The holiday season is upon us, and many people are busy with gift shopping and decorating. However, finding just the right gift for a loved one can be tough, especially for a competition shooter. From optics to shooting chronographs to hearing protection, our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide includes nine gift ideas from some of your favorite companies that are sure to please. (Also, be sure to check out our Holiday Gift Guides for pistols, rifles, shotguns and ammunition.)
Mecanik MO3 Competition Red-Dot Sight
Currently one of the best deals in big-window red-dot optics today, this open-emitter red-dot sight sports a large circular viewport and a six-MOA solid red dot. High points on top of the housing serve as guards to drive impacts away from the lens. In addition, the mounting footprint is the Trijicon RMR pattern. $249.99, canikusa.com
Vortex Defender-ST
Vortex’s Defender-ST micro red-dot optic lives up to the hype. Motion-activated and featuring an aluminum sight housing, a hard-coated aspherical lens provides a wide, distortion-free sight picture that is significantly larger than the CCW. The Defender-ST is available in three-MOA and six-MOA models. $469.99, vortexoptics.com
Leupold Mark 4HD 1-4.5X 24 mm M1C3 SFP HPR-1 Riflescope
An optic for the High Power Service Rifle crowd, Leupold’s Mark 4HD 1-4.5X 24 mm M1C3 SFP HPR-1 was designed to conform to the High Power rulebook while still adding a rules-legal bell and whistle or two. With a 24 mm objective lens mounted inside a 30 mm maintube, this second-focal- plane scope has a straight profile in front of the turrets. $1,149.99, leupold.com
Garmin Xero C1 Pro Shooting Chronograph
The Gamin Xero C1 Pro kicked off the compact chronograph craze last year and is still a solid choice. This shooting chronograph is quick to set up, takes less than a minute to configure and has a rechargeable battery, all in a small form factor. Capable of measuring velocity from 100 f.p.s. to a mind-boggling 5,000 f.p.s., the Gamin Xero C1 Pro can handle bullets, arrows, slugs, airsoft BBs, pellets or paintballs, making it a versatile tool for shooters across multiple shooting disciplines. $599.99, garmin.com
LabRadar LX Shooting Chronograph
A 60 GHz Doppler-radar shooting chronograph in a more-portable package, the LabRadar LX will accurately measure the velocity of rifles, handguns, pellet guns, bows and crossbows, along with Power Factor calculation (after entering projectile weight). It also incorporates solid features like an internal battery and bright LCD display. To save battery power, the radar must be armed prior to shooting. Plus, the published measurement range is 65 to 5,000 f.p.s., with three different modes for pistols, rifles and bows. $599.95, mylabradar.com
Warbird Pro Intrepid RC Electronic Earmuffs
With a rechargeable internal battery, two omnidirectional microphones and full dynamic range HD speakers, Warbird’s Intrepid RC electronic muffs are bargain-priced for anyone seeking the next generation in hearing protection. Most of the cost savings come from a 3.5 mm audio jack for music instead of Bluetooth. $119, warbirdpro.com
Hornady HIT Target Impact Indicator
Hornady’s HIT Target Impact Indicator makes it easy to visually confirm impacts on target to 1,000 yards and beyond. About the size of a ping-pong ball, one side faces the shooter and with 16 bright red LEDs. A tiny accelerometer inside the HIT Target Impact Indicator will detect the vibration of a bullet hitting the steel target and signals the LEDs to blink to indicate a positive impact. $12.59, store.hornady.com
Hoist IV-Level Hydration Drink
Much more than a mere sports drink, Hoist IV-level hydration drinks are clinically proven to keep you hydrated longer than water. Available in several flavors, including orange, black cherry, strawberry lemonade, blue raspberry, dragon fruit and more. The company touts the drink as “the hydration solution for the U.S. Dept. of Defense.” Besides the ready to drink bottles, Hoist is available in liquid pouches and hydration powder sticks. $29.99 per 12-pack, drinkhoist.com
Ocufii TagMe Beacon
Keep tabs on the movement of your firearm when you’re not around with this innovative product. Essentially a location detection system, put the TagMe beacon on your firearm and your smartphone or other device will notify you of unauthorized access or movement. $99.99 for the kit, ocufii.com
