My Unexpected Winchester Model 98 Signal Cannon Some days in this business, the phone rings and it’s just another routine call about a shotgun or a deer rifle. Other days, you get something so out of left field that it stops you in your tracks. That was me a few weeks ago, sitting at my desk when a man calls and says, “Hey, I’ve got a cannon. You buy cannons?” Now, I’ve heard a lot of unusual things in my line of work, but a cannon? That was a first. Curiosity got the better of me, and I asked him to send pictures. A few minutes later, my phone buzzed, and there it was a Winchester Model 98 Signal Cannon , a relic of simpler times when “fireworks” sometimes meant black powder and brass. I’m going to be honest: I didn’t know much about cannons at that point, other than what I’d seen in old war movies or at historical reenactments. I deal in firearms every day, but this wasn’t just another gun. This was an honest-to-goodness piece of Americana, built to fire black powder blanks and announce the start of yacht races, Independence Day, or maybe just the fact that life was good. And that’s where the nostalgia kicked in. Winchester Model 98 Signal Cannon appraised during a Kirkwood estate firearm evaluation The 12-Year-Old in Me Made the Call When I saw those photos, something clicked in the back of my mind, and suddenly I wasn’t sitting at my desk anymore. I was twelve years old again, back in my neighborhood with my best friend Jay. We’d build forts out of scrap lumber and spend long summer days plotting imaginary battles against enemy forces who never had a chance. If we had a real cannon back then, even one that just fired blanks, we would have ruled the world. I could practically see Jay’s grin, hear the war cries, and feel the adrenaline of “defending the fort” from every imagined threat. That thought alone pretty much sealed the deal. I didn’t know the first thing about these little black powder boomers, but the kid in me said, “You’re not letting this one go.” A Quick History of the Winchester Model 98 Signal Cannon Before I get into my hands-on experience, let’s talk about what makes the Winchester Model 98 Signal Cannon  such an interesting piece. Introduced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in, yes, you guessed it, 1898, this cannon wasn’t designed for warfare. Instead, it was marketed as a ceremonial and signaling device, perfect for yacht clubs, holiday salutes, and even railroad events. These cannons were built like tanks, cast iron and steel with a solid carriage, weighing in at about 25 pounds. They were chambered for 10-gauge black powder blanks; yes, the same 10-gauge shell that’s been making shoulders sore for more than a century. Operation was straightforward: load a blank shell into the breech, close it up, pull the lanyard, and BOOM! you’ve just let the whole neighborhood know you mean business. No projectiles, just sound and smoke, which made them relatively safe for public celebrations (provided you respected black powder, which always demands caution). The Model 98 stayed in production for decades, and even today, collectors love them because they’re both functional and historically significant. They represent a slice of Americana when noise was part of the fun, and nobody called the cops when you made it. Winchester Model 98 Signal Cannon Closing the Deal After a little back and forth with the seller, I loaded up and went to take a look in person. There it was, sitting in a wooden crate like some old naval relic. I picked it up, felt the heft, and thought about how many people had grinned ear to ear after pulling that cord. Before I knew it, the deal was done, and the cannon was mine. Getting Acquainted Here’s where the fun begins, and the research, because like I said earlier, I didn’t know much about these things beyond the fact that they make a loud noise. I learned that the Model 98 uses 10-gauge black powder blanks , which you can still find online or load yourself if you’re into handloading for the boom rather than the bang. Cleaning and maintenance are simple, warm water, a little soap, and oil on the moving parts. It’s not like a rifle that demands tight tolerances; this is old school iron that thrives on being simple and sturdy. Of course, before I fired it, I went down the rabbit hole of safety. Yes, these cannons are legal to own, and because they fire blanks, they aren’t classified as firearms under federal law. That said, black powder deserves respect . You don’t just throw a shell in, light it up, and hope for the best. Distance, proper hearing protection, and keeping spectators clear are non-negotiable. The First Boom The day finally came. I had a box of 10-gauge blanks, the cannon cleaned and oiled, and a nice open area to let it rip. I loaded the shell, closed the breech, threaded the lanyard through the eyelet, and took a few steps back. My heart was pounding like it did when I was a kid about to light the biggest firecracker in the stash. “Here we go,” I muttered, pulling the cord. BOOM! The sound was incredible; a deep, resonant blast that rolled across the yard and into the trees beyond. Smoke poured from the muzzle, curling into the air like a victory flag. For a split second, I just stood there grinning like that twelve-year-old kid I remembered. It was everything I hoped for