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Shooting for some entertainment with six picks just a few among many An AR-15 .22 LR clone, S&Ws version. The bad news: Its all-too easy to burn through large quantities of ammo. The good news: Previous availability and cost issues have recently improved (the magazine in the rifle holds a half-boxs worth).

Many gun owners take their shooting very seriously. While they should, seriousness should not rule out fun. Multi-gun owners should own a few fun guns to keep the hobby entertaining and to encourage range time. Bonus: many of the guns Ive identified as fun guns are also lower cost, both to buy and to shoot!

A Personal Observation

As the years slip by, those of us into shooting gravitate toward the latest firearms, equipment and nearly inevitable gun projects possibly at the expense of the fun factor. Im certainly guilty of that, case in point the following.

Recently, having upgraded a precision .308 rifle, I was drawn into developing a handload that could duplicate the ballistics of a preferred factory load. Beyond the considerable investment in components (and time), the process was more tedious than entertaining. The bright spot was its conclusion, an impact comparison. That step involved the heavy-barreled bolt-action, and a series of steel silhouettes carefully set in 100-yard increments through 600 yards. The velocities and corresponding impacts confirmed the project was a success and did provide an opportunity to ring some steel.

Table of Contents Toggle 6 Fun Guns#1 M&P 15-22#2 .300 Blackout AR#3 .410 Over and Under#4 Remington Model 1858 Cartridge Conversion#5 .50 Caliber Muzzleloader#6 Daisy Red RyderFun Guns Final Thoughts 6 Fun Guns

But truthfully, I had a lot more fun popping airborne soap bubbles with a Daisy BB gun shortly thereafter.

No high-end firearms, optics or pricy ammo. No rangefinder required either. The distance was measured in feet. No need for sandbags or a bipod. Instead, just fast reactive offhand shooting a perishable skill that often fades through time spent shooting off rests.

Not to mention the fun aspects that got us shooting in the first place, like ventilating cans with a basic .22 rifle. To me at least, a lively rimfire can often provide as much or more entertainment than a pricey gear-rich system.

So thats the focus of this post. And the starting point might as well be a .22 rifle. But which one? #1 M&P 15-22

Just about any .22 rimfire suitable for a plinking session can provide plenty of fun. Many people own the ubiquitous Ruger 10-22 semiauto. Its pretty hard to go wrong with a version of this brilliantly designed rifle and, because its been a top seller for decades, parts and accessories abound. Heck, half the fun can be the project aspect that culminates in a unique customized version.

I share the 10-22 addiction but there are, of course, plenty of other fun picks between pump-guns, bolt-actions, and other designs. My 1960s Marlin 39-A lever-action, a classic plinker, reliably feeds .22 Shorts through inexpensive .22LR loads. Still drives tacks too! Of course, the list of .22LR fun guns goes on and on, subject only to a shooters personal preference. However, there is something to be said for a systems approach. S&W M&P 15-22 set up for accuracy testing off sandbags (the smaller-capacity 15 round magazine works better for that purpose). Not match-grade performance but certainly adequate for a fun-filled plinking session.

Thus, considering the vast number of AR-15s in circulation and its huge popularity, a .22 rimfire version rates a spot on the fun-gun list. S&Ws M&P 15-22 is, no doubt, the most popular example.

Its main components are Polymer (okay, probably plastic), but it runs reliably and functions like the real Mc Coy. A downside is, a shooting session is a lot like eating peanuts hard to quit after just a few (especially with the 25-round magazine option). Read my article devoted to the M&P 15-22 if youre considering buying one.

On a positive note, because it disassembles as easily as a true AR-15, maintenance is a breeze. Or pop the lower receivers pins, separate it from the upper receiver, and stow the disassembled package in a small space. Practical as well as fun for a cost on par with many other rimfires. #2 .300 Blackout AR

Another tough pick, given the plethora of actions, makes, models and calibers. But the operative word is fun as opposed to best-choice or most effective. Adding a dash of practicality, theres the growing list of 9mm pistol caliber carbines (PCCs) which can make a great home defense carbine.

Along a similar but more dated vein, Ive been having some fun working up 100-grain cast-bullet loads for a .32-20 Winchester lever-action, a circa 1880s handgun/carbine duo. But a much more recent small cartridge may satisfy any techier cravings while providing some real entertainment. A 16? AR-15 Carbine, set up to shoot subsonic .300 Blackout loads. Absent a telltale supersonic crack, the slow heavy bullets are extremely quiet with a can spun on. A .300 Blk upper will drop right on to a standard AR-15 lower receiver and suppressors have now gone mainstream. Result: Where locally legal, a fun system like this is no longer a dauting prospect.

Developed for the AR-15, the .300 Blackout was developed to shoot lightweight .30-caliber supersonic bullets and ultra-heavy subsonic versions. The latter are extremely quiet when fired through a silencer (otherwise known as a suppressor or can). And these devices have recently assumed mainstream status.

