You Shouldn’t Mount a Scope on These Rifles

Above, the Winchester 94 is included in the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The question on whether or not to mount a scope on any given rifle is up to the owner and what his/her needs are. 

Some rifles may have scope mounting rails on them, but it doesn't really mean one should do so.

MSN posted a slideshow article on what rifles shouldn't have a scope mounted. Their source was The Avid Outdoorsman.

They begin their slideshow article with:

Just because a rifle has rails doesn’t mean it’s begging for glass. Some platforms work better with irons, and others flat-out lose their handling or purpose once you bolt on a scope. Whether it’s weight, looks, or just how the gun was built to be used, not every rifle needs to be dialed in at 300 yards. Here’s a list of rifles that are usually better left as-is—no optics needed.

To read more, go here. 

Hunting: Easy Carriers and Straight Shooters

Above, the venerable Winchester 94 made the MSN list.

It's hunting season in some parts of the United States.

Those who partake in the sport, or those who want to, should have a firearm suited for it. MSN has posted a list of rifles that carry easy and shoot straight in the woods.

 It begins with:

Hunting the woods is its own world. You’re not glassing big country or worrying about dialing turrets—you’re slipping through timber, easing along benches, and making quick shots in tight windows. A good woods rifle needs to balance accuracy with mobility, and not every bolt gun or lever-action pulls that off. The best ones feel like they disappear on your shoulder until the second you need them, then come up naturally and point exactly where your eyes already are.

These rifles earn their keep by handling well in brush, balancing naturally, and keeping their zero even after long days of climbing, bumping, and weaving through cover. If you spend most of your season in timber or thick country, these are the models worth carrying.

To read more, go here.  

When Your Favorite Gun Shoots Better In Your Imagination

Above, yours truly with my Winchester 94 November 3. Photo by Larry Lucier.

Here's an interesting post from MSN.

It is on favorite guns that shoot better in your imagination. It is a slideshow article with many guns spotlighted.

It starts off with:

Every shooter’s got one—that rifle or pistol you swear by, even though deep down you know it’s never lived up to the stories you tell about it. You convince yourself it shoots better than it does, or that it “used to” before some imaginary variable went wrong. But the truth always shows up at the range, in the form of fliers, misfires, or groups that look like buckshot patterns. Sometimes nostalgia clouds judgment, and sometimes ego refuses to admit a gun’s flaws. These are the ones you keep defending long after they’ve proven they don’t deserve it—the guns that feel right in your hands but fall apart on the paper.

To see more, go here. 

Why There’s No Such Thing As The Perfect Rifle For Deer Hunting

Above, a deer munching on my elm trees. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Is there such a thing as the "perfect deer hunting rifle"?

According to a MSN slideshow post, there isn't. Personally, I don't hunt deer but I know several people who do. 

We have deer in and around our community (elk too). They constantly go after the lower branches of an apple tree in my front yard. A few months ago, some even managed to get into my fenced inner yard.

The posting begins with:

When it comes to hunting deer, the debate over the “perfect rifle” is endless. Some hunters swear by the power of large-caliber rifles, while others argue that precision and a well-placed shot are more critical than caliber size. But does the ideal deer rifle truly exist, or is it a myth? Many hunters might be surprised to learn that the best deer rifle could very well be the one they already own. The truth is, the “perfect” deer rifle is a deeply personal choice based on the hunter’s skill, preferences, and the environment in which they hunt.

To read more, go here. 

Guns That Make Expensive Optics Pointless

Above, the Ruger 10/22 with its Bushnell 4 X Custom .22 scope. Photo by Larry Lucier.

The only rifle that I had mounted a scope was my Ruger 10/22 back in the 1980s. At the time, it wasn't a particularly expensive scope and it is pretty much basic. It is a Bushnell 4 X Custom .22. 

Generally, I just use the rifle for plinking at our local shooting area of the Cibola National Forest. The scope is just fine with my aging eyes.

I'm not the only one who mounted this scope on a Ruger 10/22. I saw this in a gun forum:

i got a bushnell 4x on my old ruger 10/22.  its probably 20 years old now and i cant think of ever putting a new scope on in its place. every fall before squirrel season i check its zero and i can honestly say i have not had to adjust it in 8 or 10 years. yes its a "cheaper" scope but it holds a zero and shoots under 1" groups at 50 yards always. i cant attest to their currant line, but the older bushnells are well made.

I have one other rifle with a scope. But that was on a rifle I inherited from my dad and the scope was already mounted. I have not fired the rifle as it is a Japanese made rifle and the bolt action doesn't appear to belong to it. 

There are some rifles that make expensive optics pointless, according to a MSN article. 