and then some. Then I worried about the cops, scooped up the cannon and quickly went inside with my prize. Winchester Model 98 Signal Cannon Why It Matters So, why does a Winchester Model 98 Signal Cannon deserve a spot in my collection? Because it’s more than steel, it’s a time machine. It connects me to a past where life was simpler, where imagination ruled summer afternoons, and where making noise was half the fun. Firearms and cannons, apparently, aren’t just tools. They’re pieces of history, conversation starters, and sometimes, reminders of who we were before life got complicated. For me, this little cannon represents something bigger than itself: the joy of discovery, the thrill of history, and the importance of never letting go of that kid inside who dreams big and smiles wide at the sound of a really good BOOM. Final Thoughts If you ever come across one of these Winchester Model 98s, don’t pass it up. Whether you’re a collector, a history buff, or just someone who appreciates the craftsmanship of a bygone era, it’s a piece worth owning. Just remember, respect the powder, respect your neighbors, and enjoy the cannon for what it is: pure, unadulterated fun from an age when loud meant good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got another box of blanks to burn through. By: Drew Gun Buyer | St. Louis, MO | MDRF Enterprises https://www.mdrfenterprises.com

A Featherweight with a Heavy Memory When I saw that bright little Colt Cobra in the University City collection , it was like getting yanked fifty years back in time. That particular revolver was the spitting image of the one my dad carried under his robe when he sat on the bench down in St. Francois County. Dad was a county judge, not a lawman, but he believed in being prepared. His Cobra rode in a worn leather ankle holster, snug against his right leg, hidden under his trousers. Quiet confidence in steel and wood. Colt Cobra .38 Special A Revolver Built for Discretion Colt brought out the Cobra in 1950, building on the already respected Detective Special frame. The Cobra’s claim to fame was its aluminum alloy frame, shaving several ounces off the Detective Special’s all-steel weight. That might not sound like much until you spend long days carrying it on your ankle or in a pocket. At just over fifteen ounces unloaded, the first-model Cobra was a .38 Special that disappeared on your person until you needed it. The early Cobras had the same six-round cylinder as the Detective Special, and Colt kept the same profile that made the “D-frame” guns so comfortable in the hand. What changed was the frame material, the balance, and in those first models, a gorgeous blued finish with walnut grips that made it feel like a gentleman’s sidearm. Detective Special vs. Cobra The Detective Special and the Cobra share DNA. Both are six-shot, swing-out cylinder revolvers chambered in .38 Special. Both use the D-frame, meaning holsters, speed loaders, and grips often interchange. The key difference is weight and feel. The Detective Special is an all steel gun, tipping the scales closer to twenty four ounces, and it soaks up recoil better. The Cobra, thanks to its alloy frame, is much lighter, making it more suited for discreet, all day carry. In Dad’s case, that meant the Cobra was perfect for courthouse duty. He could keep it hidden without dragging at his ankle all day, yet it still offered six rounds of .38 Special if trouble ever came through those courtroom doors. The Day I Learned About Recoil and Regret One summer afternoon, my buddy DeaDea and I were rummaging in Dad’s desk while he was “in chambers”, which meant he was probably sitting in the kitchen, smoking his cigarettes and reading case files. I slid open the bottom drawer and there it was, snug in its holster: the Colt Cobra. We didn’t talk much; we just looked at each other, grinned, and slipped out the back door. Down at the St. Francois River, the afternoon sun bouncing off the water, we lined up a row of old soda bottles. The first shot startled me, that little revolver barked loud, the muzzle rise sharper than the .22s I was used to. DeaDea missed his first shot entirely, sending a splash into the shallows. We took turns until the bottles were gone and the cylinder was empty. Colt Cobra .38 Special I wiped the gun down, reloaded it from the spare rounds in the holster, and slid it back into the desk just so. Thought I had it covered. That illusion lasted until supper. Dad put his fork down, looked me square in the eye, and asked how the St. Francois was running today. I froze. He had that slight tilt to his head, the one that meant he already knew the answer. Let’s just say I learned two lessons that day: the Cobra kicks a little more than you expect, and your father always knows when you’ve been into his things. Final Word from Uncle Kenny The Colt Cobra is more than just a lighter Detective Special. It’s a revolver with history, designed for professionals who needed discretion without sacrificing firepower. For me, it’s also a memory machine, one glimpse at a well kept first model and I’m right back on the banks of the St. Francois, hearing that sharp crack over the water. If you ever get a chance to handle one, do it. They’re a piece of American carry history, and in the right hands, they can tell one heck of a story.

