Editor's Note:
Space does not permit us to feature all our 2005 Holiday Gift Guide items on-line, but a representative selection is include here as well as the entire Holiday Resource Guide. For the full shopping list, please see this month's print edition. We invite you to post your own gift selections on our message board.

Golden Dreams
When I saw a slim-hipped cowboy step up onto Stage Three and raise a lever-action rifle to his shoulder, I fell in love. Not with the slim-hipped cowboy but with his lever-action rifle. Its brass sideplates shone like fine jewelry in California's late afternoon sun, and I was entranced. When he dropped a round of ammo into the breech on top of the rifle's receiver, I was a goner for sure. After he shot the stage and finished emptying spent brass at the loading-table, I stepped up, conquered my natural shyness, and said I admired his beautiful lever-action rifle. "Thanks!" he said, "It's a Navy Arms Yellowboy and I really enjoy shooting it."

The full name and description, is Navy Arms 1866 Yellowboy Carbine/Rifle and my preference is the carbine length, which has a 19" round, rather than a 24" octagonal, barrel. I'd like it in .38 Special, too, the same caliber as my Cowboy revolvers.
(Sheila Link)

Get a Grip
(and a Special Deal)
Most guns, and many other tools throughout our society, are designed by men, for men. The fact that most women and shorter-than-average males have smaller hands, less upper body strength, and less handgrip strength seems to have eluded the majority of designers and manufacturers.

Although the specter of Gold's Gym is an anathema to many, selected exercise can improve handgrip strength. This will give you better control of your firearm, and have the side benefit of not having to ask your significant other to open jars for you.

One excellent pain- and perspiration-free device to use is the Gripmaster Hand & Finger Exerciser. It can be used to condition your hands not only for shooting, but for golf, tennis, karate, and more.

The little 2-1/2 by 3-1/4 inch unit can go anywhere, and be used on the phone, in the car, or watching television. One caveat, as in any exercise, do not overdo-the object is to strengthen, not to strain. Specific exercises for each sport are listed on the Gripmaster web site.

Four different strength Gripmasters are available-Extra Light, Light, Medium and Heavy Tension. The resistance of these varies from 3 pounds per finger for the former, to 9 pounds per finger for the latter. The pictured ergonomic palm-swell comes with the unit.

While these are very reasonably priced at $15 each, Gripmaster has kindly arranged for a exclusive discount for all W&G readers. You will get 25% off that suggested retail price on website when ordering direct. Just mention coupon code "WAG05" when you place your order. Get some for yourself and some for your Christmas list. (Roger Lanny)

Book Club
Every good girl needs some good books. May I recommend a few of my favorites? Paxton Quigley wrote the quintessential "woman's guide to self-defense" book back in 1988 with Armed and Female, and followed it up with Not An Easy Target in 1995. This year, she's brought out Stayin' Alive-Armed and Female In An Unsafe World. Add to that, Gila Hayes' Effective Defense and Debbie Ferns' Babes With Bullets, and you have yourself the start of a fine library!
(C.J. Songer)

Safe Direction
Safe Direction is a line of bullet-absorbing pistol case inserts that provide an instant safe direction in which to point a handgun during the potentially dangerous process of loading, unloading or chamber checking. This pistol case contains an integral ballistic containment system capable of stopping an unintentional discharge from virtually any handgun.

This product was inspired and developed by a woman who wanted a "safe direction" in her home whenever she manipulated her firearm in that environment. The old ballistic vest her husband provided was effective, but too heavy and cumbersome. Kate Camp got the idea of putting the same ballistic material in something that was "better, nicer, and more convenient." The result is this amazing product. It encourages the kind of frequent safe gun handling that builds competence and confidence.

It is equally useful for the novice and the experienced shooter. Anyone who has ever wished for a safer way to unload, check, or dry fire their pistol will want one of these!

Choose medium (main compartment 8" x 11" x 1", accessory pocket 6" x 8" x 2") for $225 or large size (main compartment 9.5" x 14" x 1", accessory pocket 7.5" x 10" x 2") for $250. The outer shell is nylon and the lining is polyester. The zippers have extra-large tabs so you can use your own lock to secure the bag. It comes in Black, Royal Blue, Hunter Green, Purple or Red.
(Lyn Bates)

Accessory Rack
Does her home-defense gun have an accessory rail? If so, she might appreciate a gun-mounted flashlight. Insights Technology makes a great gun light, with several options for activation switches, including a rocker toggle switch at the rear of the light that the shooter operates with the thumb and index finger of the support hand. The M3X mounts and unmounts instantly without tools. The light uses two lithium type 123 batteries, and at least an hour of continuous use is a reasonable expectation for a set of batteries. Prices are in the $170-$175 range.
(Gila Hayes)