[Bondage007]

I think that gold is used as much or more for it being a precious material as it is for functionality. I'm sure the color difference between a light yellow brass and gold isn't going to be that great. But the brass just doesn't have the prestige or status that gold does. I think this is along the same logic of using mammoth for grips. For me personally, I can't see any logic in using that material. In most cases, a nice figured piece of wood looks much better than any piece of mammoth. But that's not the point of using mammoth. It's because it's supposed to be rare and therefore expensive. It's more of a status thing than a functional thing. For that matter, I'd never have a set of polished mammoth or wood grips. A grip is called a grip for a reason. It's supposed to help you hold and maintain a grip on the pistol. Checkering or stippling helps you do that so much better. But this is also why polished grips tend to be on barbecue guns or mantle pieces rather than functional firearms.

I disagree on the brass/gold thing. Having had both, I can tell you it's more than just the "precious metal" thing. Brass tends to tarnish and lose its luster - gold never does.

 

[Bondage007]

Brass can and will tarnish...GOLD never does. I love the look of it, and the functionality during daylight hours. Hence the gold bead on my competition Wilson. But for a serious defense pistol, like my EDC Ed Brown Kobra Carry, I like an HD tritium front sight. Fiber optics are, in my opinion, ugly and fragile.