18 Products That Every Gun Enthusiast Should Have

Being a gun owner is both a point of pride and protection for many people today. About 42% of people in the United States say that they have a gun in their household. 

Whether you’re current or former military or police, a hunter, a competitive shooter, or just someone seeking to perfect your gun ownership, it’s important to look into the best equipment. The firearm accessories that you purchase can help you improve your proficiency and expertise. 

Here are some quality products that every gun enthusiast needs to consider adding to their collection. 

1. A Carbon Scraper

When you fire a gun so frequently, it’s only natural that grime and buildup will accumulate as a result. The combustion process involves different chemical changes that leave residue and remnants. 

Gun lovers know that carbon buildup comes with the territory, and is something that you need to routinely keep track of. Take the time to purchase a carbon scraper that lets you get rid of any buildup that makes the gun difficult to properly discharge. 

You might look into a CAT M4 tool that’ll help you get rid of any buildup that you’re dealing with. Here are some benefits that you’ll appreciate when you decide to invest in a CAT M4 tool:

• It provides you with an easy tool for removing carbon that gets built up in the firing pin flange, bolt carrier, bolt, and other parts
• The tool is sturdier and more reliable than using toothbrushes and other makeshift tools
• You won’t have to exert as much energy or effort when cleaning your firearm
• Caked-up carbon will make your firearm misfire or malfunction
• It gives you more confidence when using the gun for competitive or real-life scenarios
• This tool is excellent for rapid deployment
• The tool easily slides into the bolt carrier

There are a variety of different carbon scrapers you can look into, no matter what kind of weapon you own. The AR-15 is one of the most popular rifles on the market because of its power, precision, and reliability. 

If you have the AR-15, a lug scraper talon tool can also be worth your time and money. This tool is specifically crafted for cleaning the AR-15 rifle and gives you the chance to remove deposits of all types. Here are some of the advantages of having this tool at your disposal:

• This tool is made with durable stainless steel materials
• You will be able to scrape all of your lugs in one fell swoop and with little effort
• The weapon has ridges that you can easily twist and use for leverage to get rid of deposits
• It’s useful for carbon, brass, sand, and all sorts of other types of sediment and buildup
• The lug scraper can easily be used side by side with other cleaning tools
• You can rotate the tool to clean all sides and areas of it
• A single revolution is equal to eight turns

Stock up on a few of these cleaning devices so that you’re able to keep your firearms at their absolute best. 

2. Gun Slings

If you’re a rifle aficionado, you must look into accessories and tools that’ll help you aim and stabilize it. The sling is one of the best tools to stabilize your rifle, which is why it’s included in so many different gun kits that people shop for. 

When you’re looking into gun slings, you’ll have the accessory that will best assist you with your competitive shooting and training for competitions. It’s also perfect for hunting, home defense, and general marksmanship. 

Here are a few of the different specs and benefits that you will love when you invest in a gun sling:

• A tactical bungee sling gives you leverage and balance that doesn’t come from simply holding the gun in your hands
• These slings come in different colors that are perfect for uniformity and expressing your gun enthusiasm
• You can adjust the sling in any way that suits you in aiming and firing
• The sling will help you move around tactically while maintaining retention when it’s time to put your hands back on your gun
• Straps are built tough, durable, and reliable for any gun owner
• It’s an excellent tool for switching over to your dominant side or a sidearm
• You’ll be able to fine-tune your shooting position

Consider these matters whenever you’re trying to find a product that can help you become a better shooter across the board. 

3. Gun and Tactical Backpacks

When going down your gun owner checklist, make sure that you look into a high-quality firearm backpack. Investing in gun backpacks will let you have access to your weapons and the accessories that you need. 

These backpacks are excellent regardless of your firearm lifestyle and the ways that you use them. Here are a few of the different reasons that these backpacks are excellent for any gun owner:

• The backpacks are often armored and protected by steel so that your health and the contents of the bag are kept safe
• These packs come in a variety of colors and styles that are excellent for your style and needs
• You can pack your bag with trauma pads, first aid kits, extra ammunition, and multiple supplies and equipment
• The bag comes with a variety of pockets and sleeves that let you pack everything that you want to bring
• Firearm backpacks generally don’t weigh more than 3 pounds or so
• These packs are stylish and fit in with any setting
• The protection is excellent for even the highest ballistic weapons

Check out a few different backpacks so that you can figure out what kind of bag is best for your needs. 

4. Shooting Glasses and Other Eyewear

Safety is everything when it comes to wielding a firearm of any kind. Look into a nice pair of shooting glasses or other eyewear that can protect your corneas from hot casings that are expelled when the weapon is fired. 

