BBQ GUNS/HOLSTERS

[Hang-Fire Hank]

Gents: I understand the idea of wearing a gun/holster you're proud of to a gun-friendly social get-together (e.g. BBQ), but I'm uncertain how you would respond to a request to see your gun? With the host's permission, would you take the admirer off to one side to unholster your pistol for examination? You really can't do so amongst a number of people & keep it pointed safely or urge the person to try the trigger (after showing unloaded, of course) with other people around. Seems pointless to wear a fam-dancy gun, but tell people your policy is not to unholster.
Thanks, Hank M.

[Pine_Worker]

Being an ex-LEO, the only time I unholstered mine was 1) to use it, 2) to clean it or 3) put it in a secure locker taking a prisoner to jail.

[Jason Demond]

You can wear any gun or holster combo you like. No one should ask you to see it, and if they do. You tell them no.

[K Frame Keith]

Now, if you're among firearms people, moving discretely aside, clearing the weapon and sharing a mutual passion with someone you know and trust, I don't see a problem. If the person is an unknown quantity or if alcohol is involved, no.

[Sistema1927]

BBQ etiquette requires that you admire a buddy's pistol from afar. It is a serious breach to ask to handle it.

[cgt4570]

I would treat this friendly situation just like a range day. I would unload on a table in view of the requester, then present the unloaded and action open firearm to the requester for inspection/appreciation. There is a specific protocol for this.

[Dougaz]

When I go to the range, surrounded by gun lover's and someone asks to see my gun, the answer is "no but thank you". No exceptions.

[mh51]

I would only carry a BBQ gun to a friendly social event with other LEO's. Since alcohol would be likely, I'd leave the ammo at home. I'm not likely to need it for serious social work.

[Old Corp]

All depends on situation.....
If at a gathering where a range, impromptu or actually set-up would be located, that would be where, if a sober and trusted person was the interested party - I'd unholster, clear and hand off. But not just anybody.

[Oldsalt66]

I’m not going to unholster and handle my gun unnecessarily at a social event, let alone allow anyone else to do it.

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Originally Posted by Dougaz

When I go to the range, surrounded by gun lover's and someone asks to see my gun, the answer is "no but thank you". No exceptions.

That's not necessarily the only right answer, but it is surely one right answer.

[rockquarry]

So there really is such a thing as a gathering for people wearing "barbecue" guns?

[pennzy]

When guns come out, even if handled safely, I usually head for the car.

[Bajadoc]

I take every opportunity to be friendly, and to appropriately and safely, share the joys of firearms. "Sure you can see my cool gun, guns are not scary and dangerous if handled properly. Let me show you."

[Texas Star]

Alcohol is a prevalent risk at any social gathering.

[GerSan69]

Originally Posted by rockquarry

So there really is such a thing as a gathering for people wearing "barbecue" guns?

That's a great question. I hope I'm not proving what a "Yankee" I am, but I never heard the term before joining this forum. I'm not averse to it. In fact, I like the idea. I just have never done it.

[Miami_JBT]

My BBQ Gun.

[Sistema1927]

Originally Posted by GerSan69

That's a great question. I hope I'm not proving what a "Yankee" I am, but I never heard the term before joining this forum. I'm not averse to it. In fact, I like the idea. I just have never done it.

Living in West Texas, North Texas, and New Mexico, I have been privileged to attend numerous social functions where the (mostly male, but some exceptions) participants were wearing openly holstered handguns. Always accompanied by jeans, cowboy boots, and hats.

Some have worn low slung gunfighter rigs carrying SAA's, others have had 1911's carried high and tight, still others with a nice S&W carried in a Tom Threepersons or equivalent. Pistols and leather can be plain or ornate. I don't have ornate guns or leather, so normally I have worn a C&L 1911 or S&W N-frame to these events.

Even though I don't imbibe, I have never been concerned by drinking at one of these events. Drunkenness may occur in bar rooms, but I have never seen one of these family oriented events get out of hand.

