Guns & Ammo 2016 Holiday Gift Guide

It's that time of year again, and if you have a gun enthusiast on your holiday gift list that's been good this year then you'll need to find the perfect gift for them.

Guns & Ammo has rounded up some of the best new products for this year, the firearms and gear that we know they'll love.

From high-tech thermal imaging equipment to safe storage to optics and, yes, guns and ammunition, we've compiled a buyer's guide to the items that will be perfect for the shooter in your life, all of which are better than a tie rack or new socks.

Smith & Wesson M&P45 SHIELD

Smith & Wesson's M&P®45 SHIELD™ is a slim, concealable, lightweight, striker-fired polymer pistol. From its one-inch slim profile to its optimized 18-degree grip angle, the M&P45 SHIELD offers professional-grade features that provide consumers and professionals with reliable performance and simple operation in a concealed carry. 45 AUTO firearm. The M&P45 SHIELD can be carried comfortably and confidently, all day. MSRP $479 | Smith-Wesson.com

Springfield Armory SAINT Series

Like those who are unapologetic about protecting their legacy, the SAINT™ makes no compromises when it comes to features, engineering, and operator experience. As the ultimate refinement of the AR-15 form, the SAINT™ combines innovations like the Accu-Tite receiver mating system with the relentless execution of core features.

The SAINT's flat top design is optics ready and includes a flip-up rear aperture sight and fixed A2-style front. The 16-inch Chrome Moly Vanadium barrel features a 1:8 twist rate to handle a wide range of bullet types. The operation of the M16 bolt carrier group is managed by a mid-length gas system paired with a heavy tungsten buffer, resulting in an exceptionally smooth action. A good shot starts with the trigger, so that's why the SAINT™ features micro-polished and Nickel Boron treated components. While it offers the right pull weight for defensive use, you won't feel it.

Unlike most defensive rifles in its price range, the SAINT™ includes top notch furniture designed to improve both shooting experience and operator performance. An all new, exclusive Bravo Company PKMT KeyMod handguard packs heat shields and flexible attachment points into a slim and easy to handle form factor. The Bravo Company buttstock is rattle-free and complemented by a Bravo pistol grip designed to improve defensive performance. Built for the free and independent, Springfield Armory®'s SAINT™ represents the next generation of America's personal defense rifle. Built with relentless dedication to reliability, it'll be ready when you are because you can always trust the SAINT™. MSRP $899 | Springfield-Armory.com

Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount 2

The new Streamlight ProTac® Rail Mount 2 features an integrated rail clamp that securely fit rifles, carbines and sub-machine guns with a MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) rail. It comes with both remote pressure and standard push-button tail switches, and offers the added convenience of using either one lithium or one AA alkaline battery. On its high setting, the ProTac Rail Mount 2 delivers 625 lumens, 22,000 candela, a 297-meter beam distance and a run time of two hours. Lightweight and compact, it offers tremendous value with its many features. MSRP $104 | Streamlight.com

SPOT GEN3

SPOT GEN3® lets family and friends know you're OK or sends emergency responders your GPS location when you are off-the-grid, all at the push of a button. The latest generation of the SPOT satellite technology offers improved battery performance, more power options including rechargeable and USB direct line power as well as custom tracking, motion-activated tracking, conscious tracking and extended battery life. To top it off, SPOT's satellite technology has initiated over 4,700 rescues worldwide! Don't let cellular limitations be a lump of coal in your boating enthusiast's stocking. GET 50% OFF SPOT GEN3, NOW ONLY $75! | Findmespot.com

Bushnell Elite 1-Mile ARC with CONX

Bushnell's newest rangefinder makes determining holdover and wind-hold data simple thanks to its second-generation ESP processor that is Bluetooth compatible, meaning the rangefinder can communicate with an app on your smartphone. You can select or craft custom ballistic data out to 1,760 yards with +/- 1 yard accuracy. The ARC also has an Applied Ballistic mode that connects with CONX-compatible Kestrel devices for instant and accurate environmental data collection. The fully multi-coated optics feature 7x magnification and diopter adjustments for precise ranging at a wide variety of distances. MSRP $820 | Bushnell.com

Ruger Mark IV

Ruger's Mark I, II, and III rimfire pistols were ultra-reliable and deadly accurate, but field stripping and cleaning could be a chore. That's all changed with the launch of the Mark IV, which offers the same great ergonomics and high build quality of previous models with simple one-button breakdown. The Mark IV features internal cylindrical bolt construction that offers permanent sight-to-barrel alignment, which means this gun is capable of consistent class-leading accuracy. The rear sight is adjustable, but the receiver is drilled and tapped to accept a Weaver or Picatinny-style rail for the addition of optics. MSRP $529 (Target); $769 (Hunter) | Ruger.com

SnapSafe Titan

Protecting your firearms with a gun safe from theft and damage makes sense, but until now buying a full-sized safe meant maneuvering these heavy objects into your home. SnapSafe is changing the game by offering modular models like their Titan; the safe arrives in a crate and can quickly be assembled anywhere in your home — in a closet, a bedroom, an office, or basement. Steel panels and welded construction add a high level of security, and the ceramic fire blankets on the safe's interior give it a fire rating of one hour at 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit. Eight locking bolts and a non-breech seal on the hinge side also help keep your valuables safe inside. MSRP $1,148 | SnapSafe.com

