Scratches on your gun=stress?

[cratz2]

By the way, concerning the 'smith that dinged up the finish on your guns... With all due respect, if you paid him for his service, he should fix the marks in such manner that you are happy with them.

That's just part of working on other people's stuff for a fee.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Yep the Smith should make good on his mistake. But I try not to stress on scratchs ,but thats why I like Stainless guns you can polish scratchs out.

 

[rick458]

I second the Stainless route
you can polishout most dings etc..
it just take time and patience
besides it gives you more time with your guns

 

[Steve Smith]

I have never met a "local smith" that didn't screw something up. Keep that in mind.


ALL of my guns look like they've been used well. Why? Because they ARE!

Your guns won't break on you becuase the finish got scuffed. Honestly, the guns you mentioned are not worth worrying about these things anyway. A Sig P210 would be at the bottom of the "worry about" level...a $2K gun. You probably spent $100 for that smith to work on that hammer, but what you wound up with was a $100 bill for a scuff mark.

Use your guns. Don't abuse them, but USE them. If something happens, see it as a sign that you USE them.

If you want to treat guns like collection pieces, I suggest you start collecting museum grade firearms. That way they won't get handled at all.

 

[Edward429451]

All my guns are working guns. I try to take care of them but do not go overboard with it. At least the wear and scratches are mine and not somebody elses. I thought my guns were starting to look pretty shabby, then I had to go down to Fort Carson to work. While in the guard shack waiting for my escort I noticed the 'pile' of M16's laying there on the floor. Most were missing more than 50% of the finish! I joked with the guard about how they might need some new guns. He rolled his eyes and said gimmee a proven beater over a shiney new unproven one anyday. Point made!

 

[38snapcaps]

Wonderful responses! Thank you very much.

See the problem is, I think ALL my guns are museum grade

The stories did take some of the edge off, it helps to know I'm not the only one.

Special recognition to:

VaughnT-yours was THE best! I just love "battle scars on your equipment is a sign of a dangerous, well trained fella, and you should take pride in them". Just perfect.

BigG-YOU understand, my man! Fine personal machines, yep you got it.

ElTejon-YOU just don't get it, at all.

Bountyhunter-good advice, thanks.

To everyone else, your comments are very appreciated.

Firestar-are you my "twin". You know how they say everyone has an exact duplicate somewhere in the world, well you are mine. Or am I yours

10ring-just great, that word "character" is just what I needed.

 

[10-Ring]

snaps - I chose the word "character" only as a euphamism. Believe me, I don't like scratches myself, but if my guns earn them by serving me well, I'm okay w/ that

Just as an aside, re: euphamisms, many years ago, my wife (no ex ) asked our 3 year old son if mommy was fat. OMG, I tried to rescue him, but before I could interene, he said, "No, mommy's not fat, she's.....squishy ! I caught the crap for laughingt my son's honesty!

 

[Smoke]

I work with some people like y'all....but I sure ain't one of them. I think I'm glad too. It might be nice to be a little neater (in the kitchen) and I'm sure my wife would agree with that also.

But none of my guns are museum pieces nor will they ever be. The nicest gun I have is a custom 22-250 26" stainless fluted barrel and the most beautiful fancy claro stock you've ever seen. Would I be upset if I scratched it? You bet. But I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

I've been known to drop my favorite handgun into the dirt to prove a point during training. Doesn't bother me at all. Blow it out, finish the run and clean it when I get home. I throw my mags everywhere. I even lost a mag once ($50.00 apiece) I knew where it was (in the dirt at the range), but I couldn't get back for a few days. It had gotten dew on it and started to rust. That didn't even bother me, it was just surface rust and cleaned up well.

Guns are tools. Or toys, depending on their usage. I try to take care of them but don't get worked up by scuffs, scratches or other cosmetic flaws.

I can appreciate your position, just don't punish yourself quite so hard. Also, PM me anytime you have a scuff you can't live with - I'll try to take it off your hands in the pursuit of sanity.

 

[cratz2]

I have never met a "local smith" that didn't screw something up.

Well, if you lived in Three Rivers, Michigan or Doylestown, Pennsylvania that wouldn't be much of a problem.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

I am that way as well. There are a few guns I can't get myself to shoot, and then, there is my Glock 17. She is ugly, but she performs. Ugly out of the box, and you don't seem to care, and you just shoot her.

 

[WESHOOT2]

THANKS FOR ALL THE LAUGHS

Can still remember the look on this guys' face as I used (one of) my GP100's as a hammer.

IMO you can do what you want; it's your gun.

Me, I'm kinda with Boats -- I use them. They MUST work as close to 100% as any machine can, but other than that BFD (until, of course, I get my gold-plated pimp gun up-n-running).

Just me, the one with less-than-pristine guns...............

 

[TarpleyG]

If I put the marks on it, so be it. If SOMEONE else puts the marks onit, there is a problem and I would have him make it right. I like my gun, esp. my carry gun, to show wear. It gives it some character. Like an old leather briefcase or well broken in toolbag and the like. Not BROKEN, but well loved and used.

GT

 

[Carbon_15]

yep, 38snapcaps, I'm crazy too.

I shoot my guns...sometimes almost daily, but there is just SOMETHING about a perfect, pristine firearm. I know they aren't going to stay that way, But I do my best to keep the cherry as long as I can.

 

[Carbon_15]

Everything I own is the result of trading a finite amount of my life in exchange for that object. Some objects will inevitably get worn out or damaged: pots and pans, mattresses, tires, etc. Other things, with reasonable care, will look and feel new forever.

Well said Monkeyleg

 

[VaughnT]

38snapcaps, you flatter me, kind sir.

And just so I don't lose standing, I'll say nothing more.

 

[blades67]

Am I expecting too much in wanting my guns to stay new looking?

Yes. The only way you can ever keep your gun scratch free is to put it in a glass case and never shoot it.. Stop being so anal retentive, life's too short and you won't get out alive anyway.

 

[Shane]

I baby my pretty guns (all revolvers, Sig Sauers, CZ's, Ruger Mk II's).

My Glocks I am less anal about, they were born ugly and I don't mind wear marks on them.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Carbon_15, I'm glad you liked my post.

For more years than I care to remember, I tried to buy "stuff." The best stereo stuff, the best cars, everything. I had stuff coming out the wazoo.

Problem is, all that stuff demands attention. Many of us spend our entire lives trying to protect things from the inevitable process of decay: houses, lawns, weeds, cars, TV's--all that "stuff" needs constant attention, or it will atrophy.

Two years ago it hit me that my life was probably 66% over with. That's a real head-smacking revelation. Using Monkeyleg's theory of Time Acceleration, I figure the next 33% should last maybe five minutes.

So, I started getting rid of stuff that I really didn't care about, and paying attention to the stuff that does matter. The smaller the piece of "stuff," the better. It's much easier to baby a pistol than it is to baby a trophy car. A little oil on the metal and some wax on the stock, and the gun should be fine.

Now, I'm left with the stuff that matters: my wife, my bike, and my guns. And I pay keen attention to all, because that's all I have left. And that's just fine with me.