MDRF Enterprises is proud to be an Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau. This recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to professionalism, ethical business practices, and trusted service throughout the Greater Saint Louis area. We believe in doing business the right way, transparently, responsibly, and always with the customer in mind. Our BBB accreditation reinforces the trust our clients place in us every day. Read our blog  to learn more about what this means for our customers. Click Here for our BBB Page Better Business Bureau Logo

Trust Matters, Especially When Firearms Are Involved For more than 12 years, MDRF Enterprises has helped families, fiduciaries, and estate professionals throughout the Saint Louis area navigate one of the most sensitive tasks in probate: how to legally and responsibly sell or appraise inherited firearms. We’ve built our reputation on compliance, discretion, and trust. And now, we’re proud to share that we’ve earned BBB Accreditation  from the Better Business Bureau. This isn’t just a seal. It’s a signal that we meet the highest standards in transparency, professionalism, and customer service. What BBB Accreditation Means for Our Clients BBB Accreditation is a voluntary process. We weren’t handed a badge, we earned  it through consistent ethical business practices and community trust. To qualify, a business must meet and maintain standards that include: ✅ Clear, honest communication ✅ Proper licensing and regulatory compliance ✅ Responsive, respectful customer service ✅ A documented track record of integrity This matters even more when firearms are involved. Whether you're an executor with a gun safe to inventory, or a family member unsure what to do with Grandpa’s old rifle, you deserve to work with a verified and professional team. Better Business Bureau Logo Why Estate Professionals Should Care Attorneys, fiduciaries, and estate buyers often need to vet third-party vendors quickly, especially when firearms are discovered in probate. Our BBB Accreditation provides: Instant validation  that you're working with a trusted, licensed firearms dealer Third-party assurance  of our ethical standards A partner who understands both legal risk  and client sensitivity You can point your clients to our business with confidence. For a step-by-step overview of how we assist during cleanouts, see our Estate Firearm Checklist . Why Families Choose MDRF Enterprises If you're downsizing, handling an estate, or just stumbled across a few forgotten guns in a closet, you may be asking: Is this even legal to sell? What is it worth? Can I avoid walking into a gun store with a duffel bag? Read how we determine true firearm value  using fair market data, not online guesswork. Those are fair questions—and our Firearm FAQ  has answers on what you can legally sell, how transfer laws work, and what steps to take next. As a licensed FFL, we offer: 🔐 In-home appraisals and secure pickups 💸 Fair cash offers or consignment options 📋 Legal transfers with full documentation 🤝 Discreet, pressure-free service Locally Owned. Community Focused. We’re not a national chain. We’re not a pawn shop. We’re a Saint Louis-based business located on Hampton Avenue near Loughborough, with clients across South City, Clayton, South County, Metro East, and Kirkwood. We’ve worked alongside probate attorneys, retirement communities, estate liquidators, and families all over the region. They call us because we’re licensed , local , and trusted . To see how we support professional referrals, visit our Professionals Page  for attorney-ready guides and handouts Final Thoughts: Why It All Comes Back to Trust There’s no shortage of people offering to buy guns. But when it comes to inherited firearms, especially in probate or legal environments, trust  is everything. You can also browse our Local Stories  to see real examples of families and fiduciaries we’ve helped across STL City, County, and Metro East. Our BBB Accreditation reinforces what we’ve always believed: that doing things the right way matters. ✅ Next Steps 🔗 View Our BBB Profile 📍 Located in Saint Louis City | Serving All of STL County & Metro East 📖 Read Our Firearm FAQ 🔐 Visit Our Professionals Page

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The Colt Police Positive Target .22 LR Some guns stay with you even after they’re gone. For me, that’s the Colt Police Positive Target chambered in .22 Long Rifle. Not because it was the fanciest piece I ever owned, or the most powerful, but because it came from my Uncle Bob. He gave it to me when I was a scrawny teenager, just starting to understand the balance between respect and responsibility that firearms demand. I shot my first tin can with that revolver and, later, my first squirrel right through the eye at 15 yards. But like a lot of young men coming back from the service in the late ’60s, I wasn’t thinking about legacy, I was thinking about speed. So, I swapped that old Colt for a box of motorcycle parts and a bottle of Jim Beam somewhere in the back alleys of San Francisco. I’ve regretted it ever since. Colt Police Positive - Target A Bit of Colt History The Colt Police Positive revolver has a long and storied history. First introduced in 1905, it was designed for the law enforcement market, hence the name. The revolver was chambered in various small calibers .32 and .38 were the most common, and Colt’s marketing pitched it as a lighter, safer alternative to earlier revolvers thanks to their “Positive Lock” safety mechanism, which prevented the hammer from striking the firing pin unless the trigger was deliberately pulled. By 1910, Colt introduced the Police Positive Target , tailored more for civilian marksmen and competition shooters than beat cops. Chambered in .22 Long Rifle (and sometimes .22 WRF or .32 Police), this model quickly became popular with folks who appreciated fine craftsmanship in a small-bore revolver that was both accurate and affordable to shoot. Features That Still Hold Up Now, let me tell you, my old Police