Today The Unthinkable Happened!

[BigDogatPlay]

I empathize with the OP. It sucks to see a prized firearm hit the ground for the first time. In my case it was watching my Python cartwheel down the street ahead of me as I chased some clod who was running from the location of a prowler call. Needless to say that holster, and the factory grips ( ) got replaced the next day.

But if you are using a gun in any manner of work role, it's going to take some dings and scratches. While it sucks to put the first scratch on any prized possession, they're going to happen and they become part of the story that the gun would tell someday if it could.

[racky]

i felt the same way when i idiot scratched my 1911. after i realized there was no "cheap" way to fix it i treated my gun for what it was; a tool. then the clouds parted and all was right with the world. and let me say, the wear marks on a gun scream character.

[thevic]

When i just finished pin welding my noveske barrel with my fsc556

I get out of my truck and the barrel breaks through the plasti bag and lands right on the fsc556. Now theres a big gounge in it. Square on the 12'oclock

I was soo pissed off, now ive ran through forests, climbed hillsides, crawles through dirt, and beat up my $3000 ar15... and i await more character marks

1st mark sucks.
The rest is character

[dunndeal]

... and i await more character marks

1st mark sucks.
The rest is character

I just returned from the best fishing trip to the Sea of Cortez that I've experienced in the 32 years I've been going there. We were whackin n stackin yellowfin tuna up to 45#, dorado to 33# and fookin roosterfish to 70#.
In the process I got some boat rash on my new $1000 fishing rod & reel combo. At first it was irritating but before long I realized it's normal wear & tear that proves it's not a rod rack queen.

I believe in not abusing my equipment but if it gets wounded in the line of duty, so be it. No need to get anal unless you're talking about a possession that is appreciating in value. A '73 911S Targa,,, yes, but a '93 Toyota Corolla, not so much.

[stphnman20]

OMG!! A scratch!! lol.. Dont worry about.. Banged up guns are in!

[rojocorsa]

It's true. I heard some gunmakers actually charge for a way to "characterize" a lower the way they sell and rip up jeans.

I'd rather give the gun some character myself though---through use and experience.

[E Pluribus Unum]

That gun is RUINED and will never shoot the same. You should sell it to me for half price; I can deal with the ruined gun.

P.S.
Do you buy your guns for how they shoot, or what they look like?

[thevic]

I buy them for how they look and shoot

[ArmednReady]

I buy them for how they look and shoot

What he said haha. Call me what you wish but my gun has to look as good as it shoots. Or maybe its the other way around?

[E Pluribus Unum]

I guess I'm just a swamp okie...

I take good care of my guns... but I rustle through all kinds of brush, dirt, mud, et cetera. I use my guns and if they get a scar every now and again, I don't fret much.

[Rob454]

Well it all depends on what he meant by "character" and yea I know its going to have some scratches here and there but when I purchase anything over $500 I like to take care of it as much as possible...

Nothing wrong with wanting to take care of things but scratches and wear happens. I dont care if its 10$ or 1000$. but its not the end of the world. Its like your car. no matter how clean you keep it its bound to get scratches and dings. go get a can of that solution the other member suggested and try that. But you don't need to be so anal about a scratch.
You heard the saying " S**t happens" right?

My new shotgun 3rd time out and I trip and land barrel first ona rock. pit a little ding in the barrel. I didnt do it on purpose and im not gonna freak abotu it either.
Good luck with your fix but i say it gives guns character. besides it now makes it yours rather than the other million of BNIB guns out there

[Rob454]

. somehow, parking lot door dings on a new car hurt less than the wife sliding a cardboard box across a dusty hood

Wow your wife and my wife must text each other about how they can frustrate their husbands

[MossbergMan]

Pretty Guns = Unused Guns... don't fix it.

Every mark on a gun has a story, some cool, some not so cool. My working Mossberg 500 looks bad. Dings in the receiver, scratches and the bluing worn off from use on the action bars and magazine.
When I see another shooter with a worn gun like mine I give that person some respect because they actually use their gun. Not intentional abuse like the video...that was dramatic and may have proved a point or not. I ahd to replace the magazine on my 500 because I used to do a "Transition Drill" where I just ditched the gun and drew my handgun. Well one time I did this in front of a class, my guns hit a rock and dented the magazine to the point I couldn't get more than 4 rounds in my 9 shooter. Fine for hunting, sucks for defense. It was a $25 lesson on throwing my SG down for demonstration purposes. Would I do it again in real life, you bet, but not for a class.

Handguns are like that too. Heavy holster wear...at least it's been in the field and in and out a few times.

With the exception of very high end Trap/Skeet/Field guns that cost thousands, not hundreds or dollars pretty guns are just art.

If your 590 is a "working gun" this is just the first scratch of many to come. I'd just come up with a better story about how it happened......
"While chasing a wanted felon...my 590 saved my face when I ran into a barbed wire fence." That'd be my story for the locker room and I'm stickin' to it!
I doubt any gun owner hasn't, at some point dinged their prized shooter. Time heals all wounds and chicks dig scars! Don't fix it.

[cadjak]

It's mostly that I beat myself up for carelessness, more than any damage I've caused. It always amazes me how little slack I cut myself for being imperfect.

[El Gato]

1 scratch = mistake
many scratches = character

+1

took my brand new colt 6940 with aimpoint m4s to thunder ranch in May...
grounding it in gravel...digging the but into the gravel...falling on it to shoot on my gun side... shoving it into concrete block port to fire from... It is all good... brand new gun looks like it has been carried hard and put away wet...I'm so proud...

my Volkmann custom is starting to wear the finish off the slide from so many draws...again...character...and a feeling it has been used well...