Buying the right gift is hard. But buying the right gift for a gun owner that they'll actually use? Painfully difficult. Every gun owner has their own preferences for brands, materials, calibers, and plenty of other specs non-gun enthusiasts won't know. Get the wrong one and your best case scenario is a polite thank-you before your gift is quietly set in their gun locker to gather dust.
As firearm owners ourselves, we're here to help. Here's our guide to the best gifts for gun owners so you can shop in confidence!
The easiest thing you can get as a gift for a gun enthusiast is a gun that is truly unique, even if it isn't as practical. Novelty weapons may not be used much, but that doesn't matter. Practicality comes second with a gun that's truly one-of-a-kind.
A great example is a small .22 pistol. These tiny pistols fit in the palm of your hand, but despite their diminutive size, they're still fully functional. They range from simple single-shot derringers to miniature semi-auto handguns and revolvers. We highly recommend this as a gift for shooters with large hands.
Alternatively, a lever-action rifle, a staple symbol of the Wild West, is a gift for a gun enthusiast that will make them feel like a cowboy. Not only does it have a classic look, but there just isn't another gun that can compare to the satisfying feel of loading another round with a cocking handle. It's a gun that's as fun to shoot as it is iconic. Because so many lever-action rifles use cartridges in outdated and rare calibers, we recommend bundling the rifle with a box of vintage ammo in the appropriate caliber.
The best gifts for gun owners aren't necessarily guns. A good gift for a gun enthusiast is a range bag or case. A bag for carrying firearms to the range is often one of the first accessories a gun owner will get, but that doesn't mean they can't use a new one with new features and more space. There are several options for bags and cases, each with their own distinct pros and cons:
These cases are the lightest and easiest cases to carry. They're meant for getting a firearm from point A to point B without the danger of scratching or scuffing. However, since it's just a thin layer of foam around the gun, it doesn't protect the gun from heavy impact, like something heavy being thrown on top.
This is one of the best gifts for a gun enthusiast who flies or travels long distances often. They're designed to provide heavy-duty protection with a durable exterior and custom-cut foam interior. The only problem with them is that they are bulky and heavy, making them impractical for regular sessions at the range.
While cases are mostly just for carrying the gun itself, range bags are the best gift for gun owners who carry a lot to the range. They often come with lots of exterior and interior organizational pouches for ammo, mags, accessories, and additional guns. While they're usually a bag that is carried by hand or with a crossbody sling, there are some that come as backpacks.
Oftentimes, a great gift for a gun enthusiast isn't a thing. It's an experience. Take them for a free trip to your local range to shoot some targets and bond. Bonus points if the range has machine gun rentals – there's nothing like getting behind a belt-fed machine gun and blazing through hundreds of rounds a minute.
Guns are loud. Extremely loud. While action movie heroes don't seem to need ear protection, ordinary shooters do. At best, a gun owner will come away from shooting targets with ringing ears; at worst, gun owners will slowly lose their hearing entirely over months of regular shooting sessions.
A great gift for a gun enthusiast who values their hearing is a set of earmuffs for shooting. These bulky pieces of headwear mute the echoing gunfire at ranges and the blast of their own firearm.
A more subtle alternative is some earplugs for shooting. They're flush with the shooter's ears, ensuring that they have ear protection without having to deal with the bulk of full-size earmuffs. They're the best gift for gun owners who might not like the look of earmuffs but don't want to lose their hearing.
As we mentioned earlier, gun owners can have strong preferences for specific brands. Their preferred gun dealer is no different. Your gift for a gun enthusiast who always shops at a particular gun store can be store merch. They can represent their favorite store every time they go to the range.
Gifts don't have to be surprises, and often the best gifts for gun owners aren't. If you know they're particularly picky about the equipment they use, just ask what they're looking for. That way, you can get them a gift that you know they'll love and use!
At Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore, we offer more than just help buying gifts for a gun enthusiast. We also stock a huge collection of guns for sale. Whether you're looking for an AR-15 rifle or a revolver, you can find it here. Plus, since we ship nationwide and only list guns we currently have in stock, you can expect your order to ship fast to your local FFL dealer.
Need help to figure out the best gift for a gun enthusiast you know? Contact us – we're always happy to help!
Mike Thompson is an avid outdoorsman and firearms enthusiast. With years of experience in hunting and shooting sports, he offers insights on gear reviews, safety tips, and hunting strategies. When he's not writing, you'll find him exploring new trails or honing his marksmanship.