Positive Target was a joy to shoot. It had a 6-inch barrel, adjustable sights, and that smooth Colt double-action trigger pull that made you feel like you were working with something built by clockmakers, not factory line hands. The revolver’s blued finish was deep and rich, the kind of blue that almost looked black in low light but would glint like polished coal in the sun. The wooden grips had the old Colt medallions inset, and after a few summers of sweat and pine sap, they fit my hand like an extension of it. One of the finest features was the way the cylinder locked up, tight as a bank vault, even after decades of use. These guns weren’t made for running thousands of rounds like today’s semi-autos, but they were built with pride and precision. I could put five shots in a quarter-sized group at 15 yards with that revolver, and I was just a kid. Imagine what a proper marksman could do. The One That Got Away I’ve told this story a hundred times, and I’ll keep telling it as long as I’ve got breath in my lungs. After coming home from the Army in 1969, I found myself on the West Coast, dirty boots, torn duffel bag, hair longer than the Army liked. The Summer of Love had already burned itself out, but San Francisco was still full of people looking for meaning, freedom, or just a way to keep the wheels turning. Me? I wanted a motorcycle. I met a guy down in the Mission District with an old bike he was parting out. I told him I had a Colt .22 that shot like a dream. He looked at it, gave me a crooked smile, and said, “Throw in a bottle and it’s a deal.” So, I did. I got my parts and built the bike, but I never saw that revolver again. I sometimes wonder if it’s still floating around the Bay Area, maybe in someone’s sock drawer, maybe in a pawn shop window. Maybe it’s long gone. Why It Matters Today Now, let’s talk about what the Colt Police Positive Target means today, especially for collectors and shooters. For one, they’re undervalued . A lot of folks chase after Python money or the mystique of the old Single Action Army, and don’t get me wrong, those are fine pieces. But the Police Positive Target has a special place in the Colt family tree. It bridges the gap between working guns and recreational shooting, and it was built at a time when Colt’s machining and finishing were at their peak. These guns are also remarkably shootable . In an age where ammo prices keep going up, a reliable .22 revolver makes a lot of sense for casual range days, teaching new shooters, or just keeping your skills sharp. And unlike a plastic plinker, these old Colts have soul. Each one wears its history in the bluing, in the grips, in the scratches and holster wear that tell you this gun’s been somewhere. Colt Police Positive Target What to Look for as a Collector If you come across one in decent shape, especially with the longer barrel, adjustable sights, and original grips, you’d be wise to snap it up. Models from the pre-war era (before 1945) often bring a premium, but even the later production runs into the 1950s and early ’60s are well-regarded. Beware of pitting, timing issues, or half-assed modifications. A clean, unmolested Police Positive Target is a thing of beauty. Expect prices anywhere from $700 to $1,200 depending on condition, originality, and whether the box and papers are included. But I’d argue their sentimental and practical value exceeds the going rate , especially when you think about how few are still out there in shooting condition. Uncle Kenny’s Final Word I’ve handled a lot of guns in my life, military rifles, deer rifles, duck shotguns, and enough handguns to stock a museum. But I’ll always remember that little Colt .22, not because it was the most expensive or rare, but because it was mine. Given to me by a man I looked up to. Taken from me, not by theft or tragedy, but by the short-sightedness of youth. If you ever find yourself holding a Colt Police Positive Target, especially one in .22 LR, take a moment. Feel the balance, run that buttery double-action trigger, and appreciate what Colt was capable of when craftsmanship still mattered more than capacity. And if a young man ever asks you for it in trade? Tell him to come back in 50 years when he’s old enough to understand what it’s really worth. By: Uncle Kenny Gun Buyer | St. Louis, MO | MDRF Enterprises https://www.mdrfenterprises.com

Two Legends of the Safari Trail Chatting the other day with a customer who brought in a beautiful CZ rifle. Said he was thinking about having it reworked into a .505 Gibbs. Now, that’s not something you hear every Tuesday. But it sure got these old wheels turnin’. The .416 Rigby See, I didn’t grow up tracking elephant through mopane thickets. I hunted squirrels in the Missouri hardwoods and ran whitetail with a .30-06. But I remember thumbing through old copies of Outdoor Life  and American Rifleman , staring at grainy black and white photos of sunburned Hunters posing beside buffalo, lion, even elephant. That’s when I first laid eyes on two names that stuck like pine tar: .416 Rigby  and .505 Gibbs . These weren’t cartridges for plinking pop cans off a fencepost. These were made for the thick stuff, where every breath counts and there ain’t no such thing as a “second shot unless you’re lucky.” So, grab a beer, and let’s talk about two heavy hitters from a different world, where the stakes are high and the recoil is higher. The .416 Rigby: The Gentleman’s Hammer Back in 1911, John Rigby & Co., a London gunmaker with a taste for the refined and dangerous, decided to build something special. A bolt-action cartridge that could handle anything the African bush could throw at you. The result? The .416 Rigby. This wasn’t your granddad’s black powder double rifle. The .416 was among the first big bore rounds built for smokeless powder and bolt guns , specifically, the mighty Magnum Mauser action. You got a lighter rifle, faster reloads, and more firepower on tap when the grass started moving in front of you. The .416 Rigby She throws a 400-grain bullet at around 2,400 feet per