Shotgun Sports

What Shotgun Sports does

Shotgun Sports Magazine is a privately held niche publishing company founded in 1978 and headquartered in Auburn, California. It operates as "America's Leading Shotgun Magazine," producing a monthly publication covering trapshooting, sporting clays, skeet, gun tests, mental training, reloading, ballistics, upland and waterfowl hunting, and product news. The current issue is Volume 48, Number 7 (July 2026), evidencing 48 continuous years of publication. The company serves shooting sports enthusiasts, hunters, and gear purchasers through print and digital subscription products, single-issue sales, books, DVDs, and an e-commerce store selling proprietary shooting accessories, gun fitting tools, and laser-based training systems.

The company's technology platform is modest: digital subscriptions are delivered through a mobile-friendly Flip Viewer with non-expiring access after a one-year purchase, and the e-commerce storefront integrates shopping cart, multiple payment options, and USPS/FedEx shipping. The product portfolio spans the core magazine (print and digital), instructional books (e.g., Mental Training by Michael J. Keyes, Trapshooting Game of Opposites), training DVDs (Don Currie's Target Tactics), and a curated gear catalog including cleaning systems, gun fitting gauges, leather goods, gloves, and laser practice systems ranging from $5.95 to $498.00.

Revenue is generated through five streams: print magazine subscriptions (recurring, US/Canada/international tiers priced $30-$94.95/year), digital subscriptions ($22.95/year with non-expiring access), individual back issues ($7.95 each), books and educational materials ($22.95-$99.90), and shooting gear/accessories. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the company website and phone ordering, with no third-party retail presence disclosed. The business model is fundamentally a subscription-driven content publisher augmented by niche e-commerce, with no disclosed venture or institutional ownership.

Name

Shotgun Sports

Legal name

Shotgun Sports, Inc.

Website

https://shotgunsportsmagazine.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shotgun Sports Magazine, founded in 1978 and based in Auburn, California, publishes America's leading dedicated shotgun sports magazine covering trapshooting, sporting clays, hunting, and gun reviews. It generates revenue through print and digital subscriptions, book sales, and shooting gear e-commerce serving enthusiast consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Shooting Sports Publishing

NAICS

Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers (459), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Used Merchandise Retailers (4595)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports & Recreation Magazines (MPAJAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hunting, Shooting Sports & Archery Retail (CRAMABAK), Shooting Sports Equipment Retail (Targets, Clay, Range Gear, Hearing/Eye Protection) (CRAMAKAG)

Keywords

• Shotgun magazine
• Trapshooting coverage
• Gun reviews
• Shooting accessories
• Sporting clays

Headquarters

HQ city

Auburn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Print Magazine Subscriptions: Print subscriptions for U.S., Canada, and international delivery with various term lengths from 5-month trial to 3-year subscriptions. Revenue generated from recurring subscription fees.
2. Digital Subscriptions: Annual digital subscriptions providing access to 12 upcoming issues with non-expiring digital access. Also includes single issue digital purchases.
3. Back Issues: Sale of individual print back issues from 2013 to 2026, priced at $7.95 per issue.
4. Books and Educational Materials: Sale of books including Mental Training by Michael J. Keyes ($24.95) and Trapshooting - Game of Opposites ($22.95), plus Don Currie's Target Tactics for Sporting Clays DVD ($69.95) and Book combo ($99.90).
5. Shooting Gear and Accessories: Sale of shooting-related merchandise including gun cleaning tools, leather goods, shell carriers, gloves, gun fitting products, and laser practice systems ranging from $5.95 to $498.00.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Shotgun Sports publishes a monthly magazine (since 1978) covering trapshooting, sporting clays, skeet, gun reviews, mental training, reloading, ballistics, and upland/waterfowl hunting, available in print and digital subscription formats. The company also sells complementary physical products through its online store, including training books and DVDs, laser-based shooting practice systems, gun fitting equipment, cleaning supplies, leather shooting accessories, and shooting apparel. Recurring magazine subscriptions are the primary revenue driver, supplemented by one-time product sales.

