G&A's Holiday Gift Guide for Modern Sporting Rifles

November 20, 2013 By G&A Online Editors

Those of us who own AR-15s understand the sense of pride we take in accessorizing our modern sporting rifles. There's always a new piece of gear out there to make rifles more personalized and enjoyable.

Whether you're creating your own wish list or shopping for someone else, G&A has you covered. Come range time, our holiday gift guide for modern sporting rifles will have you singing yuletide carols to the tune of your favorite rifle.

DuraCoat Aerosol

Who says all Modern Sporting Rifles have to be black? DuraCoat Aerosol makes it quicker and easier than ever to apply a rugged new finish to your guns. The aerosol can eliminates the measuring and mixing of original DuraCoat, while still providing the same rugged protection against rust, corrosion, salt water and UV rays. The coating comes in a variety of colors, and can be applied to bare metal, Parkerizing, anodizing, wood and plastic. Each can provides enough coating for 2-4 firearms, with no baking or preheating required. Price: $34.95/can

Otis Ripcord

One-pass cleaning systems are quick, easy and effective, but the knock on them is that you can't punch out a stuck case or other obstruction. The new Otis Ripcord uses a Nomex fiber braid over a molded, rubberized core/cable that is rigid enough to remove obstructions. The Nomex fibers serve the dual role of brush and patch. The ends are also threaded if you feel the need to add components. Currently available for .22/.223 and .308. Price: $15

SureFire Magazines

When standard 30-round G.I. magazines won't cut it, SureFire 60- and 100- round magazines are just the ticket to keep you throwing rounds downrange. Compatible with all M4/M16/AR-15 variants, their simple design allows for field disassembly with no special tools required. The mags are constructed from anodized aluminum, with steel springs and a tough polymer follower to feed rounds reliably with no lubricants required. Price: $159 (60-round); $199 (100-round)

Trijicon VCOG 1-6x24mm

Though Trijicon's Accupoint scopes are both versatile and effective, the VCOG (Variable Combat Optical Gunsight) is the company's first low-range, variable-power optic designed specifically for military and tactical use. Available with a variety of LED-illuminated first focal plane reticle styles, this heavy-duty scope gives other high-end scopes a run for their money. Unlike most of its competitors, the VCOG features a rugged integral mount for attachment to Picatinny rails. Price: gallery=369,270.00

Blackhawk Diversion Bags

Blackhawk Diversion Bags are designed to disguise long guns in a few cleverly discrete ways. The bags come in several designs, resembling common luggage items which aren't usually associated with transporting firearms. Styles include courier, workout, skateboard and racquet bags. We've found the board style comfortably transports an AR-15, broken down at the take down pins. Price: $54 to $174

Daniel Defense Modular Float Rail 12.0

One of the slickest free floating handguards on the market is the Daniel Defense Modular Float Rail 12.0. This 12-inch handguard is made from 6061 T6 aluminum, with mil-spec type III hard coat anodizing. The rail comes with three 3-inch rail sections, that can be mounted at virtually any position on the rail — or not at all if you prefer a lightweight setup. Price: $255

DPMS Miculek Compensator

Named after and used by champion shooter Jerry Miculek, the DPMS Miculek Compensator is both simple and effective, making it an inexpensive muzzle device that is aggressive and very easy to clean. It has side ports only, so it does not specifically address muzzle jump. Shooters with handyman skills and a drill can add a port or two on top if they feel it's needed, but most are pretty happy without. Price: $49

Geissele SSA-E Trigger

There's a reason why some of the best competition, law enforcement and military shooters choose Geissele Triggers. The Geissele Super Semi-Automatic (SSA-E) Trigger is a drop-in unit that will bring any AR-15 from average Joe to rock star status in minutes. Price: $230

Pierce Munitions Ammo

Still having trouble finding ammo? Pierce Munitions has some of the most popular cartridges available, including .223 and .308. Depending on your specific application, Pierce also specializes in a variety of Ted Nugent hunting and personal defense ammunition. Price: Varies

