For me, “everyday carry” isn’t just about guns and gun gear. It’s anything that makes my daily tasks a bit easier while not being so bulky that I have to make a special effort to carry.
When it comes to “gun stuff” for gifting, it’s easier if you know the recipient’s preferred firearm so you can tailor the gift to the end user’s best needs. For example, if the lucky giftee is someone who carries a small revolver, you may want to supply the holster – like a Mika’s Pocket Holster. Costing less than $40 and being a basic pouch (though you need to know which gun is going in it), it’s something that works in either front trouser pocket and has been used by cops for decades … I was one of them and I still use it the lion’s share of the time.
Double-stack magazine pouch from THE WILDERNESS shown with the UpLULA magazine loader – both thrifty and nifty gifts.
For bottom-feeder handguns, a nice thrifty option for the carry of spare ammo, is from The Wilderness Tactical. Pictured here is the “Pistol Mag Pouch, double-stack.” Coming in at just under $35, it’s secure and as fast as anyone will need it. Like Mika’s, just looking around The Wilderness website will generate more gift ideas.
While Dan is discussing lighting, the Streamlight Macrostream USB Everyday Carry Flashlight is new to me, but has become a more-or-less constant companion. Extremely light (2.2 oz.) while being a convenient size to handle, it generates 500 lumens, something remarkable to this old timer. Light enough to clip onto a cap bill while being a handy size for manipulation, it seems to do it all well. Charging through the micro-USB port takes 4 hours or less. It can be found for less than $60.
If everyday carry does involve firearms, it requires practice, training and education. If the person on your shopping list uses GLOCK pistols or handguns and pistol-caliber carbines that use GLOCK 9mm magazines, an option is the MagPulPMAG17 (or PMAG19) GL9 magazine. I’ve used them for years and some makers of non-GLOCK firearms provided the PMAG as their OEM magazine. They’re easily found and – if you started shopping early enough – you likely got them on sale. (MagPul also has the PMAG for AR-pattern firearms and the AMAG SG-9 for the SIG P320 line.)
To fill those magazines, the UpLULA universal pistol magazine loader 9mm – .45ACP – can come in handy. It minimizes the wear and tear on your hands as you fill new magazines and is a thoughtful touch.
Continuing with education, you can give the gift of knowledge by buying a decent text on personal defense and defense firearms. Shown here, Defensive Living by our own Dave Spaulding and the late Ed Lovette was found on Amazon. Defensive Use of Firearms, 3rd Edition is currently in print, available at the Snub Gun Study Group. The print copy is under $20 and the text is an outstanding primer as well as a recognized standard for the well-trained student.
Moving through practice into safety, we have a few helpful items. One is the Safe Direction Academy Pad. This pricey gift, at over $300, is a potential life saver. It’s a “flat clearing barrel …” It’s used during loading, unloading and maintenance. While maintaining light muzzle contact with the center of the logo, the pad is warranted to contain a duty or defense round from handguns up to a 45 Auto.
Finally, if you have a car with one of those “wear the remote and the car will start and function” gizmos, you might wonder how they work. Basically, if the fob is close to the car, doors will unlock and it will start. That’s something that can provide a security issue if someone is technically competent. Apparently, the signal can be collected, boosted and used to get into the car – potentially allowing the car to be stolen as well.
I’ve messed about with various “Farraday” containers, but only two have made the cut – so far.
The first was the Mission Darkness Faraday Bag for Keyfobs. The Mission Darkness Keyfob Shield is a pouch made from water-resistant ballistic nylon outer material and three layers of shielding TitanRF Faraday Fabric. There’s a belt loop on the back and a keyring loop to attach on a carabiner. The closure is “fold and tuck.” I thought little of that until I tried it.
The other unit I tried was the SLNT Faraday Key Fob Bag. This is called a “Silent Pocket Faraday cage” that features snap closure. It too has the external key chain loop and is available in two sizes.
The exterior is “weatherproof polyester” in 500D. The lining is called “Multishield Faraday Shielding Material.”
I used the protective sleeves from both makers and both of them work.
— Rich Grassi