Having access to this eyewear will help you in several ways:

• Eyewear can help to prevent vision loss and severe damage to your eyes
• These shades are fashionable and perfect for both shooting and non-shooting situations
• Eyewear is made with a polycarbonate material that offers 900 pounds per square inch of tensile strength
• You will get 100% protection from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays
• These shades are scratch-resistant and durable
• They come in a quality carrying case, along with a microfiber cleaning cloth
• You can purchase firearm eyewear in a variety of shades and colors

Take time to shop around for whatever kind of eyewear you need to give you protection, whether you are shooting weapons indoors or outdoors. 

5. Vests and Body Armor

Having someone return fire is never something you want to think about, but it’s always a possibility if you find yourself in a dangerous situation. You may also be at risk for stray shots due to accidents at the range, hunting, or during shooting competitions. 

It’s better to be safe than sorry, which is why investing in bulletproof vests and body armor is one of the best decisions that you can make; it’s an essential accessory to look into whenever you own weapons and should be part of every gun owner’s checklist. You might also appreciate having these vests for your family members to wield in any kind of emergency. 

People involved in the prepping lifestyle will also want to stock up on some quality vests or body armor. Here are a few different things you should keep in mind when buying a new vest:

• Understand how bulletproof vests work by slowing bullets down, changing the trajectory, changing the bullet’s shape, and spreading the energy away from vital organs
• Find out what grade of steel, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), ceramic, kevlar, or other material the vest is made from 
• Study the weight and dimensions of the vest
• Learn the protection grades and specifications of the bulletproof vest
• Search for the brands and types of vests that different military and law enforcement organizations use
• Try on a vest to gauge it for comfort and durability
• Research the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) rating that the vest received – I through IV

The body armor that you purchase can work to save your life every bit as much as your firearm does.  

6. Third-Party Grip Accessories

Learning to grip your gun comfortably and correctly will help your gun proficiency more than anything. Whether you need to be calm during shooting exhibitions of real-life scenarios, you never want to question whether or not you’ll be able to get a firm grip on your weapon. 

If you want to increase your ability to control your firearm, look into some grip accessories that’ll help you. Look into buying whatever handgun or rifle grip will get the job done for you. These grips are often made from materials like different types of rubber and composite materials. 

The grips are also designed with patterns and textures to make sure you can get a solid grip no matter your environment. This is particularly helpful if you’re in hot conditions that might cause you to sweat more profusely. You can purchase a grip to be installed on your gun to improve your ability to wield it. 

Having a third-party grip is particularly helpful if you’re a novice trying to improve your comfort and familiarity with handling and shooting a gun.  

7. Various Sights for Rifles and Handguns

If you’re looking to improve your shooting accuracy, it’s always best to invest in scopes and sights for your rifle, handgun, or any other type of firearm. Understanding the different types of firearm sights will help you with your aim and marksmanship. 

Here are a few of the different types of sights you might enjoy for your gun:

• Red dot scopes
• Iron sights
• Holographic scopes
• Reflex sights
• Laser sights

Many gun owners love using laser sights so that they have pinpoint accuracy with their shots. Regardless of what kind of sights you think will be best for your firearm, it’s best to test them out before purchasing. 

Learn the different parts of sights and scopes to learn how they work. Some of the different parts that make up these accessories include laser diodes, folding mirrors, collimating reflectors, and front and back surfaces. You’ll also need to learn how to control the scope so that it’s accurate and gives you a chance for your ammo to reach its intended target. 

The scope should have a crystal clear lens for you to look through so that you’re best able to aim and keep your eye on your target. Your scope should also be made from durable materials so that they don’t easily get cracked or warped. It should come with a protective case that you can store it in whenever it’s not in use.  

8. Home Firearm Safes 

People who own guns need to always make sure that their firearms are tucked away safely. Investing in a quality safe is one of the best steps that you can take so that your guns don’t fall into the wrong hands. 

Make sure to invest in a gun safe if you have a collection or own multiple weapons. Here are some things that you should know about finding a gun safe for your firearms:

• Look into the type of steel that the safe is made from and its thickness. Gun safes regularly feature steel plates as thick as a half-inch
• Choose a safe that is fireproof and able to withstand temperatures as high as 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit 
• Study the locking mechanism and make sure that the hinges and other parts are solid and secure
• Select a safe that comes with locks and re-locks in multiple directions
• Check out the different drawers, racks, and compartments that come with the safe
• Gauge the size and the dimensions of the safe to find out how many firearms it can keep
• Find out if the safe comes with any kind of warranty or protection plan

Take some time to look into options from different safe manufacturers to find out which are best for your home. These safes are perfect for a garage, bedroom, outdoor shed, or anywhere else you keep your guns. Having a working gun safe can keep intruders from getting to your firearms if there’s ever a break-in or burglary. 

