Is it just me, or do the holidays seem to roll around faster each year? I mean, Christmas was just last week, right? Now here we are at Valentine’s Day again, and the gift-giving dilemma returns. I did some searching and shopping to find the most practical, tactical, and possibly romantic gifts for the special girl or guy in your life. Here are some suggestions:
Armed and In Charge is sponsored by LaserMax
Ladies First
Honestly speaking, sometimes shooting at a paper target gets a little boring. Practice is still important, though, so for a more enjoyable time, change it up a little and add some competition. A dueling tree or similar target system will challenge even the most skilled shooter, and is a fun way to spend time with a spouse or significant other. This handgun to high-caliber Dueling Tree Steel Target from Do-All Outdoors is rated for 9mm up to 30/06 using soft-nose lead bullets. MSRP: $129.35.
Challenge yourself or enjoy some friendly competition with a Dueling Tree (Amazon photo)
For the serious tactical gal, another gift I’d suggest is the LaserMax Spartan Light & Laser combo. This product can be used with any handgun that has a tactical rail. Having the convenience of a light and a laser in one accessory not only helps keep the weight and bulk of the gun down, but also lets the user keep both hands on the gun, rather than using her off hand to hold a flashlight. I recently wrote a review about the Spartan Light & Laser combo here. MSRP: $175.
LaserMax Spartan Laser/Light Combo in red (LaserMax stock photo)
What woman doesn’t love jewelry? Some of my favorites are the Sweetheart Bullet Earrings from The Well Armed Woman. These earrings are made with 9mm bullet casings, sterling silver earwires and Swarovski crystals (your choice of color). The hanging charm is a dainty heart, perfect for Valentine’s Day. They are versatile enough to be worn either with jeans and a T-shirt or when dressing for a more formal occasion. MSRP: $22.99.
Sweetheart Earrings from The Well Armed Woman (TWAW photo)
For the Men
My first suggestion probably only needs one word: Yeti. If you haven’t heard of Yeti Coolers you might be living under a rock. One of the company’s most popular items is its 20-ounce Rambler Tumbler. It’s perfect for keeping hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for extended periods of time. This stainless-steel cup is a practical gift is perfect for someone on the go, and can be taken to work or the range, depending on the day’s agenda. MSRP: $29.99.
Take your coffee on the road with you with the Yeti Rambler (Yeti photo)
Whether he’s gauging the distance of a bullseye target, the next hole on his fav golf course or that big buck over yonder, any man will appreciate the gift of a range finder. Whatever his target, he’ll easily know how far away it is and how to adjust his swing or shot. Leupold offers a fine line of rangefinders, from $250 to $450: https://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/rangefinders/rx-rangefinders/
If the guy in your life likes skeet shooting, this pajama set might be of interest. The T-shirt features the silhouette of a man shooting a clay pigeon, with the words, “Just Hit It” on the front. The drawstring pants are 100 percent cotton and come in various colors. Other skeet and trap designs are also available from CafePress, which features custom designs for a variety of interests. MSRP: $39.99.
Cozy skeet shooting pajamas for men (Cafe Press photo)
Miscellaneous Ideas
AR-15 owners will love the variety of handguards made by Offhand Gear. This “Kiss My Brass” handguard rail with a lips design is unique and makes quite a statement. Other designs include Guns & Roses, Butterflies and Skulls. MSRP: $225.
“Kiss My Brass” AR-15 hand guard from OffHand Gear (OffHand Gear photo)
Another handy little gift is the SnagMag concealed magazine holster. This gadget looks like a folding pocket knife, but it holds an extra magazine in your pocket. The SnagMag “snags” on and stays put, making reloading a lot quicker. MSRP: $34.95
If those ideas aren’t enough for you, a gift certificate to a training class, ammunition of any kind, or eye and ear protection are always welcome gifts for any occasion. Hopefully some of these will be perfect for that special shooter in your life.
Freelance writer Stacy Bright holds instructor certifications from the NRA in Pistol & Rifle, as well as being an Range Safety Officer and Refuse to be a Victim instructor. In addition to her NRA credentials, she also is a Missouri CCW instructor and teaches various other home and personal defense courses. “In a field dominated by men, I feel I bring a unique perspective to firearms and training, especially to women. I'm passionate about educating, empowering and developing confidence in those I train. In November of 2014, I started the Southwest Missouri chapter of The Well Armed Woman,” said Stacy. Stacy lives in southwest Missouri, and has been married for 20 years. Visit TWAW Facebook page: The Well Armed Woman-Springfield, MO Chapter. View all posts by Stacy Bright