If legal in your area, theyre also more readily available, assuming youre willing to undergo the federally required red tape. But, because some of todays dealers have much of this part covered, the most odious part of the process could be the $200 federal fee and fairly lengthy processing period. But once through the hurdles, expect plenty of fun lobbing subsonic bullets as quiet as mouse farts or nearly so. Go with an AR-15 and you may not even need a complete gun. With one already on hand, youll only need the upper half (or just switch its barrel).

A .300 Blk upper assembly should readily attach and function off your existing magazines. This saves money for a suppressor (which will also take the edge off 5.56 loads). If we lump training and practice in with the fun factor, this bigger brother to the rimfire offers some practical advantages to include hunting (see my article on .300 Blackout hunting ammunition). #3 .410 Over and Under

Judging by a personal collection of choke tubes, shells, and equipment (not to mention guns), apparently, I take shotguns seriously possibly to a fault. But, once in a while, I let whats left of my hair down and break out a petite .410-bore. More often than not, the targets are informally tossed claybirds, although woodcock sometimes make the list. A lively little .410-bore over & under set up for a fun-filled claybird session. The shells are 2 1/2? #9 reloads containing 1/2-oz. of shot. But theyll shatter targets within 25-30 yards and whatever recoil exists is minimal.

The downside of course is, factory .410 shells are expensive, although still comparative to many centerfire rifle loads (is reloading shotgun shells worth it?). However, 2 -inch reloads pinch pennies by consuming only -ounce of expensive shot per pop (#8s or #9s). No real recoil to speak of, either. Granted, these arent 40-yard loads, but theyll still break standard claybirds at 25+ yards if we do our part.

Throughout the years, my actual .410 has varied but, eventually, I settled on an over & under FAIR/Rizzini with fixed IC/IM chokes. The Italian gun might seem snobbish, but I snagged it at a bargain price. Meanwhile, my sons Mossberg-branded Turkish-built O/U offers as much fun for much less money and it even comes with interchangeable chokes.

A nice bonus: Nowadays, in my state, these guns, and other .410s, are now legal for turkeys with super-dense 3-inch Magnum Tungsten loads. No bruised shoulders to fret over either. There even a crop of new purpose-built, affordable, break-barrel single-shots. In between, youll find a number of pumps and autoloaders configured as adult or youth guns. #4 Remington Model 1858 Cartridge Conversion

Again, talking systems, I can see much merit in a two-gun strategy; perhaps a 9mm pistol and PCC that can share the same ammo and magazines a concept that would propel the Glock toward first place. Add a similar .22 LR pistol and you can reap practical and fun benefits. Another possibility is a .22 LR conversion kit; a popular option for the Model 1911. Or go purely for entertainment.

Recently, I was invited to participate in a gong shoot; steel handgun and rifle silhouettes with a catch: The firearms had to be pre-1895 designs. I did own a suitable rifle (the .32-20 mentioned above), but I was SOL in the handgun department. However, I was sitting on a large stash of .38 Special ammo (an authorized caliber).

This provided the impetus to spring for a 7 Uberti Model 1858 Cartridge Conversion: the .38 Special model. Like other pre-Civil War revolvers, the 1858 Remington debuted as single-action percussion (cap & ball) six-shooter. Later, many were converted to fire metallic cartridges, but both are still produced by the Italian firms of Pietta and Uberti for distribution in the USA. Partly for nostalgias sake, both still incorporate the original loading lever!

Mine, (a version of the .36-caliber Navy model) was manufactured by Uberti and marketed by Cimarron. And it can really shoot! It rivals the accuracy of my S&W .357 Model 686 and, at the expense of a more tedious loading and unloading process, it also has a sweeter single-action trigger.

Still, its best limited to standard-pressure .38 Special loads. Mine initially shot a few inches low (as designed), but part of the fun can be tinkering. Through trial and error, I eventually gained the proper elevation by carefully filing (lowering) the front sight. A minor windage error was corrected by drifting it in the barrels dovetail the reason I chose this particular 1858. This Remington Model 1858 Cartridge Conversion is a reproduction produced by Uberti. But its faithful to the original design, to the inclusion of a cap & ball loading lever (interesting potential there), Chambered in .38 Special, it produced this respectable 5-shot group from 25 yards. The upper group was fired with a modern-day S&W using the same 158-grain LSWC load.

However, the .45-caliber version is more popular, and it offers some interesting possibilities. Say you start out with the .44-caliber percussion version (lots of fun in itself). Because its considered a muzzleloader for federal purposes, the FFL process can be skipped.

Order a spare .45 Colt cylinder later (again, no FFL required) and youll wind up with a revolver that can fire all of the above. This is possible because the percussion models bore isnt really .44-caliber. In actuality, it measures .452 to .454; same as a .45 Long Colt. And swapping cylinders is a cinch.

