Handguns as Groomsmen gifts

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This thread has been SO helpful! Thanks to all of you, again.

So, I've narrowed my choices down to the following:

1) NAA Mini Revolver 22LR
2) Cabela's Remington 1858-type Black Powder revolvers (or a model similar)
3) Custom Buck Knife, Model 110 Hunting Knife (classic) - Black handle w/mirror finish blade...goes well with a tuxedo ;)

I have an email out to NAA about custom serial #'s, sequential serial #'s, engraving (if possible) and other customizable options, and of course cost.

The other thing to include in cost of NAA mini's (not including black powder) is the FFL transfer fees involved in buying this many handguns. I'm looking at close to $100 in fees, depending on where I get this done. That makes black powder a LOT more attractive. Although it would be more "hassle" to load up a black powder revolver, I don't have any...and I know none of my friends do, either. And they would totally love the historical aspect of loading a revolver the way they used to back in the Civil War days :)

If I decide to forget about the handgun/revolver thing, then the Buck knife will be a really sharp (pun intended) groomsmen gift, and then i can get cool "serial numbers" engraved like 001, 002, 003, 004, etc.

Thank you again for all of the congratulations, and the ideas! Feel free to keep 'em coming, as I'm trying to plan way ahead of this. I want to make sure what I get is something really fun, cool, and different :)
 
You should check with a local dealer on the NAAs. He should be able to order sequential serial nos. from his distributors (or directly from NAA, who would be more likely to deal with him directly than you). My dealer can usually get me as good or better a price than I can get online, and I would bet a local guy would cut you a better deal than usual if you're buying 5 or 6.

The only reason you should have to pay any extra fees is if you somehow buy them directly from NAA and have to have them transferred to you. In this case NAA should be selling them to you below retail so you should wind up even anyway.

In regards to the straw purchase comments, as long as you pay for them with your money (ie not your friend's money) its NOT a straw purchase. Even in Illinois, firearms are still personal property and can be given as a gift.

If you can't tell, I'm Extremely jealous of your groomsmen. I would love to have a Mini, but just can't seem to buy one for myself.

ETA: If you don't already have a relationship with a dealer, I hear good things about Darnall's. I'm closer to Champaign, but I took an Appleseed at Darnall's and have gone over a couple times for shotgun hulls & powder. They seem to be good, helpful people. I think they are the only non-pawnshop dealer in B-N, so I assume you're aware of them.
 
First, congratulations on your upcoming marriage (getting married was certainly the smartest thing I ever did) and to a gem of a woman who thinks firearms make good presents. I showed your post to my wife and she thought it was a great idea.

I vote for the black powder revolvers. They are affordable, look neat, you avoid a lot of purchasing/record keeping hassles, they can be transported almost anywhere and they are less expensive to shoot than anything except .22s. Even if none of you are familiar with them, it can be a voyage of discovery together. You don't even have to use black powder (my preference) because Pyrodex from Wal-Mart will work fine.

Finally, what about a matching set of Colt 1851 Navy revolvers for you and your bride? Each year the both of you can have an anniversary shoot before the dinner or other celebration.

Jeff
 
rogertc1 said:
Don't black powder firearms have to go through a FFL dealer in Illinois?


Try R-guns?
http://www.rguns.net/index.shtml
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It's my understanding at this point that an FFL is not required for purchasing a black powder gun in Illinois, however someone buying one must have a valid Illinois FOID. From Illinois' perspective, a black powder gun is considered a firearm. Federally, they are not considered firearms. So I think the Illinois FOID is required, and that's all. Obviously I'd double check with all of the requirements from whoever I'm buying from :)
 
matching feg p-63s those aluminum lowers are easily engraveable,and you can get them under $200 if you buy more then one (I bought two for $400)......
 
Got a reply to my email from NAA - they're currently not taking custom orders, and they don't do engraving. However, I'll probably ask a local dealer to see if they can get sequential serial #'s, and i'll get a price quote for how much they'll cost each when buying 5 or 6.
 