second, putting over 5,000 foot pounds of “sit down and stay there” into whatever’s charging. It’s earned a reputation for deep penetration and stone cold reliability, even when your shirt’s soaked through and the humidity’s choking you sideways. It’s elegant. Powerful. Deadly. And still one of the most trusted safari rounds over a hundred years later. The .505 Gibbs: Big, Mad, and Charging Also born in 1911, but in Bristol, England, was the .505 Gibbs. Originally called the .505 Rimless Nitro Express , this beast had one mission: stop something massive  that was charging fast and full of bad intentions. This is not a cartridge you take lightly. We're talkin’ a 525-grain bullet, pushed at 2,300 feet per second. That’s over 6,000 foot-pounds of energy ; enough to put a train on its back. While the Rigby is about balance, the Gibbs is about brute force . You don’t shoot it from a lightweight rifle. These are long, heavy Mauser-action brutes , built like a railroad tie and just about as subtle. You’re not making 300-yard shots with the Gibbs. But if a cape buffalo is coming in fast and you’ve got one chance, this is the cartridge you pray you’re holding. Ballistics Showdown Let’s stack them side by side: Cartridge Bullet Weight Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lbs) Use Case .416 Rigby 400 grains ~2,400 ~5,100 Versatile; long-range capable .505 Gibbs 525 grains ~2,300 ~6,000+ Close-range stopping power The .416 Rigby  has more manageable recoil, better trajectory, and is just plain easier to live with. The .505 Gibbs  is for when things go south and you need a wall of lead between you and bad news. Who Carries What in the Field? Professional hunters, the real kind, not the Instagram kind, have leaned on both these rounds for generations. The .416 Rigby  is often the minimum for dangerous game. It’s what you reach for when you’re after lion, leopard, or buffalo and still want the ability to stretch your shots. The .505 Gibbs ? That’s backup gun territory. It’s the round a big game hunter keeps slung across his shoulder while walking behind a client with sweaty palms and a borrowed .375. It’s for elephant, hippo, and buffalo  at powder-burn distance. Not forgiving, not versatile, but absolutely final. Modern Loads and What You’ll Pay Both cartridges have had a bit of a renaissance thanks to nostalgia and a growing interest in safari-style rifles. .416 Rigby  is more common. Hornady, Federal, Norma, Swift, they all load it. You can find it on the shelf, and brass is out there if you reload. .505 Gibbs ? You’ll pay. Specialty ammo only. You might wait a bit. But if you’ve got the rifle and the dream, you’ll find a way. The Rifles Themselves For .416 Rigby , you’ve got options: CZ-USA, Ruger, Mauser, Dakota, even Blaser. They’re not cheap, but they’re built to keep you alive. Most wear fine walnut and express sights and are ready to walk the trail. For .505 Gibbs , it’s custom builds and classics: Heym, Westley Richards, Searcy. You’ll pay a premium, and they’re big, heavy brutes, but they’re built for a purpose. And that purpose ain’t punching paper at the local range. Uncle Kenny’s Final Say If you’re dreaming of Africa, or just admiring the rifles that tamed the continent one charge at a time, the .416 Rigby  and .505 Gibbs  should be in your imagination, and maybe even in your safe. The .416 Rigby  is like a seasoned guide: smart, steady, and reliable. It'll do the job every time, and still have manners at the dinner table. The .505 Gibbs ? That’s a double bourbon served neat. You don’t drink it every day (maybe), but when you do, you remember why. Me? I’d take the Rigby . Load it with solids, say a little prayer, and tip my hat to anyone lugging a Gibbs through the bush. But I wouldn’t feel under gunned with either not when the grass parts and you lock eyes with something big and mean that doesn’t want you there. By: Uncle Kenny MDRF Logo Gun Buyer | St. Louis, MO | MDRF Enterprises 👉 https://www.mdrfenterprises.com

The Girsan MCP35 and the Hi-Power Revival If you’ve been around handguns long enough, the name Hi-Power  ought to ring a bell, and maybe even tug at your heart a little. I remember the first time I held one. It was my buddy Frank’s, an old FN with worn bluing and wood grips that had more stories than some people. That pistol felt like history in my hand; it was smooth, serious, and fit like it belonged there. The Browning Hi-Power is one of those guns you don’t just shoot, you admire. Designed by John Moses Browning and polished off by Dieudonné Saive, it became the sidearm of choice for soldiers and police all over the world. But like all legends, it faded some with time. Polymer frames, striker-fired triggers, and higher capacity double stacks took over. The Hi-Power started to look like a relic, at least until folks started remembering why they loved it in the first place. MCP35 Enter the Girsan MCP35 . This one’s from Turkey, and I’ll admit I raised an eyebrow at first. But after handling a few, I can tell you straight, they’ve brought the old classic back with style, steel, and just enough modern touch to make it worth your time. Capturing the Hi-Power’s Soul Look at the MCP35 from across the counter, and you’ll know what it is before you pick it up. It’s got that same sharp profile, the rounded slide nose, the external hammer, and the unmistakable Browning grip angle. Steel frame, steel slide, just like it’s supposed to be. It’s chambered in 9mm and runs the old 13-round magazines that set the world on fire back in the day. Girsan didn’t mess with the magic. They respected the blueprint. If you’ve got Hi-Power mags lying around, they’ll work in this pistol. It’s a faithful throwback to a time when craftsmanship was king, but it doesn’t stop there. Improvements You’ll Notice Let’s not pretend the original Hi-Power didn’t have its quirks. As much as I love it, there were things that needed to get straight. Girsan went ahead and took care of some of that, which makes the MCP35 more pleasant to shoot and carry for today’s crowd. 