[Sniper X]

And I am hesitant to put it in a holster because I don't want to put any holster wear on it. Is there a holster that will not put holster wear on it if i don't draw it fast or use it a lot? Or, is there a holster type that will not put wear on it if I leave it stored in the holster? I'd love to shoot it and keep it pristine with no wear on the bluing.

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/134/l_076fe898e93847a5b873590157f62d38.jpg

BTW it just came back from Colt after a complete Royal Blue job on which they did a tremendous beautiful job which this pic does no justice. Also they did a complete trigger action job as well.

[MachIVshooter]

Any holster is gonna wear the finish in time, even the really good ones.

If you wanna keep the exterior pristine, but still want a .357 to carry, my best suggestion is to pick up a used S&W 586 or 686. "poor man's Python"; every bit as strong and accurate, but without the prestige, and so a lower price tag. Also easier and cheaper to fix if they ever go out of time (unlikely). I have a 6" 686 that was worked very well, makes a factory python action seem rough and heavy by comparison.

The Python is a beautifully crafted gun that shoots extremely well. But it's glory is also it's curse.

[Sniper X]

I'm not wanting to carry it, (well maybe except as a BBQ GUN!) sorry for not stating that! I figured I would store it in a quality holster and once in a blue moon take it out and shoot it or carry it every other blue moon to a outting like a Gun Guy BBQ like I hold at my little ranch once in a while. I would also love to store it in a holster in the safe whilst not using it. I now have it in a pistol rug in the safe. Again sorry for not fully stating my needs for it!

[stu454]

x2 There is no way to carry that without it getting some wear, however minute.

You can either make it a safe queen or look at the wear as wrinkles on an old woman's face; reminders of adventures that have passed.

[betes]

That thing is fricking beautiful.

[Sam1911]

You shouldn't store any handgun in a holster (or a pistol rug, for that matter). Holsters can trap moisture, grit, etc. against the surface of your gun. Simply place it on a flat, smooth surface in your safe.

Same thing holds true for rifle cases as well. These items are to protect and secure the gun during transport, not for long-term storage.

Many a beautiful gun has been marred by storing it in a rug or holster. Don't let your gorgeous Python be one of them!

[Sniper X]

hanks Sam, rust is not an issue here (deep in the New MExico Desert!) but dust is! So thanks again. I will pull it out of the rug when I get home (only been in there a week) and set it on it's own place of Honor in the safe. I do so want to shoot it so will. The action is to live for!

[1KPerDay]

for shooting just take a pistol rug with you rather than a holster. shoot it, put it away.

Lovely piece.

[Jim Watson]

With a trigger job and a reblue (even though by the factory) that gun is a shooter not a showpiece. Have fun. A suede lined Safariland holster will not wear blue very fast IF you keep the lining clean and don't let it hold grit.

[Sam1911]

Cool!

See, I'd be terribly torn. If I had such an awesome gun, I'd want an equally gorgeous custom holster to carry it in. But I'd be constantly aware that the finish is under attack every time I draw or holster!

That would eat me up, so it's probably best I don't have such a thing! :D

[Sniper X]

Thanks Bates, here are a couple more pics.


http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/136/l_d813e74505dd4c9caaf21b1deaab7420.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/141/l_d50363048c534eb2830cf25a99e34c0d.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/133/l_6f8fef90d88f49bfb03033adbff1dc1d.jpg

Oh and believe me, the pictures do not do this blue job justice! In hand, this is a thing of beauty....I can sit and look at it and there is something about it that captivates the soul...sorry for getting all weird but it is something special.

[doubleh]

Beautiful gun but if I weren't going to carry it and shoot it I would sell it. No safe queens for me. If you carry it there will be some wear. How you carry it has a great deal to do with the amount of wear.

I make my own holsters and line them with horsehide, smooth grain to the gun. It's very soft and won't hold grit like suede will. I don't store guns in holsters. I use old 100% acrylic socks. They will protect from nicks and scratches and won't hold moisture to cause rust.

[Sniper X]

shoot, if I sold it it would be for far too much for someone to want to pay. On the custom shop work, they just retimed it to spec and roayl blued it. Why would that hurt the value over say a 98% stock one?

[Sniper X]

doubleh, I totally agree! No safe queens for me either which is what has me in a quandry! I WILL shoot it probably quite a bit but want it to stay as pristine as possible.