At that price, I would limit yourself to getting something that is more memorable than a Hi-Point or a surplus gun. Maybe something like a some NAA Minis and find a nice presentation box for them. Maybe get an engraved plate on the box.

Actually, thinking about it some more, this is what I would do with your budget.
For each one, get one of these:
A blackpowder revolver - Either a basic model or something fancier.
Presentation Box
Then have your local trophy shop engrave a small metal plate with the name of each guy, the date, whatever and affix that to the box.

Personally, I think that is way cooler than a low end pistol or carbine and should be well within your budget.
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Read my mind on the black powder. The NAA is a great Idea.
 
I've decided to go with black powder revolvers :)

I just think that they'll be something neater to hold onto, even if they're never shot. It's something that would look great to display, or even just to have around and play with.

After watching a video of how to load them, I'm surprised how easy it actually is.

Since I'm in Illinois, I'm going to call up Cabela's and get the scoop on how I would get them. If it involves an FFL, as was mentioned earlier in the thread, there's a place called Darnall's near me who does cowboy action shooting and I think they can set me up with some revolvers.

If there are transfer fees, though, I do have a friend in Indiana ;) Paying transfer fees on 5 or 6 revolvers would be a hefty additional expense.

If, in the end, I decide that I don't want to pay the final figure I come up with, I will probably go with the custom Buck knives because those are really cool, and they'd be useful :)

Thanks for all of your help with this! I may have to get myself a revolver early, to inspect the quality and everything :D
 
Ruger 10/22's -- everyone has one and everyone wants another one as a project gun.

I am a wedding photographer if you need one!
 
I gave 22 mag North American Arms to my best man and groomsmen, with custom S/N's... their initials and the wedding date.

If I recall correctly, the man I spoke with at NAA was a Mr. Green.

Maybe your wedding being far off, and this being wedding gifts will soften the "no new custom orders" policy.

I bought five - four for the guys, and one for me.

They all LOVED it. One man has passed away prematurely, and his is now owned by his son. Truly heirlooms, as I had hoped.
 
At that price, I would limit yourself to getting something that is more memorable than a Hi-Point or a surplus gun. Maybe something like a some NAA Minis and find a nice presentation box for them. Maybe get an engraved plate on the box.
Click to expand...

I call my minimag my Tuxedo gun which is what it is. This is a great idea and you can get them for around $200 or so then have them engraved with something cool they will remember. Just make sure you get them the 1 1/8" barrel 22mag.
 
I gave Stanley Thermos's and received pens, swiss army knives and cuff links.
I would give my eye teeth for a 22LR pistol or revolver Ruger has some in the $ range your looking. Not too fancy but properly oiled will last indefinately.

Best wishes in your marrage.
 
NAA's and blackpowder guns are cool, but if you want to give them something that they'll actually shoot, I'd go with either a 10/22 or similar .22 rifle, or the Buckmark or Ruger Mark IIIs.

Those will be guns that are actually practical and will be used as soon as they're given, not to mention good guns to teach their kids with down theroad. Better odds of being creating lasting memories for the guys and their kids, and being handed down thru the family. And as another poster stated, everybody either has 1 or wants 1! Or 2.... You can never have too many .22s!

Just my .02! Congrats! Especially on marrying a girl who's cool with an idea like this - should be a keeper!

Another thought just popped to mind - if the guys are all hunters, why not a shotgun? Mossberg or Reminton pumps, consecutive #s, and possibly engraved? Slug barrels for deer in Il.? Good practical gift, too! (BTW - I'm close enough that I could make it to the wedding, IF you needed another groomsman, and I could wear camo if needed! :))
 
Stoeger Cougars are decent guns for that price - $350 max usually. They are essentially Beretta Cougars (Beretta owns Stoeger)
 
Just got in.

With what you are spending on the wedding, honeymoon, etc. (to say nothing of what you have already dropped courting your sweet betrothed,) stop going cheap on your best-est buds. Debt Merchant that I am, may I say go with some Wilson 45's. (and something less expensive for The Bobster for this great idea.)
 
Get them each a M/N 91/30 and a Nagant Revolver. And with the price range you set you'd still be able to aford a box of ammo for each.gun. :D
 
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