Stainless or Blue?

[Mightee1]

I was going to get the fiancé a .357 revolver for a wedding gift. The question I have is what finish to go for, stainless, nickel, blued steel, etc. Or is it just a matter of opinion based on what you think looks the best. Knowing that the members of THR have countless years of experience with firearms, I figured I would go to the experts.
Some background info: It will likely be owned by us for a long time and not shot a ton, but might be carried in a holster on ocasion.

So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each finish and what should I look out for?

 

[HoosierQ]

Stainless revolvers have a panache that many people like a lot. Blue, when done well is beautiful. Nickel can be nice but some think it flashy.

It seems to me that the majority of all-steel revolvers readily for sale in shops tend to be stainless these days.

If you are looking at classic used guns, there are some beautiful blue ones to be had as well.

 

[highorder]

Nothing ,looks better that great bluing with walnut stocks.

 

[stchman]

Go stainless over blue.

Ruger makes the SP101 .357 Magnum 5 shot for very reasonable prices.

 

[Gryffydd]

If anybody still made revolvers with a nice looking bluing as they used to I'd be a lot more likely to buy them.

For my own personal taste, I'll take stainless for any revolver I want as a tool. For something to be admired for its appearance and shot for pure enjoyment, I'd rather have a well blued revolver.

 

[charlie-6]

Amen for the BLUE

 

[Six]

Personally, I like stainless because I can remove minor blemishes with little effort. It can polish up to a nice shine, and a holster won't wear the finish off.

 

[ArmedBear]

I have both.

Blue looks great when you buy it.

Stainless still looks fine after you actually USE it.

Nice hardwood grips look good with stainless, too.

Blue is fine if you either don't plan to use the gun, or don't care what it looks like.

Buying a blue gun for its looks, if you plan to use the gun, is a mistake IMO.

 

[glassman]

I agree with armed bear. I love the look of a blued revolver with wood stocks such as the Colt Python or S&W M19 but the stainless is so much easier to take care of.

 

[Racinbob]

It's all really comes down to personal preference. I prefer stainless just because I like the looks. But I like the looks of blue too. Stainless is easier to care for but I don't see that as a real advantage if you're finicky like me about keeping them nice. Both will get their personality marks no matter how careful you are if you use them a lot.

 

[Phydeaux642]

If anyone made a blued gun that was worth looking at these days I'd go blue for looks, but I'd get a stainless if it was going to see some rough use.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

All i can say is, I hope she likes handguns or your toast! For myself, I really like a good blued revolver. I have two S&W classics which are my favorites.
Thing is I hate to carry them because of the holster wear. I tend to gawk at them more than shootum.
Get the stainless! I carry an SP101 3".

 

[earlthegoat2]

I used to hate nickel because of its flashiness. I love it now because of its durability over blue. Blue looks the best and stainless wears the best. In the end I think I would go stainless. You can always polish it up to look like nickel.

 

[JWF III]

I guess I'm the only one that likes the look of holster wear on a well cared for, blued gun. To me wear (not abuse) takes nothing away from the look.

If I'm the only one that likes them, I would think I should be able to get used blue revolvers for a steal.

Stainless is best for a tool. Wear will be much less, and abuse can be hidden. But to me, the looks are horrid. A nice polished stainless may not be as bad. Something that resembles nickel, but has the durability of SS.

Wyman

 

[NCBeagle]

JWF III, you are not the only one. I was just going to post the same thing. I like honest wear on a well cared for blued revolver.

It's OK for an old gun to have some obvious history. I think it is sort of sad when they don't have any marks...it's like somebody just left it in a drawer.

 

[ArmedBear]

It's not a little holster wear that's the threat. It's rust.

...and that ugly little "oops" that lasts forever (or until you have the gun re-blued).

Blue revolvers are for gun collectors who enjoy babying their guns with oil and a rag.