Slide Fire SBS-308 Stock

For those with .308-caliber modern sporting rifles, you can now add more roar to your range time with the SBS-308 stock. Slide Fire Solutions has adapted their revolutionary firearm technology to be compatible with one of the most requested platforms to date. The SBS-308 was designed for installation on an Armalite AR-10 lower receiver equipped with a carbine-style receiver extension, or any firearm with similar dimensions. Price: $369.95

HIVIZ FastDot H3 Handgun Sights

Optics

HIVIZ FastDot H3 Handgun Sights

Blending the speed and simplicity of a red-dot optic with the reliability and small footprint of iron sights, the new FastDot H3 from HIVIZ might be the best all-purpose handgun sighting system designed to date.

Optics

Meprolight's M22 Dual-Illumination No Batteries Reflex Sight: Video Review

Optics

Meprolight's M22 Dual-Illumination No Batteries Reflex Sight: Video Review

What happens to electro-optics when batteries run out? With the Mepro M22 self-illuminated reflex sight, you won't need to think about batteries at all.

Other

Ballistic Advantage Continues Excellence in Barrel Design

Other

Ballistic Advantage Continues Excellence in Barrel Design

Eric Poole meets up with Adam Wainio, founder and president of Ballistic Advantage. His company is a premier barrel maker and provides top-quality pipes to both major gun manufacturers and small-shop gunsmiths. Ballistic Advantage has been a pioneer for profiled barrel blanks and experimenting with a barrel's mass and contours to wring out the best performance. Looking forward, Ballistic Advantage is working on its take on weight-saving carbon fiber barrels and is keeping ahead of new chamberings with interesting offerings like the 8.6 Blackout.

Rifles

Winchester Ranger Returns! Now In .22

Rifles

Winchester Ranger Returns! Now In .22

If Winchester is known for one thing in firearms, it's lever guns. Both the historic examples and modern renditions are held in high regard, and the centerfire models can command a premium price due to desirability. New for 2024, Winchester is lowering the barrier to entry and raising the fun factor with the return of the Ranger. Now, though, the iconic lever action is chambered for .22 Long Rifle. What's more fun than a rimfire rifle? Probably nothing, that's why Winchester has invested in the recent Wildcat semiauto, Xpert bolt action, and now the Range, all in .22. Eric Poole and Winchester's Rafe Neilson discuss the latest lever addition.

Rifles

Latest Name In Lever Guns: Aero Precision

Rifles

Latest Name In Lever Guns: Aero Precision

Aero Precision is a go-to source for rifle-building components including receivers, handguards, and all the necessaries. New this year is the M4E1 Pro kit, which offers ambidextrous controls: bolt catch/release, radial selector, and even the magazine release. Besides being lefty friendly, the M4E1 Pro also sports the new overbuilt Mod4 handguard designed specifically for professional users and shooters that are just plain hard on their gear. Stepping away from rifle parts, the company is also expanding its suppressor offerings with the new Tephra-22 rimfire can. Finally, the company is teasing the most talked about firearm at SHOT Show 2024: The Aero Precision Lever Action. Kirk Foreman of Aero Precision joins Eric Poole to talk shop from the show floor.

Rifles

SAKO 90 Quest Lightweight Hunting Rifle

Rifles

SAKO 90 Quest Lightweight Hunting Rifle

SAKO's new 90-series bolt-action rifles have finally hit the U.S. market. Guns & Ammo's Joe Kurtenbach was one of the first American sportsmen to take these guns afield. In pursuit of Colorado elk and mule deer, Kurtenbach takes a break from climbing mountains to describe the SAKO 90 Quest, a lightweight hunter that benefits from modern construction and precision-inspired features.

