Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Purple Colt. [mad]

I have a first gen 4" barreled Colt Trooper in 357 Mag, I can see a bit of the finish turning purple-ish, anyone know why?

I keep it in a holster all the time.

It's my understanding that several things can cause this malady; improper bluing procedures, inconsistent heat treatment and the make-up of the steel itself are reportedly the main causes.

I had a S&W Model 19 back in the mid-70's that was awful - the cylinder was 10 shades different than the rest of the gun.

Thanks 41, I can plainly see different parts of the revolvers makeup that are differing in color, must be a hardness difference between the parts.

To my knowledge the revolver has never been re-blued.

The light has to be just exactly right to see it but one of my Pythons did have that purple hue but ever so slightly.


Not a big fan of keeping a pistol holstered full time but that's just me.(shrug)

Any particular reason for not holstering one 284?

Purple is my favorite color.

I may consider trading purple for some green.

I guess I'm afraid of the potential for rusting.

An Amish pistol ?

10-4 Denny, I keep mine in a Galco FL-104 thumb break and have never had any rust issues, wanted to think keeping it holstered and away from direct light would help preserve the blue.

Real men keep 'em under their pillow.

My pillow goes in da flow, dont sleep wit one.

I don't want to tell you something you already know but, the tannic acid in leather will rust a gun especially with a bit of moisture added to the mix. It's never a good idea to leave a gun holstered for long periods of time. If it's a duty gun it should come out of the holster at night. I'm assuming that model Galco is leather-knowing that you're a traditionalist. I've never heard one way or the other about Serpa holsters. I further assume Nylon ones ain't too great on pistols either but are probably not as bad as leather. I've never heard how the wooden holsters they kept Broomhandle Mausers in were.

10-4 EE, and Thanks, just wipe the Colt with EEZOX and put it in it's holster, just went and checked it, no rust, I may start leaving them un-holstered.

Want to trade that Colt for an older, not purpling Smith and Wesson 19 6 inch in great condition? I really love Colts.

Salts used in the tanning process can leach out and cause rusting if the gun remains in the exact same position in the leather for extended periods.

This is what I've read. I've never left one in the holster for more than a day of carrying.

As for the "Plum" coloring, a lot of guns from that decade have had that problem, especially Rugers. Most of us who have a few of'em, just don't worry about it. The bullets still exit the muzzles at the same speed and eventually, it will be something collectors look for, so as to determine the weapon hasn't been re-blued.

Dan

Thanks for the offer Mark, better hang onto this one, an old gunsmith bud of mine sold it to me along with a custom set of moose antlered grips he whittled out.

Thank you for the tips and info DC.

I agree

I wouldn't think a SERPA would lead to rusting issues, but it could help retain moisture on the gun that could lead to premature rust. Of course living in the south, during the summer, moisture is a constant battle

Doesn't work that well in humid Louisiana, ask me how I know.