my Python, which i purchased a few months ago, has a stainless finish that i'm not completely happy with. it's not "high polish" but Colt calls it something else. everything is nice and smooth and tight--i can barely see light through the cylinder gap. i put a set of rosewood stocks on it to preserve the originals--they are checkered and have a nice palm swell on them. backstrap shows. (actual stocks, not 'grips') although i go the the range frequently, i don't shoot it often, it's just so precious. had a King Cobra before and ran it hard.