AR-15 stands for Armalite Rifle, but it might as well stand for America’s Rifle. List every AR manufacturer, and you’ll probably stop before you get out of companies that start with A. With AR-15s being so popular, we’ve decided to dig into the world of AR rifles and put together a gift guide Eugene Stoner would enjoy. Since ARs are so popular, it’s likely the most accessorized platform of all time, and with that in mind, we’ve made it easy for you to shop for the AR-15 owner in your life.
Let’s dig in and find the best gifts on the AR market.
1. Mags — Duh
GunMagWarehouse, it’s in the name y’all. I don’t know what else you expected. What mags? There are tons of great options. I tend to be partial to Lancers, but the king of AR mags seems to be the Magpul PMAG, and it’s easy to see why. They are affordable, well-made, lightweight, and in use by military and police forces worldwide.
P-MAGs are a plug-and-play way to go that you know are going to be reliable and capable. The P-MAG is the way to go if you are just not sure. It’s easy to use and easy to find in a multitude of capacity levels.
2. Magpul D-60 Drum
Speaking of multiple capacities, the D-60 drum is the big way to go. It’s a drum that works and isn’t going to break the bank. The Magpul D-60 drum is a 60-round 5.56 drum that is super reliable, easy to load, and a capable drum for your AR platform. It can be left-loaded and remain reliable with very little maintenance.
3. GPS Outdoor AR Magazine Tote
You got mags. How are you going to tote them to the range? With the GPS Outdoor AR magazine tote, of course! It’s an affordable little gift that allows the user to carry eight 30-round magazines to and from the range. You could also just keep them on hand for whatever events might come at you!
4. Ammo — Duh
If you own an AR, you probably enjoy shooting it. If your loved one likes to shoot then, they need ammo, and we got the lead! You can purchase ammo in both low quantities and high quantities, depending on your budget. Just remember that more is always better. A little ammo doesn’t go a long way, but it makes a great stocking stuffer.
5. Maglula Range Benchloader
You got magazines, and you got ammunition, but you know what else your AR-15 owner might love? An easy and simple way to load it into magazines. The easiest and admittedly fastest way is to Maglula Bench Loader. Drop one to thirty rounds in this thing, toss a magazine in place, and then grab that lever and shove it down and to the magazine. This loads magazines in a flash and makes range trips more shooting and less loading.
6. Blue Force Gear VCAS Padded Sling
Rifles need slings, and if your favorite AR owner doesn’t have a sling, then let’s get them one! The Blue Force Gear VCAS Padded Sling is the way to go. It’s a modern tactical two-point that adjusts rapidly from a hands-free climb-a-ladder sling to a maximum mobility loosey goosey sling. Just push or pull a tab, and boom, you can rapidly adjust the sling to make it fit right where you need it.
The pad increases comfort, and if you are rocking and rolling with a D-60, optic, light, and beyond, that gun might start to feel awfully heavy. A pad can help. Even if your carbine is light, a pad goes a long way to increase comfort and feel.
7. Streamlight ProTac HL-X
If you or a loved one uses an AR for home defense, then a white light absolutely has to have a white light to establish positive identification. If you want power and affordability, then the ProTac HL-X is the way to go. This Streamlight packs the power. It throws a blindly bright 1,000 lumens with a 27,600 candela to throw those useable lumens outward and to light things up.
The ProTac HL-X provides a surprisingly compact package for its power and durability. The HL-X is a mighty well-made light for the money and delivers users a very capable weapon light without breaking even a $150 budget.
8. Holosun AEMS
Red dots are fairly universal when it comes to optic selection. The Holosun AEMS is a rock-solid little red dot sight that is compact but still designed for long guns. The AEMS packs the Holosun features you all know and love. This includes the solar backup power source, the multi-reticle system, two big buttons, and ultra-light designs. The Holosun AEMS comes with replaceable lens covers and a standard AR higher mount. It’s bright, crisp, and very easy to use—perfect for the standard AR-15.
9. Real Avid Gun Boss 5.56 Multi Kit
You got ammo, optics, lights, and more, but what about a way to clean the dang thing? The Real Avid Gun Boss 5.56 Multi Kit is a nice robust kit designed to work in both the field and at home. It includes all the necessary goodies to keep your gun running in the worst possible environments.
10. The Mac Daddy — An Underbarrel Flamethrower
The ultimate AR-15 accessory and the ultimate gift for any AR owner is the Exothermic Pulsefire Underbarrel Flamethrower. It attaches to the bottom of your rifle and provides you with a completely silly but ultimately awesome means to throw flame! It’s a powerful and fun tool to make the local gun range fudd lose his mind. Flamethrowers are completely legal—well, except for in California and Maryland. If you live in a flamethrower-free state, then make you can make your AR a dual-purpose tool.
A Merry Christmas to All
Ahhh….Christmas is upon us, and a great many of us have AR-15s in the closet, just waiting to see what’s under the tree. You can make your loved one’s AR a little better or provide them with an awesome range trip with the gear and ammo they need to excel. I hope we’ve provided you with a few ideas to give the AR-15 owner in your life a very merry Christmas!
