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The Model 1863 Springfield Rifle Musket has its beginnings in the Crimean War when the Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle Musket was the world's premier infantry weapon. Concurrently, the U.S. government was creating its rifle musket the Model 1855 and then later the Model 1861. Shortly after, the Model 1863 was developed as a more expedient version of the Model 1861 and was being made during the Civil War. It was the last percussion muzzle-loading firearm made by the Springfield Armory. However, it continued its service because it could be converted to a metallic cartridge by installing a trap-door type of conversion. And even though production of the Model 1863 ended in 1865, it is still made today in the form of Italian replicas. For more on the Model 1863 Springfield rifle musket, watch this "I Have This Old Gun" segment from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV.
For hunters seeking a well-built, no-frills hunting rifle, the Christensen Arms Evoke offers a host of desirable features, all at a price that leaves room for hunting tags and travel costs.
Fall 2025 has proven to be a volatile time within the firearm industry, with companies like Glock announcing major changes to its product lineup, while other companies announce expansions and moves.
In the 1890s, U.S. military small arms were evolving rapidly. The recent discovery of smokeless powder, along with the development of new operating systems and cartridge designs, led the U.S. Navy to adopt a radically new platform: the Model 1895 Lee Navy rifle.
Smith & Wesson introduced compensated models of two popular concealed-carry handguns in its lineup, the Bodyguard 2.0 and Shield X, both designed to help handgunners improve recoil control.
Although appendix inside-the-waistband carry of a defensive handgun has become increasingly popular, it remains controversial among some concealed carriers. Here, an AIWB practitioner outlines its pros and cons.
My father, Kenneth Cuddeback, graduated from high school in West Chester, Iowa, in 1942 and started at Iowa State University in the fall. When two of his high school friends were going to get drafted, he quit college to join the Army.