They begin with:

There’s a time and place for spending real money on glass. Precision rigs built for long-range work, serious varmint setups, and backcountry rifles all benefit from high-end optics.

But not every rifle needs a scope that costs more than the gun itself—especially when the gun in question doesn’t offer enough consistency or capability to justify it. If your rifle can’t hold zero, sprays groups across the paper, or wanders as the barrel warms up, no amount of optic is going to clean that up.

In some cases, these guns are meant for fast, close shots where glass slows you down. Other times, the action or barrel simply isn’t accurate enough to match the optic’s capability.

You’ve probably seen a few of these rifles—decked out with a $1,200 scope and still missing by a foot. Here are some of the biggest offenders that make high-end optics feel like a waste of time and money.

To read more, go here. 

7 Ways To Test If A Silver Coin Is Real

Above, an ad advertising Canadian Maple Leaf coins that turned out to be fake.

A few years ago, two friends and I bought some purported silver coins through an ad in Facebook. The price of each coin was hard to believe. The old saying, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" rang true.

When I received the coins, I noticed that they looked different from the silver coins I already had. Then, I tried the "magnet test" on them. Silver does not react to magnets, but the coins I bought did. That's how I knew that they were counterfeit. These originated from China.

Above, my magnet test of a fake Morgan dollar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

MSN has posted an article on how to test if a silver coin is real.

It begins with:

Whether you’ve inherited an old collection, found coins at a flea market, or are starting to invest in precious metals, knowing how to identify genuine silver is essential. Counterfeit silver coins are increasingly sophisticated, but there are reliable ways to spot fakes without damaging your coins. Here’s a detailed guide on how to tell if your silver coin is real.

To read more, go here. 

Godzilla's Legendary Comeback

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is remarkable that Godzilla is as popular, if not more so, than ever these days.

This can be attributed to the Legendary Pictures series of movies and of Toho's recent movies, one of which won an Academy Award for Best Special Effects.

MSN has posted an article on Godzilla's legendary (a pun?) comeback.

It begins with:

At one time, the Godzilla franchise seemed like outdated science fiction with limited future cinematic prospects. Not only did Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse change those perceptions, but Toho’s Godzilla Minus One proved the 50-meter-tall radioactive dinosaur could deliver an Oscar-worthy performance. Toho recently announced a sequel to Minus One, demonstrating that an “old, outdated” subgenre can still score big - a $116 million global gross on a $15 million budget - in international theaters. 

To read more, go here. 

Why Silver Has Been Surging More Than Gold

Silver is now over $51 per troy ounce at COMEX.

This may be a new spot price record for the precious metal.

Why is this happening? MSN posted an article on the reasons why silver has become a hot item.

Then begin with:

(Bloomberg) -- Gold has staged a dramatic rally this year as Russia’s war in Ukraine and the US Trump administration’s unorthodox economic policies sent investors and central banks reaching for safe-haven assets. Right now, however, it’s silver that’s stealing the spotlight. 

A squeeze in supply of the precious metal has catapulted it to a 70% gain on the London market this year, compared with a 55% increase for gold as of mid-October. Both have been experiencing a surge in demand from investors, who value their price stability through periods of political turbulence, inflation and currency weakness.  

Unlike gold, silver isn’t just scarce and beautiful: It also has useful real-world properties that make it a valuable component in a range of products. With inventories at their lowest in years and investors still scrambling for more, there’s a risk of supply shortages that could impact multiple industries. 

To read more, go here.

Old Lever-Actions That Balance Better Than Modern Copies

Above, my 1962 vintage Winchester 94 is a comfortable carry. 

Are today's modern versions of classic lever-action rifles as good as the earlier ones?

That depends upon whom one is talking to. Some are saying that the old lever-actions balance better than modern copies.

That is a topic of a slideshow article by MSN. 

They begin it with:

Modern lever-actions might bring stronger steels, threaded barrels, and optics rails, but something often feels off when you shoulder them compared to the originals. Old lever-actions were built for hunters and riders who needed a rifle that carried naturally, swung smoothly, and stayed steady in hand. The balance wasn’t an accident—it was the product of design choices that put handling ahead of bulk or accessories.

If you’ve ever carried a vintage Winchester or Marlin through the woods, you know the difference. They come to the shoulder quicker, point naturally, and feel lighter than their actual weight suggests. Modern reproductions often look the part, but once you mount them, the balance isn’t quite there. Hunters and collectors who keep the old rifles around aren’t doing it just for nostalgia. These rifles still handle in a way that’s tough to replicate, even with today’s machining. Let’s look at the classic lever-actions that continue to prove their balance is unmatched.

