I'm getting married in about a month for the first time at age 48. The wedding is a bit non-traditional in that one very good friend is standing up with me as a best man, and another very good friend is officiating. The officiant's wife is also the maid of honor. No other wedding party past them. So, for my fiancé and I, we technically have three gifts to give, and my fiancé has reminded me several times in the last week that we need to nail down a plan.

Not long ago, somehow, I came to understand that Glock produces a 22LR pistol, the 44. I thought to myself, THAT would be kind of a neat gift for these two guys. The officiant has gotten into shooting a few years ago and owns a couple 9mm handguns. The best man own lots of firearms and actually owned a P226 before I did, but certainly nether of them own a semi auto 22lr pistol. So, I think it's safe to say that a firearm as a gift for them is certainly appropriate.

When I first thought of it, I was of the mindset that everyone enjoys a 22lr. They are fun and inexpensive to shoot. They're great for introducing a youngster or newbie to shooting. And most of all, as far as a gift goes, it will go in their safe and they'll always know where they got it. (as opposed to an expensive set of sunglasses or an engraved flask) which will either be lost at a restaurant or lost in a junk drawer.

All that said, I just watched Hickok's video on the Glock 44. He shot the gun extensively, discussed the fact that most all semi auto 22lr firearms are finicky about ammo. I felt he showed that the model is just fine as far as 22LR pistols go. But then he said that he's not a pro on rimfire pistols as he's not interested in saving the money on ammo. He would rather go shoot 50 rounds of 9mm instead of 200 rounds of 22lr, and honestly, I kind of agreed. He further suggested that the G44 being identical in size to the G19 might make it a good 'trainer' for some, but not so much for him. It's not a gun that he would spend his own money to buy. So then I thought to myself, well I would buy one because it's neat! But if we head to the range next weekend, I'm taking a 9mm.

I think, before I ask for your opinion here, I should tell you that I have to pay attention to budget to some degree. I'd love to buy them both a Colt or S&W revolver. But she's not going to let me pay for the gifts myself and that means whatever I choose here is half out of her wallet. For that reason, I think $500 X2 is probably pushing the limits, and even as I type this, I wonder if she'll think even that's too much.

Anyway, let me know what you think about a firearm as a gift, and further if the G44 is a good idea. If you think something completely different is a good idea, I'm all ears.

Just one more point... When I get in my safe, I see the P938 and remember that it's the first firearm I actually bought for myself. I see a cheap 9mm 1911 and remember how much my fiance loved shootingit. I see the O&U's and remember how much a I relished shooting skeet in high school with the old man. Grandpa's old .410.22lr long gun. You get the point. Thanks in advance!

I bought a 44 last fall. While I haven't shot it a lot, it's been dead-nuts dependable on bulk Winchester ammo.

At the moment, it's my favorite .22 handgun and I have half a dozen.

I think it'd make a dandy gift.

How about the Sig P322?
I have one and have had exactly zero issues shooting it - suppressed or unsuppressed.
Also looks to cost less than the glock (400 vs 500)

It's quite simple, as far as I'm concerned. To a gun guy, a gun gift is always a good gift. If not a gun guy, buy something else.

If a 22 was the plan, I'd go with a Ruger IV.

I think a .22 would be an incredible gift.

Others have better ideas. I just want to congratulate you. First time getting married even.

Like 12131 said-
If they get into plinkin', why not.
If they dont, I'd go with something else.

quote:

Originally posted by creslin:
How about the Sig P322?
I have one and have had exactly zero issues shooting it - suppressed or unsuppressed.
Also looks to cost less than the glock (400 vs 500)

I wasn't aware of this model either. After seeing it used with a suppressor, I may have add one to the order for myself as well

quote:

Originally posted by TomV:
If a 22 was the plan, I'd go with a Ruger IV.

I do like them, and I know that theyre likely the best. But the model I like is too expensive, and I'm drawn to the 20 round magazines for the Sig.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
Others have better ideas. I just want to congratulate you. First time getting married even.

Thanks Rey. Much appreciated!

I agree with the other posters. If they are gun people, it is hard to go wrong when buying a a really good, dependable gun, even if it isn't their favorite brand. Even if the gun isn't "my brand", I would be very happy to receive one as a gift.

Like 12131 said, if they aren't gun people, then I would select something else more appropriate for them.


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My wife bought one a few years ago. It was not very reliable at all. Got rid of it and picked up another Ruger MKIV.

quote:

Originally posted by Orive 8:
My wife bought one a few years ago. It was not very reliable at all. Got rid of it and picked up another Ruger MKIV.

The G44 or the P322?

quote:

Originally posted by Delmag Tech:

The G44 or the P322?

The Glock 44. She was really disappointed with the gun, back in 2006 she switched over to the Glock 26 as her EDC gun and has pretty much shot that gun exclusively. So, when the 44 was introduced, she thought that it would be a good addition as a plinking gun. Just was not the case.

Congratulations on the wedding, and either firearm would make a great gift.

My G44 has been very reliable with all kinds of 22lr being shot through it from Mini Mags to basic cheap wal-mart 10 year old boxes of ammo.

Even added the threaded barrel and run it with a Spikes Buckwheat can, doesn't have any issues with again any kind of 22 ammo.

At the time the P322 wasn't out, the G44 fit the bill, if the P322 was out I'd get it simply for the 20 round mags, if any thing comes up short for the G44 it's the mag capacity.

Congratulations and you are very generous! May you and your bride live long and prosper!

Thanks guys!

Late this morning, I was pretty much ready to go with the P322. But I see the S&W 637 and 642 in .38 special in about the same price range and I'm wondering if that wouldn't be better. I'm probably overthinking it.

.38 special ammo can be a bit pricey.

I bought the G44 because the grip, grip angle, sights, Mags, and feel, are identical to the G19 & G23. I had some difficulty with the grip angle when I got my G23, so I bought the G44 to get trigger time in with the same platform without it costing a fortune. In my case, it helped a lot. I've never experienced any malfunctions or accuracy issues. Sure, it's not as accurate as my Ruger 22/45 with a bull barrel, but plenty accurate enough to have a lot of fun.