Brian Sheetz
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Articles by Brian Sheetz
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Rifleman Report: Proficiency Is Key
As the end of the calendar year approaches, and new firearms and related products continue to become available, we’re reminded that, while gear is important, training safely with it while developing familiarity is just as vital. And that holds true for everyone, from the average armed citizen to elite members of the U.S. military. In “Benelli Nova 3 Tactical: Innovation Meets Simplicity,” Field Editor Jeremiah Knupp tests one of the latest defensive shotguns from the renowned Italian maker.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | A Carry-Ready Classic: Outfitting A Ruger Speed-Six Revolver
by posted on November 18, 2025 Support NRA American Rifleman DONATE ** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. ** Already a fan of Ruger’s long-discontinued double-action Security-Six, Police Service-Six and Speed-Six revolvers, I simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to acquire one of the latter in 9 mm Luger when an unfired, 42-year-old example turned up at a gun show.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Shooters, Listen Up! Take Hearing Health Seriously
“Huh?” “What’s that?” “Sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.” If you’ve noticed yourself using such expressions more often in recent years or you have to continually ask your spouse or co-workers to repeat questions during conversations, there’s a good chance that your hearing has become impaired.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: The Misrepresented Armed Citizen
Despite what mainstream news outlets would have us believe, most armed citizens are thoughtful, deliberate, responsible Americans whose foremost concerns are the well-being of themselves and their families. The firearm industry reflects that sense of thoughtfulness, deliberation and responsibility by continually responding to its customers with ever more effective, safe and refined products, whether they be guns, optics, ammunition or accessories.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | SARCO: A Lifetime Covered Up With Surplus Firearm Parts
When it comes to selling gun parts and gun-related military surplus, Charles “Cholly” Steen has been at it for longer than almost anyone. It all started when, as a 5-year-old, he began stashing odds and ends in the drawers of his clothes dresser. Later, after serving in the Marine Corps, he began selling surplus at gun shows to support himself during college where he had hoped engineering studies would lead to a job as a machine-gun designer.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Rifleman Report: Heirloom Qualities
I’m thankful that we seldom witness the loss of an American Rifleman field editor, but, unfortunately for the entire shooting community, that occurred recently with the passing of combat handgun authority Wiley Clapp.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Scout The Trail To A General Purpose Rifle
When it comes to the idea of an all-around firearm, disagreements rule the day—yet the notion that there might be one basic platform on which most shooters could rely in most situations for most tasks seems as enduring as the desire to debate it is insatiable. As might be expected at a time when the American shooter is faced with so many choices in firearms and accessories, even defining such a gun is fraught with controversy.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: Tried-And-True Attributes
In August 2025 issue, we explored how several entirely different kinds of firearms, and a classic cartridge, possess the tried-and-true attributes that make them effective for self-protection or hunting—even though none is as popular as the modern sporting rifles, semi-automatic pistols and specialty chamberings that account for much of today’s gun coverage.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | An Energetics Juggernaut: D&M Holding Co.
The global demand for large quantities of ammunition, primers and propellants presents a continual challenge for the companies that produce them and a national-security issue for the U.S. military and its allies. It is also cause for concern among civilian shooters in the United States—home of the world’s largest ammunition consumer base. That reality is what spurred the formation of D&M Holding Co., Inc.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Rifleman Report: Safe Passage
While the phrase “tools of the trade” may refer to specific items that a worker uses to ply his or her vocation, it could just as easily be a reference to the firearms, knives and other everyday carry, or EDC, gear that the average citizen uses to ensure his or her safe passage through the course of an uncertain, sometimes dangerous, daily existence.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Rifleman Report: Defending Freedom For 250 Years
In the cover story for our June 2025 issue, “From Bunker Hill To Baghdad: 250 Years Of U.S. Infantry Longarms,” Executive Editor Evan Brune lays out the progression in technology that has occurred in the U.S. Army’s primary individual fighting arms and ammunition since its founding three days before that first pivotal battle in Massachusetts.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Editor’s Choice: Helikon-Tex Swagman Roll Poncho
