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

Hk Cc9 GOTW 1
Hk Cc9 GOTW 1

Gun of the Week: Heckler & Koch CC9

The Heckler & Koch CC9 isn't merely just another micro-compact. It's the result of a significant amount of work on the part of the company's US subsidiary to create the first truly American-made HK.

The Armed Citizen® May 22, 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.

Political Report | Braced Pistols’ Status Unresolved

The U.S. Supreme Court has characterized handguns as the “quintessential” Second Amendment arm. Pistol braces increase accuracy and ease of operation for large-format handguns, especially for users suffering from physical disabilities.

The PROOF Research PXT: A New Approach to Barrel Rifling

PROOF Research has introduced PROOF eXponential Twist (PXT)—an advancement in rifling that improves durability, accuracy and shootability—to the commercial market.

Review: Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker

Back when American Rifleman reviewed Springfield's Model 2020 Waypoint, we noted that we ...couldn’t help but wonder if a tactical-version Model 2020 rifle might be a logical future offshoot of the Waypoint hunting rifle." With the Model 2020 Heatseeker, that version is finally here.

Marlin Goes Mad: The Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894

Marlin’s latest Model 1894 lever-action rifle, a collaboration with Mad Pig Customs that is a far cry from traditional, delivers “modern, factory‑installed features previously found only on custom builds.”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.