.

[vinny_land]

It's a love mark....wear it with pride!!!!!

[ZirconJohn]

Idiot ...!

[JavelinFangs]

Nevermind the scratch. How does the gun shoot? Did it run reliably straight out of the box? I've been eyeing that same gun and was wondering how they are new? The Kimber 9mm Target is good out of the box. I've had problems with the only 2 Springfields that I've tried. One compact 45 and an M1A.
I know those are completely different guns. Both didn't run right when new and even after breaking in. Ended up selling both. Really wanna give Springfield a chance. I like that they don't have the other safety. I hear they have great customer service but never gave that a chance. But from what I read, it's hit and miss with Springfield.

This is my favorite 9mm to shoot besides the USP 9. Very accurate, almost no recoil.

I might wet-sand it with 1000 grit, for now I think I'm going to leave it alone. The scratch is very light behind the trigger and almost unnoticeable after using Flitz, but the part you can see in the pic is still visible.

[lt05deluxe]

It's useless now... Donate it to me

[hundreddollarman]

Good job, OP. You've rendered in completely inoperable. You better send it to me for proper disposal.

[Gryff]

Meh. It's a tool. Not a work of art. Shoot the crap out of it. Scratch it up. Be proud of its scars.

[Hank15]

Shoot it more and then bead blast it later.

[Barbarosa]

You can polish out the scratch but will be left with a "mirror" spot, or use a green scotchbrite pad to try and blend it in. Depending on how deep the scratch is you could try a combo of both; use Flitz on an old cotton T shirt to polish out the scratch and then match the finish with the green scotchbrite pad.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it - just enjoy it.

I think the "idiot mark" thing is overblown by those of us who haven't done it...yet....

[AKexpat]

Nobody cares about an idiot scratch btw.
Caring about scratches is the most lame thing ive ever heard of

^^^^^+1

If it is a shooter it means nothing.

If it is a Kali BBQ gun, well that's another story.

If it is stainless #0000 steel wool should take care of it. Mine had one and that took care of it.

Just pay a bit of attention next time.

Bought my Hardballer used in 1992 (I did lots of mods and it is NOT factory) and it had one, but it is a tool: SD/HD/CC/truck gun.

[Lonestargrizzly]

This thread makes me wantto buy a 1911 and scratch it up good

[Eureka1911]

And might I suggest the Log Man modification to the slide stop?? Best 10 minutes I ever spent modding a 1911!!

Log Man Mod 1 LMM.jpg

[Phalanx20mm]

It's totally defective now, I'll take the damaged gun off your hands for $100.

[drkphibr]

Flitz wont wok, will only polish the area and make it stand out more.

Steel wool won't remove that scratch and neither will any 3M pad, regardless of color or texture. They are ONLY useful on the lighest of hairline mars that I wouldnt even clasify as a scratch. Ask me how I know.

The ONLY way to truly remove the scratch is with sandpaper. You will need a rougher grade to actually "remove" the scratch (only go in direction of the "grain") and then use a grade that matches the finish on your frame (400/600 for finish grade is what I've used in the pasr) to blend in. YMMV.

Don't expect to get it right the first time. Take your time, work in a small area and repeat. Cant emphasize enough to only go in one direction and in a straight line.

Look at it this way. You can always ship it to whomever to have it "fixed"...or you can practice on it yourself until you like it. Second option is cheaper, but the first is there if you need it.

Here's an example of before/after of my experimenting with different grades of sandpapers. I sent the slide to Novak for the sights...all the metal work is mine (along with the bead blasting).

[sickboybrad]

I like to buy used guns. You have just just lowered the price on the second hand market.
Just imagine if you buy a holster, and holster it. Game over for resale or looks.

Don't get get me wrong, I try to avoid screwing stuff up. But wear, and fun all fall inline with owning.

No big deal to me.
Keep the rounds going down range, no one cares. It's like the Glock guys talking shi* or the sig or cz or... It's fine
B

[sloppy joe]

Doh!!!!