American Made, For Americans

Political correctness is not something I have been good at. My editors have become used to it. They simply replace potentially offensive comments by smoother language. I’m okay with that. It’s their job and it makes them feel good about doing something good for humanity. However, this article is all about American made. There are many sub-par products in this gun industry, but there is also a lot more good stuff. This article will focus on stuff for shooters made in America that works. I know because I have used them. Hunters HD GoldHunters HD Gold is the best choice for those who believe in American manufacturing and demand high quality. They are ballistic rated, but more importantly they are photochromatic and have been treated to block harmful rays. The gold-colored lenses enhance contrast and can be used to see better while shooting, hunting, or doing any other activity. Hunter’s HD Gold lenses can be cut to your prescription and fitted to your own frames. They are essential for hunting and shooting. Prices start at $375. HuntersHDgold.comLehigh DefenseLehigh Defense Controlled Chaos bullets are precision machined from copper. They are deadly and extremely accurate. There are many great American bullet companies. They make some amazing bullets for special purposes and special operations. Lehigh bullets are used by Buffalo Bore and Black Hills. This bullet is made of solid copper and has a front that transforms into shrapnel when it penetrates, causing severe tissue damage. The bullet’s base continues to penetrate, just like the Nosler Partition. They are available in a variety calibers and bullet weights. My son killed his Africa buffalo using a single Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos Bullet. That’s enough! LehighDefense.comWyoming Sight DrifterThe Wyoming Sight Drifter is an ingenious tool that’ll make installing or removing dovetail sights easier than you can imagine.Installing and adjusting iron sights on rifles and handguns has traditionally been done by pounding on a brass rod with a hammer. You’ve probably wondered how it is possible to hit a brass rod with a hammer and not move the sight. You may have also missed the brass rod, hitting your gun or finger and thinking, “There must be a better way.” The Wyoming Sight Drifter is an extremely simple device that consists of a brass punch on one side and a spring-loaded, hammer on another. It measures just 5 inches in length and weighs less that 3 ounces. Place the brass end against your sight, and then pull on the spring-loaded ends. The sight moves because the spring-loaded hammer strikes the brass end. I have used it hundreds of times, and have yet to encounter a sight that won’t fit. It is only $35. WyomingSightDrifter.comSkinner SightsIncredibly well-made and compact, the Skinner takedown rifle case is a perfect way to carry and transport a takedown rifle.Montana-based Skinner sights is known for their rugged aperture-style peep sights, and they’re used by several firearms manufacturers. Skinner Sights recently started making gun cases. Skinner Sights has a wide range of cases, including a unique garment bag rifle case that can be stored in your closet. But their most popular case is for take-down rifles. It was just $59 that I purchased for my Dove Custom Marlin336 lever-scout 35 Remington. It’s amazing how compact the case is for carrying this gun as well as a full box ammo. You can also visit Skinner Sights’ website to find many other goodies while you order. This SkinnerSights.comEDC CLPI’ll keep it short and sweet. You want your guns to last and run smoothly, so you need a quality cleaner, lubricant, and protector. EDC CLP’s detergent capabilities penetrate into the crevices of moving parts to prevent carbon buildup. It also cleans while you shoot. It’s patent-pending, it’s made here in America, and it works. A 2-ounce bottle costs $14.99 EDCclp.comGauge OutfittersThe Gauge Outfitters Paracord Tool is a unique tool that allows you to manage paracord. The Heritage Gun Range Bag is made 100 percent in America from durable 1000D Cordura. It measures 16x12x9 inches. It has two dividing inserts and a removable hard top. One of its most unique features is a roll-out gun mat. This can be used for cleaning, or simply to store your gear. It’s quite expensive at $150, but it’s the best range bag I have ever seen. It’s actually much more. It comes with a built in blade to cut paracord and a socket to store a lighter so that the cord can be burned after it’s been cut. This tool retails for $16.49 but is worth three times as much if you use a lot paracord. GaugeOutfitters.comWilson CombatLooking for one magazine that’ll work with the 223/5.56, .300 Blackout and .300 Hamr? Wilson Combat is the best choice for gun enthusiasts. Wilson Combat makes the finest ARs and 1911-styled pistols. But what many may not know is that Wilson Combat now offers a 30-round multi-caliber AR-15 Magazine that will work with the.223 Remington/5.56 NATO/.300 Blackout, and the.300 HamR. It retails at $18.95. Wilson Combat designed the.300HAMR specifically for the AR-15 and it is the best dual-purpose hunting/tactical ammunition available on that platform. It replicates the ballistics and accuracy of the.30-30 Winchester. Wilson Combat stocks all the ammunition you need. If you don’t have enough credit card space, you should not order their Experior Commander Double-Stack pistol. WilsonCombat.comAndy’s LeatherAndy’s Leather crafts some of the best leather shooting slings available anywhere, at any price.There’s lots of custom leather crafters out there that make holsters, straps and other gun accessories. Andy’s Leather specializes in shooting slings, not carry straps, that help stabilize your shooting position. He also sells a variety other high-quality leather goods, ranging in price from $40 to $65. AndysLeather.comWicked GripsHumans have been fascinated by weaponry since some caveman used a rock to kill something. A firearm is a tool. But to humans, it has a special meaning. Just as a caveman might have decorated his favorite rock, so too do soldiers, shooters, and hunters. Custom grips are the best way to do it with handguns and you won’t find better than Wicked Grips. Wicked Grips’ Ed Strange told me that all his stuff is made here. If it isn’t made from raw materials in my facility it is made in a vendor/partner location here in the USA. We use aluminum panels made from bare machined parts that Chris, our buddy at Alumagrips, has machined to our specifications. Everything else we make. All variations are included in the count of 1,200 products. Nothing foreign!” WickedGrips.comKitanicaThe RSP pants from Kitanica are great for range wear, farm work and hunting. They’re nearly indestructible.Kitanica’s new Nightwatch pullover has become one of my favorite outer garments. It reminds me of the World War II commando-type wool sweaters, but it’s made from Power Stretch Pro Polartec. It’s extremely comfortable and warm. It makes a great outer garment that covers an IWB holster. It costs $150 and you will look great in it. The RSP pants by Kitanica might be even better. They were my first pair of pants three years ago, and I have been a fan ever since. They are spacious and have many pockets. The placement of the pockets, belt loops, and closures are all well thought-out. Their most important attribute is their durability. They will outlast most relationships, are American made, retail for $175, and are well worth every penny. Kitanica.comVersacarryThe Versacarry Ammo Caddy is, hands down, the best device for carrying extra ammunition on your rifle.Versacarry is a well-known manufacturer of well-made-but-affordable handgun holsters. They are the best choice for carrying extra ammunition on your rifle, which is something many people don’t know. While lace-up leather butt-cuffs are a popular choice for lever guns, the Versacarry Ammo Caddy is lighter and easier to install, and looks and functions better. The Ammo Caddy even comes with a belt pad, which allows you to change its location or carry an additional Ammo Caddy. It retails for $54.99. There is no better way to carry ammunition with your rifle than this. Period! VersaCarry.com Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the 2021 USA special edition of Gun Digest the Magazine.