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Python Finish Durability?
6/10/2011 9:43:22 PM
I'm looking to buy a Python in the near future and was wondering which finish holds up better between the blue & nickel?
I don't think I'd be carrying it, but it will definitely be getting some range use. Lots of handling and showing it off as well
I don't think I'd be carrying it, but it will definitely be getting some range use. Lots of handling and showing it off as well
6/10/2011 11:31:39 PM
The blue will show wear marks and the nickel will show scratches.
Personally, I think the blued Pythons look better, but I've never been a fan of shiny silver guns.
Personally, I think the blued Pythons look better, but I've never been a fan of shiny silver guns.
6/10/2011 11:38:15 PM
IMO, the blue is more durable. The nickel, whole pretty and attractive, shows scratches real easy.
6/11/2011 8:49:53 AM
I think they are both stunning.
Can the scratches/swirls be polished out of the nickel?
Can the scratches/swirls be polished out of the nickel?
6/11/2011 12:34:27 PM
I believe so, but only so much. once you get down to the metal, only recourse is to re-nickel the entire gun.
I have a nickel trooper I am saving up to send in for a re-nickel job.
I have a nickel trooper I am saving up to send in for a re-nickel job.
6/11/2011 12:48:51 PM
Colt's Royal Blue is not the most durable finish... That said if you want to carry a Python buy an old beater that is still in time and call it done.
6/11/2011 4:20:16 PM
The Python Royal Blue is no more durable than any blued finish. It will wear off from use, handling, and especially holstering. If not cared for, it will rust.
You have to be vigilant about taking care of it, which includes keeping a coat of a rust preventing lube like CLP Breakfree or a good wax like Johnson's Paste or Renaissance hard Carnuba on it. (NO car wax). If it starts wearing and scratching you can't polish it since even careful polishing thins the already thin layer of bluing.
Bright nickel is more durable, but not as much as people think.
It too will show fine scratches and wear from handling and use.
While you "can" polish the plating to remove very fine scratches, every time you use a metal polish you remove a thin layer of plating. Depending on how often you use a polish, or how hard you rub, you can remove the plating in spots.
When using a bore solvent to clean bright nickel, you need to wipe it off instead of allowing it to soak on the surface, since solvents can damage the plating over time if allowed to soak.
So, either bluing or nickel will wear over time, but if you take care of either, they'll last a long time. When the finish does wear or thin, the only option is a total refinish, preferably by Colt.
Another option is a stainless steel Python.
Since stainless isn't a finish, wear marks can simply be polished out.
Pythons were made in a satin finish stainless or in bright polish. The bright polish has the same mirror look as bright nickel, only without the slight yellow tint of nickel.
You have to be vigilant about taking care of it, which includes keeping a coat of a rust preventing lube like CLP Breakfree or a good wax like Johnson's Paste or Renaissance hard Carnuba on it. (NO car wax). If it starts wearing and scratching you can't polish it since even careful polishing thins the already thin layer of bluing.
Bright nickel is more durable, but not as much as people think.
It too will show fine scratches and wear from handling and use.
While you "can" polish the plating to remove very fine scratches, every time you use a metal polish you remove a thin layer of plating. Depending on how often you use a polish, or how hard you rub, you can remove the plating in spots.
When using a bore solvent to clean bright nickel, you need to wipe it off instead of allowing it to soak on the surface, since solvents can damage the plating over time if allowed to soak.
So, either bluing or nickel will wear over time, but if you take care of either, they'll last a long time. When the finish does wear or thin, the only option is a total refinish, preferably by Colt.
Another option is a stainless steel Python.
Since stainless isn't a finish, wear marks can simply be polished out.
Pythons were made in a satin finish stainless or in bright polish. The bright polish has the same mirror look as bright nickel, only without the slight yellow tint of nickel.
6/12/2011 7:55:40 AM
The royal blue is tougher than you think, and the nickel is not as tough as one would think.
The blue will wear easier, but look MUCH better worn. "ages well" so to say. Nicole does not age as well.
I like the deep royal blue the best, as there is nothing like it in modern or recent production. Just keep it well oiled and you are GTG. But if wear and scratches are your concern, go find a stainless snake.
The blue will wear easier, but look MUCH better worn. "ages well" so to say. Nicole does not age as well.
I like the deep royal blue the best, as there is nothing like it in modern or recent production. Just keep it well oiled and you are GTG. But if wear and scratches are your concern, go find a stainless snake.
6/13/2011 1:51:25 PM
why not just get one in stainless steel?
6/13/2011 9:24:29 PM
I do like Royal Blued finish to look at but for a shooter I went with a Bright Stainless gun. It's a shiny as a nickel gun but more durable. Any scratches or wear can be polished right back out to the original mirror finish.
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" />6/18/2011 4:33:37 AM
Originally Posted By dfariswheel:
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Since stainless isn't a finish, wear marks can simply be polished out.
Pythons were made in a satin finish stainless or in bright polish. The bright polish has the same mirror look as bright nickel, only without the slight yellow tint of nickel.
I have a satin-finished Python. After 20 years, still looks fairly new. I've used the Lead-A-Way clothe to clean the cylinder facing, not recommended for blued guns because it will take off the bluing.
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Since stainless isn't a finish, wear marks can simply be polished out.
Pythons were made in a satin finish stainless or in bright polish. The bright polish has the same mirror look as bright nickel, only without the slight yellow tint of nickel.
8/11/2011 4:11:09 PM
There is nothing like a COLT Royal Blue Finish! It's simply beautiful. Which finish is more durable? Depends on what you are going to do with the revolver. Blue will show holster wear and nickel will develop fine scratches. But all makers will experience the same with use & wear.
My blued Python has holster wear on the barrel end and my nickel Diamondback has fines scratches as a result of being in and out of a duty holster for a year. Whatever! Both are gorgeous and the highest of factory finishes! Pay less and get less!!!!!
My blued Python has holster wear on the barrel end and my nickel Diamondback has fines scratches as a result of being in and out of a duty holster for a year. Whatever! Both are gorgeous and the highest of factory finishes! Pay less and get less!!!!!
8/12/2011 4:07:17 AM
Royal blue is sweet looking, but as a shooter I like the bright polished stainless. That would be a hot ticket. I had it in a goldcup. It's pretty easy to keep it up.
