Reduce Holster Wear on Nice Revolvers ?

[Huntolive]

I have several nice revolvers that I’d like to holster both for Cary and Hunting
How much do you have to worry about holster wear and damage to the finish on stainless steel revolvers as compared to blued revolvers?
Also what about nickel finish?
I have some Smith and Wesson 27 Dash twos both in nickel and blue and also new model 2020 colt Python‘s and anaconda with a very nice stainless steel high polished finish
I do not want to make all of these safe queens I want to carry my 4.25 inch python and hunt with the anaconda and blue 27 Dash 2 6 inches
I also have a 6 inch Freedom Arms 454 premier
grade I need a holster for.

So my questions or do I need to worry about scratching up and routing the finish on the stainless steel revolvers how much more careful do I need to be about the blued and nickel ones and what type of holsters do you recommend to reduce finish where on these guns and also adjust that would be good holsters for the money

 

[JTQ]

This from Milt Sparks, one of the top holster makers in the world

https://www.miltsparks.com/questions.php

The act of drawing your pistol from whatever container you choose to carry your weapon in creates friction at the points of contact. Eventually those points will begin to show signs of wear. For that reason, it would be unreasonable to expect that your personal sidearm will remain in pristine condition forever. It does not matter whether your holster is lined or un-lined, as a lined holster simply delays the inevitable. If you carry and use your gun, the finish on your gun will wear. We prefer to call it “character”. A pristine gun in a pristine holster is not a tool that is being used.

 

[Huntolive]

I have many nice revolvers from Colt S&W Dan Wesson and Freedom Arms
I need good probably preferably leather holster’s for several of them from the 3 inch range for a Colt king cobra to the 4.25 inch range for a python to the 6 inch range for a wide variety of mostly Smith and Wesson‘s such as 27 Dash two

I am concerned about holster where but I am determined to carry revolvers up to 4.25 inches and do hunt with revolvers 5 inches and longer

how much less do I have to worry about holster wear with stainless steel revolvers including high polished stainless steel revolvers like the new anacondas and pythons as compared to worrying about holster wear on blued guns like my 1980 Dan Wesson model 15 and blue Smith and Wesson 27 Dash two?
Also how much of a relative factors holster where on nickel guns I have a couple very nice nickel 27 Dash twos
What holsters would you recommend to keep the guns relatively scratch free and to have minimal holster wear and that are a good bang for the buck and look decent both for Carey or even a crappy looking but useful one for hunting?

 

[ontarget]

TBH, I've never really worried about holster wear. However it sounds like your collection might be a bit nicer than mine.
I think they offer lined leather holsters but I'm not sure who sells them.
I carry in some harsh environments with dust, dirt and sweat constantly. My biggest problem has been what gets in the holster more than the choice of holster itself. I clean my holsters insides quite frequently to keep the grit out and don't really notice much wear on the guns finish.
On a good quality gun finish I think it would take a lot of cycles in and out of any good holster before wear becomes a problem.

 

[trackskippy]

They all show wear with use, no way to stop that. SS might be a bit easier to deal with and touch up than blue, but you will still have to deal with it.

Ive always found leather to look nice, but not be real kind to the guns or my body, especially when worn IWB. Over time, Ive found that leather holsters are harder overall on the guns finish than something like Kydex and more prone to rusting issues.

With kydex, except for where the gun actually contacts the hoster, usually at the retention points, you dont normally see the overall wear, and rust is pretty much eliminated. Youll still see wear marks in those certain contact spots, but the majority of the finish is still basically pristine.

The only way I know not to get dings and scratches on them, is to leave the gun in the safe and dont carry or handle it. Honest wear and tear isnt a bad thing.

 

[Seedy Character]

Stainless will show less wear than blued.

LESS being the key point. Not ZERO wear.

I shoot Cowboy Action, we draw and fire, a lot.

Most of my Cowboy revolvers are Stainless.

 

[Pat Riot]

All holsters will cause wear if the gun is carried enough. It just depends on the material and fit of a holster as to the degree of wear.
A lined leather holster will cause less wear than an unlined holster. Also, the type of leather plays a part. Also, the amount of drawing and holstering plays a part. If you want a leather holster that fits well and is lined it will be more expensive.
I only have experience with leather holsters on blued and stainless guns. I cannot speak about Kydex except that my Glocks show no wear from it but Glocks aren’t blued.

 

[sgt127]

Polished stainless is likely going to show the least wear. As it’s already shiny. A little Mothers Billet Polish will keep it that way.

Satin stainless will show more wear as it will get shiny on the high points. If you feel the need, it can be brought back to the original finish with Grey Scotchbrite pads.

Nickel is pretty tough. You can “lightly” polish up wear with Mother’s. But, once it wears through, it can’t be touched up.

