BBQ Guns

[Abraham]

WildBill,

Maybe gay would be more accurate.

Remember, he and Tonto had to go into couples therapy when the Lone Ranger found out what "Kemosabe" really meant...

[Pawpaw]

At the risk of getting the cart before the horse I am pondering a BBQ gun if Open Carry passes. On a regular basis I will still conceal but thought it might be nice to have a nice gun and holster rig to wear to social engagements among friends and like-minded folks.

It would almost have to be a 1911. I'd like to stay low key and "classic" whatever that really means. I appreciate full coverage engraving and gold inlay but that's not really my style, or in my budget.

I'd love to see your BBQ guns to get a feel and some ideas.

How about a Dan Wesson Guardian? It seems to meet your criteria and it's available in 9mm, .45ACP, & .38 Super.

This one happens to be .45. I'll admit, I never thought of it as a BBQ gun before.

[WildBill]

WildBill,

Maybe gay would be more accurate.

Remember, he and Tonto had to go into couples therapy when the Lone Ranger found out what "Kemosabe" really meant...

[WildBill]

At the risk of getting the cart before the horse I am pondering a BBQ gun if Open Carry passes. On a regular basis I will still conceal but thought it might be nice to have a nice gun and holster rig to wear to social engagements among friends and like-minded folks.

It would almost have to be a 1911. I'd like to stay low key and "classic" whatever that really means. I appreciate full coverage engraving and gold inlay but that's not really my style, or in my budget.

I'd love to see your BBQ guns to get a feel and some ideas.

How about a Dan Wesson Guardian? It seems to meet your criteria and it's available in 9mm, .45ACP, & .38 Super.

This one happens to be .45. I'll admit, I never thought of it as a BBQ gun before.

Both classic and tasteful, this Dan Wesson, in the right holster, would be an acceptable BBQ gun.

[Oldgringo]

What is this BBQ guns? Are y'all saying that you have a dress-up/show-off gun outfit for social occasions or what?

[WildBill]

What is this BBQ guns? Are y'all saying that you have a dress-up/show-off gun outfit for social occasions or what?

Exactly! Most of us can't afford big gaudy diamonds.

[Oldgringo]

What is this BBQ guns? Are y'all saying that you have a dress-up/show-off gun outfit for social occasions or what?

Exactly!

Humph!

[Abraham]

Oldgringo,

Can you imagine showing up at the Cotillion or your Debutante Ball and only wearing some grungy ole EDC holster and gun?

Heavens!

You'd want your finest, most delicately engraved/filigreed hawg leg strapped to your gown, er, I mean, your trousers. I think...

Oh, I feel the vapors coming on...oh my!

[Oldgringo]

Oldgringo,

Can you imagine showing up at the Cotillion or your Debutante Ball and only wearing some grungy ole EDC holster and gun?

Heavens!

You'd want your finest, most delicately engraved/filigreed hawg leg strapped to your gown, er, I mean, your trousers. I think...

Oh, I feel the vapors coming on...oh my!

I can't imagine showing up for any dress up affairs anymore - gun or no gun. In fact, I told Mrs. Oldgringo the other day that I didn't want a funeral (not that I'd know), just have me cremated and go on about your business.

[Abraham]

Oldgringo,

I told my wife the same thing, with one exception.

I suggested she could throw some old tires on me (ah, when I'm dead that is) and throw some gasoline on it and sent me ablaze in the back yard, but apparently there are laws against that...

Could sure save some money and hassle though, but NOOOOO the funeral homes would have a hissy...

[WildBill]

Oldgringo,

I told my wife the same thing, with one exception.

I suggested she could throw some old tires on me (ah, when I'm dead that is) and throw some gasoline on it and sent me ablaze in the back yard, but apparently there are laws against that...

Could sure save some money and hassle though, but NOOOOO the funeral homes would have a hissy...

It would also be embarrassing if someone called the local fire department to put you out.

[Abraham]

WildBill,

Thank you for that "laugh out loud" moment!

[jmra]

Oldgringo,

I told my wife the same thing, with one exception.

I suggested she could throw some old tires on me (ah, when I'm dead that is) and throw some gasoline on it and sent me ablaze in the back yard, but apparently there are laws against that...

Could sure save some money and hassle though, but NOOOOO the funeral homes would have a hissy...

