The Mauser C96 Broomhandle is one of the most recognizable firearms ever made, and also one of the least understood. That boxy frame, the long barrel, the integral box magazine ahead of the trigger, the round wooden grip that earned it the nickname "Broomhandle" -- there is nothing else that looks like it. It was...
The Browning Hi-Power: It Armed Both Sides of WWII
John Moses Browning designed more successful firearms than any other person in history. The M1911, the Browning Automatic Rifle, the Browning machine guns, the Auto-5 shotgun, the Winchester lever-actions -- his catalog reads like a history of 20th-century small arms. But the last handgun design he worked on may be the most consequential of all:...
Judge Roy Bean: The Law West of the Pecos
If you wanted law and order in the desolate stretch of West Texas along the Rio Grande in the 1880s, you got Judge Roy Bean. You also got his saloon, his pet bear, and whatever brand of justice he felt like dispensing that afternoon. Bean was a saloon-keeper, a justice of the peace, and one...
Montrose March 14 Live Firearms Auction Preview
Montrose Auction was founded in 1977. Since 1992, it has been owned and operated by company president Trey Cottle. Conducting approximately 24 auctions per year, Montrose has positioned itself as Georgia's leading auction house for the most-desired antique, vintage and modern firearms, edged weapons and sporting-related items. In addition to its popular gallery and online...
The Lincoln County War: Blood, Power, and Guns
The Lincoln County War wasn't a war in any traditional sense. It was a vicious, drawn-out power struggle in southeastern New Mexico Territory that ran from 1878 to 1881, driven by greed, political corruption, and personal vendettas. It turned ranchers into gunmen, merchants into targets, and a teenage drifter named Henry McCarty into the legend...
The .257 Roberts: The Quarter-Bore That Deserved Better
In my opinion, the .257 Roberts is ideal for a few specific types of shooters. First, anyone who is recoil-sensitive but wants genuine medium-game capability — the Roberts delivers deer-killing performance at recoil levels closer to a .243 than a .270. Second, handloaders who appreciate case efficiency and barrel life. Third, anyone who hunts in...
The Lamson, Goodnow & Yale Special Model 1861
I was in a gunshop recently and spotted a rifle-musket in a display case right at the front of the store. The owner encouraged me take it out and look it over. It is a Lamson, Goodnow & Yale Special Model 1861, lock dated 1864, .58 caliber, 40-inch barrel. About nine and a half pounds....
CCW Training Essentials: 7 Skills Every Carrier Needs
Quality CCW training is the single most important investment a concealed carrier can make. Getting your concealed carry permit is not the finish line. It is the starting line. Quality concealed carry training goes far beyond fulfilling a permit requirement — it builds the skills that matter when seconds count. Affiliate Disclosure: Powder & Lead...
How to Buy Firearms Online: Complete 2026 Guide
Learning how to buy firearms online safely and legally is easier than most people think. By Powder & Lead Staff | Updated March 2026 Affiliate Disclosure: Powder & Lead is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep...
Long Range Shooting for Beginners: Complete 2026 Guide
Long range shooting for beginners can feel overwhelming, but it is the discipline that humbles you fastest and rewards patience most generously. At 100 yards, a mediocre shooter with a mediocre rifle can hit a steel plate every time. At 500 yards, the variables multiply: wind speed and direction at multiple points along the bullet's...