The U.S. G.I. military poncho liner, or “woobie,” has long been regarded by soldiers as an indispensable piece of kit—essential for making it through a watch, or the entire night, in relative comfort—but an overly simplistic design limits its utility. So, oftentimes, users have sought out seamstresses to modify their cherished woobies into more adaptable designs. That’s no longer necessary given the patented Swagman Roll Poncho from Helikon-Tex.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: Maintaining Continuity
It’s rather incredible to realize how rapidly the American firearm industry brings to market significant new products. So, in our most recent issue, we recap coverage of some of the most noteworthy from past months, and we present a few others that have only recently become available. First up is the subject of our May 2025 cover story titled “Heckler & Koch CC9: An H&K For The USA” by field editor and noted firearm trainer Justin Dyal.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: Magnificent Milestones
The last major milestone that I remember marking our nation’s founding, the 1976 bicentennial, occurred when I was a high schooler, a year before I enlisted in a nearby military academy’s Junior ROTC program.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: New Developments
Our official coverage of new products for the current year is set for next month, but we included two substantial new developments in this issue that have the potential to make significant ripples in the firearm business even before then. The first is a semi-automatic handgun with a rare combination of features, and the second is a rimfire cartridge—and both fly the banners of familiar industry giants.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: Influential Innovations
We continue to be impressed with the firearm industry’s talent for innovation through the implementation of cutting-edge technology. In fact, such unwillingness to “leave well enough alone” seems ingrained into the minds of engineers and marketers alike at the nation’s gun, ammunition, optic and accessory manufacturers.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: “To Keep And Bear Arms”
When it comes to the three major firearm types—rifle, shotgun and handgun—along with the ammunition and accessories they require, we strive to cover each as best we can. In our latest issue of American Rifleman, in typical fashion, we include all three. And even though any of them could be pressed into sporting or defensive use, all are only as useful as they are available to responsible citizens.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Exploded View: Ruger “Six” Series Revolvers
The Ruger Security-Six, Police Service-Six and Speed-Six double-action revolvers, introduced in 1970 and produced through 1988, innovated in design and construction in such ways as to challenge that period’s status quo regarding the modern wheelgun’s strength and simplicity.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Rifleman Report: Your Voice Matters
Slogans along the lines of “Your voice matters” are not uncommon during election cycles—including the one that just recently occurred, which may have been one of the most consequential yet for gun owners. And while there are serious questions as to whether such declarations reflect reality or exist to serve as nothing more than trite turns of phrase, they nonetheless represent a valid principle.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Rifleman Report: Intrinsic Motivation
Shooting is a discipline that depends upon a sound mind, benefits from a fit body and is perfected by countless hours of practice and experience on the range and in the field. American Rifleman editors and contributors put tremendous amounts of thought and countless hours of work into their writing. It is all designed to educate, enrich and encourage NRA members by increasing their understanding of firearms and related subject matter and to improve their shooting skills.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | NRA Whittington Center Hosts The Shootists, Welcomes All
Surrounded by the picturesque mountains of northeastern New Mexico, the NRA Whittington Center (nrawc.org) is a unique sight to behold and a shooting sports adventure facility without equal in the world. Founded in 1973, the center offers: numerous ranges, from shotgun to pistol to rifle; specialized training; a firearm museum, store and research library; guided and unguided hunts; RV and tent camping; and adventure experiences for young shooters and wildlife seekers.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: Retrospection
As I unpack a few treasures culled during a weekend getaway with my wife to a score of flea markets and antique outlets, I’m compelled to stop and thumb through 14 issues of The American Rifleman that one vendor let go for the princely sum of $10. The oldest is from July 1929, some are from the ’30s and the most recent is from June 1957. They all make for fascinating reading, as the advertisements alone are enough to whet the appetite of any true gun crank.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Full Swing: Smith & Wesson’s Model 1854 Lever-Action
When a major gun manufacturer enters a new product category, the first reaction is often to ask, “Why?” And in the case of Smith & Wesson and its recently launched Model 1854 lever-action rifles, there are at least four answers provided by the maker itself: First, a new product always sparks renewed interest in a brand—even one as popular as S&W. Second, in this case, it helps move the iconic revolver manufacturer more firmly into the hunting space.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: Patriotic Americans
