I'm getting ready to graduate college after what seems like an eternity and I'm saving up to get myself a 'bbq' gun. Being a poor college student it will probably be more like a '1st year of full-time job' gun. I'm trying to decide what I want it to be and have narrowed it down to either of the choices in the title. Ideally the Smith would be a Model 24 with the barrel cut to 5 inch. It will get the full treatment: engraving, fancy stocks, custom leather. Which would you guys choose?

Go with your first choice, finances allowing of course!

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I think an engraved .44 Special is the way to go for sure.....

Sported this'n for a spell....Passed it along to a good friend for him to enjoy as well.


Pre-24 factory 5"






.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

I watch gun broker for engraved Smiths. This way you can pick the style you like or the way a gun looks before you buy it and with in 10 days you have it. Couldn't imagine picking out an engraving pattern, how much covering on the gun, getting it and it's not quite what you wanted. I'll have an engraved gun eventually, think they're cool looking and I like going to BBQ's. I really like custom guns, Larry

First, congratulations on escaping, er, I mean graduating.

Second, if it were me, I would go with the 1911, especially if you're talking about the current Series 70 repro model. I think it would look great with some retro styling, tasteful engraving, some nice, custom stocks, and a good holster/mag pouches/belt combo. I'm thinking of the way the Texas Rangers used to set up their 1911s. Maybe they still do it that way.

I should also add that a big part of my choice is that the 1911 fits my hand better than a N-frame. Plus, it'd probably be easier to conceal if you want to have that as an option.

Just my thoughts.

Somebody needs to say it.Get Both!

By saving the money engraving costs you probably can buy both. Eventually after experience makes one of them or some future gun your favorite than have your favorite engraved.

Wow-don't sound like no Po' Bo' to us! But-a revolver ALWAYS shows more class!!

Go with the N frame; BBQ sauce makes for a poor lube on a 1911.

Yur right, right thar....

We got to share our experience with all those coming on.


* Please disregard that pint of moonshine...



And then he'll need a BBQ Rig too,




.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

That's what I was thinking but sometimes its easier said than done. One day I'll look for an engraved Smith, but I'm content for now with the Presentation Grade Colt my wife bought me a couple years ago for Father's Day.

Not a true custom, as Colt did a small run of these, but its close enough for me. Although it carries a curse with it, the previous two owners both sold it due to pending divorces (knock on wood).

I'd agree with another post here, look for an engraved pistola vs having one done if cost is a factor.

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Save your money for much more important things than any thing
custom. Buy your choice of factory nickel plated gun for a bit of bling
if that's important to you. Some pretty nice looking holsters can be
bought for reasonable prices from independent vendors. Don't mark
your initial foray out into the world of adulthood (adulthood?) by
doing something costly and silly.

Wow. Way to bring down the thread with your sensible advice. Thanks, Mom!

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Poor collage student !!?? Might work on getting your common sense needs covered first . Work , home , dependable transportation all well covered before worry'n bout the toys . By then an adult can decide for them self what toys to buy . bbq guns , this is what our ed-u-ma-cated poor almost out of collage kids worry about ?

G'day...Whats a BBQ gun???

BBQ ......."barbi-Q" to those down under.....ie "throw some shrimp on the barbi!"

In the free states.... you need a extra fancy gun and leather for attending a BBQ. Some states also require a "big hat"!!

What if the chairman of the board of the company he wants to be hired by will be at the BBQ?

One of us had to stand up for squandering money on gun collecting.

It was a nasty job but somebody had to do it.

One could follow this line of thinking ^^^^ or............


Mark this milestone in one's life with a treasure for a life time, something to
be a reminder of your perseverance and dedication to one's scholastic achievements.

If your reward is put off till a more convenient time,
life will surely suppress this acquisition and it will forever
haunt you in the wee hours with much regret.

I truly know this from a life of lost or put off opportunities.

So, with this been said, when my son received his 'Sheepskin' he also got this to mark the occasion....



And it will someday become a treasured family heirloom.

What I'm saying is, don't put it off...Put it on and enjoy.

Su Amigo,
Dave

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

K22fan The Chairman of the Board will think the young newbe with limited funds is a wasteful spender of money and will pay even closer attention too his performance in the office !!

Yea-like going to Law School

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Hmmm. Personally, I say that if you've got the scratch and it's not slotted for something else, go for it, it'll only be more expensive and difficult to try and do it later when you're married, paying for a house, kids, etc.. You'll find that some things you put off now end up waiting until you're in your 50s or 60s (or later) to afford - custom guns, hot rods, and Harleys come to mind - that's why it seems like only old guys have them, they've finally paid for everything else. Ask me how I know.

Also, if you get that dream gun now, you have to resist the temptation to liquidate it in 5 or 10 or whatever years when the baby comes or the car needs a transmission or doctor bills are due, because some things are almost impossible to get again if you let them go.