Kimber K6S

Kimber produces some of the best semiauto handguns on the market, but the company is now offering their very first revolver, the K6S. This revolver's compact frame, cylinder and barrel are all machined from quality stainless steel, and the match-grade trigger is one of the smoothest found in any double-action revolver. An internal hammer and rounded edges help with concealment, and with a 2-inch barrel and 1.39-inch cylinder this is a gun that is easy to carry even under light clothes. But the K6S packs a formidable defensive punch; it's chambered in .357 Magnum and has a six-shot cylinder, perfect for personal protection whether you're at home or out and about. MSRP $899 | Kimberamerica.com

GBW Legend PRO Ammo

Shooters are always looking for ammo that is affordably priced yet reliable, and GBW's Legend Pro line offers just that. Available in both rifle and handgun cartridges, this ammo combines match-grade copper bullets with precise charges of premium propellants to give you consistent accuracy and performance. The copper design retains weight and sheds energy, perfect for hunting and self-defense applications, and on the handgun side there are a number of popular options like 9mm and .45 ACP as well as some harder-to-find loads like .45 GAP and .41 Remington Magnum, all of which are loaded to the highest standards. Prices start at $14.99 | GBWCartridge.com

Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 Sport

A lightweight, dependable .22 semiauto is loads of fun for both new and experienced shooters, and Smith & Wesson's new M&P15-22 Sport fits the bill. This blowback rimfire features an adjustable stock and trim 10-inch handguard that incorporates the Magpul M-LOK system, so adding accessories is no problem. The folding Magpul MBUS sights are precise enough for plinking and small game hunting, but if you want to add on optic there's plenty of top rail space to do so. The six-position stock makes this gun perfect for shooters of all sizes, and since it weighs under five pounds it's light enough for long plinking sessions. Now all you need are some tin cans, hearing and eye protection and a brick of .22 ammo for hours of backyard fun. MSRP $449 | Smith-Wesson.com

YETI Hopper Flip

YETI is known for building coolers that are durable and functional, and the Hopper Flip is the brand's take on the ultimate soft-sided cooler. The wide mouth makes it easy to reach food and drinks inside, and the ColdCell insulation keeps your items cold for extended periods of time. The HydroLok zipper eliminates leakage, and the DryHide exterior is puncture proof, making this cooler perfect for rough-and-tumble outdoor adventures or long days on the shooting range. In addition, the HitchPoint grid makes this cooler compatible with the MOLLE Bottle Opener, MOLLE Zinger and the SideKick gear case that is perfect for holding your wallet, keys, or other items. Retail $279.99 | Yeti.com

SIG Optics Romeo7

SIG may be best known for their extensive line of firearms, but the brand also offers a variety of high-quality optics. The Romeo7 1x30 red dot is one example. It comes with a 2 MOA red center dot and fits on a wide variety of MSRs. The addition of Low Dispersion (LD) coated glass provides a clear, distortion-free image in a wide variety of lighting conditions. That means a clear field of view from this compact (12.5 ounces, 4.75-inch) optic. Additionally, the unit runs on two AA batteries and you don't have to remove the optic to swap them. But you won't have to change batteries often thanks to the MOTAC system that powers-up the system when it senses movement and powers down after a period of inactivity, giving the Romeo7 an incredible 62,500 hour battery life. MSRP $299.99 | SigOptics.com

Savage BA Stealth 10/110

For the long-range shooting enthusiast, the BA Stealth offers a number of accuracy-enhancing features at a reasonable price. This bolt-action rifle comes with a factory blueprinted action, monolithic aluminum chassis that is machined from solid billet, one-piece EGW scope rail, Fab Defense GLR SHOCK six-position buttstock with adjustable cheekpiece, Accutrigger, an oversized bolt handle and much more. The short action version (BA 10) is available in .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor, and the long action model (BA 110) comes in .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua. It's a serious machine for serious long-range shooting. MSRP $1,207-$1,622 | SavageArms.com

FLIR Scout TK

FLIR makes some of the most precise thermal imaging equipment used in military and law enforcement applications, but now the company is offering some of that same thermal technology to civilians. The Scout TK is a handheld thermal monocular that allows you to see heat signatures in total darkness thanks to the company's proprietary digital enhancement technology. It also offers still and video recording, yet it weighs just six ounces and can fit in your pocket. It's perfect for scouting but it also serves as a valuable personal defense tool since you can see heat signatures in even complete darkness. MSRP $599 | Flir.com

Federal Practice & Defend Combo Packs

Federal has simplified shopping for target and defense ammunition with their Practice & Defend Combo Pack. These combo packs are available in .380 Auto, 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP and come with 100 American Eagle target rounds and 20 Federal HST defensive rounds. Both the target and defense ammo contain similar or same-weight bullets for a consistent feel, making this the perfect product for those who want to head to the range and brush up on their skills with affordable target loads while carrying a proven defensive load in their carry firearm. MSRPs range from $67.95 to $96.95 | FederalPremium.com

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