FYI, the same approach is possible with a .36/.38 Special combination, but their bore diameters differ (.375/.357), leading to possible accuracy issues the reason I went with a .38 Special version, produced with a .357-diameter bore. Bought new for around $600, it also circumvented the messy cleaning process associated with black powder. Not that smoke poles cant provide real entertainment.

A cautionary note: For safetys sake these guns should only be carried with five rounds. The sixth empty chamber should be aligned with the un-cocked hammer to avoid contact with its firing pin! #5 .50 Caliber Muzzleloader

A few years ago, I logged hours of range time stretching the capabilities of a two scoped modern-day .50-caliber in-line muzzle loaders. The shooting involved saboted projectiles and a specially formulated propellant ignited by a #209 shotgun primer. The outcome provided a pair of legal 200-yard rifles and a dash of entertainment but for real fun I break out the flintlock! Lots of entertainment before and during the shot with this .50-caliber flintlock. All sorts of widgets to play with, and the pyrotechnic discharge is worth the price of admission. No FFL process required either. But its still not a toy; were talking serious power on the business end!

My Lyman .50-caliber Trade Rifle (sadly discontinued during 2023), follows traditional lines. Thus, although I did eventually switch from patched round balls to Hornady 240-grain lead PA Conicals, theyre fired (literally) by genuine black powder; 90 grains of FF-G for the main charge, and a small priming deposit of FFFF-G for the pan. The latter, dispensed from a small container, is ignited by a shower of sparks. The source, a chunk of rock the flint is secured in the hammers jaws. The priming charge completes the loading process. Read my article on how to load and shoot a flintlock rifle for more information.

Hopefully, its ignition will touch off the main charge if the shooter does his part. Follow through is important because there is a slight delay, although done right, its surprisingly brief. Admittedly, the system is fiddly. Its also messy and smelly. But, for those willing to pay attention to the details, a flintlock can still deliver. Last December, mine provided a memorable if pyrotechnic end to the 2022 deer season by topping off the family freezer.

An important note: Get on the cleaning process ASAP. Black powder residue is highly corrosive! #6 Daisy Red Ryder

Not too many years ago the frame of reference for an airgun was a basic BB gun. But that situation has changed for the better. Todays increasingly popular pre-charged pneumatics (pressurized with SCUBA tanks, etc.) offer a whole new level of performance. Mine regularly drive .22-caliber airgun pellets beyond 900 fps and print dime-sized groups at 50 yards. But, as fascinating as this technology is, for good old fashioned airgun fun, Ive gone full-circle. ArmyBoy Kit for Daisy Adult Red Ryder BB Gun Bundle? Kit Includes: Daisy Air Rifle, 1500 Metal BBS and 10 Targets? Features: 650 Shot Spring-Action Lever Cocking Daisy Air Rifle Air Gun – 350 FPS Daisy Fully Prepared Package Includes – Daisy Adult Air Rifle BB Gun (.177 Cal) + 1500 Metal BBs + 10 Count Shooting Targets + ArmyBoy Wristband ItemSpeed and Power – This Daisy Semi-automatic Air Rifle BB Gun Fires Up to 350 FPS Assisted by a Smooth Bore Steel Barrel to maximize speed, accuracy and performance $99.95 Buy on Amazon

My Daisy Red Ryder Carbine spits BBs into golf ball sized groups at 10 yards while struggling to achieve 350 fps (still enough to shoot your eye out). Purchased on a whim after watching my four-year-old grandson engage blown bubbles with his trusty squirt guns, enough trophy-sized aerial targets escaped to provide the inspiration.

Initially I considered a CO-2 powered semiauto pellet gun but, wound up back at my roots with an eminently practical Daisy. A pleasant surprise: The near immortal (circa 1940) Red Ryder is also produced as an adult version. I snatched one up locally for $50. High-cap guns may be in, but Daisy had em beat back in 1940 with their Red Ryder BB dispenser. Just pour em in and get to shooting. Total cost for this adult-sized system was around $60. For some challenging entertainment try popping aerial targets like breeze-driven soap bubbles a real hoot!

For six additional bucks I scored a 2400-count jar of Premium Daisy BBs. The gun, fully loaded, supposedly provides 650 shots! Gravity fed; it offers lots of entertainment at a fast pace as quickly as you can cycle its lever. I wont belabor the guns details, partly because its probably already familiar to many of us and also because its worthy ofa stand-alone article (due to its training potential). For now, I wound up hanging an aluminum beverage can from a tree at around 15 yards. Within a couple days it was hanging only by a sliver, nearly cut in half by rapid barrages of BBs, shot with a hasty gun mount. Fun Guns Final Thoughts

The takeaway: a fun gun could be just about anything amenable to a lively shooting session hopefully something already on hand. If so, its also the most prudent way to preserve your savings and sanity. Until purchasing my 1858 repro, I hadnt owned a single-action revolver for almost four decades.

No regrets over its purchase but I wound up headed down the fiscal rabbit hole through a follow-up single-action Schofield .45 Colt which led to its cylinder making a trip to TK Custom. Mailed back in a week, the same pretty hinged-frame revolver can now also fire .45 ACP cartridges, using TKs furnished moon-clips.

