Month: November 2025

You’ve spent a lot of time and money to attend professional shooting classes. Why wouldn’t you listen to the instructors? Photo: B.T. Wheat

Every profession has “that guy” — the one who always must know the most, have the best experience, did it bigger and better and on and on and on.

It is my pleasure to greet each class on Training Day One (TD1) at Gunsite Academy. I consider it a great opportunity and honor and a highlight of my week. As we discuss the history of Gunsite, the highlights of their class, where the necessary amenities are located and more, I warn them about “that guy.”

Best Of The Best

Gunsite has some of the best instructors in the firearms training world. As our founder, the late Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper said: “They have seen the elephant.” One does not buy their way to being a Gunsite Instructor, they earn it. And it is a tough ticket to punch.

I ask the students on the first morning to keep an open mind when their instructors suggest methods of shooting to them differing from what the student currently uses. Try this stance, try this grip, let’s move your trigger finger a bit, have you considered a different firearm? The vast majority are open-minded and eager to listen to try to improve their gun handling, marksmanship and mindset.

However, we occasionally have “that guy or gal.” Gunsite Rangemaster to student: “Let’s modify your body position a bit.” Student looks at Rangemaster: “This is the way I’ve always done it.” Sigh … “Let’s modify your grip a bit.” Student: “This is the way my grandfather/dad/husband told me to do it.” Gunsite Rangemaster — How about you consider a different firearm that might fit your hand better?” “Student — “This is the gun my spouse told me to use and was best” or “This is the one the guy at the gun counter said would work well.”

As an aside — Never try to teach a family member or spouse to drive a stick shift, paddle a canoe or shoot.

Further, men should never try to purchase their lady’s gun purse, holster or firearm without them present. Find a suitable trainer and let them do it. Trust me on this …

You saved and saved your money, found the perfect firearm, picked your course, arranged for the vacation from work, purchased the plane ticket or fuel, rented a car, got the hotel, bought meals but now you want to do it “your way.” What is the point? Did you come to learn, or simply visit?

A shooting class might just puncture several of your long-held beliefs but in the spirit of learning, always try the instructor’s suggestions. You can always disregard them if they don’t work.

The Bottom Line

Let me make this simple — Why did you send us all the money? If you are going to do it the way you’ve always done it, why are you here? You could have stayed home and shot at soda cans out at grandpa’s farm. You really wouldn’t learn anything but you won’t here either, if you don’t let yourself.

What may have been cutting edge 15 years ago is no longer. Despite what inter web pundits say, The Modern Technique developed by Jeff Cooper 50 years ago has and continues to evolve. Techniques and technologies change, and good instructors know this and teach this.

Please heed the tried-and-true advice to “Listen and Do.”

Men — Put on your thick skin for what I am about to tell you. Women are better students than men as they truly “Listen and Do.” Us men folk tend to not ask directions, open the instruction manual or even look on YouTube.

We know all there is to know about everything. Ladies listen to our suggestions, do it, and discover it works. Some of the men require a switch to cut off the Juniper tree on the back of their calves.

More Than Words

I go to different schools. When I go, I pay my money to learn their way. Many years ago I returned to Bill Rogers School in rural Georgia. Bill shoots Isosceles and I prefer Weaver.

However, I tried to listen and do. Billy, the experienced Coach, kept coming up and adjusting my arm. The old Range master (God rest his soul, Ronnie Dodd) yelled at Billy: “Leave him alone. He’s hitting.” My response was for him to smack me on the side of the head as I came to learn the Rogers way.

All jesting aside, if you take nothing else from GUNS this month, whenever you go to that favorite class, heed their advice and try their methods. You might be surprised and find it works for you. If not, tuck it away in the tactical toolbox inside your brain as you might need it a later time. More simply put: Don’t be “That Guy!”

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I Have This Old Gun: Montgomery Ward’s Western Field Model 10 – NRA

Post author By Grumpy
Post date November 14, 2025
No Comments on I Have This Old Gun: Montgomery Ward’s Western Field Model 10 – NRA

During the first part of the 20th century, when the United States was transitioning from an agricultural to a more urban nation, inexpensive shotguns were the first choice for farmers and city dwellers who needed, respectively, a tool for keeping the fox from the henhouse and the means for an affordable and enjoyable weekend afield.

Thus, the single-shot, smooth bore shotgun reigned supreme, as it was less expensive than a double, and relatively trouble-free. It became many a boy’s first gun, as well as a working tool on ranches and farms. During the Great Depression, such guns were the means for putting meat in the pot.

Many companies turned out countless thousands of these no-frills single-shots in 12, 16 and 20 gauges, as well as .410 bore. The gun shown here is a classic example of these ubiquitous break-opens.

It is stamped “Ward’s Western Field,” which was a private brand sold by Montgomery Ward through its stores and mail-order catalogs. Although the “Western Field” name was also used by others, including Iver Johnson, the subtle “94B” stamped on the lower-right-hand portion of the receiver tells us this gun is actually a Stevens Model 94B made by Savage Arms after it had purchased the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. in 1920.

The Stevens Model 94B was first produced in 1929 and remained in the line until 1969. Unlike the larger 12-ga. versions, this well-used, full-choke .410 bore (along with the 16 and 20 gauges, which featured modified chokes) was built on a smaller frame.

In spite of its economical price (in 1957, for example, it sold for $25.90) these utilitarian guns exhibited a number of desirable features, including a rubber recoil pad, case-hardened frame, automatic ejector, two-way opening lever for both right- or left-handed shooters, and a rebounding hammer, later changed to a half-cock.

This version, made before the Gun Control Act of 1968, bears no serial number and, not surprisingly, came from a Midwestern farm. It shows heavy use, yet still locks up tightly.

However, as Steve Fjestad states in the Blue Book of Gun Values, “To date there has been very little interest in collecting Montgomery Ward guns, regardless of rarity … As a result, prices are ascertained by the shooting value of the gun, rather than its collector value.” Nonetheless, it is a good example of the utilitarian firearms that have played important roles throughout our nation’s history.

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