This week on No Lowballers, hosts Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker dive into a surprising twist: sometimes Canada does firearms museums better than the United States. While civilian gun laws north of the border are notoriously restrictive, Canadian museums actually enjoy more freedom than their American counterparts.

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In this episode of the No Lowballers Podcast, hosts Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker.com are joined by Smith & Wesson historian Mike Helms for his record-setting third appearance on the show. Together, they dive deep into the history, design, and legacy of one of the most iconic .22 target pistols ever made—the Smith & Wesson Model 41.

With news breaking that Smith & Wesson has officially discontinued production of the Model 41, the crew takes listeners through the gun’s origins, unique engineering, competition dominance, and lasting place in firearms history. Whether you’re a collector, competitor, or simply appreciate classic craftsmanship, this farewell episode is a must-listen.

Key Topics Covered:

• The 10-year development of the Model 41 from prototype to release in 1957

• How its design competed against the Colt Woodsman, High Standard, and Ruger Standard pistols

• Rare experimental “X guns” and why collectors chase them

• Innovative features: stationary barrel, interchangeable barrels, and futuristic compensators

• The premium price point that set it apart—even in the 1950s

• The Model 46 “budget” version and why it’s just as collectible today

• Performance Center variations, railed slides, and optics-ready options

• Why Smith & Wesson discontinued the Model 41 in 2025 and what it means for collectors

• Future possibilities: could we one day see a “Model 41 Classic”?

From Olympic weight kits to rare .22 short versions, this episode shines a spotlight on the Model 41’s place as one of the finest target pistols ever produced.

Watch or Listen Now:

Join the No Lowballers crew for this deep-dive farewell and share your own Model 41 stories in the comments. Did you snag one before they were gone? How does it stack up against your Ruger or High Standard?

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Get your tickets HERE for the Congressional Sportmen's Foundation POP Raffle! Every ticket gets you closer to amazing prizes and helps support conservation efforts!

This week on the No Lowballers Podcast, Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker.com dive into firearms that earned reputations as dangerous by design. From shotguns with flawed engineering to revolving rifles that put shooters directly in harm’s way, we look at the missteps in firearms history that left lasting scars — both figuratively and literally.

Join us as we explore how patent law, stubborn manufacturers, and inventive but risky designs led to some of the most infamous guns ever made. Along the way, we’ll connect the dots to modern firearms and the lessons learned (or sometimes ignored) by today’s gunmakers.

Episode Highlights

• The Winchester Model 1911 SL “Widowmaker” and why its lack of a charging handle made it one of the most dangerous shotguns ever produced

• How Browning’s Auto-5 patents forced competitors into unsafe design workarounds

• Stories of chainfires, scorched hands, and why grabbing a hot barrel is never a good idea

• Revolving rifles, harmonica guns, and other repeaters that put shooters in the line of fire

• Patent protections that shaped the arms industry — and why they sometimes saved us from even worse designs

• The enduring impact of flawed firearms, including a 2005 police station accident caused by a Widowmaker

• Why collectors still chase these historically significant but inherently unsafe guns

Don’t miss this winding but fascinating episode that reminds us how far firearm safety and design have come — and why some mistakes are best left in the past.

🔔 Make sure you’re subscribed to the No Lowballers Podcast so you never miss an episode. Share with a friend who loves firearms history, and let us know in the comments which dangerous designs we overlooked.

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For more than a century, Federal Ammunition has shaped the way America hunts, competes and defends itself. In this episode of No Lowballers, host Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker dive deep into the company’s roots, legendary innovations and the people who made it all happen. From humble beginnings in Anoka, Minnesota, to becoming one of the most recognized names in the shooting world, Federal’s story is one of grit, innovation and American craftsmanship.

Whether you’re a die-hard ammo collector, an avid shooter or just someone who loves a good piece of firearms history, this episode delivers an insider’s look at the milestones, products and cultural moments that made Federal a powerhouse brand.

Episode Highlights:

• The founding of Federal Ammunition in the 1920s and the entrepreneurial vision that started it all

• How Federal grew from a small regional shotshell producer into a nationally recognized ammunition brand

• The company’s key role in supplying the U.S. military during wartime

• Iconic product launches that changed the shooting sports forever, including the introduction of the .22 LR Gold Medal Match and revolutionary shotshell innovations

• Federal’s connection to conservation and wildlife programs, and how it supported hunters nationwide

• Stories from the factory floor—how innovation, quality control, and craftsmanship defined Federal’s reputation

• The evolution of their branding, packaging, and advertising through the decades

• Collectible Federal ammunition boxes and packaging for the firearms history enthusiast

• How Federal continues to push the boundaries of performance with modern ammunition lines

Watch or listen now and explore the rich history of one of America’s most influential ammunition makers.

