My wife says I’m difficult to shop for. I don’t know what she means.
I’ll be happy on Christmas morning if I open literally anything firearm- or hunting-related. I don’t duck hunt, but I’d be happy with a duck call. I don’t operate, but I’d be happy with body armor. If it relates even tangentially to the outdoor sports, I’ll be one happy boy.
That’s not to say I won’t be happier with some gifts, and these six products fit that bill.
1. Blackbeard Auto-Resetting Trigger System from Mantis
Ask any competitive shooter or special operator how to improve shooting skills, and they’ll tell you the same thing: dry fire.
Dry fire can improve trigger control and gun handling, but it requires the user to manually reset the trigger. This isn’t a problem for single-shot drills, but dry fire usually can’t simulate multiple shots in succession… until now.
The Blackbeard Auto-Resetting Trigger System from Mantis is designed for AR-15’s and allows the user to dry fire without manually resetting the trigger. The Blackbeard system replaces the BCG, charging handle, and magazine and automatically resets the trigger after each pull.
Plus, the system comes with an optional laser so you can see exactly where you’re hitting.
The system requires no gun modifications, can accommodate up to 10 shots per second, and will run up to 100,000 shots per charge.
MSRP: $219
Shop for the Mantis Blackbeard here.
2. Any Scope from Crimson Trace’s New Brushline Series
Crimson Trace jumped into the rifle scope game with a bang, and I’m loving their new Brushline and Brushline Pro series of scopes.
I already got my hands on the 2.5-10x Brushline Pro, and I’m asking for another scope for Christmas this year. I’m most interested in the bottom and the top of the Brushline lineup.
At the most budget-friendly end of the spectrum, the 3-9x Brushline is listed with an MSRP of only $169 but still comes with the series’ custom BDC reticle. The diamond shapes in the reticle allow for three distinct aiming points per diamond, so no matter your cartridge, you can find an aiming point at longer ranges.
The scope is inexpensive, but it’s still tough: it’s nitrogen-purged, waterproof, and shockproof, and it comes with MOC-coated ELD glass.
At the opposite price point, the Brushline Pro 4-16x features flawless glass and that same innovative reticle for an MSRP of $779. It’s been tested in extreme high and low temperatures, drop tested, and immersion tested.
I’d be happy if I find either under the tree this year.
MSRP: $169 for 3-9x, $779 for 4-16x
Shop for the Brushline 3-9x here and the Brushline Pro 4-16x here.
3. Legion Vital Zones Target Kit
Steel targets are more fun than paper—there’s really no way around that. But many gun owners like paper for the precise shot placement feedback. The metallic *clang* of steel is satisfying, but after just a few rounds on fresh paint, it’s hard to know where your shots are landing.
That’s why I’m asking for the Legion Vital Zones Kit from Legion Targets. This innovative steel target has cutouts in an AR500 silhouette that allow the user to see whether they’ve hit the center mass or head areas. Two swinging AR500 targets are positioned behind each cutout, which provides visual and auditory feedback about shot placement.
The target is also easy to assemble, and only requires a 2×4 piece of wood.
It’s not as precise as a paper target, but it’s a huge step in the right direction.
MSRP: $649.99
Shop for the Legion Vital Zones Kit here.
4. Badlands MRK 6 Frame Pack
What separates you from the animals when you’ve been in the mountains for seven days on a backcountry hunt? At that point, not much—except for your pack and everything in it.
Frame packs need to fit enough food, water, and gear for days in the wilderness while remaining light enough to haul up and down mountains. The MRK 6 from Badlands is exactly that.
The pack features a whopping 6,100 cubic inches of interior space and yet still weights only 6 pounds, 13 ounces. It can carry a rifle or a bow, is hydration compatible, and features a split-pack design with integrated meat shelf system.
MSRP: $479.99
Shop for the Badlands MRK 6 here.
5. Safariland Liberator HP 2.0 Hearing Protection
When we talk about the gear used by special forces, we usually get stuck on weapons, optics, and armor. Headsets are often overlooked, but this vital piece of gear can be among the most important.
Safariland’s new Liberator HP 2.0 is being used by SWAT teams and special forces because it offers the clarity and reliability needed in the most intense, life-threatening situations.
It features industry-leading sound localization for maximum situational awareness and sound detection, slim, compact earcups, and 160-300 hours of battery life on two AAA batteries or one CR123.
It also comes with three hearing protection modes you can tailor to your situation:
- ENHANCED MODE Blocks dangerous impulse noise, while enhancing nearby speech and audio
- MOVE MODE Blocks all external noise
- CLARITY MODE Blocks all external noise, while enhancing nearby speech and audio
MSRP: $299.99-$454.99
Shop for the Safariland Liberator HP 2.0 here.
6. Vortex SPARC Solar Red Dot
After testing Vortex’s new SPARC Solar red dot earlier this year, I knew I had to put it on my Christmas list.
I have a terrible habit of forgetting to turn off my red dots. More than once, I’ve arrived at the range to find that my red dot’s battery has died, and I’ve forgotten to bring a new one. I don’t have to worry about that happening with the SPARC Solar—for several reasons.
First, the red dot turns off automatically when not in use and switches back on as soon as it’s moved. Second, the solar panel on the top of the optic can run the red dot even in ambient light. With enough sunlight, that solar panel can operate the optic without any battery at all.
Those features give the optic 150,000 hours (17 years!) of battery life.
Plus, the red dot is clear, the optic housing is rugged, and it comes with several mounting options.
MSRP: $399.99
Shop for the Vortex SPARC Solar here.