Barbecue Guns

Jeff Higgins · 07:51 PM

I've been around guns for at least a little while, so I thought I had pretty much seen or heard just about everything related to them. "Barbecue Gun" is, however, a new term to me. I understand it originates in Texas, which should surprise no one. There are two schools of thought on what makes for a "barbecue gun", so let's take a look.

First, let's explain the terminology. A "barbecue gun" is something that, unsurprisingly, we would wear to a barbecue. Purely for dress up, along with our best Stetson and our best Tony Lamas. Beyond that, any barbecue gun does have to be a conversation starter. We all agree on that. It could be anything, from a 1911 to a double action or single action revolver, or any nifty handgun. After that is where the disagreement starts.

The first school of thought is that it has to be something fancy. Well kept, little wear, things like high polish blueing or nickel plating, ivory or fancy wood grips, engraving, and other such adornments. The other school of thought is something that shows genuine use, and has some stories attached to it - not beat up and abused, just honestly used.

I think I might have one of each. The first might not, however, be "fancy" enough, lacking engraving and any fancy stock material. It does, however, have the prettiest, deepest bluing, along with the most vibrant case colors I have ever seen. Both curtesy or Doug Turnbull Restorations. Third generation Colt SAA in .45 Colt with a 5 1/2" barrel:

The second has been pretty much my constant companion for the entirety of my ostensibly "adult" life. Another third generation SAA in .45 Colt, this one a 4 3/4". Case colors almost completely faded, scratched all around the cylinder, flat springs broken so many times I finally converted it to Wolfe music wire springs some 30 years ago (I now put them in all of my Colts before I even shoot them). Front sight has claw marks from bending it with a pair of Vise Grips to correct windage, with the top filed flat to correct elevation. I've hunted with it, it's the gun that lives in my nightstand, it's the gun that I most often conceal carry on the very, very rare occasions that I actually do that, it's the gun I want with me if, God forbid, everything goes sideways. Not as pretty as the first one, but many more stories.

So, if you were going to a proper barbecue, what would be your "barbecue gun"?

Bill Douglas · 08:02 PM

a Model 36 so if no one else has a gun you can keep quiet about it. And if others have guns you can brag about how accurate it is. Especially after a few beers.

KFC911 · 08-03-2025, 02:03 AM

BBQ is what you consume after a 12 hr "pig pickin" .... "down east" with a whole hog laid out and lots of beer ....

No spoons required .... ya "pick it" off the smoker along the way

.

I'd tote a squirt gun ....

vash · vash's Garage

my bbq gun would squirt sauce.

I dont need to pack a firearm to a lunch/dinner thing..anymore that I would say..wear a tool belt and bring a hammer.

I did almost take a fishing rod to a party yesterday.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 08-03-2025, 06:25 AM

Understated, classic, gentlemen's firearm.

masraum · 08-03-2025, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KFC911

BBQ is what you consume after a 12 hr "pig pickin" .... "down east" with a whole hog laid out and lots of beer ....

No spoons required .... ya "pick it" off the smoker along the way

.

I'd tote a squirt gun ....

Silly fella. Everybody knows that BBQ is smoked brisket and sausage. Whole pig. You're one 'o them folks from out east. Hogwash!

masraum · 08-03-2025, 07:06 AM

When I was a little kid, so somewhere in the mid 70s, my dad had a book, I think it was the "Handgun Handbook" or something like that. It was several hundred pages, many with photos of handguns, along with chapters on lots of other stuff. I used to leaf through it, and I always thought the engraved guns were amazing. I don't have one, but I'd love to have a BBQ gun like this.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-03-2025, 07:37 AM

I had never even heard of the term, but you guys have way prettier stuff than I do.

matthewb0051 · matthewb0051's Garage

Never heard the term.

But a couple of things that I can't overlook:
- BBQ is a food and not an event you attend. I'm ok with whole hog or pork shoulder, the different regions of BBQ in the country is great. Not a fan of going to a place here in Texas and them trying to make pulled pork. Please stick to brisket and sausage.

