Avoiding idiot mark on a 1911?

[Gryff]

How do you avoid causing an idiot mark on a 1911 when removing/replacing the slide stop? It seems like the only way to get it out/in is to rotate it, which leaves a scratch on the gun.

[CA Gun Laws Suck]

Be very careful! lol I use a pen to help me so I dont scratch my baby.

[Richie Caketown]

maybe some eletrical tape , the same thing you do when inserting pins into an OLL

[leelaw]

Put together the slide and frame like normal. Push in the slide stop just far enough to engage the barrel link. Release the slide and slowly position the slide stop so that the lug that sticks back into the frame is touching the lower left (as viewed from the position of the shooter) portion of the plunger. Align the slide so the slide stop can fit back in place, then press the slide stop (push up and right from the perspective of the shooter) into place.

If you can't visualize this, I'll try to remember to post some pictures. The trick is to not let the lug on the slide stop get near the frame until it's pressed into place. Don't push the slide stop in completely, then rotate it into place.

[Ventura_Yak'r]

Leelaw,

Please post pics... I'm bad visualizing this process.

Thanks!

[liketoshoot]

Please, please post pic's! I pick up my Kimber in 7 days and would like to clean it at least once with out scratching it.

[sd_shooter]

I just picked up my SA Loaded yesterday so we're in the same boat!

Here's a great youtube video I found that seems to make sense:

[freonr22]

oh heck I think its called a beauty mark

[BiggPa]

if you look on the 1911forums, a user named logman has a mod to the slide stop you can do (with pictures)


i haven't done it, but it looks like it would work

[Legasat]

Too late for me

[Black Majik]

When it comes down to it, you just got to be really careful. Position the slidestop right at the plunger ensuring it is not swinging across your frame. When the slidestop is position to the link, push "up" to depress the plunger and "in" through the link at the same time. Practice makes perfect.

In the meantime, grab an old business card so you can practice without scuffing your frame.

[GM4spd]

Pics for not getting a slide stop scratch,pics,Pete


Disassembly start

push the slide stop from the opposite side with your finger--straight up


keep pushing up until the stop is clear of the frame



then finally lift straight out without turning it,

[GM4spd]

To put it back,be sure the notch is correctly aligned with the slide stop,
start the slide stop into the barrel link pin(thru the frame)



next using the plastic tube from the triflow can(or something similar NON
marring) push against the slide stop plunger while GENTLY pushing
straight down on the slide stop


once the slide stop has started to compress the slide stop plunger just
continue pushing straight down until it is fully home.

[CAL.BAR]

Yep, it's going to happen sooner or later. (it's unavoidable) If you have the gun long enough, you will scratch it. Just one time is all it takes. I hardly think it's a mark of stupidity. The way the pieces go together makes it virtually impossibly to get that piece in w/o some minor scratching.

[tonelar]

Yep, it's going to happen sooner or later. (it's unavoidable) If you have the gun long enough, you will scratch it...

make that "...you might scratch it..."

I have 5x 1911s and only two idiot marks between them... one was my doing (20+ years ago) the second done by the previous owner.

If you're careful AND not hamfisted, it's possible to avoid scratching your frame.