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On this episode of the No Lowballers podcast, host Logan Metesh of High Caliber History dives deep into one of the most historically significant and community-focused organizations in the shooting sports world — the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). Joined by CMP leaders Jerry O’Keefe, Christie Sewell, and Brad Donoho, plus a surprise appearance from Olympic legend Gary Anderson, this episode explores the roots, growth, and enduring mission of CMP.

From the historic grounds of Camp Perry to the cutting-edge shift to electronic targets, the crew covers everything from vintage Garands to youth outreach. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just curious about how to get started, there’s something here for everyone.

🔍 Episode Highlights:

• What the CMP really is and how it was born from federal legislation in 1996

• Why the U.S. Army sends M1 Garands to CMP — and how those sales fund the mission

• The National Matches at Camp Perry: history, scope, and why it’s called the “Super Bowl” of shooting sports

• Camp Perry’s unique range experience — including delays caused by boats, bald eagles, and even the Goodyear blimp

• Commercial Row and the shooting sports vendor scene during matches

• How the Small Arms Firing School brings beginners shoulder-to-shoulder with Olympians and world champs

• New shooter access: training, clubs, and junior programs that make CMP uniquely welcoming

• The growing popularity of vintage military rifle competitions — Garands, Springfields, Carbines and more

• Growth of the air gun and smallbore rifle programs, including major junior participation

• The end of an era: saying goodbye to the Camp Perry “pits” and moving fully to electronic targets

• How CMP is driving participation nationwide through traveling games, club outreach, and range partnerships

• The origins of the National Matches at Sea Girt, NJ and how Camp Perry became their permanent home

• Gary Anderson’s legacy, from Olympic gold medals to shaping the CMP’s modern identity

Listen now on your favorite platform and don’t forget: If you’re already a subscriber, make sure to re-subscribe using the updated links below to keep receiving new episodes.

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As summer winds down and back-to-school season creeps in, the No Lowballers crew invites you to squeeze in one last adventure—an all-American firearms museum road trip. Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker.com map out the ultimate coast-to-coast journey to some of the best gun museums in the country. Whether you're into antique arms, military firearms, presidential history or Hollywood guns, this itinerary has something for everyone.

From the historic halls of Springfield Armory to the cutting-edge Cody Firearms Museum, the duo guides listeners through collections, must-see displays, and the stories behind the guns. Bonus stops, bourbon tastings and Buc-ee’s bathrooms included.

Episode Highlights:

• Why Springfield Armory is ground zero for M1 Garand fans

• The Blanchard lathe and how it changed firearm production forever

• A stop in D.C. to see Lincoln’s engraved Henry rifle at the Smithsonian

• Inside the NRA National Firearms Museum: Hollywood guns, WWI dioramas, and the $4.2 million Parker Invincibles

• Teddy Roosevelt’s safari rifle and the George Washington mystery musket at the Frazier History Museum

• Kansas City's WWI Museum: From Chauchat to trench warfare immersion

• Exploring the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum inside Bass Pro Shops HQ

• A prototype Winchester with a radio in the buttstock (yes, really)

• Frank Hamer’s guns, TR’s bedside FN 1900, and presidential pieces

• The Cody Firearms Museum’s Winchester connection, Glock evolution, and Teddy’s pajama patch gun rag

• Bonus pit stops: Hastings’ Kool-Aid and cutaway Garand, J.M. Davis Museum, Daisy BB Gun Museum, National WWII Museum, and the USS Midway

• Why every great road trip should include museums, kids, firearms, and questionable gas station snacks

Catch the episode now and plot your own historical, educational and fully loaded gun museum road trip. Got a favorite museum we missed? Let us know—we’re already planning next summer’s route.

Listen now on your favorite platform and don’t forget: If you’re already a subscriber, make sure to re-subscribe using the updated links below to keep receiving new episodes.

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It’s a milestone moment on this episode of the No Lowballers Podcast—our 100th show! Hosts Logan Metesh and Allen Forkner mark the occasion with an explosive deep dive into one of the most fundamental elements in the history of firearms: gunpowder.

To help them explore the thousand-year journey of the propellant that powers it all, they’re joined by special guest Justin Schrader, Senior Ballistician at Hodgdon Powder Company. From myth and mysticism to modern temp-stable powders and the economics of nitrocellulose, this episode is packed with black powder lore, modern reloading science, and a few laughs along the way.

Key topics in this episode:

• The murky origins of gunpowder in 9th century Asia

• Alchemy gone wrong: how the search for immortality led to the invention of explosives

• Black powder’s journey from fireworks to firearms across continents

• Roger Bacon and the powder’s 13th century European debut

• The shift from black powder to smokeless powder in the late 1800s

• Why the 8mm Lebel changed everything in 1886

• The Winchester 1894 and smokeless powder’s civilian breakthrough

• Inside the evolution of powder manufacturing, from hand-mixed batches to advanced ballistics labs

• Pelletized powder and why Hodgdon’s hole-in-the-center design matters

• The importance of “temp stable” powders and Hodgdon’s innovations like Varget and CFE BLK

• Granule shapes, burn rates, and how powder works differently in bolt guns vs. AR platforms

• The history of Hodgdon Powder Company—from surplus rail cars to industry leadership

• The critical role of nitrocellulose and why global events are driving shortages

• Reloading recipes, ballistic proofing, and why consistency is king

• What the future holds for powder development and sourcing challenges

Listen now on your favorite platform and don’t forget: If you’re already a subscriber, make sure to re-subscribe using the updated links below to keep receiving new episodes.

