Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Easy Options via Amazon
- Graham Baates
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
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Do you know someone into firearms and not sure what to get them for the holidays? Over the last decade+ I've had the fortune of trying a lot of products, and while I generally find most to be a matter of personal preference, below are some good ones that I think anyone would be happy to have.
$14 Lucas Oil: I admit my automotive days gave me extra trust to try Lucas' gun oil, but I was also interested in the needle applicator. Call me a two desert war veteran, but it's been my experience that oils and lubricants attract and trap dirt, so the wetter a gun is, the more likely it is to get gunk build up. For that reason I prefer to apply lubricant sparingly, and the needle applicator allows me to make sure it only goes where it's needed. Performance is where it really matters and I've found this oil to be perfect for my handgunning needs.
Lucas Extreme Gun Oil Needle Applicator
$15+ Cleaning Wipes: These are how I've been doing most of my gun cleaning for the last few years. Just as easy as a sanitizing wipe you might use on the kitchen counter, but specially formulated for firearms needs. With one wipe OTIS 085 CLP wipes remove carbon, apply lubricant, and apply rust prevention. It's just too easy. The Lead Cleaning hand wipes are invaluable for protecting the health of the shooter and anyone around them, especailly if they enjoy .22lr plinking sessions. These wipes help remove lead from the skin to reduce the risk of ever-dangerous lead poisoning.
Otis 085 CLP Wipes
Otis Lead Cleaning Wipes
$26+ Travel Case: I've been using Condition 1 cases for a few years now. From simple range trips to flying cross-country they've been great. Tough, lightweight, and perfectly-sized. The precut foam models make organizing easy, protect the firearms, and add a sense of professionalism to range trips. Condition 1 cases are made in the USA and TSA compliant.
The 5-pistol case I use
The rifle case I use
$40+ Tools: REAL Avid has done an excellent job at creating tools for the shooter. Yes, you can use regular hand tools for most needs, but end up cannibalizing an existing set to do so, and at least for me, that means that set will never be complete again. REAL Avid eliminates the parts a firearms enthusiast doesn't need, and has even created a few we needed and previously had to improvise. Below are what I've gotten the most use out of.
The Pistol Tool: a range bag essential for me.
Smart-Torq & Driver Master Set: The sticker shock goes away as this gets used all the time.
$50+ Holster: Holsters are strongly a matter of personal preference. Which gun, where it's carried, body shape, clothing style, and comfort threshold are all factors that can make a holster "good" or "bad". Before anyone can know what they like they have to first find something that fits their gun. That's where the N8Tactical MultiFlex holster comes in handy. As you see in that link, I was able to get all kinds of uncommon guns to fit properly including common guns that had aftermarket modifications that would make them otherwise not fit a regular holster. The MultiFlex can be adjusted easily to fit a variety of guns, and can be used inside or outside the waistband.
$80+ Hearing Protection: I've been using WarBird for the past couple of years despite my general preference for in-ear protection. What appeals to me about WarBird Pro is the siutuational awareness, comfort, and audio quality. Yes, I've tried several brands of electronic hearing protection and no, I've not been pleased with the "AM talk radio" sound most of them produce. WarBird is different. The RC model that I've been using is extra convenient thanks to USB recharging. I leave them plugged into my car so they're always ready to go when I hit the range each week. I've given them non-ideal storage plus an average of about 8 hours of wear per week and my first set last just over a year before the ear pads started to wear out. I'm completely happy with that and bought a second set.
$130+ Red (or Green) Dot: While I personally won't carry an optic-equipped pistol, they are great for building confidence and enhancing the shooting experience. Those learning to shoot have a simpler time aiming, and those with bad habits can simply zero out that habit and create an aiming point that lands them dead center. OSight has earned my trust as a reliable affordable optic loaded with features. My personal recommendation would be the SE model. If you're not sure what fits the gun you're buying for, the X and C models are typically going to fit larger (wider) pistols or for use on close-range rifles and use the RMR footprint. The rest of the models are sized for thinner pistols that use the RMSc footprint.
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