1. Cleaner Build, Tighter Fit Girsan used modern machining and better materials than were available back in the day. You get tighter tolerances and a more refined fit and finish than a lot of surplus Hi-Powers I’ve seen floating around gun shows. 2. No Magazine Disconnect Thank the Lord that went away. That little “safety” in the original Hi-Power was always a sore spot. It made the trigger feel mushy and complicated dry fire practice. Girsan yanked it out, and now you’ve got a smooth, crisp single action trigger that breaks clean. 3. Better Sights and Ergonomics The original had dinky little sights that felt like an afterthought. Girsan’s are bigger, easier to pick up, and more suited to real world shooting. While they didn’t go crazy with a huge beavertail, they made a few minor changes that help avoid hammer bite and for those of us with meaty hands, that matters. 4. It Won’t Break the Bank Let’s be real. A new FN or Springfield Hi-Power clone will run you north of a grand. Girsan’s MCP35? You’ll find one for half that. And for a full-steel, single-action classic, that’s a heck of a deal. MCP35 At the Range Shooting the MCP35 feels like shaking hands with an old friend who’s been hitting the gym. The weight soaks up recoil nicely, and the trigger, now that the mag disconnect is gone, is clean and predictable. It points naturally, just like the originals always did. The new sights help a bunch when you’re picking up a front blade under stress, and the grip fits like it was made to be there. That said, just like the originals, it can be a little picky with hollow points. Girsan’s feed ramp is improved, but it’s still a nod to the original’s love affair with ball ammo. Variants and Add-Ons Girsan didn’t stop at one version. They’ve already spun out models with modern finishes, optics ready slides, and even some fun color accents if you’re into that kind of thing. Better yet, aftermarket support is growing. A lot of Hi-Power parts swap right in, so if you like to tinker, you’ll feel right at home. MCP35 Zombie Variant Final Word from the Bench The Girsan MCP35 definitely is not an heirloom, yet, but it’s got the bones for it. It respects the Browning legacy without pretending to be something it’s not. It gives new shooters a chance to feel what a real Hi-Power was all about, and it gives old dogs like me a reason to smile. If you want a Hi-Power that you’re not afraid to carry, shoot, and run hard, this is your huckleberry. For the money, it’s one of the best ways to put some Browning history in your holster without needing to take out a loan. MCP35 Infographic Would I take the Girsan over a vintage Belgian FN? No. But would I shoot the hell out of it and never feel bad doing it? You better believe it. By Uncle Kenny Gun Buyer | Saint Louis, MO | MDRF Enterprises 👉 https://www.mdrfenterprises.com

How a Purpose-Built Cartridge Changed the Game I’ve spent more than a few seasons dragging rifles through brush, bouncing brass out of bolt guns, and ringing steel with everything from .30-06 to 5.56. Each round’s got a job to do. But every once in a while, something new comes along that doesn’t just fill a gap—it rewrites the manual. That’s exactly what happened with the .300 Blackout. Now, I know what you're thinking. “Looks like someone chopped down a .308 or necked up a .223.” And yeah, on the outside, that’s not far off. But trust me, this cartridge has a story of its own, and it earned its place the hard way—by delivering where others came up short. .300 BLK Cartridges Why 5.56 Wasn't Always Enough Back in the early 2000s, the 5.56 NATO was still king of the hill. Light, fast, and easy on the shoulder, it made sense for a lot of folks running ARs. But it had its weak spots too—especially once you started cutting barrel length and trying to run suppressed. Short barrels sucked the life out of 5.56. And when you dropped velocity to go subsonic, it just didn’t work right. Special ops guys were already pushing the limits of CQB rifles, and the standard cartridge was holding them back. They needed something better for the job. Big Bore in a Small Package This wasn’t the first time someone tried stuffing a .30-caliber bullet into an AR. Way back in Vietnam, 7.62x39 was already proving itself in close quarters. In the '90s, guys were playing with the .300 Whisper, J.D. Jones’ wildcat that could sling heavy pills quietly through a suppressor. Problem was, the Whisper wasn’t standardized. It ran different from gun to gun, and you never quite knew what you’d get. That made it a hard sell for anyone outside the wildcat crowd. Then came Advanced Armament Corp , with backing from Remington Defense. Their goal? Build a round that used standard AR-15 parts, worked both subsonic and supersonic, and cycled reliably with a suppressor and a short barrel. That idea became the .300 AAC Blackout , and by 2011 it was a SAAMI-approved cartridge ready for prime time. What Makes It Tick The magic of the .300 Blackout is in what it lets you do without reinventing the wheel. It uses standard AR-15 mags, bolts, and receivers. No new platform, no Frankenstein builds. Just swap the barrel and you’re running .30 cal in your AR. .300 BLK Infographic Here’s what it gives you: Supersonic loads  (110–125 grains) that hit like a 7.62x39. Great for deer, hogs, and barriers. Subsonic loads  (190–220 grains) that run smooth and whisper-quiet with a suppressor. That’s something 5.56 can’t do without all sorts of compromises. Who Runs .300 Blackout and Why Military units were some of the first to adopt it. SOCOM started running .300 BLK uppers for close quarters missions, and guns like the Honey Badger were built around the round from the ground up. But it’s not just door kickers using it. Civilians caught on quick too: Hog hunters like the hard hit and short barrel performance. Suppressor owners love the subsonic thump without the bark. Home defense setups benefit from the reduced muzzle flash and overpenetration. Reloaders enjoy playing with both quiet and hot loads depending on the job. It’s especially