Last updated: December 2026
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Dear Santa,
I’m trying to buy a Christmas gift for my dad. He’s impossible to shop for.
Every time I ask what he wants, he says “nothing” or “I have everything I need.” Then he spends December looking at air rifles online, sighing, and closing the browser tabs. He’s been doing this for three years.
I know he wants something. He just won’t tell me what. Help?
— Sarah, Daughter of a Stubborn Man
Ah, Sarah. Uncle Barrel knows your father well.
He’s the guy who’ll spend $200 on tools for a home project but feels guilty buying a $50 accessory for his own hobby. He’ll research rifles for months, know exactly what he wants, then talk himself out of it because “it’s not practical” or “I don’t really need it.”
What he needs is permission. And sometimes, the best gift isn’t the rifle itself—it’s someone saying “You’re worth this.”
This guide is for everyone shopping for the dad or husband who shoots—whether he’s a lifelong airgunner or someone who’s been curious about getting into the hobby. I’ll help you decode what he actually wants (even when he won’t say it) and find the perfect gift for every type of shooter.
Which Dad Are You Shopping For?
🏡 “I Just Plink Around the Backyard” Dad
This dad shoots for relaxation. Maybe it’s 20 minutes after work, popping cans in the backyard. Maybe it’s Saturday morning with coffee, making holes in paper. He’s not trying to impress anyone—shooting is his quiet time, his meditation with a trigger.
What He Actually Needs
A quiet rifle that won’t annoy neighbors and accuracy that makes him feel like a marksman. He wants the satisfaction of tight groups without driving to a range.
Best Gifts for Backyard Dad
Benjamin Marauder – $500-600
Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Full Ralphie!)
The Benjamin Marauder is whisper-quiet and delivers accuracy that will genuinely surprise him. The shrouded barrel produces less noise than a car door closing, and the accuracy—sub-MOA at 50 yards with quality pellets—will make his backyard sessions feel like sniper training. See our full Marauder vs Avenger comparison for more details.
If he’s never shot a PCP, this will be a revelation. If he already owns one, the Marauder’s refinement and proven track record make it a reliable second rifle he’ll actually use.
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Why This Gift Works: Transforms backyard plinking into a premium experience
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The Conversation Starter: “I know you love your backyard time. This will make it even better.”
Check Marauder Price on Amazon
Umarex Gauntlet 2 – $400-450
Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If the Marauder is slightly above budget, the Gauntlet 2 delivers 90% of the experience at 75% of the price. Still whisper-quiet, still tack-driving accurate, with 70+ shots per fill. The adjustable stock fits any shooter, and it requires zero tuning—accurate out of the box. For a detailed breakdown, see our Avenger vs Gauntlet 2 comparison.
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Why This Gift Works: Premium PCP experience without premium price
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Bonus: If he already has a PCP, the Gauntlet 2’s large air reservoir and adjustable features make it a worthy addition
Check Gauntlet 2 Price on Amazon
🦌 “I Used to Hunt” Dad
This dad talks about hunting trips from 20 years ago. Maybe life got busy—kids, career, responsibilities. Maybe he moved somewhere with fewer hunting options. But the spark is still there. He still notices squirrels in the yard. He still thinks about taking grandkids out someday.
What He Actually Needs
Power he didn’t have back in the day and convenience that fits his current life. He doesn’t have time for elaborate setups, but he wants the capability to actually hunt when the opportunity arises.
Best Gifts for Hunter Dad
Gamo Swarm Magnum 10X Gen 3i – $200-280
Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Gamo Swarm Magnum 10X is the ultimate “grab and go” hunting rifle. No air tanks to fill, no CO2 to buy—just cock the barrel and shoot. The 10-shot magazine solves the single-shot limitation that frustrated hunters in the old days. It’s a top pick in our best break barrel air rifles guide.
Power is serious: the .22 caliber version delivers 33 foot-pounds of energy, more than enough for squirrels, rabbits, and pest control. This is modern hunting capability in a self-contained package.
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Why This Gift Works: Hunting-ready without the complexity of PCP
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The Conversation Starter: “Maybe it’s time to start hunting again?”
Check Swarm Magnum Price on Amazon
Air Venturi Avenger – $290-350
Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If he’s ready to try PCP, the Air Venturi Avenger is the perfect entry point for a hunter. Why? Because it’s adjustable. He can tune it for maximum power when hunting, then dial it back for more shots per fill when plinking.
The Avenger delivers genuine hunting accuracy—sub-MOA groups are achievable—with the power to ethically harvest small game at real distances.
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Why This Gift Works: Hunter-level performance at budget price
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Note: Bundle a hand pump (~$50) if he doesn’t already have an air source—see our PCP accessories guide for options
📦 “I Already Have Everything” Dad
This dad owns rifles. Probably several. He’s been in the hobby long enough that he’s already bought the obvious stuff. When you ask what he wants, he genuinely can’t think of anything—not because he’s being difficult, but because his wish list is full of small upgrades and consumables he’d never ask for.
What He Actually Needs
Upgrades to his existing gear or premium consumables he wouldn’t splurge on himself. He’ll buy the budget pellets forever—gift him the good stuff.
Best Gifts for “Everything” Dad
Quality Airgun Scope – $100-200
Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Here’s a secret: most airgunners are shooting through mediocre optics. Even if they own a nice rifle, they’re often using the bundled scope (which is usually junk) or a budget scope they bought years ago.