[Tytan01]

I've been to quite a few BBQs and Camping Trips where holstered weapons were a frequent sight. On the rare occasion that I have asked individuals..., I wait until we're in a person's RV or out walking a trail before asking to see someone's sidearm. There's usually time at these events where it's just the guys hanging out in groups while the kids and significant others are doing their thing and that's also the usual time the guns come out for inspection and showing off. Happy to say there's never been an accidental firing or drama from others at these gatherings. Among gun folks...it's just normal.

[Mule Packer]

Originally Posted by rockquarry

So there really is such a thing as a gathering for people wearing "barbecue" guns?

Maybe we need to clarify things a bit. These kinds of social functions referred to aren't your typical hamburger and weenie barbecues over a Weber grill in somebody's backyard in the middle of an urban or even suburban neighborhood.

No...and hopefully keith44spl and Iggy will join in on this...but this type of function is normally held out in a rural area in the west or southwest parts of our great nation, usually on somebody's ranch. The meat, usually consisting of a few hundred pounds of beef, or sometimes pork, will have been cooking for part of the previous night and most of the day either in a pit in the ground or in a large smoker.

The people who are invited come packing various foodstuffs such as potato salad, barbecue beans, homemade bread, cakes, pies...that kind of stuff.

The traditional dress for men is normally a nice, button-down shirt, a relatively new pair of Wranglers (preferably starched), a good quality 100% beaver fur felt hat, and a good-looking pair of high quality boots. Baseball caps, Bermuda shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops will not be seen.

Some time during the festivities, there will often be a display of shooting prowess where both men and women can take part in shooting their "barbecue guns" at designated targets placed in a previously determined safe area.

Yes, folks often do admire another person's barbecue gun. But, as has been previously stated, the firearm is usually removed from the holster, unloaded, and then presented to the other person to examine, admire, or drool over.

Many barbecue guns are engraved. Some are not, but most will have grips other than the normal factory grips. Usually ivory, stag, or some exotic wood is preferred. I did see one set years ago that was made from sterling silver with big chunks of turquoise inlaid in the grips. WOW!!

Here's one of my barbecue guns in a rig that our own Dave Keith (keith44spl) made for me, complete with our family brand carved in.

[keith44spl]

Boys,
I've attended BBQs from West Texas to the high plains of Wyoming
and points as far East as the Bluegrass. A great time was had by all.

As far as firearm etiquette goes, it the host's call. When I host an 'event',
all the gun handling and shooting goes on out back of the corrals.

I serve the world's best BBQ, beans, biscuits and iced tea.

It's just a social event for like minded folks, by invitation.

Some times it turns into a two or three gun shootin' match, with a few green backs changing hands.

Most times I carry this'n


Or maybe sumthing like this


If I'm really into the thing, I might get a lit'l ostentatious with this brace of 44 Specials



.

[Iggy]

We don't have too many fancy occasions here, but a few friends that are gun savvy will show up from time to time.
Like Dave Keith, there may be some show and tell and shooting out on the other side of the barn.
When the brisket and brews are ready the guns git emptied and holstered and we chow down. Priorities don'tcha know.

Like Mule Packer, I'm one of Dave's fans and wear a rig he built when I feel like struttin' a bit.


For Marryin's and buryin's, I need to be a bit more subtle, I can go to one of my ol' .45s in one of Dave's rigs too.

[tops]

Originally Posted by GerSan69

That's a great question. I hope I'm not proving what a "Yankee" I am, but I never heard the term before joining this forum. I'm not averse to it. In fact, I like the idea. I just have never done it.

Some parts of the country would call it a "Sunday go to meeting gun". Your nicest (best) clothes are your "Sunday go to meeting clothes". It's not an everyday thing. Larry

[ISCS Yoda]

Well, if I might put in a word for another viewpoint....

I have been to FONRA events where I wore these guns openly, and many of us cowboy action shooters were suitably dressed for the occasion:



But we asked permission before we arrived toting sixguns and NOBODY was dumb enough to carry a loaded revolver in his or her holsters. Seriously, this is for FUN, folks, you start off by using your brain and leaving the ammunition at home!

