2018 Father's Day Gift Guide

February 14, 2018 By J. Scott Rupp

Streamlight TLR-7, TLR-8

FDGG-HG-Streamlight-TLR8 The new small-footprint light (TLR-7) and light/laser (TLR-8) will fit on practically any gun with an accessory rail and are perfectly at home on smaller pistols. The powerful white light on each has a 500-lumen output. The TLR-7 can be programmed to cycle through high and strobe, and the TLR-8 can be programmed light only, laser only, light/laser and also incorporate a strobe. Activation is via touch pads on both sides of the units. These new lights also feature a lock-out ring on the bezel. Simply twist to lock in the off position and not worry the light will be activated accidentally and run down your battery.

{Streamlight.com}

Ed Brown Executive Commander

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For the man who has everything. Part of the company's Elite series, the Executive Commander sports a 4.25-inch Commander-length barrel on a Government frame and features 25 lpi checkering on the frontstrap and mainspring housing. The plain black sight is paired with a gold bead front. Custom touches include a French border, ball end-mill cuts, flattened and serrated slide top and serrated slide rear. And since it's an Ed Brown, you can further customize it with more than 100 options.

{$3,395 (base), EdBrown.com}

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 2.0

FDGG-HG-M&P The march of 2.0 additions to Smith & Wesson's M&P pistol lineups continues with the Shield 2.0. It comes in numerous variations, including models with integrated Crimson Trace laser (shown), thumb safety (shown), no thumb safety and tritium night sights in 9mm and .40 S&W. The Shield 2.0s include improved triggers (lighter pull, better reset) and a new grip-enhancing texture. Barrel is 3.1 inches, and the gun ships with one standard and one extended-grip mag.

{$479â€“$579, smith-wesson.com}

Hornady Rapid Vehicle Safe

FDGG-HD-Hornady

We all know (or should know) that you shouldn't keep a gun in your car unsecured—and, no, glove boxes and consoles don't count. Hornady's new Rapid Vehicle safe, which uses RFID technology and also a keypad for convenient access, employs an inflatable bladder to conform to your vehicle's interior and a security cable to prevent smash-and-grab thefts, the most common way criminals steal guns from vehicles. RFID options include a key fob, a decal you can put on your phone and a wristband. The unit is built of 14-gauge steel and powered by AAA batteries. A 12-volt car adapter is included.

{$227, hornady.com}

Federal Hydra-Shok Deep

FDGG-HD-Federal

While there's certainly nothing wrong with the original Hydra-Shok bullet, if you can make it better, why wouldn't you? The new Deep version has a more robust center post and core design and promises as much as 50 percent more penetration. Federal's testing has found penetration depths of 15 inches in bare ballistic gel. The 135-grain load features a specially formulated propellant and, of course, Federal's reliable primer. Muzzle velocity is 1,060 fps out of a four-inch pressure barrel.

A trailing-slot inside-the-waistband/outside-the-waistband holster features an IWB strap that's both cantable and easily removed without tools. The holster is designed for medium and large semiautomatics—20 total fitments from companies like Kimber, SIG, Ruger, Springfield, Smith & Wesson, Glock and more. It is built from premium tan saddle leather, and the belt slots fit belts up to 1.5 inches wide.

{$70, DeSantisHolster.com}

Remington Golden Saber Black Belt

FDGG-HD-Remington

This new ammo gets its name from the black Mechani-Lokt belt that locks the jacket to the core. If you were to take one apart you'd see the bullet has an hourglass shape, with the belt encircling the "waist." The rear of the bullet is set up as a driving band that aligns the bullet in the chamber before it engages the rifling, which contributes to accuracy. Spiral nose cuts and an optimized hollowpoint cavity deliver controlled expansion. Available in 9mm (124-grainer at 1,125 fps), 9mm +P (124 at 1,180), .40 S&W (180 at 1,015) and .45 ACP (230 at 875).

{remington.com}

Decibullz Custom Molded Plugs

FDGG-HD-Decibullz

I just finished making a set of these thermoplastic plugs, and it was super easy. Dunk them one at a time into boiling water, let 'em cool and then use your fingertips to form them to your ear. The fit is fantastic, and with the foam tips they offer a 31 noise reduction rating. Will warn you that they're the same color, and the raised "L" and "R" disappeared when I made mine, but it's not hard to figure out which side is which. A cloth bag is included, along with three sizes of silicone tips in addition to the foam ones. Five colors to choose from.

{$26, decibullz.com}

Walther PPQ Sub-Compact

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The PPQ is an excellent pistol, and the new Sub-Compact version makes for an excellent concealed-carry pistol. It's a really comfortable gun to shoot, thanks to its excellent ergonomics, and at just 6.6 inches long, 4.4 inches high and 1.3 inches wide, it's plenty small enough to conceal. Weight is just 21.2 ounces. If you haven't tried Walther's Quick Defense trigger, it's one of the best out there, with a crisp pull and a great reset. The gun comes with interchangeable backstraps for a custom fit and offers the option of 10-round flush-fit or finger-hook or extended 15-rounder.

{$649, WaltherArms.com}

SIG Sauer P365

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In the minds of some knowledgeable shooters, the new P365 from SIG may just be the ultimate carry 9mm. At just 5.8 inches overall, 4.3 inches high and one inch wide, it's one of the smallest guns on the market, but unlike many other small 9mms, it's got capacity—a whopping 10 rounds in a flush-fit magazine. It comes with that mag as well as an extended 10-rounder for a better grip, and an extended 12-round mag is available for sale. The 18-ounce pistol is rated for +P ammo and gun comes with SIG's excellent XRAY day/night sights. Last but not least, it's got a great trigger.

{$600, SIGsauer.com}