Geez, I don't think these replies were at all what the OP was hoping to hear!
Nonetheless (and despite my usual contrarian viewpoint), I'm in agreement with most here. My guns are tools, and while I own more than a couple, I have never intended to buy a "collector." If I don't think I'll shoot it, then I won't buy it. All in all, however, I find that the holster wear on my handguns is not extreme (keep the rig clean, as noted above), and since I'm not taking them out all the time and "playing" with them, I don't even think about it, because I rarely see it.
I do understand the reluctance / remorse of that first scratch, however. The auto example above is a good one. When I notice that first scratch on my new motorbike, it's like, "Awww... shucks (or something like that)." But the more I ride 'em the more they get scratched.
Say la vee / c'est le vies / oh well