I once wore this gun to a wedding in a cross draw rig, again suitably attired in very gussied up western clothing:



In both cases some of my friends wanted to handle the guns - I said yes without hesitation. Why would I say no when, besides my knowing they're unloaded, my gun knowledgeable friends checked them as well, as I would expect.

What I never do is even mention my concealed handgun, and there is always a concealed handgun. No comments, no touching, it's NOT the same thing as the visible "barbecue guns".

If I decide to allow my friends to come to a barbecue or any dinner at my home and I tell them that they can wear visible guns I will personally inspect every gun to ensure that they are unloaded because I would anticipate gun handling. One never knows - that could happen some day.

I also don't faint if the guy next to me at a poker table touches my chips for some reason, or my card protector. Who cares? And at the range, if I'm with anyone, we'll probably share guns - here, you shoot mine, I'll shoot yours.

I'm less inclined to let friends drive my car than touch my unloaded guns.

YMMV, as always.

[GerSan69]

Thank you from this city boy for all those very thoughtful explanations, and especially Mr. Keith's!

[Buick]

I do have a BBQ holster! Its an El Paso Saddlery "Jesse James". Totes an old model Super Blackhawk.

[white cloud]

Originally Posted by Dougaz

When I go to the range, surrounded by gun lover's and someone asks to see my gun, the answer is "no but thank you". No exceptions.

I have had a gun damaged by an idiot at the range. This solution is my solution. The same goes with pocket knives. Nobody "borrows" my pocket knife.

[Pondoro]

Originally Posted by white cloud

I have had a gun damaged by an idiot at the range. This solution is my solution. The same goes with pocket knives. Nobody "borrows" my pocket knife.

I like loaning pocket knives. One time at steel match (coaching teens) we broke for lunch. All the food was shrink wrapped. Two guys simultaneously asked to borrow a knife. I put both hands in both pockets and withdrew two Buck knives. (The Buck 112 in it’s leather sheath remained on my belt.) Yes, I was showing off. What kind of person coaches steel and doesn’t carry a pocket knife? But I don’t own a BBQ gun.

[LAH]

Never been to a barbque/gun thing but did let Mr. Keith look my 44 over once.

[Art Doc]

"No one should ask you to see it, and if they do. You tell them no. "

Don't get this.These are friends at this gathering? I let friends handle my guns. Couple times, if my friend was really admiring my gun, I told him to keep it.

[keith44spl]

I was invited to admiring this feller's 44 Special one time....



** The first time I've smiled in years.


.

[lonegunman762x51]

I like the whole BBQ gun concept, I have only been to one well dressed guns and beef event, it was a good time and guns only left holsters out behind the corral where the owner had a neat 4 position 100 yd range set up with pistol targets at varying ranges.

A few non-bbq times I've been asked to unholster my carry gun for random examination by strangers, I politely decline.

[lawandorder]

I wouldn't have recognized you Dave.

[Kitgun]

Originally Posted by Mule Packer

Maybe we need to clarify things a bit. These kinds of social functions referred to aren't your typical hamburger and weenie barbecues over a Weber grill in somebody's backyard in the middle of an urban or even suburban neighborhood.

No...and hopefully keith44spl and Iggy will join in on this...but this type of function is normally held out in a rural area in the west or southwest parts of our great nation, usually on somebody's ranch. The meat, usually consisting of a few hundred pounds of beef, or sometimes pork, will have been cooking for part of the previous night and most of the day either in a pit in the ground or in a large smoker.

The people who are invited come packing various foodstuffs such as potato salad, barbecue beans, homemade bread, cakes, pies...that kind of stuff.

The traditional dress for men is normally a nice, button-down shirt, a relatively new pair of Wranglers (preferably starched), a good quality 100% beaver fur felt hat, and a good-looking pair of high quality boots. Baseball caps, Bermuda shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops will not be seen.

Some time during the festivities, there will often be a display of shooting prowess where both men and women can take part in shooting their "barbecue guns" at designated targets placed in a previously determined safe area.

Yes, folks often do admire another person's barbecue gun. But, as has been previously stated, the firearm is usually removed from the holster, unloaded, and then presented to the other person to examine, admire, or drool over.

