Images by the author. All photos were taken of the actual product.
When you commence to shootin’, you find that you need more “stuff” to help with your new hobby. From simple targets to gun oil to screwdrivers, you’ll find that the more accessories and tools you have, the easier it is to engage in your hobby.
With Christmas exactly 10 days away as I write this, I thought it couldn’t hurt to share with readers some very useful tools and accessories I have collected. Some of these will fall into the “stocking stuffer” class, while others will be firmly in the “hint>hint, wink>wink>nod” classification. I guess price will be the deciding factor between those two groups.
Let’s divide what I have here into two main groups, as the title states: tools and accessories. Let’s look at tools first. I will just list all these items… There are many … in no particular order. I will provide links and pricing to support your research. For this go-around, I have items here from Wheeler Tools, Caldwell, and Tipton.
Tools
When you think of gun-related tools, you think naturally of screwdrivers. That’s a given. But what about torque wrenches? Some optics companies want you to attach their products with so many pound-inches of torque. We’ve got you covered. Also, hex and Torx wrenches and bits are required. Let’s look at a few. I did not get into the deep end of gunsmithing tools on purpose. I tried to stick with items that most shooters could use. Wheeler, in particular, makes some pretty specialized tools for the pro, but those are beyond what I want to do here. You can check their website for more detailed info on that type of equipment.
First, we’ll look at torque wrenches.
Wheeler makes a few, and I have a couple of examples for you. First, there’s the F.A.T. (Firearm Accurizing Torque) Auto-Torque. Think of it as a cordless drill-type device that delivers a precise torque setting. Here it is:
You can set the torque, and it will deliver. The drill format allows you to spin it quickly and set the screw to the exact pressure required, from 10 to 65 inch-pounds. See it here, $242
Also, we have a non-electric version of the F.A.T. Wrench:
The F.A.T. Wrench allows you to adjust your screws to the exact torque setting you need. You have plenty of bits, so you should have what you need. See it here, $88.
What about plain-ordinary hex/torx sets? I have a couple for you.
Below is a 65-piece set that you can take to the range. See it here, $65. You should have what you need here.
But what if you want or need more leverage? Here’s a 30-piece Torx P-handle set that allows you to apply some force…see it here. $88.
I like the way that they have given you basically two wrenches in one. You have a short, nubby end for up-close work, and a long handle for leverage. This would make quick work of scope mounting and other work.
Lastly, in the tools category are a couple of items no serious shooter should be without. Those are a trigger gauge and a bore sighter. At least, I call them tools… they are necessary items.
Here we have both of those, from Wheeler.
The trigger gauge is very handy. The hook will fit over a bladed trigger easily, and the average pull weight is constantly updated with each additional trigger pull. No additional button presses are required to see either that or how many times you pulled the trigger. See it here. $88. If all you want is a mechanical spring scale, they also offer those for $33.
The bore sighter includes a feature I’ve come to appreciate in another brand I use: a magnetic attachment. I’ve used less expensive sighters with caliber-specific arbors that screw into the body and then into the rifle’s bore. The advantage of the magnetic ones is that there are no small pieces to lose… the unit is an all-in-one. See it here. $143, with green as an option.
It includes a replaceable battery. Simply center it as best as you can over the bore, and the bright red laser will hit your target at the rifle’s point of impact. You don’t have to be OCD-dead-nuts-accurate when centering the sighter on your muzzle. Close is good enough. It will definitely get you on the paper, at the very least. I also use it for handguns.
Accessories
Now, let’s look at a few things that are not exactly tools, but that will help your shooting endeavors.
First up is a cleaning kit. If you’re like me, you will have collected fourteen zillion cleaning kits and rods, patches, oils, brushes, etc. Here’s what you need, all in one, and the oil part comes next.
This kit cleans almost any firearm and includes a bore guide kit. A heavy-duty rod with a smoothly rotating handle helps with your cleaning chores. Picks, brushes, jags… it will have what you need. See it here. $198.
What if you need oil or other grunge-busting solvents? Here are just two of what they offer…
Best CLP and Best gun oil, four ounces each. That ought to last you a while. See them here. $10.49 each.
Last, from Tipton, no self-respecting rimfire shooter should do without these snap caps.
As we all know, dry-firing a rimfire rifle or handgun is not good unless you have something to cushion the firing pin before it hits the chamber rim. These caps will allow you to practice to your heart’s content. See these and other caliber caps here. $8.50.
Now, how about magazine loaders? Caldwell has a couple that piqued my interest.
One is for the 10/22-style rotary magazine…
As those of us who own 10/22s (or similar magazine styles like the new Winchester rifle uses), loading rotary mags is a chore. This 10/22 mag charger helps immensely. See it here. $27.
How about your AR? Loading 30-round 5.56 mm magazines is easier with this loader. I was able to stick 20 rounds (only because I didn’t put 30 in the loader) in an AR mag in about five seconds. Easy-peasy!
You simply seat your magazine in the port on the right. Then, dump 10 at a time from an ammo box into each of the three rows. Once all three (or in my case, two) rows are full, push the handle in, and it shoves the cartridges into the magazine. It works with 20- or 30-round mags.
That’s it for now. Whether you tell Santa you have some ideas for him (or her), or you order for yourself, there may be something here that will ease your shooting and help you. Let’s hear from you below about your favorite tools or accessories!
Be sure to check out this Gun Guy’s buyer’s guide!
Read the full article here
