Protect the Finish

Jaywalk · July 4th, 2009, 09:02 AM

I've been using this Browning Hi-Power since 1980 at the bedside and the range but it's been carried rarely:

I'm now looking for a holster - probably a pancake - and wonder if certain holster features make any difference in keeping it looking like new. For instance, does a leather lining help preserve the blue finish?

I understand the holster itself will wear away the finish eventually - I'd just like to think I did what I could to put it off as long as possible.

Thanks.

jarhead79 · July 4th, 2009, 09:16 AM

Well, First I'd like to discount a myth that some have. Don't get a suede lined holster. The chemicals used in the tanning process of most suede has the potential to corrode the finish and metal of your gun.

I'm not saying it will, but it may.

Your best bet may be a leather lined holster or a smooth side in.

Nate

ltc-usa · July 4th, 2009, 10:21 AM

That is a real beauty. I have one from 1966. If you carry it, it will show wear. I have a Kramer Handgun Leather - Revolver holsters, concealment holsters, paddle holster, 1911 holster, ankle holster belt scabbard with FBI cant in horsehide. I would be tempted to not carry that little princess and get something you don't care if it gets a little wear.

randyc74 · July 4th, 2009, 10:52 AM

I agree with Nate and ltl-usa. If you carry a particular pistol daily, it will eventually start to show wear. In addition, suede tends to be a real dust/dirt magnet and may expedite the wear process. Not all blueing processes are created equal and have the same durability. I don't own any real collector handguns. There are no "queens" living in my gunsafe. If I purchase a new pistol, I build a new holster,carry it, and enjoy it.
BTW, that's a beautiful High Power!

Dakota97 · July 4th, 2009, 11:04 AM

Consider the wear as character and enjoy carrying the weapon. You can't dig with a shovel and not get sratches and you can't carry a gun and not get wear.

ltc-usa · July 4th, 2009, 11:11 AM

I agree, things are to be used. However, that little safe queen is now a collector's item (I think) and I would keep it that way. Go get a Springfield XD subbie and bang (pun) the heck out of it while carrying.

eldorado · July 4th, 2009, 11:35 AM

That is very nice and top of the line, but remember you cant take it with you... so purchase a custom holster and enjoy it.

Avenger · July 4th, 2009, 12:44 PM

STAY AWAY FROM KYDEX! It took about 8 months for a kydex holster to rub the finish off one of my XDs. Granted it was a cheep paddle holster, but kydex is only good for stainless steel. You want a good quality leather holster. Check these out:

Rockys Pure Kustoms

UGB holsters

The leather used are GREAT quality and will make the finish last much, much longer. Hope it helps!

Jaywalk · July 4th, 2009, 01:26 PM

It does - thanks, all.

I figure a 30-year test for reliabiliity is about right before carrying. My J-frame just made the cut a couple of years ago.

QKShooter · July 4th, 2009, 01:45 PM

Your Browning is an excellent carry gun & it's in super nice condition.

Both Kydex and leather will eventually cause finish wear on the the rub spots of the firearm.
Kydex will wear a firearm finish quicker but crisper.

So if you have an investment grade firearm that you eventually will want to sell as absolutely "MINT" condition then naturally you would not want to carry that one holstered and would keep it regulated to constant "safe-queen" status.

That having been said there ARE some things that you can do to minimize the "wear" and preserve the finish on a firearm holstered in leather. (See Below)

> Keep the inside of your holster wiped clean with a cotton cloth.

> Do the plastic bag or the "Waxed Paper thing" which will prevent your leather holster from being overly tight.
Leave your firearm holstered that way for about two days.
That helps because it forces the molded leather to stretch and conform itself to any overly tight firearm high spots and edges.

> Keep a light protective coat of Renaissance Wax on your firearm. <~~~

This stuff is really super great. It is HARD -PH Neutral - Not slippery - and it provides great finish protection.
There is always some listed on Ebay.

> Do not repeatedly practice drawing and re-holstering with that particular firearm.

Holster wear on a carry firearm is not something that I fret about and I don't see any problem with honest holster wear on a carry gun.
I own a couple of "investment grade" guns and naturally I don't carry them at all since my original intention on buying them was to keep them absolutely "Mint" for maximum dollar resale value at some point down the road.

RENAISSANCE WAX INFO:

RENAISSANCE WAX is used in the following places in the U.S.
The Smithsonian Institute,
Colonial Williamsburg Conservatory
Abraham Lincoln Residence
Vicksburg Military Park and Museum
Henry Ford Museum
Academy of Arts
Metropolitan Museum of Art
NRA Museum
Rockefeller Restorations
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Hilton Hotels
BYU Museum of Art
National Ornamental Metals Museum
as well as other museums
and by government agencies, craftsmen, custom knife makers and knife and gun collectors.

In the United Kingdom it is used in:
The British Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
Buckingham Palace
Military Museums at Aldershot
H.M. the Queens Royal Armourer
The National Museum of Antiquities
Scotland, Royal Armories (London & Leeds)
The Imperial War Museum
Windsor Castle
The Tower of London.

July 4th, 2009, 09:02 AM	#1
Jaywalk New Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 9	Protect the Finish I've been using this Browning Hi-Power since 1980 at the bedside and the range but it's been carried rarely: I'm now looking for a holster - probably a pancake - and wonder if certain holster features make any difference in keeping it looking like new. For instance, does a leather lining help preserve the blue finish? I understand the holster itself will wear away the finish eventually - I'd just like to think I did what I could to put it off as long as possible. Thanks.

