It’s that time – your high school graduate is getting ready for college. It’s a big step into a new chapter of life - a transition from living at home to the greater world and one which requires much planning. Many incoming college students will be spending much of their non-classroom time in a dorm room. As such, they will need to make all their necessities work in a relatively modest space, and there will be little room for non-essential items. College is definitely an exercise in frugal living, or in efficient resource management at the very least.

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There is likely no other firearm with as diverse a range of suitable applications as the shotgun. These include military operations, law enforcement, hunting, sports such as trap and skeet shooting, as well as personal and home defense. Shotguns come in a wide variety of sizes generally referred to by a unit of measurement known as the “gauge.” Some of these include 16 gauge, 20 gauge, 12 gauge, and 10 gauge; the smaller the number, the larger the bore diameter. Shotgun shells can be loaded with a multitude of projectiles, ranging from small to large diameter shot, slugs and various mission-specific loads.

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With stores being devoid of most ammunition for nearly an entire year now, many people are wondering when, if ever, we would see the shelves stocked again. While still very difficult to find, there is a slow trickle starting to make its way to some retailers. Nearly always accompanied by strict limits on the amount purchased and often behind the counter, the fact that there is any at all is promising. Perhaps there is a light at the ‘end of the barrel’…

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The stock market – it makes people millionaires or homeless and everything in between. We’ve all heard the “high risk, high reward” phrase. Conversely, there is also the “low risk, low reward” school of thought. Some people know how to play the investment game very well, while others just spin the wheel and hope for the best. Wherever one may be on this sliding scale, the odds of success or failure are tied to countless variables, many of which exist outside the control of the individuals playing the game.

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The M1911 pistol origins go back to the late 1890s, resulting from the need to replace a variety of revolvers in service at the time with a reliable self-loading pistol. This single-action, semi-automatic, magazine-fed, recoil-operated pistol chambered in .45 ACP was subsequently designed by John Browning. It went on to serve as the standard-issue sidearm for the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985 with over 2.7 million built. Widely copied by nearly every firearms manufacturer in the world, this style and operating system became the preeminent handgun type of the 20th century and of nearly all modern centerfire pistols. Used by 28 countries and in every war since World War I, there are now millions more in use by civilians, with many variants, calibers, and modifications in circulation. The M1911 has truly become the defining handgun of the modern age, and has nothing short of a cult following among enthusiasts world-wide.

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Most cars include some type of audio system from the factory, which is commonly referred to as the 'stock' or ‘OEM’ system. This can be as basic as an in-dash radio receiver and a pair of speakers or complete high-end entertainment systems including DVD players, monitors, amplifiers and an array of speakers throughout the vehicle. With as many different options as are available in OEM equipment these days, there is an even greater variety of aftermarket products designed to enhance, upgrade or replace stock car audio gear.

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With the nationwide ammunition shortage showing no signs of getting better any time soon, some people have turned to reloading as a possible solution. What are the pros and cons, and is it really a viable option?

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Long range rifles are often used for hunting or sport shooting, and there are many options to choose from. Available in bolt-action, auto-loading and even single shot flavors, there are many calibers and accessories to work with.

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Being in the thick of winter with below zero temperatures and plenty of snow on the ground, it’s hard to imagine the warmth and sunshine of spring. But with each passing day, it’s one day closer! In keeping with positive thinking of this sort, we’re also thinking about car audio. When we Minnesotans thaw out after the long deep freeze, cruising on the open road with our windows down and some good music playing is something to look forward to.

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People are spending more time at home these days due to the pandemic. There are just a lot fewer things to partake in with the cancellation of many social activities and events. So what do you do when you’re cooped up at home? There are actually many activities we can revisit, especially with a bit more time at our disposal. Cooking (and we don’t mean throwing a frozen dinner in the microwave), family game night, camping, hiking, crafting, reading (those old fashioned things made of paper, not your tablet), gardening (not quite yet, but hopefully soon), and last but not least – listening to music or watching movies. We can’t help you with some of these, but we certainly can with home entertainment equipment!

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