Groomsman gifts: Handguns. now which one?

[rockrogue]

I know this has been discussed before, but in the ever changing handgun market, recency and relevancy usually go hand in hand. So enjoy the discussion.

I will be buying 4 handguns: One for each of 3 groomsman and one for myself. They will probably all match. I already have a reliable source for very high quality laser marking for free. I am on a bit of a budget (the fiancé said to spend what I want, but she doesn't mean it). I personally would like to be comfortably below $200 each after background check and transfer fees (if any). I am not opposed to used, but getting 4 of anything used in good aesthetic condition will be challenging.

I am open to nearly any caliber and style, but here are a few I have looked into (feel free to suggest more!):
.38 revolvers
.380 minis
subcompact 9mm

Here are the requirements:

• Inexpensive (absolutely not more than $225)
• Good looking (I know... it is subjective)
• Reliable (As you would expect for the price range, not expecting H&K)

I'll start it off with one:

Kel-Tec PF9

• $216 at CTD... Nearly exceeding the upper price cap with a BR check.
• Looks great!
• Kel-Tec has an excellent reputation for reliable firearms, and their product line is consistent in quality.
• Another benefit: this little pistol actually has sights, unlike many guns this size

 

[JHK94]

If you want .38's and are okay with Taurus, JG Sales now has a lot of used 4 inch model 82s for ~150 each. I can't comment on how good those are though. Another option in that vein would be surplus CZ82s (~200 each), P64 (~150 each).

 

[ErikO]

If you order all four at the same time you can request sequential S/N's for an additional touch.

Bersa Thunder .380 -
$250 @ Impact Guns






Kel-Tec P-11 -
$220 @ Impact Guns

 

[Screendmon]

Keltecs for the groomsmen and Kimber for you

 

[curtix]

Kel-tec is what I am about to buy myself and wife. Just Because! GREAT Gift.
Need any extra groomsmen.

 

[Carne Frio]

How about a gift certificate to a local gun shop ?
I would rather have that money go towards a
quality firearm of my choice than a some cheap
gun.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Can I be the ring bearer, please, PLEASE!?. I'm old & bald but I can follow that cute, little flower-sprinkler as well as ANYBODY! My vote is the KelTec PF9. And congratulations on a bride/future wife who's in for this!

some cheap gun

No hijack intended here, but Carne Frio, the U.S. Marshall Service believes that handgun to be a fine BUG. I know for certain.

 

[Quoheleth]

How about the mini-NAA revolvers?
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/51205

This combo model is pushing your $225 a bit, but Buds price does include shipping.

The 22LR version (not mag or combo) is $180.

And, with all respect, don't call your wife-to-be "the old ball & chain." If she's given you a green light for this project she's FAR from that description!

Q

 

[montgomery381]

I personally would love to get the Kel-Tec PF9 because it is a gun that I would not buy myself but am very curious about and would love to try it on someone else's dime. I have heard good things about them but I just haven't had a chance to use one and I can't spend the money just to satisfy my curiosity. Also the 9mm is better than the .380 or the .38. Congratulations.

 

[weisse52]

“I would rather have that money go towards a quality firearm of my choice than a some cheap gun.”

Interesting comment allow me to reply. If I was walking into a gun store I doubt I would give much thought to buying a new $200.00 gun. No real interest in a Kel-Tec PF9 at all and I do not really care for a Bersa. I already own a NAA mini revolver and one is enough.

HOWEVER, if I was a groomsman in a friends wedding and he presented me with ANY gun I would be ecstatic and it would be a gun I would keep. A gift such as this means more than it’s net worth. We all have our personal values, or lack of them. I applaud the OP and wish him well in his search.

And I agree that any wife who would OK this at any level is a keeper.

OH, and I would go for the NAA .22. Little works of art.

 

[curtix]

Cheap well reviewed and tested gun is a good thing.
Cheap doesn't equal bad.

 

[D94R]

I would rather have that money go towards a
quality firearm of my choice than a some cheap
gun.

A little selfish and self serving don't you think? It would be a gift to you. You have no say. Accept it and move on. You don't like? Trade it in towards a more "quality firearm"



OP, the Keltec PF9 is nice little gun.

Are you going to take the groomsmen in to have the back round checks done? They would then have pay for the guns themselves, other wise they wouldn't be the purchaser of the gun, and only you would get the back round check done.