Fun? You bet, but without restraint, better sit on your wallet.

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World

‘Atrocious’ killing of 15 aid workers by Israel must be independently investigated, Palestine Red Crescent says

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21 mins ago

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April 7, 2025

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'Atrocious' killing of 15 aid workers by Israel must be independently investigated, Palestine Red Crescent says

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has demanded an independent investigation into the “atrocious” deaths of 15 aid workers killed by Israeli troops in Gaza in March.

The group’s president, Dr Younis al Khatib, said he had asked the UN Security Council to form an investigation committee into the “intentional killing of the medics”.

In response to Sky’s Alistair Bunkall, spokesman David Mencer claimed the killings were the result of Hamas hiding among civilians and using them as human shields.

But speaking in Ramallah, Dr al Khatib said those responsible must be held “accountable for these crimes” via international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention.

“It’s not enough to comfort us with condolences and nice words of investigation and accountability. There has to be action taken,” he added.

He urged an “independent and thorough investigation of this atrocious crime” and that “no one should be above the law”.

“So many questions being asked of the Israelis,” he said.

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“Why were they killed? Why did you destroy the ambulances after killing them? Why did you try to dig deep and hide the ambulances? They have to answer for that.”

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Monday that a preliminary inquiry into the shooting “indicated the troops opened fire due to a perceived threat following a previous encounter in the area”.

The IDF added that “six of the individuals killed in the incident were identified as Hamas terrorists”.

It comes after footage at the weekend showed the moment the aid workers were killed, with ambulances and fire insignia clearly visible and red lights flashing.

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Phone footage contradicts Israeli claims of killing of Gaza medics

The paramedic filming, later found with a bullet in his head, is heard saying there are Israelis present and reciting a declaration of faith often used before someone dies.

He adds: “Forgive me, mother, this is the path I chose mother, to help people, forgive me, mother, I swear I chose this path only to help people.”

The Israeli military originally claimed the vehicles – which were travelling north of Rafah on 23 March – didn’t have headlights or emergency signals on and were targeted as they looked “suspicious”.

An IDF investigation is ongoing, but an Israeli government spokesman claimed on Monday that “six Hamas terrorists” were among those killed.

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‘Demands’ for medic death investigation

Still many unanswered questions

It’s now more than two weeks since 15 medics were shot dead by Israeli forces in southern Gaza and there are still many unanswered questions.

Israel initially said that the medics had been fired upon because they were behaving suspiciously and travelling without lights on.

When footage emerged at the weekend contradicting that, and showing that the vehicles were clearly marked as ambulances, the IDF released a new statement admitting that their soldiers made a mistake.

For the first time since that video was made public, Sky News was able to put a series of questions to Israeli government spokesman David Mencer about the incident.

We asked what evidence the IDF have that six of the medics killed were in fact Hamas operatives, whether they will put any of their evidence into the public domain, and whether any of the soldiers involved in the incident had been withdrawn from operational duties in Gaza until their investigation is complete.

Mr Mencer did not answer those important questions directly but told an online briefing that Hamas use ambulances to travel around Gaza, and insisted six of those killed were Hamas terrorists, without providing any new evidence, and accused the international media of readily accepting Hamas’ version of events.

However, this version of events in fact came from United Nations bodies and the Palestinian Red Crescent, reputed organisations with people on the ground in Gaza itself.

The fact that Israel has already had to dramatically change its story once is why questions will remain until they provide the evidence to back up their latest version of what happened near Rafah around dawn on 23 March.

Mr Mencer said: “IDF soldiers opened fire at a distance at vehicles moving suspiciously in their direction.

“Among the dead were six Hamas terrorists – what were Hamas terrorists doing in ambulances? The incident was reported in real time to UN officials.”

He claimed there were “many documented occasions” when Hamas had used ambulances as cover.

An evacuation order was also in place at the time, which meant moving vehicles were prohibited, according to Israel.

The head of the UN’s humanitarian affairs office, Jonathan Whittall, said the 15 people were found in a “mass grave” in the sand.

He said those killed comprised eight members of the PRCS, six civil defence members and one UN employee.

Dylan Winder, from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said it was “outraged at the deaths” and that “even in the most complex conflict zones, there are rules”.

“They were humanitarians. They wore emblems that should have been protected. Their ambulances were clearly marked, and they should have returned to their families. They did not,” he said.