You would be surprised what you can legally do that funeral homes don't want you to know you can do. Making a long story short, my family decided to move my Mother's remains from SE Louisiana to North Arkansas (she passed 20 years prior). The funeral home said they would be glad to do that for us and only charge us $10k. I told them to dig her up and I'd throw her in the back of my truck. After much debate we loaded her up in the back of the truck, drove the 500 miles, and laid her to rest next to her parents. Total cost was about $500.

[WildBill]

WildBill,

Thank you for that "laugh out loud" moment!

That's what I get paid for.

[troglodyte]

I seem to have stirred up a few people that don't grasp the concept of a BBQ gun. I guess they wear their work boots to weddings. You do have boots don't you?

As much as I like my polymer guns and my work boots there are still times it is appropriate to get cleaned up and look nice. If we will put on our nice(r) boots and starched shirts to go to a social function then why not get a sidearm to compliment the outfit? Girly? Tell that to the Texas Rangers.

Here's a blog I came across that seems to sum it all up. http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/2006 ... -guns.html

Friday, March 10, 2006

Court guns and BBQ guns.

I know that Texas doesn't have a lock on court guns, or their kissin' cousin, the BBQ gun, but someone always asks me what they are.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid they're a dying breed. At least in this part of the country. Back in West Texas every lawman worth his salt has a court gun. Around here, everyone has gone to polymer framed pistols, and I'm here to tell you, ain't no way this side of the Styx than you can turn a Glock into a court gun.

Sorry, ain't gonna happen. It is technically, physically and aesthetically impossible.

So, down to brass tacks.

A court gun is the pistol that you wear during your court-type duties.

Usually a Colt Government Model or clone or a Browning Hi-Power, although any metal pistol with removable grips will do. Either blued or stainless is just fine, and have a small amount of tasteful engraving done to the slide.

Replace the grips with burlwood or stag. Fancy wood is acceptable, and can be minimally engraved. Understatement is the word of the day here.

The gun leather for your court gun should be dark in colour, with the classic basketweave pattern and a Ranger buckle. A subdued floral or Celtic pattern is acceptable, as long as the leather engraving is not a different color from the rest of the belt. In the past, the best gear was custom-made by inmates of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, but I don't know if they're still doing that.

Some philistines have asked about nylon carry gear, or -- God forbid -- kydex. The only stuff good enough for a 'court gun' is leather. Period. Full stop. And for God's sake, don't have your name engraved on the back of the belt. That's just...just...tacky.

For accessories, consider one open-topped magazine pouch and a belt-mounted badge. Polish your boots, press your jeans and wear a starched long-sleeve shirt.

Now, a BBQ gun is a whole different animal. A BBQ gun is what you wear to barbeques, baby christenings, formal balls, and any other place where a fancy jacket or outfit would be worn.

Get your paws on a revolver. Smith & Wesson or Colt would be best, although I understand that Brazilian products are becoming accepted. Polished stainless at a minimum, and full-blown nickle is a better. And pony up for full engraving. Have the trigger, hammer, screws and ejection rod anodized blue, gold, or colour-case-hardened for the traditionalists.

Now, look in the mirror. Is your mustache over 50% grey? If so, go for pearl grips. 49% or less on the grey-meter, and you'd best stick with ivory. If you go for mother-of-pearl, have it carved or inlaid. Steer heads are a classic pattern, although badges and stars are always safe.

If you go the ivory option, have the ivory inlaid or scrimshawed. Floral patterns involving roses and the Texas flag are good, as well as the state of Texas, a tasteful rendition of a young lady, or long horn cattle. Any scene from the battle of the Alamo is a surefire crowd pleaser. For those souls living outside the Great State of Texas, the flag raising at Mt. Suribachi may be substituted for an Alamo scene, and anything involving Marines is acceptable engraving material.

I would advise that you stay away from morbid or dreary themes in your engraving -- unless it is extremely well done.

The leather for your BBQ gun should be of a floral pattern, with the engraving a different color than the rest of the leather. The engraving pattern should extend to the buckle and any other metal hardware which should consist of silver and be polished bright enough to shave in, although gold is acceptable if carried with the proper attitude.

Accessories should be limited to a reload and a pocket watch.

No BBQ outfit is really complete without hand-made boots made from the hide of a critter that is guaranteed to send your local PETA petter into orbit. Pressed jeans under a Western-cut jacket, with a bolo tie, and a black Stetson complete the ensemble. The bolo tie should have a chunk of rock slightly larger than a baby's fist and the Stetson should have a hat band made from the cousin of the critter on your feet.

For some of the best examples of court and BBQ guns around, I strongly recommend visiting the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco, Texas.

LawDog