Gear We Love — May/June 2020

Taurus TX22

Taurus cracked the code: an American-made pistol chambered for .22 LR that retails for less than $300. With a crisp, positive trigger break and equally cooperative trigger reset, it is easy to run through the 16-round magazine either during a serious training session for a comparably sized pistol or just informal plinking.

You can head to TaurusUSA.com to learn more or just get to your local shop for some hands-on.

MSRP: $349

Mec-Gar Magazines

Original equipment manufacturer (or, as they say in the gun business, “OEM”) to many of the biggest gunmakers in the world, Mec-Gar is Italy’s premier manufacturer of handgun magazines.

It produces boxes for the 1911 platform, Beretta, CZ, SIG, Kimber, Browning, Para USA, Witness, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Taurus, Walther and Bersa.

You can get yours at your local gun shop or at Mec-Gar.com.

MSRP: $23.20 and up

Galco Royal Guard 2.0

The original Royal Guard was a common sight on the silver screen and on the 4 o’clocks of countless armed professionals, and Galco has updated the classic design for the 21st century.

The rough-out horsehide keeps your pistol secure and the holster itself where you want it to be, and a metal-reinforced mouth makes for easy draws and reholstering.

It is available for dozens of different models at GalcoGunleather.com.

MSRP: $165 

Magpul AK Magazine

The days of surplus eastern European steel AK magazines only costing $10 apiece are long gone, but Magpul is keeping AK gunners up and running with these 30-round polymers.

They are designed with anti-tilt followers and a ribbed gripping surface on their bodies, and they count as “922r compliance parts” for your next AK rifle build. They are available at Magpul.com and from your favorite retailer.

MSRP: $13.95

DeSantis Inside Heat

This inside-the-waistband offering from New York’s DeSantis is, in the company’s words, a “barebones minimum IWB holster built from black saddle leather.” For an affordable option in the world of American-made holsters though, it is an excellent deal and is certain to offer years of dutiful service.

Choose your make and model at DeSantisHolster.com.

MSRP: $43.99

Choate Mark 5 Stock

Long a staple of the law enforcement shotgun world, the Mark 5 stock from Choate Tool has an unconventional appearance but is one of the most comfortable aftermarket stocks available.

The M5 is available for Remington, Winchester and Mossberg shotguns, and Choate offers a dizzying array of stocks for almost everything else at RifleStock.com.

MSRP: $85.47