A Timeline Of The American Rifleman

by
posted on June 7, 2023
** 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. **
American Rifleman Timeline

A Timeline Of The American Rifleman: 1923-2023
In 2023, American Rifleman celebrates 100 years of continuous publication. The flagship Official Journal of the National Rifle Association of America, The American Rifleman, as it was originally known in 1923, represented the fourth and final name change for a magazine that had been published since 1885. The original name of the magazine was The Rifle, which changed to Shooting and Fishing in 1888. In 1906, NRA Secretary James Drain re-named the publication to Arms and the Man, and in 1916, he sold it to the NRA, and the publication became the official NRA journal.

In the 1920s, along with the permanent change to The American Rifleman, the magazine began to take shape into a format that many readers would still recognize today. The Dope Bag began publication, and a number of notable authors began contributing to the periodical, among them Maj. Gen. Julian Hatcher, Townsend Whelen, Charles Askins, Jr. and others. Today, the magazine staff still replies to reader correspondence, still publishes the Dope Bag, still answers NRA member questions and still remains "The World's Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority."

American Rifleman Timeline

click here for enlargement

Latest

Franchi Momentum MULE rifle
Franchi Momentum MULE rifle

New for 2026: Franchi Momentum Mule Rifle

Franchi’s do-it-all MULE rifle is designed as a general-purpose carbine.

New for 2026: Smith & Wesson Spec Series M&P9 and R Handguns

Smith & Wesson expands its Spec series with the Spec Series IV M&P9 M2.0 Metal Compact pistol and the Spec Series R revolver.

New for 2026: Henry Provider and Protector Rifles

For 2026, Henry adds two new product families, one designed for hunting, the other for protection.

Gun Of The Week: Daniel Defense DDPCC 9 mm Carbine

Daniel Defense's pistol-caliber carbine, the DDPCC, offers AR-15-style operation in a more budget-friendly caliber.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 23, 2026

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

New for 2026: Stoeger STR-45 Combat Pistol

For 2026, Stoeger adds the .45 ACP chambering to its Combat line of STR handguns.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.