Many barbecue guns are engraved. Some are not, but most will have grips other than the normal factory grips. Usually ivory, stag, or some exotic wood is preferred. I did see one set years ago that was made from sterling silver with big chunks of turquoise inlaid in the grips. WOW!!

Here's one of my barbecue guns in a rig that our own Dave Keith (keith44spl) made for me, complete with our family brand carved in.

Yup, this is the protocol.

[SAFireman]

I have a few BBQ guns. When we are socializing, and the guns are unloaded, no problem showing it off.

Loaded guns are not for showing off, and they stay holstered. I am happy to let others shoot my guns at the range, but with close supervision.

At one of the SWCA symposiums, my father and I had several tables full of BBQ guns, leather, and accessories. Anyone who asked was allowed to handle and admire anything on the table. We love to share our passion and sport, and allowing someone to actually handle these guns is a pleasure all around.

Here is one for fun

[crazyphil]

If you invited me to your BBQ I would probably show up wearing my
1911 Colt's Gold Cup National Match, in one of the two rigs shown here.

On the left is a Brill-Persons on a Sidewinder belt made by, and gifted to
me, by my friend Red Nichols. The baseball cap would stay home and I
would wear my Stetson.

On the right is a Heiser #728 carved and laced, on a Texas Gunslinger
belt. The Navajo buckle is by O. Nezzie. Again I would wear my Stetson
instead of the baseball cap.

Your preferences of the two are invited.

[Green Frog]

Amigo Dave, if I ever have the privilege of getting out your way, and if my visit coincides with one of your legendary to-do's, I'd be "right proud" if I could wangle an invitation! I'd have to bring my Project 616, but I'd have to start right now preparing a suitable shuck in which to present it in such esteemed company. BTW, I've gotten so attached to the ebony combats that I eventually settled on that I can't bring myself to fancy it up any more, and my favorite engraver has passed, so I don't know whether it will ever get any scratching'.

Su amigo, la Rana Verde

[Pig Hunter]

As I recall Skeeter Skelton described the shooting at an invitation only BBQ shoot for LEO only. The contest was to put up an entry fee for each round of shooting. The contest was hitting a beverage can. If you hit it you were eligible to enter the next round with the fresh cans moved back 5 yds further back. Last hit got the pot. Sounds like fun! He also said he and Bill Jordan invented the 6 margarita lunch. Remember when people had fun and didn't have to be supervised or politically correct???

[keith44spl]

Originally Posted by Pig Hunter

The contest was to put up an entry fee for each round of shooting. The contest was hitting a beverage can. If you hit it you were eligible to enter the next round with the fresh cans moved back 5 yds further back. Last hit got the pot. Sounds like fun!

I've been in one or three of those 'can jumping' events....

The last one I participated in, I dug this'n out for a purty good run.

(factory 5" pre 24, with a Texas Engraver's handy work)




A close personal friend is now in charge of it's care and feedin'

.

[BillyMagg]

Originally Posted by keith44spl

I was invited to admiring this feller's 44 Special one time....



** The first time I've smiled in years.


.

Glad we have a picture! LOL, but with "little thang" in your hands, how could you not smile???

[keith44spl]

Originally Posted by BillyMagg

Glad we have a picture! LOL, but with "little thang" in your hands, how could you not smile???

Y'all can see why those lit'l N frames fit my paws purty good.


.

[quikdraw67]

I've heard of the BBQ gun thing, interesting, some beautiful rigs for sure.

Here is the woods of NEPA it'd be more like Yuengs and wings.

And check out my latest AR build.

Same planet, different world.

[BillyMagg]

Originally Posted by keith44spl

Y'all can see why those lit'l N frames fit my paws purty good.


.

Yes Sir! Roger!

