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A Perfect-Packing-Lever-Action Rifle: The Model 1892
Some guns need a little tweaking to make them look “right.” A slight change to the grip frame or a more graceful hammer spur added to a single action or a figured piece of walnut bolted on a plain-stocked rifle and voila, perfection! Then there are a few guns that are ideal as-is from the factory. To my eye Colt’s Single Action Army is good from the get-go. Heck, I even like the plastic grips that come on them. The same goes for a 4-inch Smith & Wesson N-frame. Everything is
Aug 3


Winchester Model 94 .30/30: America's Carbine
In the late 1800s, John M. Browning was on a roll. He designed the robust 1886 Winchester that was chambered for big-bore cartridges. Then, in 1892, he brought out a scaled down version that would handle various popular handgun cartridges. Later, we got the Model 1895 Winchester which was a whole new design for high-velocity ammo. But I think his crowning glory, where lever actions are concerned, was his Model 1894 rifle and carbine.
Jun 23


Some Old Bastard
He pulled the old ranch truck with the stock trailer holding his buckskin gelding over to the side of the county road, not far from where all the squad cars were sitting. With his spur rowels jingling softly, he walked up to a young highway patrolman and asked what was going on...
May 2


The Gunfight at Holbrook
In studying the gunfights of the Old West it quickly becomes clear that many of the most savvy shootists preferred using a rifle whenever they could get their hands on one quickly. The handgun came into use when dealing with a surprise encounter or the rifle was not close at...
Apr 23


Winchester’s Model 1886 and the .33 WCF Cartridge
The Model 1886 Winchester was the first John Browning-designed repeating rifle to be manufactured by Winchester. The classic lines and...
Feb 25


Javalinas: Pigs of the Desert
I was just a big kid, horseback near the Nueces River, the first time I got a really close look at javalinas. I rounded a bend in the...
Feb 23


The Legend of the Murder Steer
The country where I live in far West Texas has the only mountains in the state. They run from the Big Bend of the Rio Grande all the way...
Feb 9
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