in their view). 

MSN posted a slideshow article with 5 reasons why pre-1964 Winchesters still hold their magic. 

They begin it with:

Firearm enthusiasts often speak about the legendary status of older rifles with a sense of reverence and nostalgia. The term pre-64 Winchesters specifically refers to model 70 rifles manufactured before the company changed its production methods in 1964. These vintage pieces represent a high point in American gun making that many believe has never been equaled since that time. Collectors and hunters alike pursue these firearms because they embody a level of industrial art that modern mass production rarely achieves today. Understanding why these specific rifles command such high prices reveals much about the history of manufacturing.

To read more, go here. 

Guns That Have Earned Their Place In History — and Still Going Strong

Above, a Ruger 10/22.

Guns that last over decades (and, in come cases, centuries) have one thing in common: the design was flawless.

MSN has posted a slideshow of guns that have earned their place in history and are still going strong. 

I personally own three of them that are spotlighted.

The slideshow begins with:

Some guns don’t stick around because of hype or nostalgia. They stick around because they worked when they were new, they keep working now, and people still trust them for real jobs—hunting, defense, duty use, and hard range time. When a model stays relevant across decades, it usually means the design was right the first time. It also means the aftermarket support is there, parts exist, and enough shooters have carried them long enough to learn what actually matters.

This isn’t about museum pieces. These are guns with history that still make sense today—because you can buy them, run them, maintain them, and count on them. If you want something proven, these are the kinds of names you keep seeing for a reason.

To see what they are, go here. 

Why Do You Need A Shotgun? (Video)

Video by Hickok45 Clips.

Summary:

This Hickok45 Clips video compares sporting and defensive shotguns. The presenter examines key differences, including barrel length and magazine capacity. Various shotguns are test-fired at different targets, demonstrating their capabilities.

The Day Japan Faced the Winchester M12

During my university days at Cal State Long Beach, I took a World War II history class. 

The class mainly had us view the television documentary show, World At War. At no time during the class was the use of shotguns in the Pacific theater of World War II mentioned, either in lectures, in the videos or in books. 

Above, your truly taking possession of the Winchester Model 12 shotgun. 

Recently, a spate of videos have been uploaded in YouTube on the topic of shotguns in the war. I have posted one several days ago. I have another posted below.

It is specifically about the use of the Winchester Model 12 shotgun during the war. I bought a Model 12 a year ago and it is fun to shoot.  

WARNING! NEVER Buy These Shotguns! You'll Regret It (Video)

A little bit ago, I came across the following video on shotguns one should avoid. According to the video, each are lemons.

The title of the video is,  "WARNING! NEVER Buy These Shotguns! You'll Regret It" by Pew Brief.

Thankfully, I own none of these. 

The video summary:

🚫 STOP! Before you buy your next shotgun, you NEED to watch this! We all want reliable firearms, but the truth is, some shotguns are just lemons. We're talking about models with a history of dangerous flaws, poor design, or just plain abysmal performance.

In this hard-hitting breakdown, we're exposing the 6 WORST shotguns you might want to think twice about before ever adding them to your collection! Avoid buyer's remorse and potentially dangerous situations by knowing what NOT to buy.

🔫 WARNING: Owning one of these could lead to frustration, costly repairs, or worse. Don't make a mistake that could cost you more than just money!

❓ Have you ever encountered one of these "lemons" in the wild, or worse, owned one? Share your stories (or warnings!) in the comments below! Your experience could save someone else a headache.

NM Anti-Gun Extremists Introduce Sweeping Gun Ban

Above, the New Mexico Capitol Building in Santa Fe. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The radical leftist Democrats in the New Mexico legislature are at it again.

They have introduced a bill that would ban almost all semi-automatic firearms.

From the NRA-ILA:

As they have tried in the past, anti-gun radicals in the New Mexico Senate have introduced Senate Bill 279, the "GOSAFE Act," a near all-encompassing ban on commonly owned firearms. SB 279 has been referred to Senate Judiciary Committee, but has not been scheduled for hearing at this time. Start contacting your Senators TODAY and urge them to OPPOSE this unconstitutional bill by using the TAKE ACTION button below.

