Idiot Scratch/Mark (Rant)

[Mr. Blue]

I have seen so many 1911’s with the dreaded idiot scratch for sale. I luckily avoided this mistake because I listened to many different 1911 owners on various subjects before I even got one. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known about the specific things to look for, and probably would have an idiot mark myself.

“If you want your gun to look PERFECT, just keep it in the safe.” “My gun isn’t a museum piece, its a tool.” “It shows I actually use my 1911.” Just some VERY common excuses I hear on the matter.

I might scratch my 1911 something fierce one day, but the last thing I’ll do is make some excuse like this. I’ll try to fix it, if thats even possible. Many of these guns are wanted on the used market, in my opinion, an idiot scratch should devalue the gun, not be some trophy mark for idiotic carelessness.

We use our cars everyday, that doesn’t mean we wash the car with steel wool...A tool can also be taken care of and kept nice. there is absolutely no reason to needlessly scratch the piss out of your gun and then make some lame excuse.

I’m sure everyone agrees with me right? lol, just kidding. Tell me I’m wrong, I really don’t care. I’m just looking out for all the innocent 1911’s out there.

#1911LivesMatter

[Spyder]

Funny you mention that. I just scrubbed my tailgate with steel wool and bleach yesterday, to get the year and a half worth of dead animal congealed blood off of it because it was smelling enough to attract meat bees when I parked it in the sun.

[Beelzy]

It's a firearm, not a Faberge Egg. Lol

[GeeBee49]

Avoiding an idiot scratch is something I work very hard at. It may happen someday and when it does I won't sell the gun or anything like that. But I will be upset because I'll know it was my fault for not being more careful.

[Skip_Dog]

If I ever scratch I will just blame it on the wife.

Tell the fellas "this is what happens when your girl swears she can clean guns just as good as you can".

[Tarmy]

Funny you mention that. I just scrubbed my tailgate with steel wool and bleach yesterday, to get the year and a half worth of dead animal congealed blood off of it because it was smelling enough to attract meat bees when I parked it in the sun.

[wamphyri13]

Check on the 1911 Forum Search on how to modify your 1911 slide release to eliminate this problem completely! Easily done too...

I've commented in that thread myself.

[hunterb]

I have seen so many 1911’s with the dreaded idiot scratch for sale. I luckily avoided this mistake because I listened to many different 1911 owners on various subjects before I even got one. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known about the specific things to look for, and probably would have an idiot mark myself.

“If you want your gun to look PERFECT, just keep it in the safe.” “My gun isn’t a museum piece, its a tool.” “It shows I actually use my 1911.” Just some VERY common excuses I hear on the matter.

I might scratch my 1911 something fierce one day, but the last thing I’ll do is make some excuse like this. I’ll try to fix it, if thats even possible. Many of these guns are wanted on the used market, in my opinion, an idiot scratch should devalue the gun, not be some trophy mark for idiotic carelessness.

We use our cars everyday, that doesn’t mean we wash the car with steel wool...A tool can also be taken care of and kept nice. there is absolutely no reason to needlessly scratch the piss out of your gun and then make some lame excuse.

I’m sure everyone agrees with me right? lol, just kidding. Tell me I’m wrong, I really don’t care. I’m just looking out for all the innocent 1911’s out there.

#1911LivesMatter

100% agreed OP. My pet peeve also. It is not holster wear or wear from use, it is a scratch from carelessness and laziness.

Either mod your slide stop or just cut a piece of old credit card to slip under the area when you reinstall the slide stop. Easily avoided with minimal effort.
I would rather have a 1911 with lots of holster wear than a pristine one with an idiot mark. Ugh.

slide stop mod:

https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=214653

https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=231309

https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=214825

[Cup of Cheese]

Funny you mention that. I just scrubbed my tailgate with steel wool and bleach yesterday, to get the year and a half worth of dead animal congealed blood off of it because it was smelling enough to attract meat bees when I parked it in the sun.

You kill animals with your tailgate?

[VictorFranko]

While I'm not overly a fan of stainless steel 1911's, they do make removing idiot marks a breeze.

[Cuda440]

My favorite 1911 had the idiot scratch when I bought it, so I have never once had to worry about it

[sigstroker]

After owning Govt Models for decades, I never heard of this concern until I joined calguns.

[Full Clip]

While I'm not overly a fan of stainless steel 1911's, they do make removing idiot marks a breeze.

Yes, and I need to finally rectify my own idiocy evidence...

[Rod Nokin]

I scratched my stainless steel Sig 1911. I sent the slide to Sig to get rebead blasted or whatever they do and they must have made it worse cause they sent me a new slide with an apology. This made me really feel like crap so I'm pretty careful now.

[Mr. Blue]

If I ever scratch I will just blame it on the wife.

Tell the fellas "this is what happens when your girl swears she can clean guns just as good as you can".

Hahaha, at least someone gets the humor