Good Morning to our illustrious Guns America family! Once again, we approach the Holiday season, which means a shopping list for that hard-to-please weapons fanatic in the family. Whether you are looking for others, or need to print this list and spray glue it to the fridge to avoid the pitfalls of amateur tactical gifts, we have your back.
Given the state of gasoline and turkey prices, I made my list in descending order from pocket change to “be serious.” Many of us are hurting, but maybe one of you hit the Powerball. ( If that is the case, we do accept tips, CC: Clay Martin at Guns America Digest HQ.) We have an array here of things you might not have seen over the last year, at least a few of which won’t break the bank.
CMMG Swag: CMMG makes amazing blasters, no question about that. But given the prices and state of backorders, that is a little much for a normal person Christmas. However, it has also come to my attention recently that CMMG is also the King of Swag. For reals, they make arguably the coolest shirts in the industry. Which also happen to be very comfy and durable. My favorite is the CMMG Cheat Code, complete with a nerd esque version of that code printed on the back. If you didn’t grow up with Nintendo in the 80’s, this Wikipedia entry will catch you up to speed. MSRP $24.95
Toor Thumper: Toor is a relatively new knife company, creating custom high-end blades out of San Diego. They make some really awesome designs, rapidly becoming the weapon of choice across the SOF community. Veteran-owned, the story of Toor Knives and business philosophy is worth looking at by itself. This could really be a twofer, as we have a Serpent fixed blade in for review right now too. But in keeping with the cheaper end of my list, we are going to focus instead on the Thumper.
The Thumper is a key chain that just also happens to fit and feel like a one-ring brass knuckle, should the need arise to smack something really hard. Like your printer. Or, you know. Other stuff. Not only does it protect your hand, but focusing the impact power on a small surface area instead of spread across an entire fist amplifies it. Light enough you won’t notice, but heavy enough to pack some punch, this is a great addition to your EDC. Currently only one size, it will fit most men. If you have anything short of medically diagnosed gorilla mitts, this will be just fine. With a few weeks of testing on my Thumper, I give this one a solid recommendation. MSRP $35
Parasec Sights: For your Glock pattern pistols, a new Sheriff is in town. Designed by a former Special Forces teammate of mine, these sights are a game-changer. We have a full review forthcoming but suffice to say, I like mine enough that I have put them on most of my Glocks. Having used now both the 18A and 18B models, I like both but prefer the 18B. Strong recommend on pink front and green rear, but by design you can mix and match any colors you like. MSRP $34.99-$49.99
Ex Umbris Designs Belt system: A newer player in the tactical belt scene, these really are a work of art. Ex Umbris is not only leading the charge on lightweight load carriage, but they are doing it with so much style. Available in all the colors of the (tactical) rainbow, you can find things here you won’t find anywhere else. Multicam Black is the new Wolf Grey, and available here for the discerning ninja. MSRP $140
Red Balloon Industries Anything: Our favorite new find for custom Kydex, Red Balloon Industries has already received a full write up earlier this year. What better gift than a holster for a gun that was thought impossible to find. RBI does custom and weird very well, to include oddities like the Chiappa Rhino revolver. Better get on this one quick to have it by Christmas! MSRP- varies.
Craddock Precision 7.62×39 barrel: Craddock Precision has been a perennial favorite. If I am doing something weird, odds are very good Craddock Precision is building it for me. This year, they crafted an 11 inch 7.62x 39 barrel for us in AR pistol format, and it is stunning. Never has a better time existed to have one in steel case training caliber, given the state of the ammunition market. You have to call and ask on this one, but they do build them. For the builder in your life, this is a very good investment. MSRP- $195 and up
Springfield Armory Emissary: Springfield Armory has done some work on new handguns this year, with favorites such as the SA-35 and XDM 10mm Compact coming to life. But let us not leave out the Emissary 1911, which is the best evolution of the platform I have seen in some time. This pistol isn’t cheap, but it is stunning in value. Everyone I have shown mine off to has loved it, from old school 1911 guys to punk kids with their combat Tupperware. Springfield really hit it out of the park on this one, and it is now available in both 45 ACP and heresy. I mean 9mm. At an MSRP of $1279, it’s a little steep for a stocking stuffer. But if you can swing it, this will keep a smile on their face for all of 2022.
Paul Craddock is the man. Made an 1135 yard hit on a full IPSC 2 weeks ago with my Craddock/Bartlein barreled 3 gun rifle.