Having attended from the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Dallas, I can personally testify to the excitement shared by more than 70,000 patriotic Americans who viewed the firearms and accessories displayed by hundreds of companies across 14 acres of exhibit hall.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: Collective Appreciation
Americans from all walks of life use firearms for all manner of legitimate purposes—accounting for significant economic activity. In fact, according to a recent report from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the U.S. firearm and ammunition industry generated $90 billion in revenue and supported more than 384,000 full-time jobs last year.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: Patriotism, Bravery and Sacrifice
Recently, we just passed the 80th anniversary of D-Day—the June 6, 1944, Allied landing at Normandy, France, that constituted the largest seaborne military invasion ever launched and that precipitated the liberation of occupied Europe, victory on the Western Front and the end of World War II.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Rifleman Report: Individual Liberty & Innovation
When it comes to the design, manufacture and sale of innovative firearms, the intuition and innovation of unique personalities are often the common threads that result in success. This issue is replete with examples. For instance, our cover story, “Affordable Powerhouse: EAA 10 mm Witness2311” by Editorial Director Mark Keefe, IV, highlights yet another trendsetting series of 21st century M1911-based pistols—this time made in Turkey under partnership with U.S.-based European American Armory.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Rifleman Report: “Piles Of Guns”
While sport shooting and hunting are still undertaken in many countries around the world, our staffers don’t often have the opportunity to test new guns in places as far away and mystical as Australia, but that’s exactly where Executive Editor Evan Brune went with the new rifle that is the subject of this month’s cover story.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: Welcome To ARC
It’s not often that we introduce new elements into the American Rifleman formula, but in our March 2024 issue, you’ll find one listed under the “American Rifleman Classics” icon shown above. We will use it on occasion to take a look back across the ARC of history through unique content from long-forgotten issues of the magazine.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Editor’s Choice: 1Up 2” Super Duty Double Bike Rack
Electric bicycles, or ebikes, are becoming more common and are making inroads into the outdoorsman market through such companies as QuietKat, whose models sport camouflage finishes and offer features and accessories specifically geared toward hunters. But ebikes differ from standard bicycles in several ways—and one is a much greater overall weight.
Rifleman Q&A: Eye Relief Explanation, Application
Q. I’m trying to understand the term “eye relief” with regard to rifle and pistol scopes. I know it can vary depending on the optic’s application, but what is an appropriate, or acceptable, amount and why is it important? A. Your question is a good one, and, as is often the case with such inquiries, requires the use of a few terms specific to the topic, shown in quotes below, to answer it properly.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Rifleman Q&A: Eye Relief Explanation, Application
Q. I’m trying to understand the term “eye relief” with regard to rifle and pistol scopes. I know it can vary depending on the optic’s application, but what is an appropriate, or acceptable, amount and why is it important? A. Your question is a good one, and, as is often the case with such inquiries, requires the use of a few terms specific to the topic, shown in quotes below, to answer it properly.
The Rifleman Report: Creative Minds At Work
As all of us who experience this “mortal coil” eventually learn, the days seem more fleeting with each passing year. For those of us who make a living observing and reporting about the firearm industry, they eventually result in a somewhat disorganized pile of memories about companies, products and the people who create them. Some become icons that engrave themselves onto our minds, becoming representative of a brand—even an entire product category.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: Creative Minds At Work
As all of us who experience this “mortal coil” eventually learn, the days seem more fleeting with each passing year. For those of us who make a living observing and reporting about the firearm industry, they eventually result in a somewhat disorganized pile of memories about companies, products and the people who create them. Some become icons that engrave themselves onto our minds, becoming representative of a brand—even an entire product category.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Editor’s Choice: “In Country | My Memories Of Vietnam And After”
I met author Forrest R. Lindsey at a gun show where he graciously provided a signed copy of this remarkable account of his experiences as a young man enlisting in the Marine Corps a year after high school in 1965. After witnessing the vagaries of war and eventually being wounded during combat operations in Vietnam, Lindsey struggled through a lengthy recovery process to regain the ability to walk.