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The No Lowballers crew returns for a high-impact discussion on one of the most significant changes in NFA policy in nearly a century. Host Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and GunBroker.com’s Allen Forkner welcome Bill Sack, Director of Legal Operations at the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), to unpack the recent passage of what’s been dubbed “the big, beautiful bill.” For the first time since 1934, the $200 tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), and short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) is being eliminated — but the fight isn’t over.

Bill explains the legislative mechanics, court strategy, and what this incremental but historic victory means for gun owners nationwide. From Bruen and McDonald to a new lawsuit that could take down the NFA’s registration requirement, this episode is packed with insight, context, and clarity you won’t get from internet outrage alone.

🔹 Featuring a deep dive into the origins of the NFA and how organized crime shaped federal firearms policy

🔹 The critical difference between removing the NFA tax vs. ending the registration requirement

🔹 Behind the scenes: How Senate procedure and the Byrd Rule impacted the final version of the bill

🔹 Why this partial win still marks a historic first for pro-2A legislative progress

🔹 An overview of the new joint lawsuit to challenge NFA registration without a tax to justify it

🔹 Legal strategy explained: attacking the issue legislatively and judicially for longer-term victories

🔹 Suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs after Jan. 1, 2026 — what changes and what doesn’t

🔹 Clarifying myths about “accessories” and the ongoing battle to define suppressors as arms

🔹 The importance of showing up at the ballot box and taking someone new to the range

🔹 Why this is not a compromise — and why it’s time to celebrate a major step forward

🎯 Whether you're a collector, a suppressor fan, or a 2A policy nerd, this episode lays out what happened, why it matters, and what’s coming next. Share it with your shooting buddies and help spread real information instead of social media noise.

Listen now on your favorite platform and don’t forget: If you’re already a subscriber, make sure to re-subscribe using the updated links below to keep receiving new episodes.

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This week, Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker tour the most advanced range facility they’ve ever visited, shoot some blacklight clays, and get schooled on hospitality, firearms safety, and eating bugs—with a bourbon chaser. Jim West of Lake Erie Arms joins the guys to talk about the thought, design and innovations that went into creating the mecca of high-end shooting and social clubs.

• Fresh off winning another POMA award, the crew heads to Ohio to explore one of the most innovative ranges in the country

• Sporting clays indoors—under black lights? Logan and Allen try out the one-of-a-kind Clay House

• Guest Jim West, co-founder of Lake Erie Arms, talks about breaking the mold of old-school ranges

• “Guntry Club” or something more? What happens when a modern range borrows from country clubs without the pretension

• The power of hospitality—how LEA’s team culture changed first impressions in the gun industry

• From scorpion tastings to bourbon nights: yes, this place has its own high-end restaurant

• Why Lake Erie Arms might be a blueprint for the future of franchise-ready shooting sports venues

• 202 Winchester safes, a Build-A-Bear-style gunsmith bench, and the smartest floorplan in the game

• The future of LEA: Ohio pride today, national expansion tomorrow?

Listen now on your favorite platform and don’t forget: If you’re already a subscriber, make sure to re-subscribe using the updated links below to keep receiving new episodes.

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While Logan and Allen are off-site this week, we're flashing back to one of the most requested segments from our trip to LeverFest at Range Ready Studios in Louisiana. In this special presentation, Logan Metesh of High Caliber History takes center stage to walk through the surprisingly weird and brilliant early history of lever-action rifles — including the names, designs, and ammo you've never heard of.

In this episode:

• Rocket Ball ammo? The caseless wonder that started it all

• Walter Hunt, Horace Smith, and D.B. Wesson: the inventors before the brands

• Why a shirtmaker named Winchester became a firearms icon

• Volcanics, Henrys, and the origin of the repeating rifle

• The Civil War’s private purchase problem — and who carried a Henry rifle into battle

• How the Model 1866 “Yellow Boy” changed everything

• The rise of iconic Winchesters: 1873, 1886, 1894 and beyond

• Savage’s early entries and why the Model 1899 stood out

• Spitzer bullets, tubular mags and why design mattered more than firepower

• Spencer rifles: smart for cavalry, fragile in the field

⚙️ From underpowered ammo and oddball mechanics to timeless classics still in production today, this episode traces the wild, winding trail that brought lever guns from fringe innovation to center stage in American firearms history.

👉 Here’s the important part:

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