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Environment

Jackery power stations 50% off in early Easter sale, Tenways AGO X e-bike at new $1,899 low, EcoFlow flash offers from $159, more

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22 mins ago

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April 7, 2025

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Jackery power stations 50% off in early Easter sale, Tenways AGO X e-bike at new ,899 low, EcoFlow flash offers from 9, more

We’ve got three different sales to kick off this week’s Green Deals, starting with Jackery’s newly launched early Easter savings that are taking up to 50% off units, including a new low price on the Explorer 3000 Pro solar generator bundle with a 500W panel for $1,947, among others. We spotted Tenways’ Spring Sale fresh out of the gate with up to $600 in e-bike savings (as well as up to $385 in bonus free gear), the largest of which is hitting the AGO X All-Terrain e-bike for a new $1,899 low. Lastly, running as part of EcoFlow’s ongoing Easter Sale and Mega Sale, we have two short-term flash offers on the RIVER 3 Portable Power Station to its $159 low, as well as a much more massive dual DELTA Pro 3 home backup bundle. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals from last week are in the links at the bottom of the page, collected together in our Electrified Weekly roundup.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Jackery’s early Easter sale offers Explorer 3000 Pro solar generator with a 500W panel at new $1,947 low

Jackery is launching its Early Easter Sale through April 11, offering up to 50% off a collection of power stations for home backup, individual appliance backup, and outdoor adventures – plus, there is a limited-time bonus 5% off discount too. One noticeable price drop for RV roamers is the brand’s Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station bundled with a 500W solar panel for $1,946.55 shipped, after using the code EXTRA5 at checkout for an additional 5% off. Coming down from its $3,449 price tag here, with a higher $3,699 rate elsewhere, this is only the third discount we have seen on this newer bundle after first appearing as a short-term flash offer to $1,999 before returning to that rate for its longer sale at the end of March. It’s going lower than ever here today as the 44% markdown strikes $1,502 off the going rate at a new all-time low. It also beats out the Amazon pricing that is only bringing costs down to $2,299.

A great choice to gear up for camping trips – whether you’re planning to rough it in tents or take out the RV – Jackery’s Explorer 3000 Pro is one of the more versatile options in terms of what it can power. It boasts a 3,024Wh capacity and provides up to 3,000W of average power output, surging to 6,000W for those larger appliance needs. There are 10 port options to connect to for a juice up, one of them even being a RV-dedicated TT30 port, putting it alongside the Explorer 2000 Plus and Explorer 5000 Plus as the best support for RV travels/living (deals on them below). On that note, if you want to possibly invest to build up your system, these two alternate models come as modular setups that can expand upward in capacity and output, unlike the 3000 Pro.

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Plugging the Explorer 3000 Pro into a wall outlet will get you back to a full battery in about 2.4 hours, or you can take advantage of its maximum 1,200W of solar input that takes a little longer at three to four hours when using the sun’s rays (which will be a little over twice that timeframe for the 500W bundle here). There’s also the third option to connect it to your vehicle, which refills the battery in about 35 hours.

***Note: None of the following prices have had the bonus savings factored in, so be sure to use the code EXTRA5 where applicable to score the most savings (you’ll see it as an on-page offer).

Jackery’s early Easter sale backup deals for critical loads:

Jackery’s early Easter sale backup deals for individual appliances:

Jackery’s early Easter sale deals for outdoor adventure:

Jackery’s early Easter sale accessory deals:

You can browse the entire lineup of Jackery’s Early Easter Sale on the main landing page here.

Tenways AGO X e-bike

Tenways drops the AGO X all-terrain e-bike to new $1,899 low (Reg. $2,499) in spring savings

Tenways has launched its Spring Sale with up to $600 being taken off its e-bike lineup. Alongside the brand’s popular CGO600 Pro (both the chain-drive and belt-drive models), which is down at $1,499 once again, we spotted the more advanced AGO X e-bike scoring the biggest price cut to $1,899 shipped and coming with $307 in free gear. This sale is bringing the costs down off the e-bike’s usual $2,499 price tag, with the discounts we’ve been seeing over the last year only going as low as $1,999. While this sale continues you’ll be able to take advantage of a $600 markdown that brings the price down lower than we’ve seen before, landing it at a new all-time low price. Not only are you getting free mudguards and a rear cargo rack for free ($307 value), but you can also add on a front carrier for just $1 (normally $79). As usual, medical providers, military personnel, first responders, and teachers can also score an additional $150 in savings through verification.

Boasted as an all-terrain “e-bike SUV” for errands and commutes alike, Tenways’ AGO X cruises into view via the Bafang M410 250W mid-drive motor and 504Wh battery. While it’s not as lightweight as its counterparts, it only weighs in at 64 pounds, which still makes it more manageable for urban environments than many other competitors on the market. Like its sibling e-bikes, this one also does away with any throttle, but with the five PAS levels that come supported by an integrated torque sensor, you’ll be getting up to 62 miles of travel on a single charge, with it reaching top speeds of 20 MPH.

The streamlined design of its frame not only gives it a slick look, with its cable system all neatly contained out of sight, but also comes with a nice variety of features. Your riding experience is enhanced for smoother and more comfortable rides with the SR SUNTOUR Lockout Fork, Selle Royal Saddle, and riser handlebars while safety is guaranteed thanks to the hydraulic disc brakes, 29-inch puncture-resistant tires, and integrated front and rear lighting. That’s not all, you’ll also have a Shimano 10-speed derailleur and a TFT LCD color display that can pair with your smartphone to provide navigation and more.