Product overview

Shotgun Sports Magazine operates as America's leading shotgun magazine offering both print and digital subscription products, along with an e-commerce store selling shooting sports gear, gun fitting equipment, and training materials. The core product is the monthly Shotgun Sports Magazine covering trapshooting, sporting clays, skeet, gun reviews, mental training, reloading, ballistics, and hunting. Digital offerings include non-expiring Flip Viewer access and downloadable books. The product portfolio includes training equipment (Laser Practice Shooting System, Red Laser Shooter, Trap & Skeet Banner, The Wobbler), gun fitting tools (Shotgun Combo Gauge, Gun Vise, Drop Meter), and comprehensive cleaning/maintenance gear (Big Brute system, Bore Snake, brass brushes, choke gauges). Print and digital subscriptions provide the primary recurring revenue, complemented by individual back issues, training books (Mental Training, Trapshooting Game of Opposites, Don Currie combo), and accessories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shotgun Sports Magazine (Print) Monthly print magazine delivered to U.S., Canada, or international subscribers covering trapshooting, sporting clays, skeet, gun tests, mental training, reloading, ballistics, upland & waterfowl hunting, and product news. Available in 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year subscription terms.
• Digital Subscription Annual digital subscription providing access to 12 upcoming issues via mobile-friendly Flip Viewer with non-expiring digital access. Single issues can also be purchased individually back to January 2016.
• Print + Digital Bundle Subscription Combined print and digital subscription offering both formats at a discounted combined rate (Print Plus Digital valued at $57.90).
• Back Issues Individual past magazine issues sold in print and digital formats spanning 2013 to 2026, priced at $7.95 per issue.
• Mental Training Book by Michael J. Keyes 160-page softcover book by Michael J. Keyes, M.D. covering mental training techniques for consistent winning in shooting sports. Includes downloadable version. Priced at $24.95.
• Trapshooting - Game of Opposites by Dick Bennett 122-page 4th edition book by Dick Bennett covering trapshooting techniques. Includes online flip book access and downloadable version. Priced at $22.95.
• Don Currie Book and DVD Combo Combo product including Target Tactics for Sporting Clays DVD (90 minutes, originally $69.95) and Mastering Sporting Clays hardcover book (221 pages, $29.95), offered together at $99.90.
• Laser Practice Shooting System Complete practice laser shooting system including LaserShooter (fits gun muzzle) and LaserPro (moving target projector). Simulates Trap, Sporting Clays, Skeet, Five-Stand or live bird shooting. Includes Red laser, tripod, and choice of one gauge.
• Red Laser Shooter Laser device fitting gun muzzle for practicing swing, mount, lead, fire, and follow-through. Includes Red laser with choice of one gauge; additional gauges available at $33.00 each.
• Trap & Skeet Banner 9' x 54' banner for creating a realistic shooting range environment at home. Used with LaserPro for moving target practice.
• The Wobbler Oscillating device that moves LaserPro back and forth for arched and realistic moving targets. Compatible with Laser Practice Shooting System.
• Shotgun Combo Gauge Aircraft aluminum measurement device for shotgun stock fitting. Measures Length of Pull, Drop at comb and heel, Pitch and Cast angles. Includes magnetic extension and 1 Drop Meter. Available with one or two drop meters.
• Gun Vise Single-adjustment clamp vise for shotgun repairs and cleaning. Chemical and solvent resistant plastic with high and low forks, skid-resistant feet. Includes free 1-year magazine subscription with purchase.
• Leather Magnetic Barrel Rest Heavy leather barrel rest with industrial magnet for touch-and-go support during shooting. Not suitable for titanium chokes or stainless-steel barrels.
• 2-Piece Shotgun Rod 36-inch stainless steel cleaning rod with oversized brass handle and precision milled construction. Includes removable brass patch holder for all gauges.
• Big Brute Cleaning System Complete cleaning system with tempered aluminum cleaning rod, stabilizer, heavy-duty brass brush, and optional handle set for drill-free cleaning. Available in 12 gauge only.
• Bore Snake One-pull-through cleaning tool with built-in bore brushes. 160 times more surface area than a patch. Washable and reusable. Available in 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410 bore.
• Brass Choke Gauge One-piece precision brass gauge measuring choke for 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410 bore guns. 5 inches long, 3.6 ounces. Always ships free to USA.
• Brass Snap Caps Spring-loaded brass snap caps protecting firing pins during dry-firing. Sold in pairs. 12 gauge only.
• Barrel Taco Leather barrel protector with magnets for easy installation. Made in USA, folds for portability.
• 4-Box Shotshell Carrier Handmade saddle-leather carrier holding four boxes or 100 shells. Features weather protection flap and carrying handle. Walnut finish in plain, basket weave, or hand-carved floral styles.
• All Leather Shooting Bag 13.5 x 6.75 x 9.5 inch leather shooting bag with buckled tongue, snap-on lid, rolled handles and padded shoulder strap. Tan color, made in USA.
• Bob Allen Premium Leather Gloves Thin-cut premium leather gloves with flat seams for smooth grip. Available in Bare Hand style ($49.95) and Insulated style ($54.95) in Medium through XX-Large.
• Brass Cleaning Brushes 50% stronger than regular brass brushes. 12 gauge comes in 2-pack, 20 gauge in 3-pack. Made in USA.
• Brass Replacement Brushes (Crud Commando) Sturdy brass-bristled brush for removing gunk and powder buildup. Available in 12 or 20 gauge.
• Angled Cleaning Brushes Brushes for hard-to-reach corners and tight areas. Three bristle styles: stainless for hard metals, bronze and nylon for sensitive surfaces.
• 5 Piece Polymer Gun Pick Tool Kit 4 double-ended picks providing 8 cleaning options plus double-ended nylon brush. High-strength polymer construction prevents scratching.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Field & Stream: Field & Stream is a heritage US hunting and fishing magazine that covers upland/waterfowl hunting alongside broader outdoor content, overlapping with Shotgun Sports' hunting segments and shared advertising pool.
• Outdoor Life: Outdoor Life is a long-established US outdoor recreation magazine covering hunting, fishing, and shooting with broader scope than Shotgun Sports, competing for hunting-adjacent readers and outdoor advertiser dollars.
• Sportsman's Warehouse: Sportsman's Warehouse is a US specialty retailer of firearms, hunting, and shooting sports gear, comparable as a sales channel for the same shotgun-sports customers that Shotgun Sports reaches via subscriptions and e-commerce.
• Petersen's Hunting: Petersen's Hunting is a hunting-focused magazine covering big game and upland pursuits with shotgun content, comparable to Shotgun Sports in targeting hunters but with broader species coverage.

