NA - BBQ Musings

Half Fast

Half Fast

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Half Fast
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So last week, as a result of a decision in a state court of appeals, Florida finally became an open carry state. This has some important implications, one of the more significant being that it provides me with a long-needed excuse to buy myself a BBQ gun.

Now I’m partial to revolvers, so my first thought is a nice .357 magnum, perhaps with a 3” barrel. Maybe darkly blued, with figured dark wood grips. A Colt Python could be a good choice, but they’re rather pricey new. I also like Dan Wessons, and the swappable barrels would be a bonus. I have a 4” S&W 686+ that I like, so another one with a 3” barrel and wood grips could be an option, but I might prefer a 586 for the blued barrel.

OTOH, I’ve never owned a 1911, and one of those could be lovely, either blued or in stainless. Being vertically challenged, a sub-compact 1911 might fit me better than a full-sized version.

A used Walther PP could be a fun project to dress up, but I think I’d prefer something of US origin for the BBQ role.

Of course, any form of plastic blaster (Glock, etc.) is completely out of the question for this role.

Naturally, any choice will also require some premium leather. There’s a saddler near me that makes some beautiful custom holsters and belts if I can’t find an OTS rig I like.

So what thoughts and suggestions do the Pistoleros of America have? Post up some pics of your own solutions for the BBQ gun question.
 
never heard of a bbq gun before. I'd say any gun clint eastwood used or a desert eagle or a captain kirk phaser.
 
A high quality revolver is a fine choice, but if you don’t have a 1911 you need to remedy that as soon as possible! I’d lean towards a high quality blued finish; parkerized just isn’t right for a BBQ gun. Polished stainless or nickel plate might be options, but would be considered ostentatious in some circles. Highly figured hardwood grip panels, however, are highly recommended.

A commander model will be a bit more compact; an officers model more so, but those and the even smaller variants can have reliability problems

It goes without saying that you want it in .45 ACP.
 
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eman1200 said:
never heard of a bbq gun before
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Me neither. In all seriousness, one reason I enjoy PoA is the cultural learnings of America.

@Half Fast, it's good that you've already described your mission. You should probably rent or join a club first and see what you like, then buy your last gun first, and don't stress too much over high wing vs low wing questions like revolver or automatic. 9mm is right out. Kimbers are nice.

Given your profession, have you considered a soldering gun?
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Hmm, bbq gun, learn something new everyday.

I would go with Harry’s gun, S&W Model 29, 6 1/2” barrel, blued. Great conversation starter.
 
Oh, my. From the land of bbq guns, let’s start with the real choice to be made and that is ivory or pearl or fancy wood grips. The next major choice is engraving or color case hardened steel, and the final is the belt and holster tooling.

Understated can make as much of a statement as gaudy, with understated allowing function as a Sunday go to church decision as well as weddings.

I lean towards an understated 1911 platform however I also have a stainless 68 no dash 1 that can fill the bill.

Let me dig up a pic.

ETA: two tone Wilson EDC X9 in a Tucker HF-1 with matching belt.

1d53a22fa721d1ec428310cd25ab55fb.jpg
 
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TCABM said:
Oh, my. From the land of bbq guns, let’s start with the real choice to be made and that is ivory or pearl or fancy wood grips. The next major choice is engraving or color case hardened steel, and the final is the belt and holster tooling.

Understated can make as much of a statement as gaudy, with understated allowing function as a Sunday go to church decision as well as weddings.

I lean towards an understated 1911 platform however I also have a stainless 68 no dash 1 that can fill the bill.

Let me dig up a pic.

ETA: two tone Wilson EDC X9 in a Tucker HF-1 with matching belt.

1d53a22fa721d1ec428310cd25ab55fb.jpg
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I agree with something understated, for the reasons you listed. Ivory is a bit too loud for my tastes, and if I went with pearl grips I’d need a pimp hat and purple suit. Dark, figured wood for me.

Similarly, any engraving would have to be subtle, like maybe just a little tasteful scrollwork.

The holster could be a bit fancier, especially since it’s easy to swap holsters depending on the occasion. Black leather for church, maybe, but brown with a fancy pattern (maybe with an inlaid Florida seal?) for BBQs.
 
