concerned about holster wear on Nickel Finish pistol?

[rufunky]

I'm weighing my options for a 1911 and came across this beauty.. The Smith & Wesson 1911 45 ACP Nickel with Black Pearl Grips.

My concern is possible wear of the Nickel Finish as this will be for everyday carry.

Anyone care to share there experiences/thoughts/opinions??

 

[dfariswheel]

ALL holsters will wear ALL finishes.

The only way to prevent finish wear is to never use or holster the gun.
How much the holster wears a nickel finish depends on the holster, how you use it, and other factors.

Leather will wear the finish over a wider and wider area as the holster stretches and flexes.
Kydex will quickly wear finishes, but in only certain areas where the holster makes contact with the gun.
Since good Kydex holsters only make contact in some areas, wear is limited to only those areas.
A suede or pigskin lined holster will often wear the finish WORSE.
Dirt and grit gets trapped in the soft leather and turns the inside into what amounts to a sandpaper lined bag.

The least damaging holsters are a modern HARD leather holster that you replace as soon as the leather starts to stretch and wear and allows the gun to start shifting in the holster, and a good grade Kydex holster, which will last a LONG time.

 

[unspellable]

All else being equal, which it never is, a nickle finish will resist holster wear better than a blue finish.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Looks like a range and safe queen to me...Nice!!

 

[Zeekrider]

Hard chrome is more wear resistant than nickel, but nickel is a very hard and durable finish in it's own right. But it, like any, will show wear over time depending on its use.

 

[rufunky]

Thanks for the information guys/gals.

All this being said, If and when the Nickel did wear are there shops redly available for Nickel re-plating. If so, what are the going rates??

I would hate to not make good use out of a firearm just for the sake of wanting to keep her looking "out of the box new'.

It would be like keeping that brand new porsche in the garage
only to open the doors to show your friends.

 

[jwr747]

depends on why you bought the pistol.if for CCW,self defense,the only concern is "does it go bang".if it's a BBQ gun,get a lined holster,and don't tote it much. jwr

 

[The Bushmaster]

Rufunky...I carry a S&W mod 19 Nickel plated in the winter. In the summer it bounces around in a pommel bag hanging from my saddle horn. It shows only a few scratches, but no wearing of the nickel. And It has gone through hell on that horse...

 

[Blacksmoke]

I carry a nickle plated Colt Lawman 2 inch but only in my pocket (without keys or change!!) specifically for the reason you mention.

BTW, that is a nice classic look for a 1911 and one that I have admired for a very long time.

I might just put Mother of Pearl grips on my nickle plated Colt 2 inch. Got to get ready for the new era of "Funk". Might also trade in my Expedition for a vintage Cadillac or Oldsmobile "Rocket 88". Got to get down and "Funky".

 

[rufunky]

Thanks Bushmaster, that's good to hear.Though I may have to get the stainless version of the sw1911 (maybe get it hard chromed).

It doesn't seem anyone has the nickel in stock Or maybe I'll buy a less expensive and more concealable gun (that I can end up using in the summer time) until I find this one in stock.

Man, this is really bumming me out.........

 

[buck460XVR]

To me the beauty of a gun is it's functionality and reliability. The patina that comes with regular use only adds to that beauty. Show me a picture of a mud covered shotgun with a dead Tom layin' beside it or a holster worn wheelgun displayed with a nice buck and I'll say "now, that's purdy!".

Iffin' you're gonna get it just to look at you may as well just buy a picture.

 

[rufunky]

I hear where your coming from Buck46. I do intend to use this piece as much as I would any other gun.

Just like a new car I want it to look new as long as possible even though I drive it every day. If eventually it does indeed need a new paint job or in this case Re- plating then so be it.

 

[bannockburn]

rufunky:

I've had a Colt Combat Commander with it's original Colt Custom Gun Shop bright nickel finish in and out of leather holsters for over 30 years. Aside from a little scuffing on the front of the slide, the nickel finish has held up very nicely over the years. No chipping, peeling, or flaking of the nickel plating of any kind. Just remember to keep from using any type of copper solvent on the gun when you're cleaning it, and the finish should last you a really long time. As for touching up a nickel finish; I don't think it can be done. The gun would have to be completely deplated and then refinished. At which time I would probably opt for some type of hard chrome plating as a much more durable and trouble-free finish.

 

[BlkHawk73]

My thoughts...

Worried about holster wear, don't put the gun in a holster - period.

Flashy, shiny fancied up for a carry gun? Oookay.

If it's a carry gun, is finish wear/looks importnat? After all it's to be concealed more likely than not right?

 

[The Bushmaster]

Then there's me, bennockburn...I have been cleaning that S&W mod 19 Nickel plated revolver for the last 22 years with Hoppe's Benchrest #9. An amonia based copper solvent. Of course I finish off with Hoppe's #9 gun oil and a good wipe down...

 

[bannockburn]

The Bushmaster

Can't rightly say as to your experiences with Hoppes and nickel plate. But a few years ago, I did manage to deplate an old chromed rifle by letting it soak in Hoppes for a couple of months. All of the chrome and copper plate came right off, without any effort whatsoever. So for my nickel plated guns, I'd rather be safe than sorry; the Hoppes stays in the bottle and on the shelf.

 

[peacemaker45]

No nickel pistols here. Do have a nickel-plate shotgun that gets used a LOT. Have worn the nickel to a strange looking black on the joint where I grab it, and chipped a spot on top of the bbls. Maybe wore a spot would be more accurate, as it's right where the rib contacts the gun cart. This is about 4 years use.

~~~Mat