25 Christmas Gifts for Protectors
Recently a friend suggested we make a list of ideas to help her pick Christmas gifts for her husband. Now I like to think that I’m easy to shop for, but apparently, not everyone in my family agrees. This list has a couple of hidden advantages: 1) Only 1 item depends on size and 2) None of the suggestions are seasonal, so you can come back to it when birthdays roll around. Plus, we’ll give you direct links to the products so you can easily order. So, let’s get started:
1) Flashlight
Carrying a flashlight is a great idea, even during daytime hours. I use one for tons of purposes, like looking at the label on a port on the back of a TV or trying to find something we lost in the office. Of course, there is the defensive part of this. Seeing trouble early, identifying trouble in low light or lighting your way out of a bad situation are always possibilities.
Two options we like are the Olight i5T EOS (300 lumens), currently $21.00, and the Streamlight ProTac 2L-X (500 lumens), selling for $65.00. I use the Streamlight when I’m planning to be out at night and the Olight when I’m out and about during the day.
2) Ammo Storage Tray
Buying ammo in bulk is much cheaper than a box at a time. Also, we often have more than one kind of ammo. In both cases, having a way to easily store that ammo is always a plus. The MTM AC4C 4-can Ammo Crate is a great solution. I have a few of these and they work terrific.
3 and 4) Rifle Red Dot
Rifle red dots are better than ever and because things have advanced so much, you can get a quality red dot for a lower price. Unfortunately, there is also a flood of cheap junk on the market too. Here are 2 options, a budget and regular price option, that you can buy with confidence.
First is the Sig Romeo 7S red dot. You can read the full review on it here, but I love this optic. It gives a lot of features for under $100. I felt strongly enough about this optic to buy another one after my testing.
For just a few dollars more, you can get the Sig Romeo 5 Gen 2. This red dot adds a few features, like shake awake technology, allowing you to leave the optic on all the time, and has a sleeker look. I have a couple of Romeo 5 red dots and trust them implicitly.
5) Belt
The only item on this list that is truly size dependent is a good belt. A solid belt is foundational, especially if you are carrying medical, a firearm or things like an EDC organizer. There are two big choices here. You can use a ratchet-style belt or a traditional belt. Among the traditional belts, the 1791 Gunleather stands out. We did a full review on this sturdy, cowhide belt. It performed great. You can buy one here.
6) Folding Knife
Where I grew up, every boy had a knife in his pocket. I never leave the house without a pocketknife. A good knife can serve a lot of uses, from opening Amazon boxes to saving a life. Here are a couple of options from different prices and looks: Remington Folding Knife, currently selling for $15. Kershaw Volt 2, currently $40. Benchmade Griptilian, currently $160.
7) Eye Protection
Eye protection is a must on the range. There’s a lot of cheap ones out there, but cheap doesn’t always mean good (and safe). The Walkers Sports Glasses are safe and inexpensive. They also have the advantage of changeable lenses, allowing you to adapt to different lighting conditions without needing to buy more glasses.
8) Hearing Protection
The other must-have on the range is hearing protection. I always prefer active hearing pro. These amplify sounds like conversations and instructions, but still protect from the noise of gunfire. There are 2 basic types, over-the-ear and in-ear. I prefer in-ear personally. For over the ear, the Walker’s TACTI Grip is a good choice. For in-ear, the AXIL GS Extreme 2.0 Shooting Ear Buds offer a lot of great features.
9) Magazine Carrier
If the protector you’re giving Christmas gifts to carries a gun, there’s a pretty good chance the Pitbull Tactical Universal Mag Carrier will hold their spare magazine. These are versatile, durable and affordable. Read the full review of them here.
10) Multitool
A good multitool is super useful. From scissors to screwdrivers to saws, these can come in handy in the office, the home or on the side of the road. A good, full-size option is the Gerber Suspension NXT. A more streamlined option we like is the Mossy Oak 12-in-1 Multitool Pocket Knife.
11) Tourniquet
A tourniquet is almost a must-have item at this point, especially if you are at a range. The big issue is making sure you are not buying a counterfeit. These are all TCCC recommended tourniquets and you can be sure you’re getting the genuine versions at these links.
We reviewed the SOFTT- Wide tourniquet. You can get them here. The CAT Gen 7 is the most widely used tourniquet choice. It’s also the most frequently counterfeited.