[CoRoMo]

I'd have no problem safe'n that queen.

[Airman193SOS]

shoot, if I sold it it would be for far too much for someone to want to pay. On the custom shop work, they just retimed it to spec and roayl blued it. Why would that hurt the value over say a 98% stock one?

The refinishing of it takes collector value away from it as it is now unoriginal. I'd be OK with that were I buying it, but someone paying top dollar for the weapon will wonder if you had it refinished to hide something. A collector-type weapon in 98% condition will bring a much higher price than the same weapon refinished to 100%.

[earlthegoat2]

Might also consider buying a Colt Trooper MKIII. Probably stronger than the Python and it is still a Colt. These can be found for around 500 give or take. 4 or 6in barrels as well.

[Guillermo]

As mentioned before, do not store a gun in a holster or a gun rug. The silicone "socks" are good though

I had a similar dilema

Bought a perfect 4 inch blue Python and for a long time it was a safe queen. Then I realized that I am not presreving history. There are 10's of thousands of perfect Pythons sitting in gun safes.

So now enjoy carrying and shooting it.

BTW, a good fitting holster will minimize wear. My daily carry for the last 3 years is a Colt Detective Special. Maybe in the right light can you see some thinning blue on the edge of the muzzle.

Of course shorter guns shift less in the holster but the point remains the same. Carry the old girl when you want to and if you have a good holster, damage will be minimum.

And you will enjoy the gun instead of enjoy the IDEA of the gun

[earlthegoat2]

Colt Revolers in general and especailly Colt Pythons have the best bluing a factory ever put on a revolver. Even if it is not "Royal Blue" it is still a hard wearing durable finish, that as Guillermo points out with his Detective Special, can stand up to the abuse of carry.

[bflobill_69]

A guns only desire is to be shot... but that gun is definitely meant to be shot "little"...

A real beauty... I would find a spot of honor in your safe for her and "not" put in her in a holster!

But thats me...

Bflobill69

[jmorris]

BTW it just came back from Colt after a complete Royal Blue job on which they did a tremendous beautiful job which this pic does no justice. Also they did a complete trigger action job as well.

If it's been refinished just shoot it. You won't loose any more value if it's been refinished once or twice, once its not original the damage has been done.

I am glad I got my python when I was 14 and it was only worth 30% of what it is now or I might not have been able to enjoy it so much over the years. If you do safe queen it go out and buy a beater python so you can at least have one to enjoy.

[Atticum]

I'd have no problem safe'n that queen.
+1

or a glass display case with mission impossible laser anti-theft protection.

[natman]

In hand, this is a thing of beauty....I can sit and look at it and there is something about it that captivates the soul...sorry for getting all weird but it is something special.

No problem I feel exactly the same way about mine. There is just something special about the way it glows....

Somebody at Colt knows a LOT about how to polish metal. Mine's mint and I might shoot it once in a while but it's not going near a holster.

I've got ordinary good guns for that. :)

[The Lone Haranguer]

For occasional holster carry, you can minimize finish wear by having a smooth lining put in your holster. But nothing is going to completely prevent it.

[NMGonzo]

I much rather have a GP100

:hide

[Ky Larry]

I don't even own a holster for my 6" blued Python. It rides to and from the range in a foam lined pistol box. It gets cleaned and then stored on a piece of wool blanket in the safe. When I carry a .357, it's usually my S&W Model-19 or my Model 686.

[Kernel]

My shooting club doesn't allow the wearing of holsters on any of it's ranges. Even if they're empty. Apparently, it's a safety thing.

[Arkansas Paul]

Quote:
Originally Posted by CoRoMo
I'd have no problem safe'n that queen.

+1

or a glass display case with mission impossible laser anti-theft protection.


I'm with you. I love shooting, but there's nothing wrong with safe queens. To each his own I guess.

[stu454]

My shooting club doesn't allow the wearing of holsters on any of it's ranges. Even if they're empty. Apparently, it's a safety thing.

Safety's a good thing. But it sounds like someone making the rules is afraid of their own shadow.

[Sniper X]

Yeah, a range here (the city range) doesn't allow holsters either because they SAY it goes against the 180 degree rule. At my private (club) range here you can go about armed on the range holstered but iit is a cold range so the gun must be unloaded.