Blue looks spectacular. Will easily show wear on high points. No easy fix.

A leather holster will cause wear. A Kydex holster will cause wear. A suede lined holster (though softer) will hold on to grit and may wear faster than you would think.

If I was really worried about wear, have a custom holster maker make a rough out leather holster so the smooth side is against the gun. Wipe it out and occasionally dust it with a little silicone spray. That would likely cause the least wear.

Option 2: Just carry it and use it. If it’s too valuable to use, sell it or, put it in the safe and buy a user grade gun.

 

[Bazoo]

A leather holster that fits good is better than a floppy one. By floppy I mean sloppy, like a Hunter leather holster. They allow the gun to move in the holster.

My simplyrugged.com sourdough pancake holster fits tight and the gun doesn't move, thus less wear. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...for-my-ruger-flattop-bh.897342/#post-12108742

Having more of the gun covered helps protect it.

 

[CraigC]

The way a holster fits the gun has more bearing on holster wear than anything else, as long a we're talking leather. I personally don't worry about it, at all. My engraved custom Ruger .500JRH and Cimarron Open Top go into holsters and get carried right alongside the $200 Single Six. I'll probably carry my factory engraved Schofield this season. I consider it an honor and a privilege to put holster and handling wear on fine guns.

 

[Miguel Loco]

If you don't want wear....leave them in the safe. Holster wear is a sign of love.... I know for me, I just don't worry about it.

 

[CraigC]

As I said in the other thread, I use a holster that fits and don't worry about it.

 

[mcb]

I buy my revolvers used. Let someone else put the first scratches on it.

 

[Bazoo]

One thing that causes wear, is holstering a sooty gun. So if you wear the gun to the range and shoot a box then reholster, it's bad for the finish. I take a rag with me just for wiping firing soot off my guns before I reholster or recase.

As per your other thread, I recommend the simply rugged sourdough holster.

 

[UncleEd]

Huntolive,

You might be betraying your
moniker by being so concerned
about wear on a few handguns.

The advice you've received is all
sound.

Remember, as soon as you go
outdoors and regularly carry,
some wear if not a lot will occur.

Maybe just pick one of two guns
from your collection, accept they
are going to show wear and get
dinged. Then make the rest safe
queens.

I think in time those well used
guns will look just as beautiful
to you as the safe queens and
also provide good memories the
safe queens never will.

 

[Bazoo]

Price aside, I prefer a gun with honest wear on it. Wear that comes from loving use.

 

[bannockburn]

sgt127

Nickel is pretty tough. You can “lightly” polish up wear with Mother’s. But, once it wears through, it can’t be touched up.

True enough but I prefer something like Flitz to clean and polish up the one nickel plated gun I have. I think it's a bit less abrasive than Mother's Mag Polish and leaves behind a protective coating that helps slow down the gun from becoming tarnished.

 

[Dave T]

This is a pretty simple problem. If you don't want your guns to show holster wear...don't put them in holsters. Honest wear, honestly earned makes a gun all the more desirable to me.

YMMV,
Dave

 

[herrwalther]

The consensus among holster makers is if you don't want holster wear on your firearm, never put it in a holster. Features like lined holsters and certain brands of kydex will wear less and slower on a firearm over time.

 

[Huntolive]

Yup
I get that
The problem is I Want to carry the Nice ones
And ev Hunt with the new Anaconda etc
I have plenty of $1000+$ revolvers I already do hunt with in holsters and even pockets
Any more recommended holsters for Colt king cobra 3” and Python 4.25”and Anaconda 2021 6”?

also
Leather or Kydex? Does kydex really reduce wear and rust?
My nature points to leather

 

[NorthBorder]

The only thing I might add is to get a leather holster from a reputable maker. Most probably use veg tanned leather and suede to make their holsters. Others may use chrome tanned leather (especially suede). The chromium salts will ruin your finish.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Here is some typical holster wear on a blued Smith and Wesson revolver. The high areas on the cylinder, particularly around the flutes, high areas on the frame, and around the muzzle typically show wear.

That having been said, this 38 Military and Police Target Model shipped in 1917. I doubt if it was being carried in a holster all that time, but certainly for some of that time. Not bad for a revolver over 100 years old, huh?





I have lots and lots of old revolvers and never worry too much about a little bit of honest wear.

This 32-20 Hand Ejector from 1916 shows very little holster wear.