12) Stay Hydrated
Recently we tested the Iron Infidel Battle Bottle and it did very well. The Battle Bottle isn’t just a great double-insulated bottle that keeps things cold for 24 hours, but it comes with some useful features. Read the full review here. There are 32-ounce and 64-ounce versions. Get the 32-ounce Battle Bottle Here. Get the 64-ounce version Here. Use coupon code Protector5 for 5% off your purchase.
13) Books
We believe a good protector is always learning. A couple of books that may help are:
Spotting Danger Before It Spots You: Build Situational Awareness to Stay Safe
Sharp Women (for the female protectors in your life)
14) Portable Jump Starter
These things are awesome. My kids and wife looked at me weirdly when I gave them these for Christmas a couple of years ago. Since then, they’ve all had to use them and learned to love this gift. These jump starters allow you to jump-start your own car, quickly and safely, without needing to wait somewhere or rely on sketchy ‘good Samaritans’. Get a NEXPOW Portable Jump Starter for every car you have.
15) Tactical Pen
If you’re in an environment where you can’t even carry a knife, you can probably carry a pen. The Smith & Wesson Tactical Pen is a great choice for this role. If you’re in a super restrictive environment, the Zebra F-402 pen can work in a pinch. If you’re not sure how a tactical pen can help you, watch this video.
16) Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 2.0
Ok, if you’re gonna get some serious Christmas gifts for a protector, a pistol is a good choice. The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 is a relatively new gun, but we did some testing on it and it did extremely well. Read the full review here. You can buy one here. Note: Take care to get the 2.0, not the original Bodyguard.
17) Springfield Armory Echelon
Keeping with the pistol theme for a moment, if you are looking for a full-size gun, the Springfield Armory Echelon is a great choice. We did a review on the Echelon and it is a very well thought out piece of gear. You can order one here.
18) LPVO
We talked about red dots for rifles earlier, but some opt for a low-power variable optic (LPVO). LPVO are designed to be able to flex from a 1x red dot to as magnified optic (usually 6x-10x) with the throw of a lever. This adds a lot to your range of capabilities. The Sig Tango MSR 1-6x LPVO is a great option. The Tango MSR comes with a very sturdy mount that makes installation simple.
19) Target Pasters
Want an inexpensive stocking stuffer that will get used a ton? Target pasters are great at the range. Covering holes in the target between stages helps you continually know where you are hitting. Two styles I use a lot are simple circles or larger squares.
20 and 21) Pistol Red Dot
I regret not transitioning to the red dot earlier. After learning how to use them correctly (and you do need training on them), I was able to shoot faster and more efficiently.
One budget pistol red dot that we tested was the Riton X3 Tactix MPRD 2. This red dot is a RMSc footprint and I tested it on my Shield Plus pistol. It impressed me enough to stay on the gun. You can buy one here.
For a full size gun, the Holosun 407 is tough to beat at its price point. This rugged sight has a good set of features and a good reputation. Buy one with confidence.
22) Fixed blade knife
There are times when a folding knife just isn’t the answer. For field use, the Cold Steel Recon Tanto offers a lot of knife for a low price. For EDC/Carry use, the KA-BAR TDI is worth a look.
23) IFAK
An IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) is a terrific choice. Just make sure you’re getting one with quality components. The North American Rescue Bleeding Control Kit is filled with high-quality components and one of those Christmas gifts you can give with confidence.
24) MTM Ammo Box
While the ammo storage tray is a great way to store ammo, it’s not as great for taking it to the range. I love the MTM 200-round ammo box. These open flat, are stackable, and a great amount of ammo for a range trip. I keep these pre-filled all the time with 9mm so I can grab them and go without any thought.
25) Cleaning Mat
We gotta keep those guns clean, right? A good cleaning mat can help keep the surface clean, prevent parts from rolling around and even remind us where stuff goes. TekMat makes a range of mats for specific guns. Or you can just buy one larger one for the AR15. That’s what I use since it allows me to lay out multiple pistols at the same time.
So that’s 25 Christmas gifts for the Protector in your life. Even if it didn’t give you everything you wanted, hopefully, it gave you some other ideas. Good luck with the shopping. If you venture out into the malls and stores, remember to stay aware of your surroundings.
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