useful in those 7.5" to 10" pistol builds. Unlike 5.56, which fizzles out from those short barrels, .300 Blackout thrives in them. .300 BLK Ammo Ammo and Rifle Notes These days, just about everyone loads .300 BLK: Hornady, Barnes, Federal, Fiocchi you name it. You can pick from whisper-quiet 220-grainers to supersonic 110s that bark and bite. But let me be clear: don’t ever  try to run this stuff in a standard 5.56 upper. I’ve seen it happen, and it ain’t pretty. The case may look similar, but it isn’t the same. Wrong chamber, wrong results. Keep your mags and uppers clearly marked. I run blue mags for mine. Some folks paint their barrels, others use colored followers. Whatever you do, make it obvious. .300 BLK Ammo and Blue Magazine Final Word from Uncle Kenny The .300 Blackout started as a niche round, built for suppressed shorties in the hands of professionals. But now? It’s got a well earned seat at the table for everyday shooters who want a little more out of their ARs. It’s not here to replace 5.56, and that’s not the point. But if you’re building a truck gun, or want to hunt hogs in thick brush, or maybe just want to finally shoot suppressed without hiccups, the .300 Blackout delivers. I’ve run mine in everything from pistols to carbines, suppressed and loud. Never gave me a lick of trouble. You learn to respect a cartridge that just plain works. If you're ready to try something that punches above its weight, but still runs smooth in your favorite AR, give the .300 Blackout a shot. Just don’t forget to mark your mags. By: Uncle Kenny Gun Buyer | Saint Louis, MO | MDRF Enterprises 👉 https://www.mdrfenterprises.com

Ruger Single-Six vs. Single-Ten Single-Six vs Single-Ten Infographic Some guns just feel like home. For me, a single action .22 revolver brings back memories of dusty campsites, tin cans lined up on a log, and hearing the soft “ping” of a well placed shot. Ruger’s been king of that particular hill since 1953 with the Single-Six , and in 2011, they stirred the pot with a ten-shot version, the Single-Ten . Now, I’ve shot both, carried both, and argued around more than one campfire about which one’s better. Truth is, they’re both solid as a hickory fencepost, but they shine in different ways. So if you’re trying to pick one for plinking, teaching, or just plain fun, here’s what you need to know. Back When the Single-Six Made Its Mark The Single-Six  came out when cowboy shows ruled the TV and every kid wanted to be a marshal. Ruger saw that and gave us a .22 six shooter that looked like a scaled down Colt single action but ran cheap ammo and kicked like a feather. Single-Six Over the years, Ruger offered just about every flavor: blued or stainless, adjustable or fixed sights, short barrels or long. They even made convertible models that swap between .22 LR and .22 Magnum , which is a mighty fine option if you’re chasing squirrels one day and tougher critters the next. The Single-Ten Steps In Fast forward to 2011, and Ruger says, “Let’s give them four more shots.” Same frame, same single action feel, but a ten shot cylinder  instead of six. It was a quiet revolution, no big fanfare, but it made a difference. Those four extra rounds might not seem like much, but when you’re banging steel or teaching a new shooter, less reloading means more time behind the trigger. Once you get used to ten, it’s hard to go back. Single-Ten That said, the Single-Ten is .22 LR only . No .22 Magnum conversion here. So if you want caliber flexibility, the Single-Six still holds the high ground. Cylinder Fit and Feel Adding four more holes to a wheel gun changes things. The Single-Ten’s cylinder  is fluted, a bit tighter, and some folks say it’s trickier to load and unload, especially with big fingers or cold hands. The Single-Six  feels more open. There’s more space between chambers, and the loading gate has that old-school ease that just works. Sights, Triggers, and Targets This is where the Single-Ten  pulls ahead. It comes with Williams fiber optic sights , and they’re no joke. Bright, fast, and great in low light. They make a difference if your eyes aren’t what they used to be or if you’re running speed drills. The Single-Six  usually wears a plain blade and adjustable rear, though some come with fixed sights. Traditional? Yes. Precise? Mostly. But not as quick on the draw in poor light or fast shooting. Single-Six As for triggers, both are crisp, clean, and just what you want from a Ruger single-action. Some might say one’s smoother than the other, but truth is, it comes down to the individual gun more than the model. Ranch Range Report Both revolvers are plenty accurate . With a good barrel and a tight cylinder, they’ll group tight at 25 yards and beyond, especially if you’re shooting off a stump or a bench. The Single-Ten’s fiber optic sights  might help you ring steel faster, but the Single-Six has that easy rhythm to it. Either one will knock cans off a fence rail all afternoon long. Weight and Balance They share the same frame, but the Single-Ten’s heavier cylinder  adds a couple ounces. That makes it a touch more nose heavy, which can help control muzzle rise a bit. Some folks like it, others find the Single-Six more nimble. Best way to know? Handle both, spin the cylinder, and trust your hand. Style Points Count Too Let’s face it, these guns just look cool. The Single-Six , especially with a blued finish and wood grips, feels like a piece of the Old West. It’s a campfire gun, a story gun, a “first .22” gun. The Single-Ten  still nods to that tradition, but with a more modern touch: matte stainless , fiber optics, and a cleaner, newer look. Single-Ten If you want nostalgia, the Single-Six leans harder into cowboy roots. If you want an edge for range work, the Single-Ten gives you more rounds and brighter sights. Money Talks As of now, you’ll usually find Single-Sixes  priced a little lower, more models out there, both new and used. The Single-Ten  runs about $100 more on average , especially in stainless. Either way, you’re not just buying a plinker. You’re buying a revolver built to last generations. And both hold their value better than most. Final Word from Uncle Kenny You can’t go wrong with either one. If you like switching between .22 LR and .22 Magnum, or want that classic cowboy feel, the Single-Six  is your huckleberry. If you want more shots and better sights for range days, the Single-Ten  is a smart pick. For me? I keep both in the safe. The Single-Six reminds me of the old days. The Single-Ten keeps up with my grandkids when they want to shoot faster than I can load. Different tools for different days. Whichever you choose, you’re getting a rock solid rimfire revolver that does what it’s supposed to do, with style, accuracy, and a whole lot of fun. By: Uncle Kenny MDRF Logo Gun Buyer | Saint Louis, MO | MDRF Enterprises 👉 https://www.mdrfenterprises.com

