Fear & Loading: High Performance Brass?

by
posted on December 9, 2016
** 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. **
valve3.jpg

I’m always game for anything I can bolt onto my truck that’ll increase horsepower and improve gas mileage, so when I ran across a Texas firm producing caps to go on your tire valve stems made of handgun brass I had to take them for a drive. GYSOT Products isn’t claiming the four-packs will do either, but I figured there’s no way if I scored the .45 ACP version it wouldn’t give me more low-end torque for climbing steep off-road trails. I also theorized the .40 S&W should add at least another mile per hour in top speed. 

The market’s flooded with this kind of product for the holiday’s, with too much of the profits going offshore. GYSOT is an acronym for Get You Some Of That. The small company is based in the Lone Star State, products are made here in America and the owner is an avid shooter.

Bulletstems—the firm’s name for brass-covered valve stems—are available in raw brass, polished brass and polished silver. MSRP is $15.95 for the first two and the latter comes in at $20.95. You can also order special colors for that rocket ride, and even cufflinks. If I thought the .40 S&W versions would get me out of meetings faster, I’d buy a pair. 

These valve stem caps are the kind of bling that says, “I’m a proud firearm enthusiast,” so it’s worth considering if you’re looking for a stocking stuffer.  Installation was a breeze and they apparently fit every tire out there. They worked on my truck with 300,000 miles, a new Tundra, Ford F-150, Dodge Caravan and everything else I could find before a neighbor threatened to call the police if I didn’t get out of his driveway.

Unfortunately, performance was disappointing. Gas mileage didn’t improve, nor did torque and horsepower. It still took 10 minutes to get my drive-through order at McDonald’s and no hot biker babes appeared.

They look great, though.

Latest

Stoeger STR-9 Thinline+ pistol
Stoeger STR-9 Thinline+ pistol

New for 2026: Stoeger STR-9 Thinline+ Pistol

Stoeger refines its STR-9 Thinline pistol to be even easier to carry.

Finding The Natural Point Of Aim

Nearly every shooter understands the basic principles of marksmanship: position, grip, sight alignment, breathing, trigger control and follow-through.

Firearm Ownership Reaches New Record

The NSSF estimates there are more than 32 million modern sporting rifles in circulation.

Preview: Hornady 12th Edition Reloading Manual

While the internet offers quick access to information, trusting unvetted recipes for cooking up ammunition is less than ideal, which is why makers of reloading products like Hornady publish thorough books for such tasks.

Review: Bushmaster V-Radicator

The business of dispatching unwanted critters requires a platform capable of a high degree of accuracy. Nuisance animals such as prairie dogs are both small and skittish in nature, meaning that they tend to keep their distance and scurry away upon the arrival of incoming fire.

New for 2026: Smith & Wesson FPC in 5.7x28 mm

The folding carbine line expands to include the 5.7 mm chambering.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.