Holiday Gift Guide: Guns & Gear [2023]

Want to give or get something awesome this year?

We see, test, and abuse a ton of gun stuff here at Pew Pew Tactical.

Here’s some of our perennial favorites…as well as new things to the market in 2023 across all budgets.

Ammo In Stock

Ammo became steadily more plentiful but demand/pricing shot up in October. It’s recovered a bit so you can find 9mm and 5.56 readily again.

Here’s some of what’s in stock at reasonable prices (right now):

And check out our Best Places to Buy Ammo Online if you need more suggestions.

Mags

You can never have too many…

• Magpul PMAGs Gen 2 for $8.88 with code PMAG and free shipping on 10+
• Magpul PMAGs Gen 3 for $11.99

Or my fav…Gen 3 Windowed for $12.99

How about some Glock variants?

• Magpul Glock 17/19 for $11.49, Glock ones for $21.99, and ETS 32-rounds for 6.99

or AK stuff?

• Bulgarian 30-rounders for $12.99
• Magpul PMAG AK for $11.99
• US Palm See-Through for $11.99

Got some rarer tastes? Check out our Best Places to Buy Mags Online.

Guns

Here’s some of our favorites that we’ve loved during 2023.

Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol

An awesome new semi-auto shotgun that aims to replace the void left by the Remington 870 at the sub-$1000 range. It totally succeeds in our full review.

Tisas 1911

Super affordable and ran great for us with ball ammo and only didn’t like one brand of hollow points. See the full review.

PSA Sabre Premium Line

PSA has the budget-but-always-goes-bang AR market locked down…so now they have their premium Sabre line.

Yes…they are worth the bump in price so check out the full review for all the details and upgrades.

WASR-10

So not really new…but we finally got our mitts on testing what’s considered the budget AK that still runs everything. Check out the full review here.

S&W M&P M2.0 Metal

One of our favorite striker-fired guns got a lift with a metal grip! Check out the full review here.

Arex Defense Delta M

A sleeper hit for a great sub-$400 handgun with tons of features…see our full review.

Springfield Hellion

One hell of a bullpup from our testing and review. If you’ve been looking for something different then this is perfect.

Popular Other Guns

Looking for our ongoing favorites across popular categories? Here they are!

• Best AR-15s
• Best Beginner Handguns
• Best Concealed Carry Guns
• Best Tactical Home Defense Shotguns
• Best 9mm Pistols
• Best Guns for Women

Optics

Optics are still staying in stock since it seems this year’s buying spree was more centered around firearms and ammo.

Sig Sauer Romeo 5

We’ve tested a lot of red dots through the years and right now the Romeo 5 is still our favorite red dot under $200.

Check out our full review.

Primary Arms SLx 1-6x Gen IV

Check their latest SLx 1-6x Gen IV ACSS Scope is in stock for $339. We loved the Gen III and the Gen IV is even better.

See the full review for what is our best bang-for-the-buck 1-6x scope.

Trijicon RMR

Several have tried to unseat the king of pistol red dots.

But our favorite super-durable option still goes out to the Trijicon RMR.

However, there’s still ton of more affordable options in our Best Pistol Red Dot review.

But new through the end of 2023 is a $100 rebate off RMRs.

Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x & Mount

A great deal for another LPVO that comes with a mount is the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x from PSA. As long as their code STRIKE holds up you get the combo for $299.

Holosun 507C X2 ACSS

However, for a few years our new favorite pistol red dot might be the Holosun 507C X2 ACSS done in collab with Primary Arms.

All the specs you’re looking for…and a kickass reticle.

Check out our full review here.

Now…let’s jump into some rifle stuff!

AR-15 Upgrades

Another year passes and it feels like we’re a little stuck with AR-15 innovation. But these are some of our favorites.

Precision Armament M4-72 Severe Duty

Our overall favorite AR-15 muzzle brake is the M4-72 Severe Duty.

It’s loud and your buddies on the side will hate you…but wow your reticle doesn’t move!

And it’s not a terrible value at ~$85 compared to others.

Check out the rest of our tested brakes in 8 Best AR-15 Muzzle Brakes.

Or if you’re going big boy…6 Best .308 Muzzle Brakes.

Suppressors

How about going for the soft pew?