Half Fast said:
….The holster could be a bit fancier, especially since it’s easy to swap holsters depending on the occasion. Black leather for church, maybe, but brown with a fancy pattern (maybe with an inlaid Florida seal?) for BBQs.
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Seeing you’re in Florida, I envision a nickel or stainless classic Python wrapped in a python skin holster for BBQs. Alternatively, alligator could be more tasteful with shark upping the elegance.

Having the state seal stamped wouldn’t take much effort. Andrews Leather might be a good guy to talk to.
 
Behind the wall here in Illinois, I have no use for a BBQ gun, but if I did, it would be a 1911. I've always wanted a nickel 1911, so that'd be my go-to. Maybe a Delta Elite in SS. Always wanted one of those, too.

If I was to go revolver, it would be a close copy of Patton's pearl handled nickeled SAA. Not the best combat weapon, but if you get into a gunfight at a BBQ, you went to the wrong bbq.
 
Jim K said:
Behind the wall here in Illinois, I have no use for a BBQ gun, but if I did, it would be a 1911. I've always wanted a nickel 1911, so that'd be my go-to. Maybe a Delta Elite in SS. Always wanted one of those, too.

If I was to go revolver, it would be a close copy of Patton's pearl handled nickeled SAA. Not the best combat weapon, but if you get into a gunfight at a BBQ, you went to the wrong bbq.
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Nice, but just a note - Patton’s guns had ivory grips, not pearl. There’s one on display in the military museum in Dubois, MT, that I saw last summer.
soldiersystems.net

“Son, only a pimp in a Louisiana whore- house carries pearl-handled revolvers. These are ivory.” | Soldier Systems Daily

The quote actually belongs to Army LTG George S Patton, responding to a reporter during World War II, who asked about his "pearl handled" revolver ...
soldiersystems.net soldiersystems.net

But yeah, if I lived out west, I’d probably go with a SAA. Love the look, even if it’s not a practical self-defense weapon.
 
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Any such thing as Italian BBQ? Inox Beretta model of your choosing, with or without blacked out controls, depending on one’s appetite for full bling or contrast.
 
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Not where I saw this thread going when I clicked on it. Never heard of a BBQ gun, but hey if its an excuse to buy another gun.
 
This is a tough one for me that I'll have to tackle soon.

All my pistols are currently 9mm Semi and they work well for me. The problem is they are more appropriate for Range day and EDC than BBQ.

I do need a proper BBQ gun and what I currently have don't get it done. This thread has been helpful with some good thoughts. I lean towards understated but I need something more. I'm leaning towards the Colt Python in .357, gotta figure out the proper bling though.
 
2-Bit Speed said:
I'm trying to convince @SkyChaser of our desperate need for a S&W model 19 or 29. It's a hard sell.
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Buy it for her birthday. That's what i did with the airplane :biggrin:

ETA: now that i think about it, you need to actually buy her an airplane for her birthday.
 
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wellknow said:
what is a bbq gun
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A gun that you wear to a BBQ.

BBQ guns are nice looking guns, often with special grips, finishes, and engravings or other decorations, that are reserved for carrying openly at special events. Usually carried in dressy leather holsters.

Google will show you lots of images.
 
I was carrying a LC9, but figured if I ever have to use it I would have to find and pick up the casings. Lately I have been carrying my S+W 38 special, manufactured in 1905. It looks like the pistols you see in old B+W gangster movies. Simple point and click technology, plus I won't have to pick up the casings.

For less lethel I have been considering this. www.BYRNA.com
 
Jim K said:
Buy it for her birthday. That's what i did with the airplane :biggrin:

ETA: actually now that i think about it, you need to actually buy her an airplane for her birthday.
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Ah, the Fred Flintstone method…
 
If you don’t have a 1911 thats a good solution. SW stainless or colt revolver also fit the bill. I like the 686+ with the black wood grips.
 
Old97 said:
If you don’t have a 1911 thats a good solution. SW stainless or colt revolver also fit the bill. I like the 686+ with the black wood grips.
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My “things that go bump in the night” gun is a 4-inch 686+ with Crimson Trace grips. Great gun.
 
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