Are you going to buy all four, then gift them? That would require only one back round check, and be perfectly legal assuming you know all three men are OK to accept them.

 

[Shadow 7D]

CDNN
J&G
SOG

are all having sales
CZ-82 are pretty cheap
you can get an isreali HP or CZ-75 clone from Century Arms for about 250
J&G has Taurus M84's, Singapore police trade-ins (I believe) for 180ish

 

[bigfatdave]

You buy as the actual purchaser, then gift the guns - unless gifting a gun requires some kind of fee/permit/FFL intervention nonsense in your state.

I wouldn't turn down a KT PF9 as a gift, they're nice little carry guns, although they're not the greatest range toy. I want one for the light/thin factor, myself ... I keep almost buying one, but I have a thin 9x19 gun already.
It has a DA only trigger system with a somewhat long/heavy pull compared to your average range pistol - the PF9 was built as a carry gun from the start, and that's what it is good at.

Talk to your local shop about getting four on order, they can likely do a better deal than ordering online.

 

[David E]

I'd rather get a $200 knife than a $200 gun.

Were I the giver, no legal hassles to worry about, either.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

no legal hassles to worry about

That's a good point. But, unless I'm mistaken, in my state I can buy (and give away) as many guns as I want. As long as I'm not buying the guns as a straw-purchaser (for them with their money). i would think it's then THEIR responsibility to comply with the law. I would be interested in knowing for certain.
rockrogue, this is your first post & you didn't note where you're located. Might be wise to check your state gun laws or ask a local LEO for any unexpected complications to your plan.

 

[rockrogue]

wow! active thread.

I will edit the first post to respectfully say "fiance". She actually prefers "ball and chain" to "old lady" though. It is kind of an inside joke...

I will buy all 3, and gift them. My groomsmen are already all responsible gun owners.

I am NOT getting them gift certificates. These gins will most likely match and be new, and they will have engraved frame/slide/barrel depending on layout (wheel/auto/shotty). This makes no sense with a gift certificate.

Kimber for me... hmmm. Maybe at a later date.

I like the idea of consecutive serial #s, that is cool!

Sorry everyone, wedding party is full

I really like the surplus Polish P-64... looks like $180 at the first place I checked. If I could get 4 for $600 that would be awesome. I don't really like 9x18 that much, but with rounds this small I don't care that much. 9x19 and .380 are both acceptable to me, so of course 9x18 is as well.

 

[rockrogue]

That's a good point. But, unless I'm mistaken, in my state I can buy (and give away) as many guns as I want. As long as I'm not buying the guns as a straw-purchaser (for them with their money). i would think it's then THEIR responsibility to comply with the law. I would be interested in knowing for certain.
rockrogue, this is your first post & you didn't note where you're located. Might be wise to check your state gun laws or ask a local LEO for any unexpected complications to your plan.

I used to work at a company that was full of gun nuts and the company and a few of my co workers had FFLs. I am quite confident that it is legal here.

I am in Oregon.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

I am quite confident that it is legal here.

Then write the check! And as far as the Wedding Party being full, did I mention I'll pay my way & already own a tux?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

HOWEVER, if I was a groomsman in a friends wedding and he presented me with ANY gun I would be ecstatic and it would be a gun I would keep. A gift such as this means more than it’s net worth. We all have our personal values, or lack of them. I applaud the OP and wish him well in his search.

And I agree that any wife who would OK this at any level is a keeper.

OH, and I would go for the NAA .22. Little works of art.

+1 to this

 

[dodo bird]

HAS mini. Classy

 

[dodo bird]

Oops naa mini

 

[rockrogue]

Oops naa mini

I'm not crazy about the looks of the mini revolvers...

So far I like:
New KelTec PF9s (hopefully haggled to $800 for 4)
Surplus Makarovs (Can't find em under $200 ea, and they aren't worth that to me)
Surplus P64s ($600 for 4)

I have plenty more looking to do though!

Thanks for all the replies so far guys, I would have never stumbled across the p64s without them.

 

[Zak Smith]

I did a set of BP pistols. They were relatively cheap, super fun and classy. They also avoided all FFL complications, which was an issue because I had groomsmen from two countries and four states.

 

[beatledog7]

Do all your groomsmen already own semi-autos? If they do, why not go with a chrome or nickel plated magazine for each of them that fits what they already shoot, engraved with the event particulars and loaded with some nice JHPs?