Posted: 8/25/2026 11:54:26 AM EDT
| I just purchased a 1978 Colt Nickel finish Python in about 95% condition. Truly a safe queen. My question is any issue sending it in the gun to The Gunfather over in Montana for complete polishing to get the micro and I do mean micro scratches out of the finish or is it considered a no-no- to "alter" the almost 50-year old finish? I'm not just a collector but a shooter as well with most of my weapons. |
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If it has micro scratches, do it yourself with Flitz and a microfiber cloth. There's too big a chance someone like the Montana people will use power buffing and ruin the gun. Just use the Flitz and cloth LIGHTLY. Polishing too hard or too often can polish the plating off down to the steel. The only way to remove scratching in nickel is to polish off a layer of the plating, so go easy. Less is More, so the less you do the better. Light polishing can make it look much better without damage. |
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Agree with previous posters. Clean it and shoot it. Don't sweat the finish. I just got a 1981-82 Colt Guard Trooper Mk III with some shiny spots. I has shiny spots because someone loved to carry it and shoot it. He could have cleaned it better but it is better than him digging into the gun and messing it up. I took it down.. Cleaned it. Oiled and greased it properly and...now, I shoot it, too. 
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"Such predicaments! I must forge ahead!"
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Refinishing a classic is a common question and the simple math goes like this: I have a thousand dollar gun ( collector value) I spend $400 for a refinish I now have a $600 gun ( collector value) Refinishing is close to the dumbest thing you can do to any gun especially collectibles On working guns I can ALMOST understand if the gun is down to bare metal and you are having issues with rust ( even when I lived in a high humidity region- dehumidifier times 2 in gun room plus goldenrod in safe none of my finish challenged guns got rusty and I don’t baby them nor am I a meticulous maintainer ) Even then a cycle - use wear refinish use and wear again |