All of that said, I'd be torn between the N-Frame and the 1911, also the engraving, which will be the most expensive part, dollar for dollar, of your project. I enjoy looking at decoratively engraved guns but have never had much desire to own one, though I do like some personal engraving like military unit crests. I think that a well polished and properly blued handgun has a special appeal and gives a classic vibe even when the gun has been modified from original, and the dark color enhances the lines. If I were you I would give strong consideration to waiting on the engraving, since it can be added any time, and have whatever gun you choose given a real nice blue or, maybe, if it is to be carried, Ionbond DLC finish.

I've owned a number of custom S&Ws in all sizes, currently have two custom N frames, one of which might be considered BBQ worthy with different grips (the other is not built to be around "polite company"). One thing about the N frames is that I've never had one customized specifically for me, they've all been guns that I bought already done.

I've also owned/own a bunch of custom 1911s (mostly older builds), have had many reworked/tweaked/warmed over, and commissioned one full build of my own. I have to say this about that - if you are a die hard 1911 fan, having one built just for you just the way you want it without any compromises is something you have to do.

Don't know if any of that helps, that's just my thoughts on the subject. I think that ContinentalOp's thought on the 1911 being an easier gun to carry/conceal is valid and would be a tie breaker for me. I'd just plan on getting the N frame later on (but not too much later!)


Here are couple of my unengraved customs to provide some contrast to the engraved beauties already posted-
[IMG]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BcqzIIXr6TgDMr1RecnsuC_ZhROIo78ttRNwT26oGgaAhB59HKYfEHdMMVgOSbX6t1gBw-x0R0SKt1oII_d5bjcCP-90RUqP0C0oXT8L-oyrd8mhDaYTmqLhgtQAhYsiMQaChIUay3wU27gkzt9hGcWJYG5GU_oBTdY9DakrTPgSv9SufjWbkLiqdAfp-Aw9JBrvO***Nf0eVsqR683fU4IwefabiucNjJi3PvOXgqp6Ra54SXLBaAtewU1DDAtuepWfwDt6L_GX0WeAqbvmqQPJGA9FeZtziM8CmTeuQaHShzIpO1YHSSyo6uJ-kPJ5WCVayebMW_sT-bx_PRsW6NtW6a127TUw1vAp8yJtfk5aIv6A9wAjdpyGJ3tFs_i3Y4dcTWSjZmaKM9oYo36WPptevGdtaZK4zLEooVFjB1Tc30mrFnot6v4OpjI36GGjNy_uuEERMloNXpXNC05OfLXsTzvPY3SleZVlbedjJawzbLlmjx5HpZleUCyJESt4TzMRN4jycDvB8iLsq6to_7uOQyN-lMq-RIeQx_3yme9e7iLyq7XUG6SywVqzzApUeaMy=w1036-h673-no[/IMG]

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Thanks guys, this is going to be a kind of gradual thing, put together a piece at a time. I'm an Animal Science major anyway so money is never going to be terribly abundant. The gun, then the grips, then the leather and the engraving last of all. That's why I figure it'll take a year or two to get done. I was leaning toward the N frame already when my Dad put the 1911 idea in my head. Come to think of it I do have a Colt SAA in .44Spl that I got cheap because the guy thought the nickel cylinder in the blue gun was a replacement. Decisions decisions.

While I was a senior in college, I bought a used M27-2 3 1/2" and a new 1950 Target .44 Special barrel from J&G Rifle Ranch. I took everything to Walker Arms in Selma, Alabama and had them rechamber the cylinder and fit the barrel. I also wanted the barrel cut to 5" and the ramp front sight fiited. When I went to pick it up, the barrel was not cut. As I was an impatient, poor student/sheriff's deputy, I took it as is and carried it as my duty weapon for several years.

In 2006, 30 years later, I had David Clements cut the barrel to 5", fit a ramp front sight and reblue it. It is still one of my best shooting revolvers.

If you can afford it, buy your revolver now, enjoy it AND NEVER SELL IT, regardless of how broke you might get (hope you never get there BTW).

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Oh now come on, you know you love it! I know guys who are
mad at the world because they opted for a secure plain old
job instead of going to Law School. You're actually living
your dream, every day! What's that old saying? "When you
love what you do you'll never work a day in your life". You
lucky dog!

.455 Eley, I see you are from my hometown. Are you graduating from SEMO? I have an education degree from there though I am no longer a teacher.

Anyway, I vote N Frame. (Though the Colt SAA is tempting). The 5" .44 Special sounds perfect. Like some others have said, if you have the money to start the project, do it now but remember to save and payoff student loans (if you have them) as quickly as possible. Don't let guns and this hobby consume everything. As you get older and start a family, this kind of project gets a lot tougher to accomplish. Life is a balancing act. You have to eat now, plan for the future and enjoy a little bit along the way. Good luck to you!

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SWCA #2922