Thoughtful gifts for gun owners under $50 tend to be practical: cleaning gear, hearing protection, a good light, a lockbox or a small tool they keep meaning to buy. Below are 12 picks sorted by the kind of person you're shopping for. All of them are accessories, so you never need to buy or handle a firearm to give one.
If you don't shoot yourself, don't worry. Every pick has a short "best for" line and a plain explanation of what it does. Where a gift has to match a specific caliber or gun model, we say so and tell you how to find out without making it obvious.
Quick picks
Gift
Best for
Rough price tier
Hoppe's No. 9 Cleaning Kit
New shooters
$
A-Zoom Snap Caps
New shooters practicing at home
$
Howard Leight Impact Sport
Anyone without electronic ear protection
$$$
MTM 30 Cal Ammo Can
Range regulars
$
Radians Revelation Shooting Glasses
Range regulars, spare pair for guests
$
Caldwell Mag Charger
Range regulars with sore thumbs
$$
Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA
Concealed carriers
$$$
North American Rescue CAT Tourniquet
Concealed carriers
$$
SnapSafe Lock Box
Concealed carriers who drive
$$
TekMat Cleaning Mat
The person who has everything
$$
Lockdown GoldenRod Dehumidifier
Anyone with a gun safe
$$$
Wheeler FAT Wrench
Tinkerers who mount their own scopes
$$$
Price tiers are rough guides, not quotes: $ is usually under $20, $$ is about $20–$35, and $$$ is about $35–$50. Amazon prices move a lot during the holidays, so check the current price before you order.
For the new shooter
Someone who just bought their first firearm usually has the gun and a box of ammo, and not much else. These are the basics most people end up buying in their first few months.
For the range regular
If they go to the range every couple of weeks, they already own the basics. Gifts that make range trips easier, or that replace things that wear out, go over well.
For the concealed carrier
People who carry daily tend to think about what else they carry along with the gun. These are good gifts because they're useful on any ordinary day, not just in an emergency.
For the person who has everything
These are the gifts people know about but don't buy for themselves. They're nice upgrades to gear the person already has.
Tips for buying gun gifts when you don't shoot
Find out the caliber the low-key way. Cleaning kits, snap caps and bore cleaners are caliber-specific. Look at the gun's original box, the receipt, or an ammo box they've left out, or just ask what they shoot. Never handle someone else's firearm to check.
When in doubt, pick something universal. Ear protection, glasses, flashlights, ammo cans, mag loaders and dehumidifiers don't depend on what gun they own.
Keep the gift receipt. Shooters often have strong opinions about gear, so an easy exchange helps.
Order early. Popular items can sell out or ship slowly in December. Give yourself plenty of buffer.
Want more ideas? Browse the rest of our gear guides.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just buy them ammunition as a gift?
You can in many places, but it's more complicated than buying gear. Federal law sets age minimums for buying ammo from a licensed dealer (18 for long-gun ammunition, 21 for handgun ammunition), and some states add their own rules, such as background checks or permits for ammo purchases. You also can't mail live ammunition through USPS. Check your state's rules first, or give a range gift card instead.
Is it okay to gift something that goes on their gun, like a light or sight?
Gun-mounted accessories have to fit the exact firearm model, and many shooters are particular about them. Unless you know the model and they've asked for a specific item, standalone gear like the picks above is safer.
What's the single safest bet under $50?
Good hearing or eye protection. Everyone needs it, it wears out or gets lost, and it doesn't depend on what gun they own. Electronic muffs like the Impact Sport are a big upgrade over foam plugs.
Are snap caps safe to keep around the house?
Yes. Snap caps contain no powder or primer. They're brightly colored so they're easy to tell apart from live rounds, but they should still be stored separately from real ammunition to avoid mix-ups.
Do I need to tell them the gift is gun-related before they open it?
No, but if they'll open it in front of family or kids, a heads-up is considerate. Some people prefer to keep their gear private.
Editorial note: These picks are based on manufacturer information, retailer listings and published reviews. We haven't tested these products hands-on. Prices and availability change often, especially around the holidays. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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