Tenways’ other Spring Sale e-bike deals:

  • CGO600 Pro Belt-Drive e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
    • 20 MPH for up to 53 miles
    • comes with $118 in free gear
  • CGO600 Pro 8-speed e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
    • 20 MPH for up to 53 miles
    • comes with $118 in free gear
  • CGO800S Premium Step-Thru Commuter e-bike: $1,699 (Reg. $1,999)
    • 20 MPH for up to 53 miles
    • Turn-signaling and color display
    • comes with $227 in free gear + $1 front carrier offer
  • AGO T Step-Thru Premium e-bike: $2,699 (No initial price cut)
    • 20 MPH for up to 62 miles
    • Enviolo stepless shifting hub
    • comes with $178 in free gear
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Portable Power Station

EcoFlow flash sale returns RIVER 3 245Wh LiFePO4 power station to $159 low + a massive home backup bundle

As part of both its Easter Sale and Mega Sale, EcoFlow has launched the second round of flash offers running through the rest of the day. The first of these discounts is on the RIVER 3 Portable Power Station for $159 shipped. It’s being brought down from its usual $239 price tag for today only, which we’ve been frequently seeing more recently, especially in the form of Amazon Lightning deals. You can grab one today at the returning all-time low price thanks to the 33% markdown that cuts $80 off the going rate, with the matching option to grab it from Amazon too.

A compact option for personal device and appliance backup while out camping, EcoFlow’s RIVER 3 sports a 245Wh LiFePO4 capacity with X-GaNPower tech to bolster its energy efficiency by “delivering double runtime for appliances under 100W while reducing the size and controlling the volume to less than 30 dB at a distance of 1.5 ft.” This, paired with the additional X-Boost tech, allows for its 300W of power output to surge up to 600W to cover appliances like heaters and the like – with six port options available to connect to (two ACs, two USB-As, one USB-C, and one car port).

The battery can be recharged back to full in just one hour via a wall outlet while also having the option to connect up to 110W of solar input to recharge in 2.6 hours. The unit has waterproof and fireproof safeguards, as well as an IP54 protection rating and a drop-resistant design to minimalize potential damage while out in the wilds.

The second of these flash offers is a much larger home backup bundle of two DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Stations with a 50A hub to connect them and a Smart Home Panel 2 – all for $6,179 shipped. Each of these power stations gives you a 4,096Wh LiFePO4 capacity (8,192Wh together) that can output power through its 14 ports at 4,000W (surging to 6,000W). Of course, this setup can be further expanded to a maximum 48,000Wh capacity with additional gear that also expands its power output up to 12,000W. The power station boasts the largest amount of ways to recharge too, with seven solo-source options and 18 combination options. With the Smart Home Panel 2, you’ll have the plug-and-play option to cover up to 12 circuits at home when outages occur, with it also allowing you to connect to any rigid roof panels for everyday solar charging too.

Be sure to also check out the differing lineups for EcoFlow’s ongoing Easter Sale and Mega Sale that are taking up to 65% off power stations through April 14, complete with free gear, massive EcoCredit rewards, and bonus savings.

Best New Year EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Sports

What MLB players and coaches are saying about torpedo bats

Published

32 mins ago

on

April 7, 2025

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What MLB players and coaches are saying about torpedo bats

Apr 7, 2025, 07:00 AM ET

A week has passed since torpedo bats burst onto the scene as the talk of the 2025 MLB season, and the hitting innovation is still buzzing through the industry.

We asked our MLB reporters to talk to players and coaches to see if they think the bowling pin-shaped bat trend is here to stay, how much it really helps hitters — and if they believe it should be allowed in the majors.

Here’s what those around baseball had to say about the trend taking the sport by storm.

When did you first hear about torpedo bats?

Andrew Benintendi, OF, Chicago White Sox: I had never heard of it. I’ve used the same bat for nine years so I think I’ll stick with that. It’s pretty interesting. It makes sense. If it works for a guy, good for him. If it doesn’t, stick with what you got.

Robert Van Scoyoc, hitting coach, Los Angeles Dodgers: I’ve heard about bat fitting. We do bat fitting and all that. I just haven’t heard about this specifically. When I first heard about [torpedo bats specifically] was when everyone else kind of knew about it.

Ryan O’Hearn, first baseman, Baltimore Orioles: (Orioles assistant GM and former NASA engineer) Sig Mejdal deserves credit. Sig has been on the torpedo bat for a long time. He’s been trying to get guys to experiment with it, use it. He’ll send them out, send us everybody. He sent some in the offseason. He sent me the traditional torpedo bat and then he sent me a special model that, based off of my batted ball data, would fit better. He’s been all over it. I think I first heard about it in maybe the end of ’23 from Sig. And then he made them available. I took BP with it. I was unsure because it does feel a little different. Not in a bad way, just different. I feel like I was hitting balls and kind of feeling the vibrations on the end, which I didn’t really like.

