Ho, Ho, Ho, it’s that time of the year. Sleighbells are jingling, kids are making lists, and trees are going up. I’d say snow is falling, but it’s a balmy 77 degrees in Florida right now. I’m a big fan of the giving season, and as we enter the holidays, I have to wonder, what’s the best gun to get in 2022? What guns were released this year that would be awesome to find under the tree?
With that in mind, I set forth to find the top 5 guns of the 2022 Holiday Season. Here’s what I think would be a great find under the Christmas tree.
1. The Beretta 92X RDO Compact
The Beretta 92X RDO Compact is downright awesome. Beretta mixed all the things that made the 92 series great with a number of modern features that take it to the next level. The RDO model means it’s optics compatible and who doesn’t like an optically enhanced handgun? The X series brings us a thinner grip, removable sights, and a universal slide. On top of that, we get a rail for adding our favorite lights. This is likely the most modern DA/SA gun on the market.
The Beretta 92X RDO Compact is my favorite gun of the Holiday season. Why? Well, the Beretta 92 series are featured in two of the best Christmas movies ever made, “Die Hard” and “Lethal Weapon.” In fact, those movies feature the exact same Beretta. While the 92X RDO Compact is a bit newer, it carries the spirit of the Beretta 92 series. If Beretta makes a new 92 series gun, you can bet it’s on my list.
2. FN High Power
The FN High Power is a revival of a classic fighting pistol from 1935. FN kept all the great things about the High Power, like the single-action design, excellent grip contour, and classic metal frame. At the same time, they eliminated the magazine safety, redesigned the hammer to make it bite-free, and utilized a 17-round magazine to keep up with the times. The revamp of the High Power revives a classic pistol for a modern time.
2022 was the year of the Hi-Power. Girsan and Springfield Armory both introduced their newest clones of the gun, and FN slid in at SHOT to show us the new High Power. FN engineered the original, so it only makes sense they’d do the redesign. Celebrate the year of the Hi-Power with its latest incarnation. FN better not make me eat my words and release an optics-ready model at SHOT 2023.
3. Mossberg 940 JM Pro Tactical
The Mossberg 930 series of shotguns were robust and well-made guns with some imperfections. The Mossberg 940 JM Pro series came in and fixed all the little problems. JM stands for Jerry Miculek, and he had a hand in perfecting the design. The biggest fix was taking it from a maintenance-picky firearm to a gun that can eat and eat 12 gauge rounds without complaint.
The latest out this year is the 940 Pro Tactical, and it implements some really cool features. This includes a mini red dot optics cut perfect for a Holosun 507K, an M-LOK mount for lights, huge controls, and a stock adjustable for the length of pull.
I love shotguns, and I love America. It’s sad that the Italians have been whipping us in the shotgun department with the 1301 and M2/M4 series. The 940 Tactical looks like serious competition in the shotgun department. Maybe we can come back on top.
4. CZ 600 Trail
The CZ 600 Trail has become my new obsession. Before this gun, bolt guns bored me. The 600 Trail is a mini bolt gun in either .223 Remington or 7.62x39mm. The .223 Rem version uses AR mags, and the 7.62 variant uses Bren 2 mags. It comes with a collapsing PDW style, four-position stock, ambidextrous controls, a huge monolithic optics rail, and more M-LOK than you can shake a stick at. It’s light at only 6 pounds, and some change and recoil is nil with these intermediate rounds.
In a world of semi-auto, intermediate caliber rifles, the CZ 600 Trail sticks out. It offers a ton of features those rifles have but in a bolt gun format. It’s also guaranteed to be SUB-MOA. This gun is just in time for deer season, and with the right ammo, the medium game isn’t an issue. The CZ 600 Trail is all kinds of cool and is perfectly suited as a gift for nearly any shooter. From young to old, the CZ 600 Trail is an awesome addition to your armory.
5. HK MP5 .22LR
The MP5 is a baby boomer, but it is still super expensive to purchase a pistol or rifle variant. For those of us who don’t want to pay that much for an outdated 9mm subgun. HK now offers a rimfire variant of their famed rifle. This includes the collapsing stock and distinguished MP5 look. A 16-inch barrel would look goofy, so it’s covered by a faux suppressor. It’s also affordable, with an MSRP of around $500.
The HK MP5 22LR would be perfect for shooters of all ages. Christmas is really for the kids, and the HK MP5 .22LR is perfect for young shooters. It looks cool and, admittedly, is cool. It’s affordable to own and affordable to shoot. What’s a better way to spend Christmas morning than plinking at the range? I would argue this gun appeals more to the modern kid than a Ruger 10/22. It looks like it came out of Call of Duty, and that can be valuable for young shooters just getting into guns.
The Holiday Season
Hmmm, my fondest memories are getting guns as gifts. It started much like a Christmas Story with a Red Ryder when I was little. As I grew, my gifts included a Remington 870, an RIA 1911, and a Savage 22-250. While guns are cool, it was the memories I made shooting those guns that mattered. Shooting with Dad is a memory I hold dear. Hopefully, you have a lovely holiday season full of memories made, good food, and maybe even a little family time at the range.
