I remember reading "Handloader" and "Rifle" magazines way, way back in the very early '70's. They were crammed full of information and as I recall had very little advertising. I could be wrong, but I think all the advertising was gun related. A few years back I was browsing a Barnes & Noble when I stumbled on them once again.

I felt as though I had met up with a couple of old friends. That was until I opened them. Nothing but ads for who-knows-what and the articles were pure drivel.

But the thing that really set me off was an article about lever guns in 38/40. The impression I got was that someone had begun to offer them again. Nope! Just some half-assed gun writer babbling about his personal favorite rifles that were either made or tuned for him by that mythical "wizard in the basement." I couldn't put them back in the rack fast enough.

Damn shame that these mags ain't what they used to be!