It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

It’s that time of the year again and we’d like to help you pick that perfect gift for your special someone. In making our recommendations we look for innovation, quality, value and exceptional customer support. LPVOs are in for 2023 and we have some great suggestions for you. We’ll also turn you on to some outstanding red dot sights and a few super stocking stuffer ideas.

Our Favorite LPVOs

At the top of our list is German Precision Optics (GPO) GPOTAC 1-6x24i FFP. This LPVO has the best optical clarity of anything on the market. Wind and elevation adjustments are precise and reticle illuminations allows for continuous adjustment, you will never experience a situation where at one setting the reticle is too dim and the next highest setting is too bright. Ladies, this is a gift that will get you that bathroom remodel you’ve been wanting.

Second on our list is SIG SAUER’s TANGO6T 1-6×24 DVO. The TANGO 6T is an LPVO used in the U.S. Military, in 2023 it became available to the commercial customer. The optic ships with the ALPHA 4 mount. SIG went out of their way to include markings on the mount to indicate the proper order and torque for the rail mount and scope rings. This is a tactical scope from the ground up and one that you’ll want on your rifle for competition shooting.

Third on the list is the Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 3-18×44 FFP riflescope. The Strike Eagle line was in need of an intermediate to longer range magnified optic, so in 2023 Vortex introduced the STRIKE EAGLE 3-18X44 FFP MOA. At its price point the new rifle scope is the best performing optic for your DMR platform on the market. I can’t think of a better Holiday gift. Although not an LPVO, we decided to sneak this in because it is such an outstanding intermediate magnification optic from a great company.

Fourth on our list is the RITON 5 TACTIX 1-10X24 LPVO, this LPVO from Arizona based RITON was the talk of the town at Shot Show 2023.This long-awaited first focal plane optic was designed as a bridge between the lower magnification Low Power Variable Optics and the long-range engagement variable optics.  Its 10X magnification allows for a more precise longer-range engagement.

Red Dot Sights You’ll Want

GPO, German Precision Optics, hit a homerun when in 2023 introduced the SPECTRA red dot reflex sight. This is an open emitter sight and it is the best design I’ve encountered. It is the ideal companion for your subcompact and micro-compact CCW pistol. It’s optical performance is superb, the 3 MOA dot is sharp and free from any artifacts, and its auto brightness is the best I’ve encountered. The real plus of the SPECTRA is simplicity making it an ideal choice for the average gun owner.

The HOLOSUN SCS-MOS (Solar Charging Sight) is a direct attachment optic for full-size GLOCK™ MOS systems. It is designed to attach directly to the slide without an adapter plate and uses HOLOSUN’S solar charging system with multi-directional light sensors to automatically adjust brightness in dynamic situations. It features a 2 MOA dot, 32MOA circle or circle dot reticle.

C&H Precision’s maiden voyage into the highly competitive red dot sight space has been exceptionally successful, with outstanding offerings at a price point superior to its competitors for comparable features and technology. C&H Precision has done just that with their impressive line of red dot sights. The COMP red dot sight offers a panoramic view, clear crisp optical clarity, a well-defined 3 MOA red dot, illumination that supports night vision, and motion detection. You can’t ask for more.

SIG SAUER Electro-Optics recently introduced two open emitter red dot sights the ROMEO-X PRO and ROMEO-X C. The PRO version is designed for the full-sized frames and the XC is aimed at the compact and micro-compact frames. These sights are derivatives of SIG’s M17 military red dot sight. They are rugged, 20,000 hrs. of run time on a single battery, and a low deck height which allows co-witnessing with regular height sights. But what Is key to our recommendation is the simplicity of use and buttons that a normal hand can reliably operate.

Some Great Stocking Stuffers

The Streamlight PROTAC® RAIL MOUNT HL-X PRO is the light you’ll want to outfit your long gun with. A whopping 1000 lumens, lightweight, and low-profile. The ProTac Rail Mount HL-X Pro features a rugged, integrated rail clamp designed to rapidly and securely attach to rifles, carbines and sub-machine guns with a MIL-STD 1913 (Picatinny) or, by using the included M-LOK® mount, to M-LOK or M-LOK compatible rail systems. It is powered by either two 3-volt CR123 lithium batteries or one Streamlight rechargeable SL-B26® lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack. This multi-fuel option allows for use of primary disposable batteries if the rechargeable cell is out of power.

When Streamlight launched the ProTac 2.0 handheld light, they delivered one of the best handheld’s on the market. It’s USB rechargeable, produces a 2000 lumen beam and it’s TenTap Programable. The ProTac 2.0 is the handheld I would want to carry as military or law enforcement. It is a mere 6 inches long and weighs 8 oz. The light ships with a USB-C cord, removable pocket clip and nylon light holster.

If you are a GLOCK owner, the first thing you’ll want to do is get rid of the OEM polymer sights and pick up a set of XS Sights R3D 2.0. Texas based XS Sights is at the top of the list for quality Glock night sights. The company also manufactures a GLOCK centric sight pusher that makes installing your new GLOCK sights a snap. To make your Christmas brighter the company has expanded the R3D 2.0 line for additional platforms to include S&W, Taurus, HK and FN. You won’t find better sights than XS Sights.

Spyderco’s Lil Temperance 3 is an exceptional pocket folder in every respect. Its build quality and design make this pocket folder an excellent EDC or utilitarian tool. If you’re looking for an outstanding knife that will serve you well whether you’re a plumber or CEO, Spyderco’s Lil Temperance 3 fits the bill.

Streamlight introduced the TLR-8 SUB line of weapon mounted lights to deliver a high-performance light/laser accessory for the subcompact pistol frames. As with other members of their SUB line, mounting is platform specific.The TLR-8 SUB is available as a red laser model or the TLR-8 SUB G, a green laser version. A great accessory from a great company for your subcompact pistol!

Mantis is an Illinois based company with the mission of developing high tech training products designed to improve military, civilian and law enforcement shooting skills in complete safety. This year, they introduced the BlackbeardX for all of the Sig Sauer MCX owners. The Blackbeard systems replace the magazine and bolt carrier of your AR style platform. It then allows the trigger to automatically reset eliminating the need to manually cycle the action. For every trigger pull you get a laser light impulse, and using advanced software it’s analyzed for a variety of variables like movement and accuracy. The Blackbeard system is 100% safe and a great way to train at home with your family and friends.

Have a Great Holiday Shopping Experience !

I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy and Joyous Holiday Season !