I can't decide

Tom, Matt, thanks for your replies.

I guess the problem I'm having is deciding when a pistol should remain as it is or if I should "fix" it.


I have a shooter price in this pistol but the pistol is not really a shooter.


I live in a dry climate and rust isn't a problem.

Pre-existing rust is always a problem anywhere.


I can't really remove the rust without damaging the finish even further. If I leave the rust it will eventually cause pitting and otherwise damage the finish.


So either way, this pistol has a problem. If an expert like Ted refinishes the pistol it will lose value. If it is going to lose value why not fix the badly pitted bore with a new barrel and have a really nice shooter? If I replace the barrel the pistol would certainly become a lowly shooter.

Or would just an expert refinish be a better fix? Is any refinished pistol also just a lowly shooter?


Does all matching and all original always trump anything else? Always?


Mike