100 Years Of The American Rifleman

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posted on June 5, 2023
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100 Years Of The American Rifleman

In July 2023, American Rifleman celebrates 100 years of continuous publication under its current name. In that time, we’ve borne witness to the American Century, comprised of historic conflicts, economic upheaval, political turmoil and technological development not seen before in the entirety of the human experience.

Our May 1942 issue cover shows a citizen-soldier armed with an M1 Garand guarding American shores in the uncertain dawn of the greatest war the world had ever seen. From every corner of the nation, NRA members answered the call to arms, many of them confident in the skills and discipline they brought to the battlefield from years of hunting with and handling firearms.

For the NRA member, American Rifleman’s monthly magazines have provided a ready source of knowledge through its technical evaluations, experiential stories and institutional wisdom. Across the past century, our format has changed dramatically, but our mission remains the same: comprehensive assessments of the firearm industry’s latest designs.

As we embark on our second century of existence, our promise remains the same as it was in June of 1923: “… the rifleman’s magazine will be bigger and better and will be equipped to serve the shooters and conserve their interests better than ever in its entire history.”

On this page, we'll be recognizing the 100th anniversary of American Rifleman with regular updates highlighting important moments in our history. Here are a few resources to learn more about your American Rifleman and what it's covered through the decades:

A Century Of Service: American Rifleman Turns 100

The Glock 17 Pistol: American Rifleman's Original Review

A Timeline Of The American Rifleman

Training A Lifesaver In Vietnam

Send A Gun To Defend A British Home

Riflemen On The Frontlines

Latest

Crates Of Cartridge Curiosities
Crates Of Cartridge Curiosities

Rifleman Q&A: Crates Of Cartridge Curiosities

"I have in my possession two interesting wooden boxes containing two sealed ammunition cans each. I initially assumed the cartridges to be corrosive-primed and marked them as such with a paint pen, but lately I am not so sure."

Preview: Spyderco Police Model

The all-stainless-steel Spyderco Police Model folding knife is an instantly recognizable design that, according to the company, “was developed in the early 1980s to meet the demanding needs of law-enforcement professionals.”

The TriStar Arms APOC: Familiar & Affordable

Glock-inspired handgun designs have become one of the most popular corners of the firearm market, and TriStar Arms is the latest to throw its hat into the ring with the affordable APOC.

Preview: Linos Sheathworks Custom Kydex Knife Sheaths

Shown here with a TOPS Apache Falcon knife, Linos Sheathworks’ custom Kydex sheaths are available to fit a wide variety of popular fixed-blade and folding knife models from other major brands—all without the need to ship the host knife to the company.

Gun Of The Week: Ruger LCP MAX Manual Safety

Ruger introduced its LCP MAX in 2021, but in recent years, the company has expanded the line with new models, including this two-tone version equipped with a manual thumb safety.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 28, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

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