The Rifleman Report: An Increasingly Dangerous World
It seems the world is at a more precarious juncture than at any time in recent memory—conflict rages in eastern Europe and the Middle East—and some are even suggesting that we could be on the eve of World War III.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: An Increasingly Dangerous World
It seems the world is at a more precarious juncture than at any time in recent memory—conflict rages in eastern Europe and the Middle East—and some are even suggesting that we could be on the eve of World War III.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | New For 2024: Bond Arms LVRB
Bond Arms is best known for its modern interpretation of the stack-barrel derringer handgun concept, but it now appears set to pull the trigger on its long-anticipated entrant into the lever-action rifle market: the LVRB. The MSR-derived, short-lever-throw design is decidedly modern in appearance and claimed to be compatible with AR-style upper receivers, barrels, bolts, handguards and magazines. The rifle’s factory 16” barrel results in an overall length of 39.5”, and weighs in at 6 lbs., 7 ozs.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | New For 2024: CVA SR-80
CVA, a name synonymous with muzzleloaders, has expanded its Cascade line of breechloading bolt-action repeaters to include the SR-80 scout rifle. The new model features a generous section of Picatinny rail mounted atop its 18” barrel, which is threaded 5/8”x24 TPI at the muzzle and fitted with a radial brake.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | New For 2024: PWS User Xchange Rifle (UXR)
Primary Weapon Systems (PWS) launched its UXR, or User Xchange Rifle, a modular, multi-caliber design, into a vast market occupied by highly competitive but mechanically indistinct AR-style platforms. One look at the new gun recalls design elements from both past and existing examples of more modern, modular battle rifles.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | New For 2024: Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Lever-Action
Smith & Wesson returns to its roots with the all-new Model 1854 lever-action rifle. That’s right, the company best known for heirloom-quality double-action revolvers and cutting-edge polymer-frame semi-automatic pistols and ARs under the Military & Police banner is now in the lever-gun business. In a move that harks back to founders Horace Smith and Daniel B.
The Rifleman Report: Onward To 2024
It’s difficult to believe that we’ve come to the close of yet another year of the “World’s Oldest and Largest Firearm Authority.” Coverage in the past 12 issues has included a raft of product reviews and industry and political news as it pertains to our long-cherished exercise of the Second Amendment—and this issue is no different.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: Onward To 2024
It’s difficult to believe that we’ve come to the close of yet another year of the “World’s Oldest and Largest Firearm Authority.” Coverage in the past 12 issues has included a raft of product reviews and industry and political news as it pertains to our long-cherished exercise of the Second Amendment—and this issue is no different.
The Rifleman Report: From The ''Inside Out''
The term “inside out” can be taken literally or applied as a phrase to describe the thoroughness with which an idea is understood. In this month’s issue, we hope to illustrate that the latter especially is used as a guiding principle to keep the American firearm industry at the top of its game. We also suggest a third application that is appropriate for every shooter.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: From The ''Inside Out''
The term “inside out” can be taken literally or applied as a phrase to describe the thoroughness with which an idea is understood. In this month’s issue, we hope to illustrate that the latter especially is used as a guiding principle to keep the American firearm industry at the top of its game. We also suggest a third application that is appropriate for every shooter.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Rifleman Report: The Great American Spirit
The definition of “win” denotes emerging victorious from a contest. It is an outcome that demands the mindset of overcoming obstacles, not making excuses, as the exigencies of life beset us. These days, however, the age-old connotation of prevailing over life’s difficulties through hard-earned individual enterprise seems to have taken a back seat to artificially concocted societal schemes designed to make us all feel better about ourselves.
Rifleman Report: Our Diverse Firearm Community
In this issue, we report on two of the latest firearm designs—and highlight one now long forgotten—and we present a heartwarming story involving family-centric defensive firearm training. Altogether, they serve to illustrate that the American firearm industry and its consumers are a diverse community of responsible citizens who strive to serve one another’s interests and, as a result, ensure a safer quality of life for the entire country.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Rifleman Report: Our Diverse Firearm Community
In this issue, we report on two of the latest firearm designs—and highlight one now long forgotten—and we present a heartwarming story involving family-centric defensive firearm training. Altogether, they serve to illustrate that the American firearm industry and its consumers are a diverse community of responsible citizens who strive to serve one another’s interests and, as a result, ensure a safer quality of life for the entire country.
Springfield Echelon: The Leading Edge Of Self-Defense
Taking its name from the diagonally oriented military advance formation used at least since the time of the Thebans’ battle with the Spartans at Leuktra in 371 B.C., the all-new Echelon pistol from Springfield Armory is a polymer-frame semi-automatic that holds its own among the world’s best designs.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Springfield Echelon: The Leading Edge Of Self-Defense
Taking its name from the diagonally oriented military advance formation used at least since the time of the Thebans’ battle with the Spartans at Leuktra in 371 B.C., the all-new Echelon pistol from Springfield Armory is a polymer-frame semi-automatic that holds its own among the world’s best designs.
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