To see more, go here. 

Lever-Actions That Handle Hard Use Year After Year

Above, Winchester 93 and 94 rifles at the Cody Firearms Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is important for people to buy products that are "built to last" and not fall apart after some usage. This also goes for firearms.

Knowing what will handle hard use year after year is vital before plunking down your hard-earned cash. MSN has posted a slideshow article on lever-action rifles that will last. 

They begin with:

A good lever-action should feel like it was built to ride in the truck, get scratched up in the woods, and still cycle smooth when you bring it to your shoulder. The ones that rise to the top aren’t always the prettiest or the newest—they’re the ones that keep running no matter how rough you treat them. These rifles handle hard use season after season, year after year, without falling apart or loosening up.

To see which lever-actions that can take hard use, go here. 

Lever-Actions That Should Be Reliable—But Aren’t

Above, a Winchester 94 on display at the Cody Firearms Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Lever-action rifles have become quite popular these past few years. So much so that manufacturers have been introducing new ones.

Not all firearms are created equal. Some perform better than others. This also includes lever-action rifles.

MSN has posted a slideshow article on 10 lever-actions that should be reliable, but aren't.

The Winchester 94 made the list, but it isn't the pre-64 ones nor the ones that came out before modifications were made for accommodating scopes. (Hint-hint!)

The slideshow begins with:

Lever-actions are supposed to be the dependable workhorses of the rifle world. Simple, slick, and proven over time—that’s the reputation they carry. But not every lever-gun lives up to that image. Some are finicky with ammo, others jam more than they should, and a few have parts that just don’t hold up. Whether it’s poor build quality or overcomplicated design, these lever-actions have let more than a few folks down when they needed them most. Here are ten that seem reliable on paper—but disappoint in the real world.

To see what they are, go here.

Guns That Rust Faster Than You Can Clean Them

Above, the Winchester 94 made the list. Fortunately, mine has not a speck of rust. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Rust.

That is something that has never been a problem for my guns. I keep most of them (except for two shotguns that won't fit) in my gun cabinet. I keep them clean and occasionally oil them and keep a coat of oil on their exterior metal surfaces.

Fortunately, I also live in a semi-arid area. That helps a lot!

MSN posted a slideshow of guns susceptible to rust. I guess some guns rust faster than others.  

They begin with:

Moisture doesn’t care how much your gun cost or what kind of safe it lives in. Some guns just rust faster than others. Thin finishes, poor materials, or a lack of proper coatings can turn a morning hunt into a corrosion cleanup by lunch. If you’ve ever pulled a gun out after a wet weekend and found orange creeping in, you know the frustration.

Some guns demand more maintenance than they’re worth in the elements. You either baby them or learn the hard way. These are the ones you need to stay on top of—or leave home when the weather’s turning sideways.

To read more and see the slideshow, go here. 

Dollar Drops Versus Yen

Now that we are in a new month and the summer vacation season has started, it is time to take a peek at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen. This, of course, is of major interest to Americans traveling to Japan.

According to MSN:

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -The U.S. dollar weakened on Tuesday, falling the most against the Japanese yen and the Swiss franc, as President Donald Trump's massive tax-cut and spending bill stoked fiscal worries and uncertainty around trade deals weighed on sentiment.

Investors have also started wagering on a quicker pace of monetary policy easing by the Federal Reserve this year ahead of a slew of U.S. economic data this week, headlined by Thursday's nonfarm payrolls report.

That spurred dollar-selling, which slipped 0.33% to a new 10-year low and fetched 0.790 Swiss francs, while the greenback dropped 0.64% to 143.08 Japanese yen. The yen capped the first half of the year with a 9% gain - its strongest performance since 2016.

To read more, go here. 

Cruise Passengers Tell Which Destinations They'd Never Go To Again

Above, some found Nassau, Bahamas a disappointment. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Not every cruise stop is one's cup of tea. Some destinations turned out to be duds.

According to an article in MSN, there are places where cruise passengers found disappointing and would rather not visit again. 

The article begins with:

Cruise holidays give tourists the chance to tick off several top destinations on one trip. 

But unfortunately, not every port leaves passengers hungry for more. 

Experienced cruisers have taken to Reddit to share their main cruise regrets – and for many people, it's a destination that didn't quite hit the mark. 

So, where will these cruisers be leaving off their itinerary? 

To see which ones, go here. 

MSN: Why I Still Shoot .30-30 In 2025

Above, .30-30 Winchester cartridges. The Hornady LEVERevolution is at left. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last Wednesday, three of us went out target shooting at the shooting area near our community. I started with my Winchester 62A .22 pump rifle I inherited from my grandfather.

