+
–
Table of Contents
1. Browning AB3 Composite Stalker Bolt-Action Rifle – Editor’s Pick
I first got to know the Browning A-Bolt series of rifles years ago and I’ve always been impressed. The only hard thing to swallow about them was the price. When Browning went to a new design, it left a lot of people still wanting the A-Bolt. I for one was pretty happy when they came out with the AB3, an updated version of the original bolt-action design. I was even more happy when I saw the price! These are great rifles for the money and I keep trying to convince my wife to let me get another one.It has the Browning 3-locking lug bolt design and the top-tang safety I really like, too. There is a detachable box magazine and the overall feel of the rifle is comfortable.
Pros/Lots of quality features packed into a budget-friendly rifle
Cons/Has to be shipped to a Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shops store for pick-up
Bottom Line/Browning quality and finish at a great price – anyone would be happy to have one of these rifles.
2. Beretta A300 Ultima Semi-Auto Shotgun
What if you took the quick-cycling Beretta A300 shotgun action, and combined it with the recoil reduction properties of the premier A400? You’d get one of the hottest new shotguns going – the Beretta A300 Optima. As someone who has spent an awful lot of time with a Beretta shotgun on his shoulder, I can attest that this is a great shotty for just about everything you’d want to do with a scattergun. It’s highly versatile and an outstanding performer. This Shotgun has a larger bolt handle and release, and an improved low-profile receiver with oversized loading port that makes loading and reloading easier and faster. The Kick-Off recoil reduction system makes heavy loads feel like light target loads, too. What I love best is how it feels on your shoulder.
Pros/Great price, low recoil, easier loading, great gun
Cons/None
Bottom Line/If you or someone you care for is looking for a sweet new semi-auto shotgun, this is definitely worth a look
3. Browning Strike Force HD MAX 26LC Trail Camera Combo
I’ve used several Browning trail cameras before and have always liked them. This one is a great deal, too! It gives you the Strike Force HD camera with 26mp picture quality, 900p video quality and all kinds of adjustments, including burst modes, video lengths, and trigger speed. This camera will snap off 8 images in under 2 seconds! When you add in the 16GB SD card and Energizer batteries, getting it all for under $100 is cool.
Pros/26mp image quality and adjustable everything
Cons/I’m trying to find one, but can’t
Bottom Line/A great deal on a solid camera with cool features anyone would like
4. Stack-On 13 Gun Fire Safe with Electronic Lock
One of the best possible gifts you can give or receive is a firearm safe. There are usually some sweet deals on them around the holidays, and if you don’t have a big collection, this is a great option to not only keep your firearms safe and secure, but there’s room as well for keepsakes and important documents. This safe will hold 13 guns and has 3 locking bolts. It will protect your stuff from 1,200-degree fire for 20 minutes.
Pros/Quality safe that holes 13 firearms plus
Cons/Once you have 13 firearms, you’ve run out of room for more
Bottom Line/A great deal on a quality, compact fire-rated gun safe
5. Bushnell Legend 1200 6×24 LRF
A rangefinder is a great thing to have for hunters and golfers… but mostly hunters. Knowing exactly how far away a game animal is can be a major factor in deciding whether to take the shot or not. This one from Bushnell, the company that basically invented laser range finding technology, reads targets out to 1,200 yards, but at that distance, you’d need a reflective surface for a good read. This one also has Bushnell’s ARC technology – Angle Range Compensation – that gives accurate ranging and shot placement for terrain angle, giving you true distance to target on uphill and downhill shots. It makes a great gift, or if you need one for yourself, this is a deal! Hey, get one for your buddy, too.
Pros/1,200 yard range, ARC technology, Brush mode
Cons/non-reflective target range is closer to 600 yards
Bottom Line/A smoking deal on a feature-packed laser range finder.
Should I wait for Black Friday sales?
No, you shouldn’t wait. Many of the early sales will not be repeated before the holidays, and there is always the threat of low stock and other supply issues. I wouldn’t wait if I saw something I wanted to buy for myself or as a gift.
Is it legal to give a firearm as a gift?
It is perfectly legal to purchase a firearm from a licensed firearms retailer that you intend to give as a gift. There is currently no law that prohibits a gift of a firearm to a relative who lives in your home state. Always check your local laws, but you should be fine. Just be sure you’re not falling into what can be considered a straw purchase.
We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.