Due to a silly OCD thing, I've always tried ridiculously hard to keep my carry guns looking brand new. I really went to extreme measures, with the exception of my LCP. While I couldn't bring myself to treat it like a red-headed stepchild (nothing against all you Gingers), I was able to bring myself to treat it like a blonde-haired, blue-eyed stepchild. Pampered, but not overly.
Anyway, someone recently created a thread (maybe just mentioned in a thread), talking about how a carry weapon was a tool, not a safe queen. I attempted to subdue my OCD long enough to give this some thought. While it hasn't been easy, I have made some progress.
With some trepidation, I recently began carrying my Smith & Wesson M&P 40 Pro Series on a regular basis. I was determined to treat it like a tool, attempting to be a little less cautious about bumping it into something, or otherwise marring the finish.
Today, I was successful!!!
It is officially scratched. I'll admit, I have since attempted to see if I could rub it out (come on...baby steps), but it is there to stay.