My lady always tells me it’s hard to buy gifts for me because I never use them. Over the years, she has asked me, “What can I get you that you will use?” And every year, I give her the same list. Does she use it? No. 

Well, I’m going to give you the same lists in hopes that you end up buying something that will actually be of great use to the everyday gun enthusiast, and things we love to get as gifts. 

I’m not saying you have to go stuff a brand-new rifle in their stocking (leave that for under the tree), but you’d be surprised how simple these gifts are and how cheap they can be, especially if you get them on sale. 

Anyway, let’s dive in so you can get those gifts before they run out. 

Ammo 

Every shooter in the world will tell you that you can never have enough ammo. No matter what, there is always a reason to have more. Whether it be training or practice ammo, I guarantee you can’t go wrong here.

PMC X-Tac

You can never have too much. This stuff is worth its weight in gold.

There are a ton of different ammo types out there, so it is essential to see what your enthusiast likes the most so you can make sure you get the right stuff. While the thought is always the most essential part of a gift, giving them something they actually like shows you paid attention and did the research. Do the due diligence, and you’ll feel confident in the ammo you get. 

PPE

Staying protected when you’re shooting is of utmost importance. Ear protection, eye protection, even knee pads, and proper footwear, depending on where the shooter goes to shoot and how they shoot. 

Proper protective equipment keeps the shooter in the game for the long haul. It starts with good ear protection because gunshots are extremely loud and could easily deafen a person or cause severe hearing damage.

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AXIL TRACKR Passive Earmuffs
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The best ear protection uses electronic decibel reduction to bring the noise down to a reasonable level while allowing the shooter to hear voices and instructions.

PPE

Eye and ear protection is not something you want to skimp on.

Eye protection is also essential, since propellants and hot brass can fly around and get into the eyes. Fog-resistant is best, and scratch-resistant is handy if they are reusable. The prices for eye protection can range from a dollar to a few hundred dollars. 

I wouldn’t spend too much on these. I lose mine all the time, and they get scratched up easily either way. 

Magazines

Much like ammo, you can never have too many magazines, and with capacity laws changing all the time, it’s best to get as much as you can before it affects you.

Amend2 ammo

Next to ammo, you can always have more magazines.

Also, like ammo, if you’re buying magazines as a gift, make sure you buy the right ones so they don’t have to be exchanged later. Magazines come in all sizes and price points, so you can get range magazines that are recommended for having fun, or you can get ones that allow for more serious usage like those from the factory.

You can never go wrong with either.

Targets

Targets are the cheapest item on this list, but they are great to have in bulk. They go fast, and they get thrown away when they’re done. But they do provide a good amount of shooting before they’re ready for the garbage. 

Targets

These smaller targets are great for loading up on.

Like everything else, targets come in all shapes and sizes. You can get the paper ones or the zombie splatter targets, but the best are the ISPC Action Targets that have a human silhouette. That’s if your shooter isn’t a hunter and prefers more of an animal-shaped target. 

Magazine Loaders

To load all of that ammo into all of those magazines, get the shooter in your life a magazine loader to save their thumbs when reloading.

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maglula AR-15 LULA Gen 2 Magazine Loader/Unloader
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There are loaders for all different types of magazines, from pistol to rifle magazines.

Magazine Loaders

Even those small rotary magazines have loaders available!

Magazine loaders not only save your thumbs from unwanted pain, but allow you to shoot more and reload less, which is always a good thing!

Socks

Out of every gift in the world, socks have to be my favorite. Ammo comes and goes, but a good pair of socks is the gift that keeps on giving. They can last years, and while the best ones are expensive, they can be considered an investment. 

My favorite pair and the one I recommend is Darn Tough. You can get them on Amazon or directly from the website. They are made from Merino Wool (as most are) and keep your feet warm in winter and cool in summer. 

Darn Tough Socks

A personal favorite of mine is the Tactical line of socks from Darn Tough. Source

I use them for plumbing work every day and the pair I have now has been in rotation for two years and has no signs of wear and tear. 

Even if they did wear out, Darn Tough offers a lifetime warranty and will replace the socks for free. Since shooters are often on their feet in various places and terrain, a good pair is a must, especially if you’re in the woods for days at a time. 

Conclusion

Buying gifts for gun enthusiasts can be very easy if you don’t overthink it. If you’re trying to guess, you’re already trying too hard. To make your life and the shooter’s life easier, I would suggest anything on this list. They’ll thank you, and you can thank me.

Be good and take care. 

Brian Zerbian
Brian is a USMC Veteran and avid gun enthusiast from New Jersey who loves to spend his time shooting, writing, listening to classic rock, and learning new things.
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