Best Gifts for Gun Lovers: Rifles, Shotguns, Optics, and More
Don’t let this year’s gift be another flash in the pan. Use our gun lover gift guide to get the right present for the right person.
| Best Red Dot Optic |
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Vortex Strikefire II Red Dot | SEE IT |
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Summary
Can be mounted with standard 30mm rings on various guns. |
| Best Shotgun |
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Benelli Nova Shotgun | SEE IT |
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Summary
The Benelli Nova shotgun was built to be lighter without sacrificing durability. |
| Best Range Bag |
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Vertx COF Light Range Bag | SEE IT |
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Summary
This range bag is discreet on the outside, but built like a tank inside. |
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Some gun lovers like to joke around the holidays that when you’re shopping for a gift for them, they’re a size 9mm. Of course, you really can’t go wrong giving a gun lover ammo for the holidays, you can certainly do better than that. Buying gifts for gun lovers can be hard and it can be tempting to just grab a gift card and call it a day. Sure, something is better than nothing, but a thoughtful gift is always way better than a gift card. This holiday gift guide will help you find the best gifts for gun lovers of all kinds – men, women, kids, shotgunners, hunters, etc.
Best Rimfire Rifle: Ruger 10/22 Rifle
With millions sold over 50+ years, you can’t go wrong. cabelas
There’s a reason why the Ruger 10/22 has been one of the best-selling rifles for more than 50 years, and that’s because it’s a solid gun that just runs. Whether you’re introducing a new shooter to the sport, looking to go small game hunting, competing in smallbore matches, or looking to have a rifle while hiking, the Ruger 10/22 is the way to go. There are hundreds of aftermarket upgrades and options for fine-tuning the gun to a shooter’s liking, and that’s in addition to the eight different base models offered directly from Ruger.
Best IWB Holster: CrossBreed SuperTuck IWB Holster
Don’t let the size fool you – this holster disappears. Crossbreed
The only thing most gun lovers have more of than guns are holsters. One look at the CrossBreed SuperTuck IWB Holster and you might think that it would be too big and bulky. Try one on, however, and you’ll sing a different tune. With a custom molded Kydex shell mounted to a large leather backing, CrossBreed provides a super secure holster that spreads out the weight of your gun so that no one point of your midline gets fatigued. Plus, the clips allow you to adjust the cant and ride height to your liking. This makes it incredibly comfortable to wear – so much so that I’ve fallen asleep on the couch while wearing mine.
Best Shooting Ear Protection: Decibullz Custom Molded Ear Plugs
Custom quality without the price. Decibullz
Anytime someone says “custom,” you probably equate that with “costly.” Decibullz would beg to differ. They offer do-it-yourself custom molded ear plugs at an amazingly affordable price. There’s no goo being injected in your ear and they can be remolded over and over to ensure you get the exact right fit. Plus, they’re so affordable that you won’t break the bank by having multiple pairs. Ear plugs really are a very thoughtful gift. Nothing says you truly care about the gun lover in your life like wanting to preserve their hearing throughout a lifetime of shooting.
Best Gun Case: Plano All Weather Pistol Case
Keeping your guns safe and secure doesn’t have to cost a fortune. cabelas
The name “Plano” meant tackle boxes to me for years, and that certain company named after a bird meant gun cases. That thinking is all wrong. The All Weather Pistol Cases from Plano offer exceptional protection at a bargain price. They’re airline-approved, lockable, and can be customized to your needs with the pluckable foam inserts. Whether you’re headed to the range or hopping on a plane, safe gun storage is a must, and you won’t be disappointed with Plano’s performance.
Best Red Dot Optic: Vortex Strikefire II Red Dot
At home on a shotgun or an AR-15. cabelas
Some kinds of red dot optics are designed only to be used on certain kinds of guns. This is fine for most, but sometimes you want to be able to equip a range of guns with the same optic to increase familiarity. With the Strikefire II from Vortex, you’ll get an optic that can do just that. It’s got a larger objective than some of their other options and has a 4 MOA dot for easy sight acquisition, and can be mounted with standard 30mm rings. A standard mount offers a lower-third co-witness that many AR fans enjoy, but you can of course change that up and have a red dot that is perfect on your home-defense shotgun, too.