Check out our favorites in each kind of caliber…

Best 5.56 and .30 Cal Suppressors

Best Rimfire Suppressors

Best 9mm & .45 ACP Suppressors

SBA3 Pistol Brace

AR-15 Pistols are back as of Q4…see more details in Pistol Braces & the ATF.

All the varieties aren’t back in stock but the SBA3 is going in and out.

As well as complete lowers from PSA.

Ballistic Advantage Barrels

Building a new upper? You’ll need a nice barrel.

One of my favorites for accuracy and affordability are Ballistic Advantage Barrels. I use plenty of their 5.56 variants and my newest builds have been .300 Blackout.

Find out why I use it in most of my builds and why I always recommend it to my buddies in the full review.

Superlative Arms Adjustable Gas Block

Want to further reduce your reticle movement?

You might want to check out an adjustable gas block and tune it for your specific loads.

The Superlative Arms bleeds off the excess gas so your BCG doesn’t smash into you unnecessarily. It really makes a world of difference.

Of course…full review here.

STNGR Handguards

My still best bang-for-the-buck handguards for new builds goes to the STNGR VYPR.

What it doesn’t have in vowels they make up for in fit/finish/color…and price.

The cuts are aggressive which helps with the weight (11.5 oz) but I was afraid it was almost too aggressive so that my finger would touch the barrel.

But with plenty of mags and shooters…none of us had that problem.

Oh yea there’s other models too like the VLCN with minimal top rail which is the basis of our night vision upper.

See more in Best AR-15 Handguards. But this is my best value pick.

Tyrant Designs AR-15

Want your AR-15 to look good and function better?

We’re fans of the Tyrant CNC aluminum grip and foregrip which offer great aesthetics as well as some comfy rubber material.

A little spendy but worth it.

EDC

Kershaw Leek

Everybody can use a handy knife…even if it’s to just slay some Amazon boxes.

And my go-to affordable option is the Kershaw Leek.

Super sharp, enough heft to feel quality, fast flip-out, and not the worst feeling in the world if you misplace it.

Benchmade Mini-Griptilian

Or want to upgrade a little? Check out the Mini-Griptilian that was our fav in Best EDC Knives.

Olight Baton 4

The Olight Baton 4 is a rechargeable tiny light that packs a big lumen punch. Now it comes with a recharging docking station.

Range Gear

Guns…check. Ammo…check. How about the other stuff you might need?

AXIL Electronic Ear Protection

Our current rec for affordable electronic ear protection that filters out gunshots and amplifies other sounds like talking so you’re not yelling at the range.

And right now they are still running their post Cyber Monday sale of 2 units for $99. Check out how they compare vs other ear pro in our Best Ear Protection article.

GuardTech Cleaning Kit

Our current fav cleaning kit that has everything you need that’s from a US based company.

They also have a AR-15 kit that’s way more compact.

Pelican 1500

My go-to hardcase for pistols is the Pelican 1500. And coupled with some custom foam…it carries everything I need for a range day.

See more of our favorites in Best Gun Cases.

5.11 Range Bag

How about our go-to range bag?

It’s big…it’s study. It’s the 5.11 Range Bag.

But for those that might not need a ton of space…check out our Best Range Bags.

Savior Equipment Rifle Bags

We’ve been through covert and range bags…what’s our favorite rifle bags?

For most things it’s going to be Savior Equipment.

High quality Cordura and stitching compared to el cheapo bags. Now they have Black Multicam…but it lokos like they might need a restock.

I’ve been hauling multiple rifles with optics each range trip with them for years and so far they’ve held up well.

Use code PEWPEW10 to save 10% off your order.

See more analysis and other picks in Best Gun Cases.

Celestron 52250 Spotting Scope

Our go-to spotting scope for most people just getting into long range shooting.

The Celestron is affordable with decent glass and actually came down in price this year. Here it is showing 600 yard targets.

If you need something a little more robust or clearer glass…check out our Best Spotting Scopes article.

Caldwell DFT 2 Lead Sled

We do a lot of benched shooting for groups…

And our go-to is the Caldwell DFT series of lead sleds.

Caldwell DeadShot Combo

If you need something a little more portable and gives you more feel than a true lead rest…

Check out the DeadShot Combo which has a nice height that accommodates a wide range of rifles.

ShootSteel AR500 Targets

Looking for a little more *ting* in your life?

Our go-to AR500 steel targetmaker is ShootSteel that’s survived thousands of rounds in our videos.

Swag

Ok…a little self promotion here!

