Christmas can be a difficult time to shop for a gun guy (or gal).

1st as a group we tend to buy what we need, so there isn't always a long wish list and 2nd much of the gear involves personal preference and it is hard to know what someone is going to like.

To help out we've looked at some of out most popular items to create a list of 12 great gift ideas for this holiday season.
Gun Parts
Glock and Smith & Wesson M&P pistols are by far the most popular guns for carry and competition, but they aren't perfect. Glock's come with awful sights and require more expensive jacketed bullets. M&P's have an awful trigger.

These 3 suggestions are perfect for the Glock or M&P shooter that likes to shoot.
1. Give the gift of cheaper shooting with a Lone Wolf 9mm Conversion Barrel ($100)

Glock barrel's are cut with special rifling that can clog with lead, all of the Lone Wolf barrels are cut with traditional rifling that doesn't clog with lead ammunition. If your spouse/friend shoots a 40 the savings can be even greater with a 9mm conversion barrel.
2. & 3. Give them a better trigger pull with a Apex Trigger Kit ($24 - $160) or WTBGU! Trigger Kit ($30.51)

I love the Warren Tactical sights for the Glock and M&P, but sights can be very personal. Triggers on the other hand can always be improved.

Apex Triggers are the most popular upgrades for the J-frame, M&P and M&P Shield models and are available for carry or competition. Both greatly improve the trigger pull feel and reset, but the competition models also lighten the pull.

The WTBGU! Trigger Kit does the same thing for Glock's and pairs 2 popular upgrades. 1st is the Ghost Connector that lightens the trigger pull buy about a pound and the 2nd is a Lone Wolf Over Travel Stop that reduces the over travel and therefore shortens the reset as well. Each piece is available separately and can be used separately to customize the trigger for the shooter.
Concealed Carry Gear
For the concealed carrier there are a few products that are great addition to any carry rig.
4. Give the ability to hit the target from difficult positions with Crimson Trace Laser Grips ($190 - $320)
Laser grips project a laser onto the target to show the point of aim. This gives new shooters the confidence to know where they are aiming. Helps coaches identify flinches and track the muzzle. And helps the experienced shooter make accurate shots from unusual positions.

Any shots made in self or home defense are going to be difficult and likely target focused. The Crimson Trace laser grips can improve confidence, may permit shots that would be to hard or impossible without them, and work with the body's natural physiology.

What's more is they may keep the shooter from having to pull the trigger... after all one of Crimson Trace's slogans is "Helps bad guys make informed decisions."
5. Give them the best inside the waistband holster available with a Minotaur MTAC Holster ($90)
I have carried in an MTAC for 5 years and recently got a friend from Homeland Security to try one on duty and he sent me this as a testimonial...
"I have been carrying concealed firearms daily for 16 years and I have found the Comp Tac to be one of the best built and most comfortable rigs available. It is the only holster I use now, and as a law enforcement officer it is a quality holster I know I can depend on for many years of use"
He switched from the hybrid holster you may have seen advertised.

I have written about this product a number of times, but I'm not sure I can say it any better.
6. Let them try a new method of carry. Blade-Tech "Nano" Holster ($60)
Appendix carry is probably the most common method of carry for the professional instructor because it is concealable, fast and tactically sound. However it is far less common for the everyday carrier.

There is often a concern that the method won't work for them and they will have "wasted" the cost of the holster.