Guns: Poor Man's Firearm Accessories

There's no getting around it - gun stuff is expensive. But there are ways that you can trick out your carry gun or your home defense gun without breaking the bank. Here are some low cost accessories for those who are on a budget:

Lanyard

Many handguns have a hole for a retention lanyard, but very few people ever use them. Even purpose-built pistol lanyards are inexpensive, and you could probably sub in a phone or headphone cord with a little kludging. There are probably downsides to using one that I'm not aware of since I don't open carry (snagging on things, I'd wager), but it's still a cheap accessory.

Cellphone Holster

Here's a neat tip - go to the electronics clearance section of your local Wally World and check to see if they're selling cellphone holsters. The flat ones (designed for Motorola RZRs and the like) are excellent for carrying one or two Speed Strips, and the larger ones can carry magazines and/or speedloaders, depending on your gun.

Nail Polish/Model Paint



Most subcompact handguns have awful sights. Perk up that P3AT or J-Frame with some sight paint...or, if you're like me, grab some cheap nail polish and model paint and have at it. You can find a number of different methods to paint a sight online, and most are nonpermanent.

Duct Tape/Electrical Tape

Duct tape has a million and one uses, of course. You could make a nifty shell holder for skeet shooting or a jury-rigged brass catcher - just use your imagination. Electrical tape is particularly good for covering up sticky rubber buttpads on rifles and shotguns - much easier to shoulder the gun when it doesn't catch on your shirt.