Your finish, that is?
Typically, I strive to keep all my firearms in pristine condition and try to purchase only 95% or better guns.
However, my daily carry gun that sees most of the holster time is my Colt Lightweight Enhanced Officers 45acp that I'm "Wilsonizing" and had a pretty worn finish on the muzzle and slide when I got it about a year ago. So, I decided to help it along a bit.
Now as I watch the finish diminish bit by bit taking it in and out of my holster it doesn't bother me anymore and only enhances it.
I certainly would NEVER do this to a perfect finish, but this one seemed to be asking for it from day one and I'm really pleased with the results. I'll have to admit, the pictures don't do it justice, it looks really cool up close.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

It looks well used, but not abused. Did you use Scotch Brite?

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Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

I love good, honest wear on a carry gun. I have a Bulgarian Makarov that was in pristine condition several years ago. It was hard for me to start carrying the gun as I didn’t want to marr the finish. Now it’s got plenty of bluing wear and I don’t worry about it one bit.

What I DON’T understand is folks buying guns already “distressed” or “BATTLE WORN” (give me a break armchair commando). Just poserish. I also am not a fan of guns with toy colored furniture or deliberately made to look like toys with Hello Kitty stickers and other ridiculous nonsense.

A firearm is a dangerous tool and it should not be made to reassemble a child’s toy IMHO. But nowadays with our social media attention seeking addiction, any smart aleck will do anything for some “liked” from their “friends” on their account.

Wasn't really looking for used, just something to enhance the holster wear naturally.
Yes, Scotch bright pad is what I used after I disassembled it.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

The best thing I have found to enhance holster wear is to actually carry the gun in a holster. Actually, I strive to minimize holster wear by using good holsters. I can prevent some wear with good maintenance, and I do that.
Why put wear where it was not earned legitimately? I guess there is something I am missing. My mileage obviously differs.

Yep, that's the whole point.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

I like it.

Hating the matte finish on my 1991 Colt, I hit it with some Flitz. Kind of a copy of Nighthawks new Colt series 70.

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Watch & Pray

I'll be honest, I never really liked this type of finish before, but it started to grow on me after seeing some done and what a great alternative to enhance something that's gonna happen anyways with normal carry. I like what you did Dump.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

I have a few milsurps, and "distressed" is a mild term for the condition of some of them. Gnarly would be better.

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Release the Kraken

If I ever wanted to “distress” a firearm, for some reason I cannot foresee, I have a couple of son in-laws I could loan it to.

Here's another Colt I took a file to the edges to soften it up. I did a little Flitz polishing afterwards.

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Watch & Pray

I like what you've done. It doesn't look silvery-blue like a well-worn pre-wwii S&W, but it does look similar to the finish on my www Luger. Nothing wrong with that at all.

This looks very similar to Nighthawks finish, "smoked nitride" by the way.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

My inspiration.

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Watch & Pray

You did a good job copying that finish.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

Distressed you say?

its called patina...lol honest or not...
some manufacturers now charge EXTRA for the look

Yeah, for sure. I have grown to appreciate it I think.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

Here's some "honest" wear on this 1902 Colt I recently picked-up. I wish it could talk. It originally shipped to San Francisco during a much different time than what SF is now. Some how it ended-up in Tucson with a mis-matched grip frame.

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Watch & Pray

After 25 years my Performance Center Shorty-9 shows honest holster wear at the edges........ both on the blue slide and silver frame. Someday it may catch up to my Dad's .357 New Service he carried over about 38 years as a Police Officer.

Both guns are in great shape.................

MY Shorty-9 has been carried in a Milt Sparks IWB " Executive Companion " holster.

Honest wear, patina= character

I personally find my guns with a history a lot more interesting than NIB safe queens, although I have those too.

I like new in box guns.
I also like worn guns, guns with holster wear and ones that are old with patina and honest wear. I basically love all guns.
Except bubbarized, that I do NOT!

Remember if it is your gun it is patina, if you're buying it it's rust :-) ymmv

Me too, I'd stay away from any Bubbarized gun myself.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

I've never been into faux-aging. Well earned wear is one thing, "distressed" finishes are like stolen valor.

My first rifle a Stevens Favorite is pretty much in the "white"....almost looks matt stainless........ IIRC I dated it to about 1896-98.... been mine since 1963....... refinished the stock and forend in the early 80s...... hanging over the door to my home office since 1993....... both boys shot their first shot from it

Nah, it's all the rage and fun to do.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

I appreciate the look of a gun with honest wear showing the years that it has served its master.

To deliberately "age" a gun IMO is a silly exercise.

There's certainly plenty of contrasting ideas for everyone on this forum... Some apply wax to enhance the finish of a gun; others remove parts of the finish to provide an undeservedly worn appearance. Still others may actually shoot their guns and clean them in a normal manner with no regard for extreme looks in either direction!