A gun safe might cost you between $1,000 and $4,000 in most cases. Add an insurance policy with your safe so that you can protect it from any sort of damage or malfunction.  

9. Shooting Range Targets

Competitive shooters, professionals, and gun owners that want to perfect their aim will want to purchase some targets. This investment is the best way to get a feel for a new weapon and to fine-tune your use of a weapon that you have owned for years. 

Invest in some disposable targets that you can take with you to the range. These targets have points and sectors in a variety of areas that increase with difficulty to hit. Some targets are bullseyes or similar shapes, while others feature silhouettes of people or hunting animals.  

Going to the shooting range regularly brings about several benefits, including:

• Building accuracy for competitive or life-and-death situations
• Gaining mastery over your ability to fire different types of weapons
• Stress relief and an excellent practice for mental health and calmness
• Testing your proficiency in different scenarios and for differing skill-sets
• It gives you the confidence to own and wield your gun and protect your family
• Targets provide a realistic representation of scenarios that you can try out
• You will improve your marksmanship in different distances and states of visibility 

These targets will teach you a lot about your skill and the level of damage your ammunition causes on said targets which is excellent information to know regardless of what sort of firearm you’re using.  

10. New Bolt Carrier Groups

Many gun enthusiasts love and appreciate the AR-15 rifle because it’s a firearm for home defense, range shooting, competition, and tactical use. If you need to get the best from your AR-15 use, it’s helpful to buy the accessories that make it an easier gun to load and handle. 

A bolt carrier group is one of the best accessories to purchase because it creates the semi-automatic reaction that happens when the gun is fired. Upgrading your bolt carrier group will make it easier for you to fire your weapon without having to constantly reload. Your bolt carrier grabs new rounds to load so that your gun doesn’t get jammed or otherwise malfunction.  

11. Spare Magazines for Your Firearm

When you own guns, it’s important that you also stock up on the ammo for your weapon. Keeping your firearm loaded will help you to always remain prepared whenever it’s time to retrieve your weapon and fire it. 

After you have spent your bullets, it’s easier to seamlessly load the clip when you have another magazine already prepared. Look into the different magazine options in front of you to make sure that it has the capacity that you’re looking for. You’ll be able to shop around for firearm magazines that hold as many as 30 rounds, those that seamlessly fit different rifles and handguns. 

Certain firearm magazines also come with a window so that you can see how many bullets are currently loaded inside. It’ll give you a visual count you can check on rather than having to keep track in your head. This feature is particularly useful for tactical situations, when you are hunting, or participating in shooting competitions. 

The best magazines are curved to snugly fit inside of your firearm and they feature steel springs that hold bullets into place and reposition them when it’s time to load another round. These magazines come with military-grade durability that will help you out regardless of your reasons for collecting and using them.  

12. The Best Ammunition for Your Gun

Understanding how to buy ammunition will help you more than anything else which is arguably the most important part of maintaining and using a gun. Make sure that you do your research and understand what ammo you need for your firearm. 

It’s commonplace for people to use different types of ammunition at the range than you would use for hunting, competitions, or other scenarios. Take the time to research the various kinds of ammunition on the market, and be discerning about the type that you purchase. 

Here are a few of the different things to keep in mind when shopping for ammunition:

• Look into the caliber of bullets that will work best for your firearm
• Check out the grain weight and choose boxes of ammunition that feature the number of rounds that you need
• Find a gun and ammunition shop that will sell you the best type for your weapon
• Stick to the same brands for practice that you will use for real-life scenarios
• Study the laws of your state so that you can purchase ammunition that is legal and verified
• Consider different styles of ammunition, such as hollow point, Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP), Full Metal Jacket (FMJ), Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP), and wadcutter rounds
• Research the ratings and grades for each type and brand of ammo

Sometimes, purchasing ammunition comes down to figuring out what you’re the most comfortable with. Try out a few different kinds of ammo at the range so that you’re able to find the best fit for your needs.  

13. Tactical Pouches

Take the time to look into tactical pouches that you can use to stash away the miscellaneous items that you use during your practice shooting and competitions. You can use these pouches to carry any number of things, including:

• Spare boxes of ammunition and spent casings that you collect
• Magazines that are empty from target practice
• Spare pairs of goggles and other eyewear
• Small tools and pieces of equipment
• Gun slings, sights, and accessories

These pouches are small and lightweight so that you don’t have a problem carrying them around and getting the most from your movement and tactics. They’re heavily and professionally stitched and feature a few different compartments to help you store and keep whatever you’re looking for. 