SB 279 among other provisions, applies to almost all “semiautomatic firearms,” as defined in the bill, being rifles, shotguns and pistols that law-abiding citizens commonly use for recreation, hunting, self defense and competitive shooting, and would regulate the import, sale, manufacture, transfer and receipt of such “firearms, devices or combination of parts”. Possession of such firearms, devices and combination of parts would be prohibited starting January 1, 2026 except as permitted in the bill. The bill also bans the new purchase or manufacture of magazines capable of holding over 10 rounds, and mandates the serialization of any currently possessed by New Mexico residents. 

It is critical that you contact your State Senators and urge them to OPPOSE SB 279 to prevent this unconstitutional bill from advancing!

Weapons of "The Searchers"

Since I saw the Internet Movie Firearms Database page on the weapons used in True Grit (1969) showing that several rifles were anachronistic to the era depicted in the movie, I decided to take a look at The Searchers (1956) and the weapons used in the movie after getting the movie in Blu-ray. 

Again, the weapons were anachronistic to the movie's era (c. 1868). 

The IMFDB summary:

The Searchers is the classic 1956 Western directed by John Ford and stars John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, an aged Confederate Civil War veteran who is determined to find his niece (Natalie Wood) who was kidnapped by Comanche Indians. The film takes place only three years following the Civil War, yet features several anachronistic firearms.

Here's one of them:

Above, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) pulls his SAA.

Colt Single Action Army

Several characters use Colt Single Action Army revolvers as their sidearms in the film including Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) and Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter) which is anachronistic as the movie is set three years after the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the Colt SAA did not appear until 1873.

Still, this doesn't detract my enjoyment of the movie.

To read more, go here.

What Is A Long Gun?

Above, two examples of long guns. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those new in the world of firearms, there is terminology connected with them that they may or may not know. 

One such term is long gun. 

I think the term is rather self-explanatory. Military Modelling has the answer along with examples.

They begin with:

What is a Long Gun? Examples and Types

When it comes to firearms, there are many different types and classifications. One common classification is between handguns and long guns. But what exactly is a long gun, and what are some examples of this type of firearm?

To read more, go here.

Trap Shooting This Summer?

Above, the Lake Havasu City Sportsmans Club skeet range. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I was perusing the website for the Gallup Shooting Range to see what facilities they have. I have not been there.

According to their website, they don't have a skeet range, but they do have a trap range. 

From their website:

Gallup Shooting Range offers the following facilities and challenging ranges in a scenic setting:

• Rifle, Muzzleloading and Pistol
• 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 yard targets
• 1 Trap Range
• Covered Shooting Lines, Shooting Benches and Covered Picnic areas with tables.

Trap is similar (it actually preceded skeet) to skeet, but with some differences. To see what they are, go here. 

Above, yours truly at the Lake Havasu City Sportsmans Club in December. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

 

Since trap (and skeet) involves five stands, we would need five people for a game. I have to see if I can get the gang to try out trap shooting this summer. I've only done trap shooting once, that was back in the 1980s in Sacramento.

I have shot skeet twice at the Lake Havasu City Sportsmans Club. It has to be the nicest and cleanest shooting range I've ever been to.

What's A Shotgun Magazine Plug?

Above, the shotgun magazine plug. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I unpacked my new Remington 870 Express shotgun, I found a plastic rod about 6-7" long in the box. I had no idea what it was for and put it into my gun safe. 

This morning, I did some searching and found that it is a magazine plug used in bird hunting.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department:

Pump action shotguns are very reliable because the action is powered by the shooter. Apparent (felt) recoil is greater than a semi-automatic. Both pump action and semi-automatic shotguns have tubular magazines. When hunting migratory birds, the tubular magazine must have a plug inserted so that the total holding capacity of the shotgun does not exceed three shells (one in the chamber, 2 in the magazine).

Since I am new to shotguns (although I had a pistol grip one briefly back in the 1980s before I sold it) it was new to me. 

You learn something new everyday.