Best Shotgun: Benelli Nova Shotgun
Pump shotguns are an old standard, but Benelli took it up a notch. cabelas
A pump-action shotgun can be found in practically every gun safe in America, leading many to believe that the concept has peaked and cannot be improved upon any further. Benelli balked at this and came up with their Nova line. By incorporating steel skeletal framework overmolded with rugged polymer, the Nova shotgun delivers lighter weight without sacrificing durability. Benelli further stretched the gun’s toughness by using stocks and receivers formed as a single unit. The Benelli Nova shotgun proves that you can get a high-quality shotgun from a big name at a small price.
Best Range Bag: Vertx COF Light Range Bag
This range bag doesn’t scream “tactical,” but it’s got built-in safety features. Vertx
The cavernous, black rectangle range bag is a thing of the past. When you pull that bag out of storage, everyone knows what’s in it: guns and ammo. Not everyone wants to broadcast that, though, as they walk from their house to the car or from the car to the range. Instead, they might prefer something a bit more subtle, and that’s what you’ll get with the COF Light Range Bag from Vertx. It’s discreet on the outside, but built like a tank inside. There’s plenty of storage for guns and mags, an included ammo caddy, and even a built-in security cable just in case someone figures out what’s inside and tries to do a quick grab-and-go.
Best Pistol: Springfield Armory Ronin 10mm Pistol
Classic styling with modern performance. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY RONIN GUNS
You’d be hard to beat the fine lines and design of a 1911, but Browning’s well-loved sidearm has come a long way in the last 110 years. Namely, you can now get it in what many people call the “best millimeter” – 10mm. With a two-tone color scheme, fiber optic front sight, and 8+1 magazine capacity, this is a stylish, full-size gun that packs a punch. It would be perfectly normal to carry this gun daily for self-defense or take it with you hog hunting for a bit of extra challenge. Either way, there will be no disappointment upon unwrapping the Ronin.
Best Holiday Sweater: Magpul Ugly Christmas Sweater
If you’re going to get stuck wearing a sweater, it might as well have guns on it. brownells
The tradition of the ugly Christmas sweater has evolved over the years. No longer is it relegated to the itchy, gaudy garment your Aunt Gladys made you. Today, ugly Christmas sweaters are all the rage. Now, we’d argue that this sweater from Magpul – which is festooned with snowflakes, rifles, and company logos with antlers – is anything but ugly, but that’s their official name for it, so we’ll leave it at that. Regardless of what you want to call it, this is one ugly sweater you won’t mind wearing time and time again.
Best Air Gun: Benjamin Marauder Semi-Auto Air Rifle
The Marauder takes air guns to the next level with its semi-automatic mechanism. Airgun Depot
Air guns have come a long way from the BB gun toy you had as a kid. Nowadays, they are sophisticated tools capable of far more than you might imagine. Semi-automatic firearms are beyond commonplace today, but not when it comes to air guns. Since there’s no ignition inside an air gun, making one that works properly is easier said than done. Undeterred, the Benjamin Marauder recycles some of the air used to propel a shot back into the action so that it cycles properly and sets the shooter up for the next shot. The air tank can supply about 50 shots at around 900 feet per second, letting you burn through pellets at an impressive clip.
Gifts for Gun Lovers of All Types
Hopefully this list has helped you pick the best gifts for gun lovers in your life. If not, feel free to show this to them – I’m sure they’ll be happy to point out one or more items that they wouldn’t mind having. Plus, all the items on this list take away any of the gendered guesswork of trying to get the right gift for a man or gift for a woman. Gun-loving men and women alike can never have too many guns, holsters, ear protection, or range bags for hauling gear!
Field & Stream wants to help you find the most useful and expert shopping recommendations for the best gift ideas. Searching for more unique gifts? Check out more gift guides here: Best Fishing Gifts, Birthday Gifts for Hunters, and more.