Regional players

• Clay Shooting Magazine: Clay Shooting is the leading UK sporting clays and shotgun sports magazine, serving the same shotgun-discipline niche as Shotgun Sports but primarily a UK/European audience rather than US subscribers.

Direct peers

• Shooting Times: Shooting Times is a long-running US magazine covering rifles, shotguns, handguns, and hunting, directly competing for the same shooting-sports subscriber and advertiser base that Shotgun Sports targets with its shotgun-only focus.
• Trap & Field: Trap & Field is a trap and skeet-specific magazine covering competitive shotgun sports, making it the closest direct competitor to Shotgun Sports' trapshooting and sporting clays coverage and subscriber pool.
• Guns & Ammo: Guns & Ammo is a major US firearms magazine featuring gun reviews, ammunition, and hunting content, competing for advertisers (e.g., B&P, Fausti) and overlapping on shotgun reviews and reloading editorial.
• American Rifleman (NRA Publications): American Rifleman is the NRA's flagship firearms magazine covering guns, hunting, and reloading, directly overlapping Shotgun Sports' gun-test, reloading, and hunting content while competing for the same enthusiast subscriber.

Emerging players

• Cheaper Than Dirt: Cheaper Than Dirt is an online retailer of firearms, ammunition, and shooting sports accessories, comparable to Shotgun Sports' e-commerce arm in serving shotgun enthusiasts with cleaning tools, gear, and training products.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shotgun-sports-magazine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shotgun Sports