Our Woobies are back with more colors that will keep you warm and oh so comfy during winter.

Plus a restock on our popular Government List shirts…because you know…

And a bunch of new Pew Pew Tactical shirts and patches. Thanks so much in advance for your support!!

Glock Upgrades

Tyrant CNC Glock Package

Since custom Glock frames have flooded the market…the race is on to make your Glock the most unique looking out there.

One of my current favorites is Tyrant CNC’s extended mag release, extended mag bases, and slide plate.

Check out more of my favorite Glock Upgrades…from pure performance inside to cool looking stuff on the outside.

Soft Goods

SKD Shooting Gloves

If it’s too hot or too cold…or you don’t want your hands to get ripped up.

You’ll want some nice shooting gloves that give protection but don’t hinder your trigger finger.

My pick for overall shooting gloves is the SKD Alpha.

Learn more about them as well as my other picks (such as thinnest gloves and best for women) in our Shooting Gloves article.

Wiley X Saber Shooting Glasses

How about protecting your eyeballs?

My go-to for affordable and comfy shooting glasses is the Wiley X Saber.

Check out more budget (and baller) picks in Best Shooting Glasses.

Pew Pew Tactical Flatline Sling

We’ve used all the slings out there…and we’ve come up with our own. Check out our Pew Pew Tactical Sling made by Flatline Fiber down in Georgia.

Incorporating just the right amount of padding and a slick pull tab to adjust your length.

And of course…available in Multicam and Black Multicam. Black Multicam is currently sold out but will be back in stock soon!

Looking for something more than a standard AR-15 sling?

We go over all the other options like single-point, pure leather, and Ching slings in Best Rifle Slings.

5.11 AMP72 Low Profile Pack

Looking for a mid-capacity backpack (40L) that has all the bells and whistles but doesn’t scream TACTICAL?

Enter the 5.11 AMP72 Backpack that’s perfect for a 3-day op…or a carry-on.

We cover a few of 5.11’s packs in our Low Profile Packs Review.

Hard Goods

Mira Safety Level IV Ceramic Armor

We love Mira Safety for their heavy-duty CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) gas masks. See our Best Gas Masks article.

But now they have Level IV ceramic body armor that did the best in our ballistics testing.

They were able to fully stop two shots from 30.06 M2AP armor piercing rounds…while the other contenders only stopped one.

Check em out here:

Mira Safety Gas Masks

I didn’t know where else to place this…but if you’re prepping for some stuff to go down you’ll want some gas masks in the mix. And these bad boys were our fav in Best Gas Masks.

Ballistic Helmet from Hard Head Veterans

Need some Level 3 and frag protection for your noggin?

We’ve been testing the previous version and also the current gen of Hard Head Veterans’ ballistic helmet.

They are really comfy and have all the mounting platforms you’ll need for your night vision and comm gizmos.

Use this link or coupon “PEWPEW” for $15 off your helmet!

And check out our other picks in Best Tactical Helmets for some non-ballistic recs too.

SecureIt Safe

Looking for a flat-packed safe that isn’t so heavy that you’ll need to hire people to move it?

We really like our SecureIt Agile 52 which comes in around 100 lbs packed up.

It doesn’t take the place of a full-blown safe for protection…but when deterrence ,modularity, and ease of install is the name of the game…

And now we’ve secured a 10% coupon code for Pew Pew Tactical readers…use PEW10 to get it!

Plus a full review here and video!

Fort Knox FTK-PB

What about our favorite pistol safe for when something goes bump in the night?

We love the Fort Knox FTK-PB.

Sturdy, decent amount of space for two handguns, and most of all…Simplex lock for super fast retrieval.

See it in action in our video and also in our Best Gun Safes article.

Vaultek VT20i & Lifepod

Looking for something higher tech?

The Vaultek VT20i and VT10i bring fingerprint scanning, Bluetooth, and apps to the safe world.

Check out our full review of the duo here.

How about a nice travel container that’s discreet but still protective?

The Lifepod is my go-to for quick hotel and Airbnb trips where I only need one compact gun (with lights and an extra mag).

Check it out in action:

See more in our Best Quick Access Pistol Safes.

Lights

All of the lights! We’re in the middle of testing a whole new batch of pistol, rifle, EDC, and tactical lights.

But here’s our running favorites…

Streamlight ProTac 2

Our most recommended light for almost everyone out there is the ProTac 2.