Dansby Swanson, SS, Chicago Cubs: This offseason. It’s just caught on. People have used it before. It’s not that new.

Adam Ottavino, veteran reliever: I noticed last year that there were some guys with different shaped bats. I think [Francisco] Lindor had one. And, honestly, I didn’t think too much of it because there’s always been a lot of tinkering with bat models since I’ve been in the big leagues. There’s so many bat models. Even like custom handles like big knobs. Some hockey puck knobs. And there’s like those triangular knobs. So I didn’t really think too much of it. I didn’t maybe understand what they were going for.

Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Los Angeles Angels: I heard about it in spring training this year. Chuckie Robinson had a bat. We kind of weren’t serious about it, you know? He pulled it out and we were like, “Uh, that’s kind of strange.” But the science behind it makes total sense. I didn’t really think about that from that standpoint at all until the science came up for it and said why it would benefit certain people’s swings.

[Robinson] never used it … I don’t know if he had it the year prior, but for some reason he had one. And we were just like, “That’s a weird-looking bat.” I didn’t think anything of it until come Opening Day, you see all these guys swinging it in the regular season.

Martin Maldonado, C, San Diego Padres: I don’t know anything about it other than what I read on Twitter.

Have you used a torpedo bat before and if not, are you planning to try it now? If so, how did it feel?

Max Muncy, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers: It felt good. The swing felt good. But after the Dylan Lee at-bat (in which Muncy struck out in the sixth inning last Wednesday), I felt like the bat was causing me to be a little bit off-plane, a little bit in and out of the zone. My swings felt really, really good tonight but just a little bit off. So the last at-bat I decided just to go back to my regular bat.

Matt Shaw, 3B, Chicago Cubs: I’ve used it in batting practice. I wasn’t a big fan. The weight felt a little heavier. The ball feedback wasn’t as good. But we’ll see.

Swanson: It’s not the perfect product. There are so many nuances involved. I’ve committed to using it enough to get a good sample size. There is definitely validity in everything, but it just has its media craze right now.

Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations, Chicago Cubs: I talked to [Swanson] a lot this winter about it. He was very open-minded. It’s a process. That’s why we wanted to have guys use them in spring training. The more the veteran guys do it, hopefully that has a carry-over effect.

Michael A. Taylor, OF, Chicago White Sox: I would love to try one. I’m sure everyone is trying to order one right now. It’s interesting. I’m not too educated on the science behind it, but it seems pretty straightforward. I tried the axe bat then the puck bat so the torpedo bat is the latest thing. I want to try it.

Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins: I haven’t tried it. Not going to try it either. I’ve been doing perfectly fine with my bats. No point in trying to switch it up now. People blowing up the Yankees about all the homers they hit. Same guys that hit homers are the same guys that hit homers last year. It’s not that big of a deal.

O’Hearn: I’ve used a torpedo bat for one major league at-bat. I struck out. And then I threw it in the trash. Didn’t even make contact. I’m weird, man. I just remember guys laughing at me, being like, you’re done with it already?

Salvador Perez, catcher, Kansas City Royals: No, but it’s interesting. I’m going to talk to Davy (Royals VP of major league team operations Jeff Davenport) about that. Are we going to put in some orders for that bat? I talked to Gary Sanchez yesterday. He used the bat yesterday. The first time that I saw that bat, I grabbed it. Big barrel. I think if it helps, why not? Why not just try it out and see what happens?”

Mark Canha, outfielder, Kansas City Royals: It wasn’t anything I was aware of during spring until that half of the first week. I’m using kind of a modified one right now. It’s torpedo-esque. It’s not as drastic. I didn’t even know what I was ordering. Pete Alonso told me to get that model. It’s great. And usually he knows a lot. He’s really likes stuff like that. So I kind of just trusted him, and it’s been working. I like it. But I do like that there’s more barrel, a little lower than I’m used to swinging. It feels a little different. It’s not as ringy when I get it closer to the label, which I like.

Schanuel: I mostly miss [the ball] on the inner side of the barrel, so if I miss the barrel, I get jammed the most. If I were to get a torpedo bat … I think it would help me out a lot, especially my bat path and seeing the ball deep. I’d be more than willing to try it yet.

Nicky Lopez, 2B, Los Angeles Angels: I gave it a little bit of a test run in spring training because that’s what everyone was kind of doing. But it takes a little bit of getting used to.

Your whole career you’ve been using a bat that you know, and you know where the sweet spot is, and it’s one kind of length. You have the specifications of it and you kind of feel where that barrel is, and now when you move that barrel down a little bit, you have to refine where that sweet spot is. It takes a little bit to get used to. I used it a little bit in BP and I’m going to continue to use it and just see where it’s at.

