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.

Dat SUX. damnit.

I'm not 284 but I'll give you some reasons based on the experiences of an acquaintance of mine who has been a leather smith for well over forty years. He repairs and builds shoes and boots, repairs and builds saddles, and makes holsters and other leather products. He has a custom leather shop.

He does not recommend leaving a pistol, revolver, long gun, knife or anything else like that in leather forever. There are many tanning processes for leather and some of those processes play hell with steel and bluing. For example, some of the worse leather he has dealt with has come from Mexico because the Mexican tanning process uses urine in the tanning. That really messes with the leather. On the other hand, some of the best tanned leather for fine products comes out of the British Isles because the British tend to raise their cattle for the leather and their tanning processes tend to produce premium quality leather.

Another area of concern is the dye used in the the leather. There's vegetable based dye, oil based dye, and everything in between. Some dyes are harder on steel and bluing than others.

And last but not least, is the lining or lack thereof. Non-lined holsters really pick up moisture and dirt. Not all linings are created equal either. Some do a very good job of protecting steel and fine bluing while other linings are not much better than an unlined holster.

Sorry I can't do better in answering your question but I do hope this helps somewhat.

FWIW, the actual "purple" color is called plum, and it's the contrast of two different steel alloys being blued, or on heat-treated vs non heat-treated parts. Older Ruger SAs show plum color too, most commonly on the loading gates, which are made from a different steel that the frame. I've seen it on a few S&W revolvers too. I have also seen it on blued guns that had had welding done on them, and it only showed in the repaired area. Besides, I like purple...

Maybe it's decided that it wants to be your gay pride pistol

Can't beat EEZOX for rust prevention, use it on all my guns including the BP ones. Never a rust problem since I started using it about 10 years ago.

The purple change, it just happens, different steels back then, seen many a purple Winchester receiver.

I'd use it on a parade of skinners.

10-4 T, it stinks, but I love that stuff, guess I'll live with the purple, wouldnt wanna rape it by having it re-blued.

Thanks for the more chemical oriented rundown on this DD. Interesting.

I have a python that has a distinctly purple cylinder release and a slightly purple cylinder. I have one of the 1986 Rem classic .35Whelen that is uniformly purple. I have other guns twice as old with no purple whatever. I thought maybe grain size (a consequence of heat treat) might have moderated how fast the oxides convert in the final boiling water wash and rem/colt tried to speed the process up.

10-4, every damn Ruger M-77 I've ever had turned purple, of course they are investment cast.

The Old Model Ruger's purple very well and just have character IMO.

I had a tang safety varmint Ruger in 220 swift, it was a 71' vintage, the reciever turned a fantastic purple, the Douglas barrel stayed a fine royal blue, I was told it was an investment cast steel reciever and over time they turn. Heck it looked great, I sold it after many thousand rounds for a 59' mod 70 Varminter in swift. v best winpoor

10-4 Ed, and helluva trade there WP.

I have a Remington classic in 300 win mag.it has the purplish color on bolt and rear half of receiver .I think 1994 not for sure.