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Python Nickel vs Stainless

nobonesoffice
I can't tell for sure what is nickel plated vs stainless when looking at colt pythons. Any suggestions how to tell the difference? Opinions on which is better?
Thanks
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • CHGOTHNDER
    Niclel is usually brighter than stainless, I take an oil clothe and just wipe a little area if the nickel is that dull.

    PJ

    If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM
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  • redice
    Usualy nickel is a lot smoother as well.
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  • nmyers
    The Colt nickel finish is not durable. Great care must be taken to keep it from rusting/corroding.

    Personally, I prefer blue because it is so beautiful. But, stainless wears well & can easily be touched up with steel wool.

    Neal
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  • chorkie
    A few Pythons were plated in electroless nickel, and they are hard to tell from stainless steel.
    Chorkie

    ???
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  • baaddawg
    Don't use steel wool or wire brushes on stainless, unless it is stainless steel wool or a stainless wire brush. The carbon steel from the brush can be implanted in the stainless and can cause localized rusting. It is very difficult to remove once it happens.
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  • JudgeColt
    A Python with factory electroplated bright nickel will be mirror-like and have a yellow cast to the finish. An electroless nickel finish, called Coltguard, will have a brushed finish with a yellow cast. A stainless Python made of true stainless steel with the usual brushed finish will have a blue cast to it. A Python with Ultimate stainless finish (stainless polished to a mirror finish) will have a blue cast to it.

    Age will be instructive as well. I will make some guesses as to introduction dates, but I do not guarantee them to be accurate because I have not checked my catalog collection before making this response. As I recall, bright nickel was introduced in about 1960, electroless in the early 1980s, true stainless in the middle 1980s and Ultimate stainess in the early 1990s. Those dates are not guaranteed to be accurate, but are instructive because you can be sure a 1970 Python will not be stainless, etc..
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  • mateomasfeo
    Leave it to the Judge! Long time no see Judge.

    I like the Royal blue. Most georgeous gun I have ever seen...



    oswald.jpg

    Mateomasfeo

    "I am what I am!" - Popeye
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