December Staff Picks, The Final One Before We All Disappear

December is it. The last month. The final chance for the team to decide what genuinely impressed them before we shut the door, eat too much food and pretend emails do not exist for a bit.

As usual, a worrying amount of cool kit landed this month. New arrivals from Apollo, upgraded optics and the return of a proper icon. Narrowing it down was not easy, arguments were had, egos were bruised, but we got there. These are the products our team would actually buy with their own money, which is still the only rule that matters.

Karl’s Pick

Vector Optics Veyron GEN2 4–16x44 FFP Scope (SCFF-73)

View the Veyron GEN2

When we first received the pre production model from Vector Optics, confidence was… cautious. There were teething issues and more than a few raised eyebrows. It looked like the much loved ultra compact scope might have lost its crown.

Then the production versions arrived. Different story entirely.

You get a wider image window, noticeably clearer glass, improved turrets, a power throw lever and a side wheel, all while being smaller than the original. Lanthanide glass has worked its magic again, the same reason the Orion became so popular. Is this the return of the king? Karl seems convinced and honestly, it is hard to argue.

Craig’s Pick

APOLLO Portable Folding Maintenance Stand

View the Apollo Maintenance Stand

Craig picked this one as the resident field wanderer. Anyone who has ever tried leaning a rifle against a car, a gate or a suspicious pile of rocks will understand immediately.

The Apollo folding stand is compact, light and infinitely more sensible than improvising. It takes up a fraction of the space of a traditional maintenance stand, making it ideal for winter shooting sessions. When it is cold, wet and dark, being able to stand your rifle securely and wipe it down properly makes a huge difference in preventing rust and long-term wear.

Not glamorous. Very clever.

Tee’s Pick

AGT VIXEN 2 Carbine PCP Air Rifle

View the AGT Vixen 2

Yes, this is borderline heresy. Tee owns a Mk1 Vixen and still picked the Vixen 2. That should tell you something.

The Vixen 2 is a genuine evolution rather than a cosmetic refresh. It improves on the original in sensible ways without trying to reinvent what already worked. It is not about replacing her Mk1, but if she did not already own one, the Vixen 2 is exactly what she would buy knowing what the platform is capable of.

High praise from someone who knows the rifle inside out.

Luke’s Pick

Vector Optics Frenzy FA Enclosed Reflex Sight (SCRD-75)

View the Frenzy FA

Luke likes reflex sights. A lot. The new Frenzy FA has earned its place thanks to its micro-sized enclosed design and ACRO-compatible mounting system.

If you are not familiar with ACRO, it is the mounting standard now appearing on more and more modern pistols. That alone makes the Frenzy FA a future-proof option for pistol shooters. Add in alternative mounting options for dovetail and Picatinny rails and it becomes a versatile little optic that works just as well on rifles and airsoft builds.

Small, tough and properly thought out.

Final Thoughts

That wraps up Staff Picks for the year. Twelve months of gear we actually rate, no paid placements, no forced favourites, just honest opinions and the occasional office argument.

Which one would you choose, or did we miss something that impressed you this month? Let us know in the comments below. We are always curious what caught your eye.

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Think we missed something? Let us know in the comments below.

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