After that, I did some shooting with my Winchester 94. I took the opportunity to try out the Hornady LEVERevolution .30-30 flex tipped ammo for the first time. No problems or issues occurred.

MSN posted a slideshow article by JoshC on "Why I Still Shoot .30-30 In 2025".

It starts out with:

Some folks say the .30-30 Winchester is outdated—like it should’ve been retired with grandpa’s flannel. But I still keep one in the safe, and honestly, it sees more use than a lot of my “modern” rifles. It may not check every spec-sheet box, but it flat-out works. Whether I’m hunting, hiking, or just messing around on the range, there are a few solid reasons the .30-30 hasn’t lost its spot in my lineup.

To view the slideshow article, go here. 

Gun Brands That Used to Be Great (But Aren’t Anymore)

Above, pre-1964 Winchesters are still prized guns. 

Ever wondered about gun brands that your father or grandfather loved for their quality?

Some old gun brands have changed hands or changed their manufacturing processes over the years that made their guns of questionable quality.

MSN has posted an photo slideshow of gun brands that used to be great but aren't anymore. 

They begin it with:

Every gun guy’s got that one brand they used to swear by—until the quality dropped, the customer service vanished, or the designs stopped keeping up. Some companies rested on their reputation too long and let the newer names pass them by. Others cut corners, shipped junk, or got bought out and never recovered.

Whatever the reason, these are the gun brands that used to stand for quality but don’t carry the same weight anymore. If you’ve handled guns for long, you’ve probably felt the shift firsthand.

To see the slideshow, go here. 

The Wild History of the Winchester 1894

MSN has posted a slide show of photos of "The Wild History of the Winchester 1894". The slideshow article is courtesy of The Avid Outdoorsman. 

It begins with:

Few rifles have shaped American culture quite like the Winchester 1894. It wasn’t just a hunting gun—it was a rifle that rode through history, from the frontier to the silver screen. With over 7 million made, it’s one of the most successful long guns ever built. But it’s the stories behind it that really make it stand out.

This isn’t just another lever gun—it’s the one that changed the game. Let’s walk through the twists and turns that made the Model 1894 a true legend.

To see the slideshow and read more, go here. 

Freeport, Bahamas: 13 Top Places To Explore

Above, with the Norwegian Sky docked nearby, passengers roamed shops in Freeport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During our cruise to the Bahamas last summer, the first cruise stop was at Freeport.

We were there for a few hours and the time was spent at a shopping complex of small businesses. With our ship, the Norwegian Sky, docked nearby, we wandered around the shops.

There is much more to Freeport for people to see. Unfortunately, the time allotted was not enough for any real exploring. I enjoyed our Nassau stop a lot more as we were able to take bus and boat tours there.

MSN has posted a gallery of things to see in Freeport.

They begin with:

Looking for a Bahamian escape that’s a little less crowded but still packed with charm? Freeport might just surprise you. As the second-largest city in the Bahamas, Freeport blends sun-soaked relaxation with vibrant local flavor. I’ve walked its white-sand beaches, browsed through colorful straw markets, and kayaked through mangrove forests—and trust me, it’s more than just a port stop. Curious where locals go to unwind or where you can find the island’s best conch salad? From underwater cave systems to buzzing cultural hubs, these 13 must-see spots in Freeport deliver more than just postcard views—they offer stories, flavors, and moments that stick with you.

To see more, go here. 

Why Some Cruise Ships Have Wings

Above, four cruise ships docked in Nassau, Bahamas. One has wings. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here is something about some cruise ships that I hadn't thought of.

Some cruise ships have wings. Why they do is interesting.

MSN posted an article about cruise ship wings.

They begin it with:

Cruise ships aren't meant to fly, but some of them look like they're trying to. Look closely at certain vessels, and you'll notice wing-like structures in two places: one set perched high above the ship, and another hidden beneath the waterline. These aren't just for show; they serve very different, functional purposes.

To read more, go here. 

MSN: The Best Lever Action Rifles

Above, lever action rifles on display at the Billy the Kid
Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

MSN posted what Joshua Clark of Fix It Homestead considers to be the best lever action rifles. 

There are 11 rifles profiled.

They begin with:

There’s something about a lever action rifle that just feels right—like you’re holding a piece of history that still gets the job done today. Whether you’re out hunting deer, looking for a reliable truck gun, or just like the feel of cycling that lever, these rifles keep proving their worth. They’re fast, dependable, and more versatile than a lot of folks give them credit for.

Here’s a solid lineup of lever guns that have earned their place in the safe—and probably a spot in the truck too.

To see what rifles made the best list, go here.