My first firearm is a Ruger Mk II. I taught rifle at summer camp but if the kids behaved they got to shoot my pistol. No amount of oil and wiping will protect a gun from 1,000 sweaty hands. Doesn't bother me in the least.

Looks good! The first rub mark or scratch is always the hardest. Your Colt has earned its grey hair.

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213th FBINA

My RHKP Model 10 has lots o’ character. Blue wear, rust freckles. Stocks are almost black.
I can almost visualize some RHKP policeman carry it during the monsoon season, keeping the peace.
I like it as it is.

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

To each his own. I kinda like doing my own enhanced/distressed/worn finish by carrying and shooting it.
I decided quite some time ago that me being unarmed would be few and far between. IMO, it doesn't take that long to achieve even with proper use (no abuse) and maintenance. My 642, that was bought new, is proof.

All good reply's, shows everybody has their own style and taste, I can respect that.
I think some maybe missing the point, however.
It's more of an enhancement to the inevitable wear to your daily carry gun and a way to further compliment it as opposed to be seen as a finish in itself.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

I think most will agree that some finishes wear better than others. Not more durable but more enhanced worn looks. To me, peeling/flaking nickel or scuffed stainless with gnarled looking rubber grips isnt the same as worn blued with patina carbon steel and stocks of wood/bone/horn, etc.
The enhanced ones that hemi and dump have posted look good to me. So if it makes you feel better, go for it. No more concerns about a little holster/carry wear and the occasional wipe down with light oiled rag or coat of wax is typically all that is required.

I remember when the 'distressed' craze hit the guitar world. There are a lot of decent guitars that are junk now thanks to it.

I don't play a guitar, but personally, if I did I would want one all nice and shiny like a new penny and would keep it all waxed up displayed in the corner of my room and play it on weekend nights and entertain my guest just to hear my friends say, "you sure play a mean guitar". That's just me though.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

Play it like it's a weapon, and take care of it the same!

When I see somebody going out of their way to accelerate the wear on their gun it tells me that the gun doesn't get used.

Guns that get carried get beat up. No matter how careful you are you're going to ding it up getting in and out of a car or going through a doorway or slipping on the ice and falling on it or slipping in the mud and falling on it. Guns get dropped in training. Guns that get carried get beat up.

When I worked as a machinist my tools got used every day and they got beat up but I didn't go out of my way to accelerate the process. Because, that was just one day closer to me having to lay out money to replace the tool.

So, no I don't see the point

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Retired Career Security Guard

Glock has one of the toughest finishes, but it's not wear proof. My 1st generation G19 has more than a few shiny spots, all honest wear from many thousands of rounds.

I agree Squarebutt, I don't think there's a finish out there that's truly "wear proof" with maybe the exception of stainless which will also show signs of wear. It's easier to hide or cover up its wear patterns on stainless depending on the finish.
That's what intrigues me about this type of enhancement now, the more it gets worn down, the better it looks and the easier it is to touch up. I think I may actually seek out one like Mudd did next?
I'll still seek out the 95% or better finishes and always will, but this is just too cool and I think it's just the beginning.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

The "TRAIN LIKE YOU FIGHT!" guys on my local boards call that "Boba Fetted." Apparently you drag your new firearm behind your truck to give it that "soldier of fortune" look. There are even guys who will paint your Glock so it looks that way out of the box.

I know, distressing isn't it?

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

Just an update on this little gem.
I got my EGW FLGR system in last night and didn't realize the bushing had to be fitted! Two hours later I have a lockup that's almost tight enough that you have to use a barrel bushing but went just a few microns smaller so I can get the bushing off without one. I'll test fire it this evening after work, took her out back after the firing pin and springs swap and she ran flawlessly. I'm impressed so far, especially with the barrel/bushing I.D. fit. it came sized perfect with zero tolerance. Phase 3 will be the Wilson Combat trigger, sear, hammer, disconnect and Tritium sights.
Installed so far with the exception of the FLGR systems are Wilson Combat Bullitt Proof:
1. Titanium firing pin;
2. Mainspring housing;
3. Spring(s) tune-up kit;
4. G-10 grips/ pewter medallions;
5. EGW/Clark FLGR System.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

Distressed, yes, but not at all distressing. 44 Military, Fourth Change, 6.5-inch. Maybe 120 made, per estimates.

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It's yours so whatever floats yer boat. My carry guns get beat up plenty fast without help. So no, I don't like it and I don't like the factory distressed guns I've seen in the shop.

Good for you, too bad your opinion was never solicited for approval. bawhahahahahaha!
Some like vanilla ice cream and some like scotch and cigars.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

I like older, well-worn pistols and rifles.

So of those here that dislike purposely 'distressed' handguns do you feel the same about distressed grips (faux aged ivory comes to mind) or belts or holster or jeans or cowboy hats?.

Yes, as a matter of fact I do. I sure as heck won't pre-age my jeans. They wear out too darn fast as it is.