July 4th, 2009, 09:16 AM	#2
jarhead79 Distinguished Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Stansbury Park, UT Posts: 1,296	Well, First I'd like to discount a myth that some have. Don't get a suede lined holster. The chemicals used in the tanning process of most suede has the potential to corrode the finish and metal of your gun. I'm not saying it will, but it may. Your best bet may be a leather lined holster or a smooth side in. Nate __________________ Sig P239 9mm Bersa Thunder.45 Ruger SP101 .38 SPL Glock 36 (night sites) UBG Holsters current wait time as of 7-16-2009: 3-5 weeks.

July 4th, 2009, 10:52 AM	#4
randyc74 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 110	I agree with Nate and ltl-usa. If you carry a particular pistol daily, it will eventually start to show wear. In addition, suede tends to be a real dust/dirt magnet and may expedite the wear process. Not all blueing processes are created equal and have the same durability. I don't own any real collector handguns. There are no "queens" living in my gunsafe. If I purchase a new pistol, I build a new holster,carry it, and enjoy it. BTW, that's a beautiful High Power! __________________ Randy Bulldog Custom Gun Leather www.bulldogleathercompany.com

July 4th, 2009, 11:04 AM	#5
Dakota97 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 292	Consider the wear as character and enjoy carrying the weapon. You can't dig with a shovel and not get sratches and you can't carry a gun and not get wear. __________________ NRA life member.

July 4th, 2009, 12:44 PM	#8
Avenger Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 247	STAY AWAY FROM KYDEX! It took about 8 months for a kydex holster to rub the finish off one of my XDs. Granted it was a cheep paddle holster, but kydex is only good for stainless steel. You want a good quality leather holster. Check these out: Rockys Pure Kustoms UGB holsters The leather used are GREAT quality and will make the finish last much, much longer. Hope it helps! __________________ *ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ* Springfield XDm 40 One shot, one kill. Ready to die, but never will! Semper Fi

July 4th, 2009, 10:21 AM	#3
ltc-usa Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ut Posts: 426	That is a real beauty. I have one from 1966. If you carry it, it will show wear. I have a Kramer Handgun Leather - Revolver holsters, concealment holsters, paddle holster, 1911 holster, ankle holster belt scabbard with FBI cant in horsehide. I would be tempted to not carry that little princess and get something you don't care if it gets a little wear.

July 4th, 2009, 11:11 AM	#6
ltc-usa Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ut Posts: 426	I agree, things are to be used. However, that little safe queen is now a collector's item (I think) and I would keep it that way. Go get a Springfield XD subbie and bang (pun) the heck out of it while carrying.

July 4th, 2009, 11:35 AM	#7
eldorado Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 365	That is very nice and top of the line, but remember you cant take it with you... so purchase a custom holster and enjoy it.

July 4th, 2009, 01:26 PM	#9
Jaywalk New Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 9	It does - thanks, all. I figure a 30-year test for reliabiliity is about right before carrying. My J-frame just made the cut a couple of years ago.

July 4th, 2009, 01:45 PM	#10
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,392	Your Browning is an excellent carry gun & it's in super nice condition. Both Kydex and leather will eventually cause finish wear on the the rub spots of the firearm. Kydex will wear a firearm finish quicker but crisper. So if you have an investment grade firearm that you eventually will want to sell as absolutely "MINT" condition then naturally you would not want to carry that one holstered and would keep it regulated to constant "safe-queen" status. That having been said there ARE some things that you can do to minimize the "wear" and preserve the finish on a firearm holstered in leather. (See Below) > Keep the inside of your holster wiped clean with a cotton cloth. > Do the plastic bag or the "Waxed Paper thing" which will prevent your leather holster from being overly tight. Leave your firearm holstered that way for about two days. That helps because it forces the molded leather to stretch and conform itself to any overly tight firearm high spots and edges. > Keep a light protective coat of Renaissance Wax on your firearm. <~~~ This stuff is really super great. It is HARD -PH Neutral - Not slippery - and it provides great finish protection. There is always some listed on Ebay. > Do not repeatedly practice drawing and re-holstering with that particular firearm. Holster wear on a carry firearm is not something that I fret about and I don't see any problem with honest holster wear on a carry gun. I own a couple of "investment grade" guns and naturally I don't carry them at all since my original intention on buying them was to keep them absolutely "Mint" for maximum dollar resale value at some point down the road. *RENAISSANCE WAX INFO:* RENAISSANCE WAX is used in the following places in the U.S. The Smithsonian Institute, Colonial Williamsburg Conservatory Abraham Lincoln Residence Vicksburg Military Park and Museum Henry Ford Museum Academy of Arts Metropolitan Museum of Art NRA Museum Rockefeller Restorations Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Hilton Hotels BYU Museum of Art National Ornamental Metals Museum as well as other museums and by government agencies, craftsmen, custom knife makers and knife and gun collectors. In the United Kingdom it is used in: The British Museum Victoria and Albert Museum Buckingham Palace Military Museums at Aldershot H.M. the Queens Royal Armourer The National Museum of Antiquities Scotland, Royal Armories (London & Leeds) The Imperial War Museum Windsor Castle The Tower of London.

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