It’s that time of the year again, the gift-giving holidays – though, with birthdays, graduations, promotions/new jobs, it’s never a bad time to consider gifts.

Starting with something shooters can use – but won’t break the bank – for under $40, you can get a decent dump pouch, like this one from The Wilderness Tactical, my friends in Phoenix. The Bucket is the newest size in the line. 

Image from The Wilderness Tactical.

Attaching this to the belt, in the simple and secure Wilderness fashion, it remains rolled-up in storage until needed – to stow empty or partly depleted magazines, ammo, additional loaded magazines, whatever you need to have available. Deploy it and the wide mouth makes it dirt-simple to put things in or take things out.

This thing can accept around 5-6 AR magazines loosely, many pistol magazines, fifty rounds of shotgun shells – and they note that it’s a great brass bag for post-class range cleanup.

For a few more dollars, check out Simply Rugged Holsters. Gift ideas there include some very nice, real leather wallets, a Deluxe Gun Rug – or a gift certificate if you’re unsure what the shooter on your list is interested in.

In general, gift cards are fine for various things, but consider they can be used to get subscriptions. In this era of disjointed communications – with nearly no gun magazines – you can find the best of firearms information online. Places like Gun Tales Magazine – where Sheriff Jim Wilson, Shane Jahn, and others provide some of the best story-telling in the shooting space.

For industry insider info and some history in detailed articles, look to American Fighting Revolver –Darryl "DB" Bolke and BrYan "Y" Eastridge specialize in the round gun but can vary from the topic where relevant. For $5/month, no long-term contract, and a “cancel anytime” provision, the shooter on your list can’t lose. 

For eye protection, I’ve gone to Hunters HD Gold – as well as for driving glasses. Not typical industry “box of safety glasses,” this product has lenses of Trivex, made for a military standard of protection. There is more light passing through the lens, more contrast in diminished lighting and a “warm” light exposure.

Above, Hunters HD Gold – first rate glasses for the range and behind the wheel. Below, Axil XCOR PRO ear buds – new, improved in-the-ear hearing protection products.

I’m seeing more people go to “ear buds” for hearing protection. Outdoors – on the trap range, when hunting or on an outdoor range that’s not heavily populated with people shooting centerfire rifles, in-the-ear protection can suffice. With heavier stuff or more people shooting – and when on an indoor range – over-the ear protection provides more coverage from concussive blast. 

For those outdoor shooting trips, I’ve used in-the-ear style protection, most recently the AXIL XCOR PRO. I’ve had experience with a few earbud designs with various levels of success. The “ear tips” are the interface between the devices and the human ear; improper selection can lead to unsatisfactory results, as I’ve discovered before. 

The hearing protection is said to be rated at 29 dB SNR. The enhancement I can testify to, as tested on the range and at home. The new earbuds feature touch controls, a large pad on each device, plus a rectangular button to toggle hearing boost volume. When used in the Bluetooth mode, I can hear the range commands on the “Bullseye” shooting app, ensuring my practice is relevant.

Care to spend a little more – and involve a federal licensee? Everyone needs a 22 revolver for fun. The lowest price option is often the most fun. I’ve used a Heritage 22 single action before, nice gun and accurate enough for plinking and learning grip-sights-trigger. 

More recently, I’ve used the Ruger entry into the field, the Wrangler. The first was a birds-head (rounded grip frame) and the later was the Super Wrangler in 22LR/22 Magnum. 

The Super, with its adjustable sights, could make best use of the varying points of impact with regular 22 ammunition; with the Magnum cylinder installed, it was obligatory. 

 You won’t break the bank with this choice, though you’ll have to find a licensee to get it ordered – they’ll have a distributor to get it if it’s not in stock. Smart licensees will give you a card to give to the recipient, so the lucky new owner can bring it in for paperwork and the transfer. 

If you’re not familiar with the legal implications of giving a gun as a present, the National Shooting Sports Foundation has some tips here.

— Rich Grassi