While I am calling these items “stocking stuffers”, they’re really a collection of modestly-priced TandemKross accessories. If TandemKross was a gas station with a mini-mart, these would be displayed next to the register. They’re the items you don’t necessarily need, but they can make your (shooting) life a little easier. And the most expensive one is still under $30, so you can “Treat yo self” without spending a lot. Not everyone is shopping for their new $374.99 Manticore Trigger Assembly (But I do have a review coming soon, for anyone interested).
Loading Tool and Lanyard for single stack .22LR magazines
At just $5.99, this .22LR magazine loading tool is the least expensive of the stocking stuffers on my list. And it’s an absolute bargain. It saves your thumb (and patience) by providing a large surface for more leverage when loading single stack magazines. Slip it over the top of the magazine, and slide it down so it pulls the follower button down. Then just drop rounds in as fast as you can. Saves time at the range, so you can spend more time shooting, and less time fiddling with magazines. I wrap the lanyard around the handle of my range bag so it never gets lost. Works with Ruger Mark series and the 22/45 models. Also compatible with the Browning Buck Mark as well as S&W Victory magazines.
Speed Loader and Lanyard for single stack magazines in .22LR
Certain rimfire pistols use a wider magazine, and the tool listed above won’t work with them. This $8.99 .22LR magzine speed loader is the solution. It accommodates the wider magazines, and makes it easy to load using your trigger finger, instead of your thumb. Rather than pulling the follower button down, it pushes the top of the follower down a bit. Just enough to drop the next round in. With a little practice, it’s pretty fast. And of course, it has a lanyard as well, making it that much handier. Works with Ruger SR22 and LCP .22LR pistols. Also compatible with Walther P22, S&W M&P 22, and Beretta M9 .22LR.
Magazine Vise Block for .22LR Platforms
Would you pay $14.99 to have a third hand? Because that’s what this .22 LR Magazine Vise Block costs. And I can’t believe I went without it for so long. I paired it with an inexpensive (about $22) vise from Harbor Freight. Clamps to the top of my workbench, and slides out of the way when not needed. If you have limited space, you can bolt your vise to a piece of wood for stability. And then use this vise block when doing maintenance or upgrades. Works with Ruger Mark III and IV series, S&W Victory and Model 41, Browning Buck Mark, and the KelTec CP33. If you’ve ever clamped your pistol directly into a vise, realize that for $14.99, you wouldn’t have to look at those scratches.
Magazine Assembly Tool with Pouch and Carabiner for Ruger 10/22
As long as we’re talking about maintenance, when was the last time you fully cleaned your 10/22 magazines? This Magazine Assembly Tool is only $14.99, and makes it easy to take them apart and reassemble. If you shoot suppressed a lot, or use waxy, lubed competition ammo, you need one. While I wouldn’t necessarily take mine with me to the range, I do appreciate the included pouch, which keeps the three tools together.
“Ultimate Cliploader” by McFadden
When I reviewed the Ultimate Cliploader over 2-1/2 years ago, they were $23.50 to $29.95. But TandemKross offers the Ultimate Cliploader for just $19.99, making them the best source for one. These are much faster than the little loading tools, although a lot bulkier too. Dump a box of 50 rounds in, shake it so they drop into the groove, and it’s ready to load. When a magazine is pushed in, it automatically holds the follower down, allowing ten rounds to drop into the magazine. It’s advertised to load a magazine in as little as three seconds. Another huge time-saver at the range. It can be fussy with some ammo, but overall, this is one of my favorite accessories.
The list of compatible firearms is lengthy, as is the ones it won’t work with. Pretty much every Ruger Mark magazine from the II and newer. And of course the Buck Mark. If you have an oddity like a Colt Woodsman, a High Standard, or the Stoeger Luger, you’re in luck. If you own a Beretta 89, Kimber Rimfire Target, S&W Victory, 41, 422, or 622, you’re out of luck. Same with the Savage 66, Sig Mosquito, Walther GSP or P22, Ruger SR22, or Taurus TX22.
Companion Extended Magazine Bumper for Ruger 10/22 (2-pack)
Most magazines drop free, so this might not seem like a necessity. For 10/22-pattern firearms in an aftermarket stock or chassis, the Companion Extended Magazine Bumper is a huge bonus. My KRG 10/22 Bravo chassis is a perfect example. Nearly all my magazines will drop free, but if they don’t, it’s difficult to get them out of their recessed location. So I added these bumpers. They make the magazines easier to grip, speeding reloads. With no permanent modifications. I also use them to differentiate my magazines. The ones with the bumpers are only used for match ammo, and never used with a suppressor. So they are cleaner, at least in theory. Get a pair for $24.99.
TandemKross TandemKase Pistol Bag by Rim/Edge
When you need a basic range bag for your pistol, the TandemKase Pistol Bag is a nice choice. It will hold most stock or modified rimfire pistols. One side has 7 magazine pouches, the other side has two large zippered pockets. For extra range safety, the chevron arrows indicate which way the muzzle is facing. I load mine up with my Kraken, a dozen magazines (the pouches will fit two-up), and several boxes of ammo. I’ve added it to the holiday gift list because it’s available with either red or green trim, and the $29.99 price is a penny under my $30 threshold. Even though it’s a bit big to count among the stocking stuffers.
ChamberMade Chamber Ironing Swage Gunsmith Tool for .22 Short, Long and Long Rifle
I’ve had the ChamberMade Chamber Ironing Swage in my toolbox for ages. And when I finally used it, I’m sure it saved more than its $29.99 cost. A friend brought over a recently acquired Browning Buck Mark. It wouldn’t extract reliably. Sure enough, there was a small burr on the chamber at the breech face. This caused just enough friction to keep rounds from coming out cleanly. I grabbed the ChamberMade, chucked it into a 1/4″ hex drive screwdriver (manual, not electric), and gave it a few turns. It’s made from hardened steel, and “ironed out” that little burr. Problem solved. Compared to a trip to the gunsmith, this is another bargain. I’d say it’s probably a “must have” for rimfire enthusiasts, and small enough to qualify for my stocking stuffers list.
That’s it for my “Stocking Stuffers” list from TandemKross. There are plenty of other items that fall into this price range, but these are my favorites, that I have personally used. Check out all the other parts, accessories, and complete competition firearms available at TandemKross.com.