In the mid-19th century, the French military had developed some new firearm designs to take advantage of what was then the novel concept of a self-contained cartridge. Initially, like many militaries, the French converted existing military muzzleloaders to…

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On April 27, 1667, at age 59, blind and impoverished, English poet John Milton sold his copyright to “Paradise Lost” for just £10 Sterling. — April 27, 1789: he crew of the British ship Bounty mutinied, setting Captain William Bligh and 18 sailors adrift in a launch in the South Pacific. — On this day in 1861, West Virginia seceded from Virginia after Virginia seceded from Union. — The last day! We have been running a two-week-long sale on all of our pre-1899 antique shotguns at Elk Creek Company, with deep discounts. This sales ends at midnight tonight, Pacific Time.…

1. Recover Tactical 20/20 Sling BagThe Recover Tactical 20/20 Sling Bag is a good choice for a small, basic bug-out bag. It offers four carrying methods and just enough padding, with enough capacity (4.4 liters) and compartments to be useful without trying to do everything. It will fit every other product listed here with a bit of room to spare. The sling-strap setup is faster to access than a backpack, and external-attachment options abound. MSRP: $59.95; recovertactical.com 2. Magpul DAKA Volume PouchMagpul DAKA pouches come in various sizes and shapes, but this one is perfect for a small go-bag. Its…

Some might think today’s hectic schedules, public perception and politics would create the kind of headwind that prevents most youths from considering the pleasures of the shooting sports.  Judging by the record number joining clubs and teams, however, mass-media’s disinformation, peer pressure and political rhetoric are losing their luster with today’s youth. They are making time to head to the range, polishing discipline and practicing concentration while spending time with real friends. Here’s a quick look at the growing trend. The figures are impressive and show no signs of slowing. In 1976 4-H Shooting Sports began on a small scale…

  I was introduced to the M14 rifle in Basic Combat Training (BCT) in the summer of 1969, at Fort Ord, California and I fell in love with it. I was only 17-yrs old and weighed a whopping 135 pounds at the time. But when I graduated from Infantry School in December of 1969. I had beefed up to 165 pounds. I longed for my very own M14 – however it was not to be, you see the US military M14 was a select-fire rifle, capable of fully automatic fire. When I returned to my National Guard unit in Chicago,…

On April 26, 1777, it is claimed that 16-year-old Sybil Ludington rode all night in a rainstorm for 40 miles to warn her father’s New York militia of the approach of the British army. — April 26, 1937: The German Luftwaffe’s “Condor Legion” destroyed Basque town of Guernica, in Spain. — Just one day left! We are running a two-week-long sale on all of our pre-1899 antique shotguns at Elk Creek Company, with deep discounts. This sale will end on Monday, April 27th, 2026. Please note that some of these guns have been re-sleeved and re-proofed for modern shotshells! —…