It doesn’t break the bank and has a nice output of 625 lumens. Plus comes with a nice pressure pad and mount!

We’ve been using several of them for our defensive and competitive guns.

See more of our favorites in Best AR-15/Rifle Lights.

Streamlight TLR-1HL

We like our Streamlights…and the TLR-1HL is our favorite pick for pistol light.

The HL model runs an eye-searing 800 lumens and continues our good experience with Streamlights.

My original TLR-1 is at 5000 rounds and still going strong.

Olight PL-Pro Valkyrie & PL-Mini Valkyrie 2

Looking for something a little more affordable?

The Olight PL-Pro Valkyrie (larger one) and PL Mini Valkyrie 2 have great reputations and took everything we threw at it in our own torture tests.

Check out our full review here complete with drop tests, water submersion, tons of rounds downrange, and beam pictures.

See more of our tested torches in Best Pistol Lights.

Holsters

There’s a lot of holsters…and we cover them all in our Best Holsters article. But here are some selected ones in the biggest categories.

Hidden Hybrid Holsters

Our current favorite in the world of “hybrid” holsters…basically Kydex shell and either leather or synthetic….is Hidden Hybrid Holsters.

I like HHH’s Amish leather since it gets that Goldilocks level of rigidity plus nice-feeling suede.

Boom!

See our full review of them here.

Kore Essentials Belt

With great holsters comes (the need for) great belts.

Our current go-to CCW belt is Kore Essentials.

The right amount of stiffness and nothing too tactical looking to scream “I Have a Gun in my Pants.”

Plus the ability to easily change the size when you’re sitting down for extended periods of time.

Check out the full review of them and use code PEWBELT10 to save 10% over at Shall Not Comply (our merch store).

Rounded Gear

My go-to for an affordable pure Kydex option is Rounded Gear that excels in AIWB (appendix inside waistband) but now has tuckable and OWB (outside waistband) options.

And see it in action here:

Check out the full review here.

Tenicor

A new cey arontender in the pure Kydex realm is Tenicor. They are pricey but really comfortable.

They are formed for actual bodies and have some super effective retention clips.

What I’d recommend if you’re serious about appendix carry, comfort, and absolute retention.

Tools/DIY

Wheeler Torque Wrench

I use the Wheeler Torque Wrench almost every time I do something at my bench.

If you’re even semi-serious about gunsmithing…get one!

Real Avid AR-15 Armorer’s Master Kit

Looking for an all-in-one AR-15 kit?

Boom, the Real Avid kit is it.

Check out our full review.

Leatherman Wave+

Our current favorite multitool is the Leatherman Wave+.

It has almost everything you need in an EDC multitool, plus it’s silky smooth.

We tested a bunch more in our Best Multitools article (one with an axehead…), but the Wave+ is our overall Editor’s Pick.

Reloading

Looking to get into reloading? Here’s a couple of our favorite case cleaners.

Frankford Armory Tumbler

Mine has been running for years and thousands of rounds. It lives in the garage since it’s kind of loud but it’s super effective.

Get the full kit for some sparkling clean brass to reload!

Check otu our Guide to Relaoding Ammo for more essential gear.

Lyman Turbo Sonic Case Cleaner

Ready to upgrade to a sonic cleaner for your brass or gun parts?

My go-to is the Lyman since it is cheaper than the competition, has a larger capacity…but only has a max 8 minutes timer.

Check our our in-depth review in Best Ultrasonic Gun Cleaners.

Funny/Gag Gifts

Tactical Baby Gear

And here’s the offender diaper bag…

I do have one…AS A GIFT.

Omniblade

We’ll admit, we wanted to review this 95% because it looked wicked cool!

Shockingly, it’s actually really pretty handy also. The Omniblade is a saw, machete, and an axe all wrapped up in one tool.

While I wouldn’t say that it can replace dedicated tools, if you’re in a pinch or want to save weight and space — you can get a LOT of use out of this all-in-one design.

Give using it a chance and you’ll find how well made and handy it really is.

Plus, it looks awesome. Good luck wrapping it…

Conclusion

Ok that does it!

If you’re looking for deals…check out our Black Friday & Cyber Monday Gun Deals Page…complete with 46+ retailers and exclusive Pew Pew deals.

What would you add onto this list? What are YOU wanting for the holidays? For a bunch more of our favorite tested products…check out our Editor’s Picks.