The Remington Nylon 10C and the Joy of a .22 Childhood Growing up in South Boston in the ’70s, there wasn’t much green space, but I was lucky , my mom and dad had a small house in Vermont, and every fall & summer we would pack off and a head for a vacation soon to be full of adventure stories. That’s where I first met the Remington Nylon 10C. Not in the woods, but behind the glass of a wooden display case at the local hardware store. You know the kind: pegboard walls, a cooler full of sodas, and a worn wood floor that creaked like an old porch. That rifle stared back at me like something out of science fiction, a gun that looked more like a Star Wars prop than anything my dad toted. Remington Nylon 10C But that’s the thing. The Remington Nylon 10C was ahead of its time. It still kind of is. A Gun Made of Plastic? In 1959 ? If you’re not familiar, the Nylon 10C was part of the iconic Remington Nylon series, a lineup that shook up the firearms world when it launched in 1959 with the Nylon 66. Up until that point, guns were steel and walnut. Period. Then Remington, with a little help from DuPont (who just happened to own them), dropped a .22 rifle with a Zytel nylon stock and receiver cover. That was borderline heresy. People thought it would crack in the cold, melt in the heat, or just feel too “toy like” to take seriously. They were wrong. The Nylon rifles, including the 10C, turned out to be shockingly rugged, nearly maintenance free, and accurate enough to knock squirrels out of trees all afternoon long. The 10C: Tubular Roots, Box Mag Evolution The Nylon 10C was a bit of a hybrid in the Nylon lineup. It was essentially a magazine fed version of the Nylon 66, sharing the same sleek, space age lines but trading the 14-round tubular magazine in the buttstock for a detachable 10-round box mag. That may not sound revolutionary today, but back then, it made it more familiar to folks used to bolt guns or military surplus trainers. It had no bolt hold open on empty, and the trigger wasn’t match grade by any stretch, but none of that mattered. It was light. It was handy. It was durable. And for a kid like me, with a new pair of Chuck Taylors and a summer full of daylight, it was everything. Running Rounds Through the Nylon I still remember the feel of the plastic stock. It had this weird texture, somewhere between Tupperware and lawn furniture, and in your hands, it felt indestructible. You could bang it around in the woods, drop it in the dirt, wipe it off with your T-shirt, and it just kept running. Remington Nylon 10C Accuracy? Let’s be honest, at 13, shooting prone off a tree stump, I wasn’t punching sub-MOA groups. But I could hit cans at 50 yards all day, and the action cycled .22 LR with a kind of zippy, mechanical snappiness that I still find satisfying. There was something about the ping of ejected brass and the way the bolt slammed forward that made you feel like you were handling something more high-speed than just a plinker. A Lineup for the Ages The 10C wasn’t alone. Remington put out a whole family of Nylon rifles: Nylon 66 – The original. Tube-fed. In Mohawk Brown, Apache Black, and Seneca Green. Nylon 76 – A lever-action variant, pretty rare these days. Nylon 77 – Magazine-fed like the 10C, but with subtle internal differences. Nylon 11, 12, 12A – Bolt-action versions for those who preferred slower-paced plinking. They even tried a smoothbore “Garden Gun” variant for pests and short range pests, and over the years, collectors have snapped up the rarer colors like candy. I remember once seeing a Seneca Green 66 on the shelf and thinking it looked like something out of a comic book. Why the Nylon 10C Still Matters These rifles were often a kid’s first gun, affordable, reliable, and weird enough to feel special. If you walked into a department store or a K-Mart back in the day, you could pick one up off the rack like you were buying a toaster. There’s a generation of us who learned the basics of sight picture, trigger control, and ammo discipline through a Nylon rifle. Today, the 10C doesn’t get the same collector hype as the original 66, but that just means you can still find them at reasonable prices. And when you do, odds are it still works. The synthetic stock doesn’t warp, and the action doesn’t gum up easily. You can store it in a barn for 20 years, blow out the cobwebs, and it’ll run just fine. Remington Nylon 66 Infographic Final Thoughts Sometimes we forget that innovation doesn’t always come wrapped in steel and tradition. The Nylon 10C wasn’t just a novelty, it was a quiet revolution. It opened the door to polymer firearms years before Glock ever existed. And for those of us who got our start with one, it wasn’t just a .22, it was freedom in a box magazine. I don’t have my original 10C anymore, but I bought the one in the pictures for myself. Like a lot of things from that era, my original disappeared somewhere between apartments and job changes. But every now and then, I’ll see one on a rack at a gun show, and I’ll stop for a moment, still hoping to find that Seneca Green Bad Boy. Because some guns don’t just shoot bullets. They shoot memories. By: Drew Gun Buyer | St. Louis, MO | MDRF Enterprises https://www.mdrfenterprises.com