Optics

Warne Scope Mounts New Red Dot Risers

Optics

Warne Scope Mounts New Red Dot Risers

Warne Scope Mounts has unveiled several new red-dot sight riser mounts at the 2024 SHOT Show. One of the challenges of mounting a red dot to a long gun is getting the optimal height setting. These mounts feature included spacers to adjust the height setting to fit individual preference. Warne has also introduced a universal rib mount to easily attach red dots to shotgun ribs. Many turkey shotguns don't have a Pic rail, so this mount gives you access to the entire rib on a shotgun to mount a red dot. If you've never turkey hunted with a red-dot sight, it's a game changer!

Accessories

New Warne Scope Mounts Skyline Lite Bipods

Accessories

New Warne Scope Mounts Skyline Lite Bipods

Warne Scope Mounts has upgraded its popular line of Skyline bipods to the new Skyline lite, with three different options for ARCA, Pic rail and QD pic rail mounting options. The Skyline Lite bipods feature 13 micro adjustments to fine-tune rifle height, 0-, 45-, and 90-degree leg positions, and the universal-style head accepts multiple mounting configurations. Built from premium aluminum and steel, the Skyline Lite bipods have all the modern features we expect while keeping weight low.

Handguns

Smith & Wesson Response PCC: Now Taking SIG Mags

Handguns

Smith & Wesson Response PCC: Now Taking SIG Mags

Smith & Wesson's John Myles has been a regular on the New Product Premier, and he joins Joe Kurtenbach to run it back again at SHOT Show 2024. Last year the company introduced the Response pistol caliber carbine (PCC), an AR-styled platform designed to run off commonly available semiautomatic pistol magazines. A direct-blowback action powers the Response, but what sets the gun apart is its interchangeable magazine well. Mag wells are easy to swap for owners, and the Response comes with both an M&P mag option, as well as a mag well for Glock-pattern 9mm magazines. New for 2024 is a magazine well for SIG Sauer P320 mags. No matter what pistol platform you choose to shoot, Smith & Wesson wants you to rely on the Response for your PCC needs.

Optics

Mark 4HD Riflescopes: The Latest Tactical Line From Leupold

Optics

Mark 4HD Riflescopes: The Latest Tactical Line From Leupold

John Snodgrass from Leupold joins Joe Kurtenbach to discuss the latest edition to the company's tactical line of magnified optics: The Mark 4HD riflescope family. The new series utilizes a 4X zoom ratio across five magnification ranges: 1-4.5X, 2.5-10X, 4.5-18X, 6-24X, and 8-32X. Each magnification will include multiple scope variants offering first- or second-focal-plane reticles, as well as different reticle designs and illumination options. Like the Mark 5HD series, there is a Mark 4HD riflescope for nearly any ballistic pursuit, all build to Leupold's rigorous standard for reliability, durability, and optical performance.

Rifles

Show Stopper: Smith & Wesson 1854 Lever-Action Rifle

Rifles

Show Stopper: Smith & Wesson 1854 Lever-Action Rifle

Live from the show floor, Joe Kurtenbach visits Grant Dubuc at the Smith & Wesson booth to talk lever guns. The new Model 1854 in .44 Rem. Mag. was an absolute stunner at SHOT Show 2024, and Guns & Ammo was on hand to get all the details. Drawing inspiration from Horace Smith and Dan Wesson's Volcanic lever-action firearms, the Model 1854 combines classic lines with modern materials and design. To maximize utility, the gun's polymer furniture and stainless finish offer all-weather durability while the optics rail and flat-faced trigger account for modern tastes. The new platform from Smith & Wesson is going to fun to watch this year!

Suppressors

FN 509 Pistol Updates and New Suppressors!

Suppressors

FN 509 Pistol Updates and New Suppressors!

Its seems like every year is a busy year FN, and 2024 is no different. Joe Kurtenbach is joined by Chris Johnson and Rich Spalla at SHOT Show to learn about the company's latest offerings. For the FN 509 family, compensators are the biggest news. Not only are new models featuring compensators from the factory, FN is also going to sell barrel and compensator accessory packages so users can update their guns. On the suppressor front, the FN team is eager to talk tech, and the Rush Ti is packed full innovative design. Even better, there is now a .22 can — FN's new Catch 22 suppressor.