Nico Hoerner, 2B, Chicago Cubs: I’ve used it since mid-spring training. Every AB I’ve taken this year has been with some version of the reverse taper barrel (which is what the Cubs call the torpedo bat). Still in the process of figuring that out, but I like it. It’s not something I’m thinking of when I go to the plate. A misconception I’ve heard is guys are not changing what they do to fit the bat. It’s kind of the opposite.

What do you make of the way the topic has blown up across the sport?

Ottavino: I mean, listen, first of all, it’s the Yankees and they scored a million runs in the first few games and it’s cool to hate the Yankees and it’s cool to look for the boogeyman and that’s what some people are going to do and can’t really stop that. But there’s also a lot of misinformation and noneducation on it too.

I was in Boston this spring and there were a bunch of guys using those types of bats over there too. So, they’re all over the place. It’s not unique to this organization. Maybe it originated in [the Yankees clubhouse], but I mean, there’s no secrets in baseball. Everybody’s going to be using what they think’s going to give them the best result. So I don’t really make too much of people complaining about it, honestly.

Schanuel: I think it’ll help out, especially to boost offensive performances. I think it’s good for MLB itself. Fans would like to see it. Everyone loves homers. Everyone loves when guys get on base. I think it’ll help out a lot. I mean it’s just exciting talking about it.

Mark Leiter, reliever, New York Yankees: I wouldn’t say I’m surprised just because I think there’s a level of it’s something to talk about in a big market. I mean, just the fact that it’s within the rules and stuff, I just think it’s more surprising that it took this long for somebody to do this. Just because you know about customizing golf clubs and stuff like that. Like, it makes a lot of sense.

Buxton: Everyone is blowing up the Yankees about all the homers they hit. Same guys you see hit homers, are the same guys that hit homers last year. It’s not that big of a deal. It’s like when the sweeper came around. We were like, “What’s a sweeper?” We had never heard of sweepers. And now we’ve never heard of torpedo bats and now they pop.

Shaw: The Yankees hitting a bunch of home runs made it blow up. Aaron Judge not using the torpedo bat is funny to me. It blew up with the Yankees, but he doesn’t swing it. You can clearly see both sides. They might work, but the old bats work too. The difference might be very small.

Do you think it should be allowed in the sport to use torpedo bats?

Canha: Yes. I do feel like we need all the help we can get. These guys are throwing so hard now. But it’s not a cheat code. We’ll see how it plays out over a little bigger sample size.

Freddie Freeman, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers: I do not look down on anybody. If it’s legal, you can do whatever you want. I swung the same bat for 16 years. I will not be changing to a torpedo bat. I’ve swung the same length, ounces, everything. If it works for the guys, go for it. I know some of our guys are getting them, so, we’ll see. I will not be swinging them.

Jake Cronenworth, 2B, San Diego Padres: [Torpedo bats] give everyone something to talk about. If any team hit 15 home runs, you’d be like, “What bats are they using? Are they legal?” And they are.

Are torpedo bats a trend based on this week’s buzz or something that is here to stay?

Lopez: I think so, yeah. I really do. I think this can be a good thing for a lot of hitters.

Van Scoyoc: I’m sure some guys will try it out. Someone gets hot, then you’ll probably see more guys going to it. I think it’s good. In pitching they have Trackman. In hitting we do, too. But we don’t capture the bat, which is essentially our same equipment. That’s why I think hitting is behind — because they just get more information that’s useful a lot faster.

O’Hearn: It’s kind of like the axe handle or puck knob. I think just because the Yankees went bananas for two games, it’s going to blow up. And I honestly felt bad for Sig when it went crazy because I was like, I don’t know if he was the first one on it, but I feel like he’s sitting around somewhere, like, ‘I wish the Orioles would’ve done this.’

Freeman: I promise you I have not read a thing about it. I only know there’s a torpedo bat and it looks kind of like the barrel’s shorter or lower down. That’s all I’ve got. Nor will I read into it. That’s just me. I’m not the right guy to ask those kind of questions. I swing the same bat every day.

Muncy: Baseball is not a one-size-fits-all sport, going from socks to batting gloves to shoes to pants. It’s not a one size fits all for anyone in this game. So, everyone swings different. Everyone likes their bat different. There’s some guys I think it could be a real benefit for, and there’s some guys it might be a detriment. I still don’t know where I’m at on that scale.

Hoerner: I think [it’s a trend]. There was the axe handle. A lot of guys with the Red Sox had success with that. Then in 2021, there was the big puck knob trend. You still see some of those. This is a little different when you’re changing where you impact the ball with. The jury is still out. I don’t look at that Yankees series and think it would have been a totally different series without the bats. It’s about marginal differences over the course of 600 ABs. That really matters.

Hoyer: This isn’t the kind of thing, one team did it and everyone copied. There were a number of teams on this. There is a lot of attention because of the size of the market and [the Yankees] scored 20. Guys were hitting in the cage with them last year. Pete [Crow-Armstrong] used it in a game last year in September (he flew out). It’s new, but it’s not like it started game two last weekend and everyone copied it quickly.

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