- Resistol hats over Stetson

- And Justin boots or Lucchese boots over Lamas any day. Ropers not that high heel, pointy toe, Yankee stuff. The kids wear square toe ropers these days but I'm old school and go with rounded toe like George Strait.

This thread reminds me of when I was stationed in the UK. The installation had an annual western themed event with food and dancing. It was soooo odd. The Brits in attendance would dress like Civil War whatever or US Army Cavalry whatever from the 1800's. Not a cowboy in sight.

Seahawk · 08-03-2025, 07:58 AM

The term is new to me as well...however:

Hi-Power for the win!

I carried the above in my SV-2 Survival vest when appropriate on cruise. Still shoots great.

Or this in the waist band. I own, just don't know what it is

Jeff Higgins · 08-03-2025, 08:03 AM

A couple of you are completely missing the point. Asking what your "barbecue gun" would be is just a fun way to ask what your fanciest, or most storied gun might be.

No, I would never and have never worn a gun to a barbecue. Doing so would be completely inappropriate in my region of the country and with my circle of friends and family.

I could not care less if some folks think "barbecue" is a food and not an event. In colloquial use, everyone says "let's invite some friends over and have a barbecue" or "so and so invited us to their barbecue" and so on. Your preference in boots and hats, in styles or regional variations in barbecue is absolutely irrelevant to this discussion.

We're just trying to have some fun here with kind of an offbeat topic. So let's get back to what you would call your "barbecue gun", O.K.?

Jeff Higgins · 08-03-2025, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

When I was a little kid, so somewhere in the mid 70s, my dad had a book, I think it was the "Handgun Handbook" or something like that. It was several hundred pages, many with photos of handguns, along with chapters on lots of other stuff. I used to leaf through it, and I always thought the engraved guns were amazing. I don't have one, but I'd love to have a BBQ gun like this.

Mine isn't engraved, nor does it have any stories. I suppose it might be fancy enough to qualify for some barbecues, maybe. It's purely a plinker and a range gun, though. I could hunt with it, but I have other guns that I prefer for that. I bought it for its nickel plating and its outstanding Goncalo Alves stocks. 6" S&W Model 29, .44 mag, of course:

Jeff Higgins · 08-03-2025, 08:09 AM

masraum · 08-03-2025, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Mine isn't engraved, nor does it have any stories. I suppose it might be fancy enough to qualify for some barbecues, maybe. It's purely a plinker and a range gun, though. I could hunt with it, but I have other guns that I prefer for that. I bought it for its nickel plating and its outstanding Goncalo Alves stocks. 6" S&W Model 29, .44 mag, of course:

I have the same but Mod 27, 357mag.

stevej37 · 08-03-2025, 08:53 AM

I would have known what this thread is about...if it was called 'Barbeque Spoons'.

masraum · 08-03-2025, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevej37

I would have known what this thread is about...if it was called 'Barbeque Spoons'.

You mean like this barebones cowboy barbecue spoon?

stevej37 · 08-03-2025, 08:59 AM

^^^ shoots beans?

masraum · 08-03-2025, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ shoots beans?

lol!

masraum · 08-03-2025, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

The first might not, however, be "fancy" enough, lacking engraving and any fancy stock material. It does, however, have the prettiest, deepest bluing, along with the most vibrant case colors I have ever seen. Both curtesy or Doug Turnbull Restorations. Third generation Colt SAA in .45 Colt with a 5 1/2" barrel:

Why isn't the case blued? I guess it's a different material than the cylinder and barrel so bluing is not needed?

brainz01 · brainz01's Garage

I've known the term BBQ gun colloquially for at least a decade, though as a city slicker, I rarely see people other than law enforcement open carry, and much less at the BBQs I attend.

But I always understood a BBQ gun to be the gun equivalent of "Sunday's best". And often that means a little on the garish side. Chrome and gold accents. Engravings. Fancy wood.

A pimped out 1911 is the ultimate BBQ gun in my mind, but a nice revolver could also work.

I don't link anything plastic fantastic qualifies, but to each their own.

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