A quality airgun-rated scope (like the Hawke Vantage or UTG BugBuster line) transforms shooting accuracy. Look for:
– Adjustable objective for parallax correction
– Mil-dot or BDC reticle for holdover
– “Airgun rated” designation (can handle springer recoil)
If you’re not sure what magnification to get, 3-9x40 is the versatile sweet spot that works for everything from backyard plinking to hunting.
Premium Pellet Collection – $50-75
Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Create a gift box of premium pellets he’d never buy himself:
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JSB Exact – The accuracy standard
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H&N Baracuda – Heavy hunting pellets
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H&N Field Target Trophy – Competition grade
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JSB Hades – Devastating hollow points for hunting
A sampler pack in his caliber (probably .22 or .177) lets him find what shoots best in each of his rifles. This is the kind of thing he’ll love but would never buy for himself.
PCP Hand Pump or Compressor Contribution – $50-300
Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If he shoots PCP but still uses a hand pump, he’s been eyeing compressors. They’re expensive (~$300-400 for a decent one), so consider this approach: give him a “compressor fund” card with a meaningful contribution toward the purchase.
If he doesn’t have any air source at all, a quality hand pump (~$50-80) is the practical choice that lets him shoot anytime without depending on dive shop fills.
🤔 “I’ve Been Thinking About Getting Into This” Dad
This dad doesn’t own an air rifle yet, but he’s curious. Maybe he shot BB guns as a kid. Maybe he watched a YouTube video. Maybe he’s looking for a new hobby that’s more affordable than firearms. He’s interested but hasn’t pulled the trigger (pun intended).
What He Actually Needs
A complete package that lets him start immediately without confusion. New hobbyists get overwhelmed by all the choices—caliber, power source, accessories. He needs someone to say “here’s everything, go have fun.”
Best Gifts for Curious Dad
Crosman 1077 + Accessories Bundle – ~$120
Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Crosman 1077 is the perfect starter for a curious adult. Semi-automatic fun, quiet operation, CO2-powered simplicity. Bundle it with:
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Box of CO2 cartridges (40-pack)
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500 pellets (Crosman Premier works great)
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A simple pellet trap
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Shooting glasses
This gives him everything to start shooting immediately on Christmas afternoon.
Air Venturi Avenger Starter Package – ~$400-450
Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If he’s expressed serious interest in air rifles (not just casual curiosity), go big. The Avenger + hand pump + pellets gives him a legitimate PCP setup that won’t leave him wishing he’d bought something better.
Yes, it’s more than a “starter” rifle. But it’s a rifle he’ll never outgrow, and getting started right means he’ll actually stick with the hobby instead of getting frustrated with entry-level limitations.
💭 “Someday I’ll Get a Nice One” Dad
This dad has been saying “someday” for years. He knows exactly what he wants—he’s researched it extensively, read every review, watched every YouTube video. But he talks himself out of it every time. Too expensive. Not practical. Don’t really need it.
What he needs isn’t research. He needs permission.
What He Actually Needs
The dream rifle he’s been looking at, or explicit permission (and funding) to finally buy it himself.
Best Approach for Dreamer Dad
Option A: Buy the Dream Rifle
If you know specifically what he’s been eyeing, buy it. Yes, it might be expensive. Yes, he’ll say you shouldn’t have. But inside? He’ll be thrilled.
Common “dream rifles” in the enthusiast community:
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Benjamin Marauder ($500-600) – The gateway to serious PCP
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FX Impact ($1,800+) – The “if money were no object” rifle
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Air Arms S510 ($1,200+) – British precision
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Daystate Red Wolf ($2,500+) – The pinnacle
Option B: The Permission Slip
If you don’t know exactly what he wants, or he’s indecisive, give him a card with real money attached and these words:
“This entitles you to that rifle you’ve been researching for the last three years. No guilt. No ‘I don’t really need it.’ Buy the one you actually want.
You’re worth it. Merry Christmas.”
Include a meaningful amount toward the purchase—$200, $300, whatever you can manage. The money matters less than the message: Your hobby is valid. Your enjoyment matters. Stop waiting.
Quick Reference: Dad Gift Decoder
| If He Says… | He Means… | Get Him… |
|---|---|---|
| ”I don’t need anything” | He needs permission | The Permission Slip + $200 |
| ”Just something small” | He feels guilty asking | Premium pellets + scope |
| ”Maybe when prices drop” | He wants it now | The rifle he’s been watching |
| ”I’ve been meaning to try PCP” | He’s ready | Air Venturi Avenger + pump |
| ”I should get back into hunting” | He misses it | Gamo Swarm Magnum 10X |
| ”I wish this scope was better” | It is, and he knows it | Quality airgun scope ($150+) |
A Note for the Gift-Giver
I want to tell you something important, Sarah—and everyone shopping for a dad or husband who shoots.
Men are often terrible at receiving gifts for their hobbies. We feel guilty. We say we don’t need it. We question whether we deserve something “just for fun.” Especially dads. Especially dads.
But here’s what we don’t say: when someone gives us something for our hobby—something that shows they see us, that they understand what brings us joy, that they want us to have that joy—it means more than the gift itself.
It means you matter to me, including the parts of you that are just for you.
So whatever you choose—whether it’s a $15 tin of pellets or a $600 dream rifle—give it with those words. Tell him his enjoyment matters. Tell him he’s worth it.
And if he says he doesn’t need it? Smile and say you know. Then hand it to him anyway.
Until next time, may all your shots fly true—and may the dads in your life finally get the rifles they deserve.
— Uncle Barrel
Looking for other recipients? Check out our complete Air Rifle Christmas Gift Guide for kids, beginners, and every budget level. Also see our gifts for women guide, youth air rifles, and stocking stuffers under $25.
Last updated: December 2026