6 Unique Gifts for the Gunsmith in Your Life

Shopping for the gunsmith in your life can be daunting. Tools are highly personal, and it’s difficult to find out what someone needs without totally spoiling the surprise. No one wants to give a gift that will be relegated to the forgotten depths of some junk drawer, or regifted to an acquaintance just to be rid of it.

You need something useful. Something practical. Something that will stand the test of time. You need an ammo can.

Ammo cans can be repurposed into all kinds of awesome gifts. They’re built to last, water-tight, and many of them have a vintage vibe that make them instantly appealing. Why aren’t more things made this well? With a little elbow grease this holiday season, they soon will be.

Bluetooth Speaker

Yes, you can make an ammo can into the perfect Bluetooth speaker gift. Believe it or not, the parts you need aren’t that hard to come by. You can choose speakers and a battery pack that are sure to make a good impression, and you can house them in a cool, rugged metal ammo can that will stand the test of time.

If portability is a concern, a .30 caliber (7.62 mm) ammo can is one of the smallest options (usually around 10″ x 7″ x 3.75″), and going small can also sometimes keep down the cost.

There’s no shortage of how-to YouTube and blog tutorials out there, so take the time to weigh all of your options and be careful to choose parts that you feel confident in rather than just depending on others’ affiliate links. Texas Instruments has a very basic breakdown of Bluetooth speaker components here. And once you’re ready to begin, Instructables has a more detailed rundown on what kind of materials you’ll need to get started.  

Panniers

If you’re shopping for a motorcycle or mountain bike enthusiast, they might need luggage, and the ready-made options are anything but cheap! Ammo cans are tough enough for outdoor sports, and they’re able to protect your belongings better than most store-bought panniers. If you’ve got a drill, a grinder or rotary tool, and a couple of larger caliber ammo cans, you’re well on your way to making some magic happen.

Depending on what kind of vehicle you’re outfitting, you might consider a 50-caliber ammo can for your project (which is around 11″ x 7″ x 5.75”), or a FAT 50 Caliber can (approximately 12” x 8.5″ x 6.75”) for something small. Otherwise, a 40mm ammo can (approximately 18 1/2″ x 6 1/8″ x 10″) or larger will be more substantial for a motorist. Once you’re ready to get started, Filson has breakdown of how to can make your panniers here.

As a side note, if you’re looking to go the extra mile (bike pun intended), your panniers can double as a road safety kit. Road flares, flashlights, tire pressure gauges, maps, and sometimes even DC powered tire pumps will typically fit very neatly in a 50-caliber ammo can—a unique and purposeful gift!

Vinyl Record Storage Case

If you’ve got a hi-fi audio fan in your life, a 25mm ammo can (which is about 13.75″ x 5.5″ x 13.75″) is superb dry box for vinyl records. Throw in some selections from your loved one’s favorite artists, add a bow, and you’re as good as gold.

Personalized Pet Bowl Platforms

I know this supposed to be about ammo cans, but ammo crates can also be made into cool gifts. If woodworking is more your style and you have a pet-lover in your life, consider making an ammo create into personalized pet bowl platform. It may sound chintzy if you’re not a pet owner yourself, but anyone with a shop dog (or cat) in their life will appreciate having one less thing to worry about once their pet’s meals are elevated safely off of the workshop floor.

If you have a jigsaw, some time to spare, and an appropriately sized pet bowl, you can make an ammo crate into a pet bowl holder. And if you really want your gift to be a hit, consider stenciling the pet’s name (and maybe even a rank) onto the ammo crate. It’s functional, practical, and personalized.

Utility Chest

If you have some plywood and a little wood glue, put together some appropriately sized dividers to make an ammo can into a one-of-a-kind tool chest or tackle box. Or, if you’re so inclined, you could even 3d-print a few plastic dividers that will be more water resistant. Your finished product will likely be much more durable and water resistant than many readily available retail alternatives and would make the perfect gift for the gunsmith in your life.

All you need to complete your utility chest is a few basic (or not so basic, if you prefer) tools. If you’re not sure how to get started, Instructables won’t let you down if you’re looking for inspiration.

Something for the Kids

If the aforementioned options are far too adult for the person on your list, consider filling your already-cool box with something kid-friendly. If you’re not sure what to use, I have two words for you: Tic-Tac gun. They come in cool colors, they get pretty impressive distance, and they shoot candy. Whether you’re 9 years old or 90, they’re seriously fun.

You can easily find them for sale at several online stores, or if you’ve got a 3D printer and you’d like to make your own, you can download the files you need from sites like Printables. And, if that’s not enough to fill your ammo can, use the rest of the real estate for breath-freshening ammo.

Gift the Thought that Counts

Remember that the old adage is true; it really is the thought that counts. And if you’ve ever spent any time with house cats, you already know that the box is the most important part of the gift. Ammo cans and crates can be wonderfully convenient for all your storage needs. All you need is some basic tools, a little time, and no small amount of imagination.

 

Written by: Lanna Perkins, Education Writer