November 12, 2013
By Shooting Times Online Editors
Here's a baker's dozen of great gift ideas chosen by the editors of Shooting Times . We've included optics, guns and accessories ranging in price from $29.99 to $1,539. These picks represent our favorite new guns and gear for 2013. We think this holiday gift guide will please even the most discriminating shooter.
Burris AR-F3 The
AR-F3 is the latest offering in the
Burris FastFire sight line couples the FastFire III sight with the AR-F3 Picatinny mount. It comes with a 3 MOA dot, metal protection wings on each side of the lenses and built-in Picatinny mount. It's waterproof and can withstand the recoil of large calibers, and there's a lower compartment for spare battery storage.
Price: $386 Bushnell Trophy Red Dot Series The new
Bushnell TRS electronic sights have unlimited eye relief, multi-coated lenses, and 3, 5 or 6 MOA dots. One unit has eight reticle options. All five offerings are waterproof, fog proof and shock proof. Most models have 11 brightness settings, and two models are offered in Realtree AP camo finish.
Price: $139.95 to $208.95 Hornady Hot Tub The new
Hornady Hot Tub sonic cleaner has a 9-liter capacity, and is long enough to clean a 16-inch AR-15 upper. The unit employs four transducers, and a heating element enhances the cleaning action.
Combined with Hornady's
One Shot Sonic Clean solution, the micro-jet action of the Hot Tub removes carbon residue and other debris from cartridge cases, gun parts and other metal equipment. A 1.7-quart inner tank can be used in the main tank for cleaning smaller batches or for using separate solutions at the same time. Features include integrated drain pans in the lids, small parts basket and five temperature settings from 100 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The main tank measures 25.5-by-7-by-4 inches; the inner tank measures 6.7-by-4.7-by-3.2 inches.
Price: $658 Iver Johnson Eagle LR Zombie 1911A1 Iver Johnson's full-size .45 ACP
Eagle LR Zombie 1911A1 comes with a 5-inch barrel, adjustable sights, eight-round magazine and Picatinny frame rail. The gun is finished in matte black and zombie green. Other features include a beavertail grip safety, an extended slide stop, a flared and lowered ejection port, a beveled mag well, a skeletonized hammer, and a speed-style trigger.
Price: [imo-slideshow gallery= 68],079 Leupold RX Rangefinders Four new
Leupold RX laser rangefinders are compact (4 inches long), lightweight (7 ounces), fast and accurate (within 0.5 yard at 125 yards). They all feature Leupold's Digitally eNhanced Accuracy technology, and some models come with Trophy Scale — which helps hunters judge the width and height of the target — and True Ballistic Range, which calculates shot angle. All models have fast-focus eyepieces, multi-coated lenses and LCD displays.
Price: $274.99 to $399.99 MTM Case-Gard Survivor Ammo Can The new three-piece, bucket-style
MTM Case-Gard Survivor Ammo Can stores ammunition, handguns and survival gear safely and securely underground. Completely waterproof/weatherproof, the can uses a double O-ring seal and a unique protective cap, which drains water away from the O-rings and acts as a vacuum seal. The can holds up to 600 rounds of .45 ACP — or 500-plus rounds per handgun — and comes with a Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor plastic bag liner and a desiccant pack. Inside dimensions are 12.4 inches high with a diameter of 7 inches.
Price: $29.99 Otis Upland Wingshooter's Cleaning System The
Otis Upland Wingshooter's Cleaning System uses the company's breech-to-muzzle cleaning scheme, and it cleans 12-, 20- and 28-gauge guns. The kit includes 8- and 36-inch Memory-Flex cables, three gauge-specific bronze brushes, rubberized patch savers — for complete 360-degree cleaning of the barrel — T-handle, and obstruction removal tools for jammed shells and other blockages. It comes in a tan case with a quilted blaze orange front, and it fits on a belt or in a game vest.
Price: $49.99 Redfield CounterStrike The new Redfield
Redfield CounterStrike tactical red-dot sight offers a 1X, 4 MOA red or green illuminated dot reticle and a built-in visible red laser. The dot reticle has 11 intensity settings, and the laser has a dedicated on/off switch. The unit features a Picatinny rail mount and tethered dial covers.
Price: $224.99 Sneaky Pete Concealed Carry Holster Sneaky Pete holsters are made of high-quality soft leather or ballistic nylon (pictured), and they resemble a cell phone case when worn on the belt. Each holster is designed for a specific handgun model, and each holster uses two magnets to stay closed. The opening is made in such a way that a finger cannot accidentally be placed on the trigger during draw. A Kydex insert ensures a smooth, silent draw, and a sewn belt clip can accommodate a belt up to 1.75 inches wide. Holsters can be ordered either with the belt clip or a belt loop.
Price: $54.95 (black or brown leather); $64.95 (black or brown alligator pattern); $39.95 (black ballistic nylon)
TacStar Adaptive Tactical 10/22 Stock The new synthetic
TacStar Adaptive Tactical Stock for the classic
Ruger 10/22 is the result of a partnership between Lyman Products and Adaptive Tactical, and it comes in black or Legends, Muddy Girl, or Kryptek camo finishes. It features a removable barrel insert that accommodates standard tapered barrels as well as bull barrels (0.92 inches). The stock also has a reversible Stowaway rail in the fore-end — for a bipod or other accessories — and an M4-type collapsible buttstock with built-in storage compartments for two extra 10/22 magazines. Plus, the stock's grip will accept an optional
TacTRED monopod .
Price: $129.95 (black);
$164.95 (camo);
$39.95 (monopod)
Taurus CT9 Carbine The new blowback-operated
Taurus CT9 is a close-quarter carbine platform chambered in 9mm. The upper receiver is constructed of aluminum with an integral, full-length Picatinny rail. The rear sight is fully adjustable, and the square-post front sight has a protective hood. The polymer handguard accommodates three additional Picatinny rails in 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions. The charging handle can be switched for right- or left-handed shooters. Barrel length is 16 inches; overall length is 36 inches. Magazine capacity is 10 rounds. Weight is 6.6 pounds.
Price: $898 Zeiss Terra 3X Scopes The new
Zeiss Terra 3X family of riflescopes feature lightweight, 1-inch main tubes, MC antireflective lens coatings and 1/4 MOA adjustments. They are offered in 2-7X 32mm, 3-9X 42mm, and 4-12X 42mm models with standard Z-Plex, RZ 600 or RZ 800 reticles. They weigh 13.4, 14.8 and 14.8 ounces respectively.
Price: $388 to $555 Smith & Wesson Performance Center SW1911 Elegant design and .45 ACP performance meet in a
commander-sized package on the
Smith & Wesson Performance Center SW1911 .
Equipped with a round-butt frame, a .3.5- to 4-pound trigger and performance center action job, this 1911 is great concealed carry and competition alike. Its 30-lines per inch checkering, ambidextrous safety and slide porting make for a functional sidearm with all the custom-shop finishes folks have come to expect in a quality 1911. Throw in Smith & Wesson's lifetime service policy and American-made quality, and this gun has the makings of the perfect gift this holiday season.
Price: $ 1,539