Now if you want to talk about wear, this K-22 Outdoorsman shipped in 1932. It shipped to the Providence Rhode Island Board of Public Safety, and S&W historian Roy Jinks told me it was probably used by the police pistol team. That's probably why there is no blue left above the trigger guard on the right side. From somebody resting his finger there before shooting. A whole lot of times. The other side of this revolver does not look so bad, but I always show this side to make a point. I have lots of 22 Rimfire revolvers. Of them I have four k-22s. But this one is easily the most accurate of them all. On top of that I got it for a song because none of the high end collectors was interested in it. So I never let a little bit (or a lot) of honest wear prevent me from buying an old revolver if I like it.






Stainless? I don't have enough to comment.


However this nickel plated 38 Military and Police First Model (Model of 1899) left the factory in 1899. Yes, 1899. I think it still looks pretty good.






Regarding holsters, definitely get a lined holster. Lined with calf skin will protect your handguns best because it is very soft. As long as you don't stuff the gun into the holster with any grit on it. No matter how soft the holster, rubbing it with grit as it is holstered will be sure to mar the finish.



I have bought several holsters from El Paso Saddlery. I always buy them lined. Yes, they are expensive. There is an old saying. You get what you pay for.

https://epsaddlery.com/

 

[trackskippy]

Yup
I get that
The problem is I Want to carry the Nice ones
And ev Hunt with the new Anaconda etc
I have plenty of $1000+$ revolvers I already do hunt with in holsters and even pockets
Any more recommended holsters for Colt king cobra 3” and Python 4.25”and Anaconda 2021 6”?

also
Leather or Kydex? Does kydex really reduce wear and rust?
My nature points to leather

If you carry the gun against your body, especially IWB and you sweat, kydex is the way to go. Leather gets wet, and stays wet, and doesnt dry out overnight. I always had rust issues with the guns I carried until I switched to kydex.

The other issue with leather over time is, dirt and other abrasives tend to get embedded in the leather, which just adds to the finish wear, and you arent getting that out in a cleaning. After a while, some of the blued guns I carried in leather looked like the finish was "washed out" and worn more overall. Nature of the beast with a properly fitted leather holster. It contacts a lot more of the gun, and is rubbing every draw and insertion.

Kydex, doesnt embed stuff like that, and is easily rinsed out onder the kitchen tap, and dried with a paper towel. It also doesnt absorb moisture/sweat, so that worry is gone as well.

That said, most of my revolvers still have leather holsters, but most arent belt holsters, and I really dont use them like I do the autos. I Like the El Paso "Tankers" for them, as they are handy "ready to go" sort of thing, and those guns arent a daily use type thing. If I were to go back to carrying a revolver for that, which I have no plans of doing, Id go with a kydex AIWB for one of my 2"-2.5" 10's, or 19's, etc.

 

[Bazoo]

After giving it some thought, I think if you coated the inside of the holster with Renaissance wax and also coated the outside of the gun, it might offer a bit of protection. Course you'd have to apply it every time you used it I'd guess.

 

[Bazoo]

Howdy

Here is some typical holster wear on a blued Smith and Wesson revolver. The high areas on the cylinder, particularly around the flutes, high areas on the frame, and around the muzzle typically show wear.

That having been said, this 38 Military and Police Target Model shipped in 1917. I doubt if it was being carried in a holster all that time, but certainly for some of that time. Not bad for a revolver over 100 years old, huh?

View attachment 1037775



I have lots and lots of old revolvers and never worry too much about a little bit of honest wear.

This 32-20 Hand Ejector from 1916 shows very little holster wear.

View attachment 1037776




Now if you want to talk about wear, this K-22 Outdoorsman shipped in 1932. It shipped to the Providence Rhode Island Board of Public Safety, and S&W historian Roy Jinks told me it was probably used by the police pistol team. That's probably why there is no blue left above the trigger guard on the right side. From somebody resting his finger there before shooting. A whole lot of times. The other side of this revolver does not look so bad, but I always show this side to make a point. I have lots of 22 Rimfire revolvers. Of them I have four k-22s. But this one is easily the most accurate of them all. On top of that I got it for a song because none of the high end collectors was interested in it. So I never let a little bit (or a lot) of honest wear prevent me from buying an old revolver if I like it.

View attachment 1037777




Stainless? I don't have enough to comment.


However this nickel plated 38 Military and Police First Model (Model of 1899) left the factory in 1899. Yes, 1899. I think it still looks pretty good.

View attachment 1037778




Regarding holsters, definitely get a lined holster. Lined with calf skin will protect your handguns best because it is very soft. As long as you don't stuff the gun into the holster with any grit on it. No matter how soft the holster, rubbing it with grit as it is holstered will be sure to mar the finish.



I have bought several holsters from El Paso Saddlery. I always buy them lined. Yes, they are expensive. There is an old saying. You get what you pay for.

https://epsaddlery.com/

Thank you for sharing those pictures and stories. That K-22 is amazing. To polish the grip like that and wear the frame. Man alive that must have never been put down.