[Frank46]

I've never attended a barbecue event where everyone is dressed to the nines in their favorite books,jeans,shirt and hat. Sound like fum. But since the question was asked. The barbecue guns shown many times on this forum are highly engraved and most likely had cost the owner a good bit of money. Everything from 1911A1's to Colt peacemakers and most likely a good number of S&W's. The closest revolver I have to a barbecue gun would be my 42-3 with the 3" barrel. Would I show it or let it be held in another's hands?. In a safe secure place and if the holder hasn't imbibed any alcohol and unloaded. I imaging at such events like this a protocol must exist for situations like this. Frank

[Cellar Hound]

Originally Posted by Mule Packer

Maybe we need to clarify things a bit. These kinds of social functions referred to aren't your typical hamburger and weenie barbecues over a Weber grill in somebody's backyard in the middle of an urban or even suburban neighborhood.

No...and hopefully keith44spl and Iggy will join in on this...but this type of function is normally held out in a rural area in the west or southwest parts of our great nation, usually on somebody's ranch. The meat, usually consisting of a few hundred pounds of beef, or sometimes pork, will have been cooking for part of the previous night and most of the day either in a pit in the ground or in a large smoker.

The people who are invited come packing various foodstuffs such as potato salad, barbecue beans, homemade bread, cakes, pies...that kind of stuff.

The traditional dress for men is normally a nice, button-down shirt, a relatively new pair of Wranglers (preferably starched), a good quality 100% beaver fur felt hat, and a good-looking pair of high quality boots. Baseball caps, Bermuda shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops will not be seen.

Some time during the festivities, there will often be a display of shooting prowess where both men and women can take part in shooting their "barbecue guns" at designated targets placed in a previously determined safe area.

Yes, folks often do admire another person's barbecue gun. But, as has been previously stated, the firearm is usually removed from the holster, unloaded, and then presented to the other person to examine, admire, or drool over.

Many barbecue guns are engraved. Some are not, but most will have grips other than the normal factory grips. Usually ivory, stag, or some exotic wood is preferred. I did see one set years ago that was made from sterling silver with big chunks of turquoise inlaid in the grips. WOW!!

Here's one of my barbecue guns in a rig that our own Dave Keith (keith44spl) made for me, complete with our family brand carved in.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been to an event as you have described. It sounds like a great time! As I prepare for my first barbecue, I will need to gather some of the required apparel items as well as a serious leather holster. However, I may have a few guns to choose from. Although, they are not in the same league as some of the engraved pieces in the thread, here is a 29 with Snakewoods, a 629 Classic with American Holly, and a 19 with Fiddleback Black Walnut. All grips made by Culina.

[Xfuzz]

Many Texas gunners have at least one fancy
shootin iron.

[jglsprings]

In a situation like this guns are treated like girlfriends and wives. Nobody asked to see or touch anything that didn’t belong to them.

At least that was the rules when we had open carry barbecue.

My Sunday-Go-To meeting / barbecue gun...

[RogerA]

After our recent move from Missouri to Texas, I put together my BBQ Rig on the oft chance I would be invited to such a gathering. It is a Bianchi B21 belt with a custom made, by a union pipefitter friend, stainless belt buckle with a 1951 birth year Franklin half dollar, with S&W BLW 624 holster, and a Lew Horton Special 103610 S&W 629-1 3” 44 Magnum. Not as “flashy” as some, but I would be proud to wear it anywhere down here in Texas.

[Spajohn]

Originally Posted by rockquarry

So there really is such a thing as a gathering for people wearing "barbecue" guns?

Maybe they shoot at their hamburgers tossed into the air like clay pigeons? I'm sure it's been done at least once...
"I like my burgers medium rare with bullet sauce, thanks."
JohnP

[keith44spl]

Originally Posted by Spajohn

Maybe they shoot at their hamburgers tossed into the air like clay pigeons? I'm sure it's been done at least once...
"I like my burgers medium rare with bullet sauce, thanks."
JohnP

I think they's stop shootin' burgers a 100 or so years ago in Athens...
The World’s First Hamburger – Texas Monthly

I got an invite to a BBQ in Wyo at the Ranch, a time or two.

There's a gal in Cheyenne that can put the finishing
touch on a side of brisket that Texas can't hold a candle to.

* Hamburgers & Hotdogs are for a kid's birthday cookout...

Brisket, beans & biscuits are BBQ fixin's...


.