Having a high-quality tactical pouch will give you the chance to quickly retrieve your weapon and use it however you need to. The pouches are generally anywhere between 7 inches and 9 inches deep so that you can fit your essentials without worrying about overcrowding or difficulty retrieving them when needed. 

14. Discs and Other Moving Targets

If you’re a competitive or recreational shooter, you need to have moving targets that you can use to sharpen your skills. Many people use discs for this reason. It’s easy to send discs into the air for target practice, either with the aid of a machine or by having someone help you by hurling it. 

The shape of the disk will allow it to sail through the air in a speedy, moving pattern that you can pinpoint and shoot. Having access to these sorts of moving targets will sharpen your skills and help you win your competition. When you’re trying to get the most out of clay shooting, consider the following tips:

• Decide on the ideal firearm for your clay shooting
• Maintain space and safety when you’re firing at your targets
• Take your time and find out which of your eyes is dominant, and sharpen your skills with each moving target
• Work your way up to different speeds before increasing the difficulty level
• Keep your firearm unloaded while practicing your mounts
• Maintain the motion of the barrel until you fire the trigger
• Keep both of your eyes open while firing at targets

You’ll develop the feel for the gun when you have moving targets to shoot at and it will give you greater proficiency when shooting stationary targets.  

15. Thermal and Night Vision Equipment

You can also expand your visibility by looking into thermal and night vision equipment. Thermal eyewear allows you to see targets in dark or poor weather conditions. It picks up on thermal activity, so anything that generates heat and energy will show up on your goggles.

Night vision equipment is excellent for anyone trying to shoot in dark conditions. Make sure that you practice tactical situations with both of these types of eyewear so you can grow accustomed to using them. You can also look into sights and scopes that are equipped with thermal or night vision capability. 

Learning how to use these accessories correctly will allow you to overcome limitations due to weather or any other circumstances that will otherwise put you at a disadvantage.  

16. A Spare Tactical Knife

A person that is truly prepared will always come equipped with a couple of different weapons. Invest in a quality tactical knife that you can use. The knife will become useful to you if you run out of ammunition or need another weapon to use in close-quarter situations. 

Check out our comprehensive review of some of the best tactical knives to use as bayonets.

These knives are also helpful in case you need to clean animals after your hunting trips. Make sure that your tactical knife is made with a sharp blade that will stay durable and anti-corrosive over the years. People that enjoy collecting guns also appreciate having a collection of knives as well. 

Keep an inventory of your favorite knives so that you can bring them out in any situation that you need them for.  

17. A Firearm Cleaning Kit

Look into getting an all-encompassing cleaning kit that you can use to take care of your gun. Cleaning your firearm is one of the most important parts of gun ownership since it will help you to prevent jams and other problems. 

Your firearm cleaning kit should include items like:

• Cleaning cloths to wipe down the surface and interior parts
• Oil and solvents to break down buildup so you can properly clean your gun
• A cleaning rod that will help you get into all of the nooks and crannies
• Snakes to go through all of the inner workings of the weapon
• Cleaning patches that will help you clean various parts of the weapon

Take some time to research the different kits available and find out which kits gun enthusiasts trust.  

18. Gun Holsters and Other Carrying Devices

Finally, you always need to have access to the best holsters and other carrying devices. This is particularly important in states that require you to openly display a holster so that you’re not charged with concealing a weapon. 

Choose holsters that are made from the highest quality leather or other materials. You might also look into buying a battle belt since it is an excellent accessory to have at your disposal. Get holsters or carrying cases that are perfect for whatever kind of firearm you own. Try them on so that you have quick and seamless access to your weapon when you need to retrieve, aim, and fire.  

The Best Products for Any Gun Enthusiast 

You will appreciate the points above when you’re shopping for the newest accessories and equipment. These products are excellent for any gun enthusiast, so shop around and figure out what works best for your needs. 

Keep these high on your firearm owner checklist so that you’re always vigilant and prepared and never lacking anything that you need the most. We’ve got you covered whenever you need the best available. 

Justin Trump

Justin Trump is the managing editor and owner of CAT Outdoors. The son of a Vietnam veteran, he’s an avid gun enthusiast and 2A advocate. He holds two firearm patents for the CAT M4 and Talon tools. When not managing CAT Outdoors, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, rooting for Michigan sports teams, and serving his church.