Which gun for groomsmen?

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ratt_finkel

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I saw a thread on here a few years ago where I guy was looking at picking up Black Powder pistols for his groomsmen. I have decided that I too want to extend a firearm as a gift to my groomsmen. They are all firearm friendly/enthusiasts. And I know they would all appreciate and more than likely get some use out of the 'gift'.

I looked into BP pistols. But they seemed to be about as much as cheaper center-fire options. I have 6 total groomsmen including the best man. And a budget of around $150 a gun.

I'd really like to get a presentation box/case and engraving if possible. But I realize that may push me past my budget. I'm open to other ideas. And may be persuaded to do something else entirely. Just want to do something beyond the more traditional items.

Here are some of the ones I have been giving serious consideration. Low to high. 3rd one is my favorite so far.

http://www.slickguns.com/product/cobra-freedom-series-380-acp-35-barrel-7-rnds-nickel-120-shipped

http://www.slickguns.com/product/heritage-rough-rider-22-lr-65-barrel-6-rnds-12999

http://www.slickguns.com/product/heritage-rough-rider-22-lr-revolver-65-barrel-14999-store-academy

http://www.slickguns.com/product/hi-point-firearms-mks-187322ant-22lr-sa-rev-475-6rd-ant-17172

Thoughts THR?
 
With your budget I don't think you're going to find much. You might be better off taking them all to the range for a serious lead flinging session at your expense. That budget would buy a lot of ammo.
 
If you're dead set on buying them guns you could always consider a Marlin or Mossberg 22 rifle or something. You might be able to swing that for $150 each.
 
I bought sure fire flashlights for mine. I went with the smaller ones that they could keep in their pocket. Another idea where you could afford engraving would be a nice pocketknife or leather man tool. How about a 50 bmg round made of cast out of pure silver with it engraved?
 
Also check out the Savage single shot Rascal. It's basically an upgraded Cricket and is in your price range. Definitely put a smile on a man's face plus they can use it for their kids.
 
Numbers two and three appear to be the same. The HRR would be a fine gift for that sort of occasion, but I wouldn't do any engraving on them; the finish isn't the best to begin with. I have one and it certainly is fun to spend time with. Maybe you could put some initials into the grips/stocks.

Ixnay the Cobra; no one's going to have any fun with that.

The Chiappa is typically lower on the quality/fit food chain than the Heritage.

Another possibility in your price range is the Hi-Point line, specifically the C9 (9mm) and the JHP in .45ACP. They're big, bulky, butt-ugly, and rock-solid reliable. Lots of guys could use one in their truck or tackle box.
 
Heritage rough rider 22lr/22mag revolver I think there around $170 and if your buying a few I bet they will work on price.
 
$150 a gun, including presentation box and engraving? I don't think that's within the realm of the possible, at least if you're talking about guns worth having. Maybe you should broaden your choice of possible gifts.
 
I'd suggest that you start by reading up on the reviews for each of these guns. I don't know anything at all about the first but I've got a personal dislike for Chiappa because they seem to spend too much of the factory time on the outside bling and too little on the innards. But that's me.

The Heritage revolver seems to get mixed reviews. So depending on how well each example works and the opinion of the groomsmen the guns may end up being shot a lot or not at all. You know what sort of shooters they are. You're in the best position to judge what sort of firearm each would enjoy the most.

The frames of the Heritage guns are also an alloy. I'm not sure if they are cast or forged. But I suspect cast at this price point. And that might make engraving tough to do. You may want to look at engraving the barrel instead.
 
Thanks for the ideas guys. Obviously even at the $150 per gun price point. I realize the options are going to be on the lower end of the quality spectrum. I had considered the rifle idea. Moisin, or cheap 22 like ya'll selected. But I have two attendees coming from out of state. So it would be easier to handle logistics with a handgun.

I really like the idea behind the handgun vs some of the other suggestions. I realize none of these guns are designed to be range toys. But they are least collectible. As cool as pocket knives and flashlights are. They are too easily discarded in my mind.
 
I'd forget the guns and go with nice pocket knives.
I always consider a Case in bone scales worth a big thumbs up.
 
NAA will do custom serial numbers as well. You could do the date of the wedding followed by the groomsman's initials.
 
New Orleans Ace pistols

This could require some work on your end, but - Dixie Gun Works has a kit of the New Orleans Ace pistol at $125.00. You could assemble them ( they appear to be simple ), have the barrels engraved, and see about finding presentation boxes on the 'net. You could also give them the kits, if assembly is out of the question. This would probably be over $150 each though.
 
Pocket knife is a great idea. I don't how many groomsmen you will have but you could run into a legal problem.
 
Pocket knife is a great idea. I don't how many groomsmen you will have but you could run into a legal problem.
Click to expand...

The only legal pitfall I see is if he's transferring guns to groomsmen who live in a different state without going through a FFL. The number of groomsmen shouldn't have any bearing on the legal status of the gift.

FWIW I would go with a good knife or something of that nature as well. $150 doesn't get you much gun, but it could get you some nice knives.
 
You didn't say how soon your wedding but with Christmas coming there will be some good sales. Cabelas ran Pietta 1869 Army 44 C&B on sale last month for $180.00. A little over your budget but it's a high quality gun and as cheap as you are going to them.
 
I like the idea of an NAA mini revolver but instead of a custom box how about a NAA Belt Buckle? http://northamericanarms.com/accessories/l-accessories/l-cc/belt-buckle-enclosed.html Now that special plus it can be worn with the revolver instead of the revolver being left on the shelf at home in a box.

Problem is, the revolver will cost you $175 and the belt buckle another $60 which blows away your $150 budget for each gift by an additional $100 or more with shipping.
 
I like the idea of a quality pocket knife( or knife light combo) custom engraved with the Wedding date ,names and a Thank you to them............
 
I'm with the other guys. Nobody wants a cheap gun but a nice knife or flashlight would be a super gift. It's nice to receive something as a gift that you wouldn't buy for yourself.
 
It may be overkill for me to agree with the others at this point, but $150 is going to go a lot further with a knife than with a firearm. I'm a fan of Becker Knife and Tool fixed blades, but here are a bunch of options: http://www.gpknives.com/index.html

By the way, I bought my groomsmen Leatherman multitools. All of them still have and use them.
 
This is an interesting thread. Since I just filled out yet another 4473 this evening, would each of your groomsmen have to fill out their own 4473?

Should you decide to go a slightly different route, $150 would get you a decent reloading press/kit that you could have engraved (I think you could even swing a set of dies too).
 
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