Original Article
Shell Shock Technologies Renews Sponsorship of Competitive Shooter John Vlieger
Source: The Outdoor Wire
View original articleShell Shock Technologies, LLC (SST) has announced the continuation of its sponsorship of competitive shooter John Vlieger for the 2026 competitive shooting season. Vlieger has been associated with SST since 2017, relying on their innovative NAS 3 cases known for superior durability and performance. As he enters the new competitive season, Vlieger plans to use these advanced cases alongside SST's high-quality ammunition. Vlieger's achievements are noteworthy; he is a USPSA Single Stack National Champion and has represented Team USA in international competitions, including the IPSC Handgun World Shoot in South Africa, where he helped secure a first-place finish for his team.
SST's NAS 3 cases, lighter and stronger than conventional brass, have become a key component of Vlieger's competitive gear, providing him the reliability and accuracy necessary for top-tier performance. These casings are engineered for enhanced strength and corrosion resistance, aspects that elite shooters, like Vlieger, look for in their ammunition.
Vlieger is also a U.S. Army veteran with deployment experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, showcasing how his military training parallels his competitive shooting discipline. His season kicks off at the South Carolina USPSA Section Match in Belton, SC, scheduled for March 20-21, 2026, marking another opportunity for him to showcase his skills with the support of SST.
The partnership between SST and Vlieger exemplifies the intersection of innovation in ammunition technology and competitive shooting performance. As Vlieger prepares for the upcoming season, the implications of his choice to continue with NAS 3 cases highlight a growing trend among competitive shooters—prioritizing lightweight yet durable materials that enhance efficiency and effectiveness during competitions.
Innovations such as the NAS 3 cases reflect a broader trend in ammunition manufacturing towards lighter and more resilient materials that offer practical advantages, particularly in high-stakes competitive environments where every fraction of a second counts. Moreover, the choice of materials has far-reaching implications for both the competition dynamics and the technical demands placed on shooters. The evolution of such technology fuels ongoing discussions in the firearms community about best practices and the future of competitive shooting gear.
As Vlieger enters the 2026 season, the firearms community will be watching closely to see how these innovations bear out in competitive contexts. Moreover, Vlieger's dual identity as a veteran and competitor reinforces the notion that the skills honed in military service translate well to civilian competitive environments, further emphasizing how the values of discipline, adaptability, and commitment resonate within the shooting sports sphere.
The ongoing sponsorship of John Vlieger by Shell Shock Technologies demonstrates a critical link between product innovation and real-world competitive performance in shooting sports. As brands like SST push the envelope with materials that enhance shooter confidence and efficacy, we may see shifts in gear preferences at all levels of competition. This partnership underlines the necessity for both manufacturers and competitors to adapt to evolving technology trends to maintain a competitive edge. However, as with all emerging technologies, the long-term impacts on performance and reliability remain to be fully understood, but early indicators suggest that the relationship between shooter and equipment performance is becoming increasingly sophisticated.