American Rifleman

[Mute]

I've notice a steady increase in the variety of firearms that are covered, including less PC types (EBRs and the like). It's a good change.

[tankerman]

Has anyone else noticed American Rifleman is writing better articles in the last few months? In the Nov issue they have an article on hunting with AR rifles.

Are the articles better, because hunting with an AR makes you a better hunter?

[jordan870]

i get the American hunter by the NRA also and there doing the same sort of things its interesting

[dwtt]

Are the articles better, because hunting with an AR makes you a better hunter?

I think the articles are better because they're holding my attention more.
The articles are more substantial and not as topical as before. This month they had an article on barrel cleaning and breakin, as well as an article on pistol trigger mechanisms clearifying the meaning of DA, SA, DAO, and DA/SA triggers. The articles are putting out more information than previous issues.
Last month's issue had an article on pistol shooting technique and one on the M4 carbine. I like the recent changes and hope it continues. I'm sure some of the articles will upset the Zumbos with country club attitudes who think the 2nd A is about hunting, but those people are a small minority of the gun owning public.

[tankerman]

I think the articles are better because they're holding my attention more.
The articles are more substantial and not as topical as before. This month they had an article on barrel cleaning and breakin, as well as an article on pistol trigger mechanisms clearifying the meaning of DA, SA, DAO, and DA/SA triggers. The articles are putting out more information than previous issues.
Last month's issue had an article on pistol shooting technique and one on the M4 carbine. I like the recent changes and hope it continues. I'm sure some of the articles will upset the Zumbos with country club attitudes who think the 2nd A is about hunting, but those people are a small minority of the gun owning public.

Judging by your comments you haven't been reading NRA publications for very long. Your "Zumbo" is a poor attempt at pretending to be a high brow/smug, yet knowledgeable shooter and gunowner and is really an indicator of 'newbness'. The NRA has published a variety articles and books on ALL aspects of firearms use and ownership for a very long time.

100's of articles on how to swap out a snap-on AR component is just as boring as reading another article on another manufacturer coming out with a 1911.

Before you stick your foot in your mouth and call me a "Zumbo", I own AR's, AK's, 1911's, polymer pistols, revolvers, bolt guns, lever actions, single shots, BP, etc.....I prefer not to be myopic, variety is where it's at...for me.

If your truly interested in learning real useful info about firearms, read books. (to quote Homer Simpson "magazines are just like books...without the hard words")

Perhaps you should learn a little NRA history before you bash the NRA.

[trautert]

Anybody else notice that both Remington and Smith and Wesson are producing AR looking firearms models now? Think that might have anything to do with all of this?

[Shotgun Man]

They're definitely pushing ARs, encouraging everyone to get them. I think it is a tactic to impede any future AW bans, or maybe even to repeal some existing ones.

[Shotgun Man]

I really enjoyed the recent article about barrel cleaning in American Rifleman, it answered several questions that I have had years. I also enjoyed the article on the history of the 7mm Mauser, the picture that started the article reminded me of some pictures of my ancestors!

I loved that barrel cleaning article also. I'm gonna relax a lot more about cleaning my bore.

[Mitch]

They're definitely pushing ARs, encouraging everyone to get them. I think it is a tactic to impede any future AW bans, or maybe even to repeal some existing ones.

Remington is now owned by the same company that owns DPMS and Bushmaster, so given the immense popularity of ARs these days, it was a no-brainer for them to start offering their own models.

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Maybe the companies writing the articles for them have hired better writers.

[Angie]

my facorite part of the magazine is the "armed citizen" where it tells accounts of people using a gun to save their life against criminals

Mine too
Though I always wish I'd see more from California.

[Mitch]

Maybe the companies writing the articles for them have hired better writers.

Ouch!

[truthseeker]

Judging by your comments you haven't been reading NRA publications for very long. Your "Zumbo" is a poor attempt at pretending to be a high brow/smug, yet knowledgeable shooter and gunowner and is really an indicator of 'newbness'. The NRA has published a variety articles and books on ALL aspects of firearms use and ownership for a very long time.

100's of articles on how to swap out a snap-on AR component is just as boring as reading another article on another manufacturer coming out with a 1911.

Before you stick your foot in your mouth and call me a "Zumbo", I own AR's, AK's, 1911's, polymer pistols, revolvers, bolt guns, lever actions, single shots, BP, etc.....I prefer not to be myopic, variety is where it's at...for me.

If your truly interested in learning real useful info about firearms, read books. (to quote Homer Simpson "magazines are just like books...without the hard words")

Perhaps you should learn a little NRA history before you bash the NRA.

You sound like grandpa talking to his newb grandson about firearms.

[Mitch]

Judging by your comments you haven't been reading NRA publications for very long. Your "Zumbo" is a poor attempt at pretending to be a high brow/smug, yet knowledgeable shooter and gunowner and is really an indicator of 'newbness'. The NRA has published a variety articles and books on ALL aspects of firearms use and ownership for a very long time.

I have been reading the Rifleman, off and on, for 30 years, so there are my credentials.

The other posters are right: only relatively recently has the Rifleman been giving much coverage to "tactical" firearms aside from military C&Rs. I disagree that tactical firearms are the "vast majority" of the market, but it is certainly and without a doubt the fastest growing part of the market, and probably the only area that will see substantial growth in the future. It is clear that the Rifleman editors, like the NSSF, are now starting to pick that up (advertising dollars doubtless also have something to do with this).

It was only six years ago that we were told we could not exhibit at SHOT Show outside the Law Enforcement section because the word "tactical" appeared in our company name. That was NSSF policy, but it was an attitude reflected in much of the editorial of the Rifleman at that time (again, aside from their coverage of historic small arms), and indeed the greater part of the firearms community and market. That is obviously changing now, at the Rifleman, with the NSSF, and among gun owners as a whole. Even Zumbo came on board, though it took a threat to his livelihood for him to get the message.

The Rifleman's changing editorial policy is not much of a reflection on the NRA as a whole, which as you say has many more facets than what can be found in the Rifleman. It wasn't too long ago that most of America's police officers received their firearms training from NRA certified instructors, and it doesn't get more tactical than that.

The term "Zumbo" refers to those outdoorsmen who would happily sell our gun rights down the river as long as they were left alone to kill animals with their wooden-stocked rifles and shotguns. There are lots of people like this out there, and Zumbo was one of them. If you aren't one of them then you obviously aren't a Zumbo and shouldn't take offense at the term.

[tankerman]

It was only six years ago that we were told we could not exhibit at SHOT Show outside the Law Enforcement section because the word "tactical" appeared in our company name.

The conversation is about the NRA, not Shot Show.

There are lots of people like this out there, and Zumbo was one of them. If you aren't one of them then you obviously aren't a Zumbo and shouldn't take offense at the term.

What I take offense to is intentionally divisive people taking pot shots at other gun owners because of the types of firearms the do, or do not own. Zumbos, Elmer Fudd, are not different than today's Tactical Paper-Punchers and Mall Ninjas. What's funny is listening to folks who's entire experience around firearms is limited to "EBR's" bag on hunters that own nothing more than hunting rifles and vice versa.......it's stupid, period.

People that think their better than others based on what firearms they own what they do with those firearms, are idiots.