"Idiot Scratch"

[teflondog]

1911s are like cars. The first scratch is the hardest to cope with. After that you tend to stop babying it. Besides, an idiot scratch doesn't stand out as much if you have a lot of kydex holster wear IMO.

[Malmon]

After joining Calguns, I learned how to avoid the idiot scratch using the blue painters tape. Last week, I had some work done on a Colt Combat Commander and lo behold there is a faint idiot mark that wasn't there before the gunsmith worked on it. You would think a gunsmith would know how to avoid this. It's unavoidable! No matter how careful you are, the gunsmith will scratch it for you.

[Speedpower]

I have taken apart my 1911's a lot, and have never and will never put an idiot scratch on them, I don't understand how idiot one could be putting an idiot scratch on his gun

[CK_32]

I'm an idiot I have one on my lower from putting the ping pong paddle on.


Not quite as big as others posted but it's still a scratch

[dasfkilla]

I don't have much experience with guns but I am somewhat familiar with buffing scratches out of metals. I suppose you can try using fine-grit sandpaper and then finishing it off with some rubbing compound and then some metal polish. Always start with the least abrasive method first. How deep is the scratch? Depending on how deep it is, it might not be a good idea to buff out the scratch completely otherwise you might take off too much material.

What do you think?

[redcliff]

I've always thought "idiot scratch" was too harsh; it's more like a "newbie scratch". First time 1911 owners get a free pass from me, and I feel bad they didnt have anyone that could show them the proper way so they wouldn't scratch their pistols.

By paying proper attention and using the right technique its totally avoidable without using any extra items like tape or credit cards.

My method, taught to me by a gunsmith 35 years ago, is to insert the slide stop through the frame and barrel link with the slide stop hanging down vertically into the triggerguard where it cant scratch anything. Then I pull the slide stop out enough so that the magazine follower engaging stud (the culprit) generously clears the frame and rotate it into position over and just slightly down from the disassembly notch and gently lower it straight down against and slightly below the detent.

Using my left thumb over the slide stop main shaft, and my right thumb at the slide stops end near the detent I push in with both thumbs and in and up with my right thumb which cams the detent out of the way and lets the slide stop seat home.

Using only one thumb can put the slide stop into a bind which makes you use more pressure than needed, sometimes with unintended consequences, and my right thumb can support the slide stop nubs position to keep it properly in place as it pushes the detent out of the way.

[ojisan]

I've always thought "idiot scratch" was too harsh; it's more like a "newbie scratch". First time 1911 owners get a free pass from me, and I feel bad they didnt have anyone that could show them the proper way so they wouldn't scratch their pistols. .

[Brandon04GT]

What do you think?

That's not a stainless finished gun...

[viet4lifeOC]

I don't agree with this at all. It's called idiot scratch because the person will feel idiotic after he makes this mistake. It's a mistake that's totally can be learned and avoided, like the OP is doing. It's not about the 1911 being more revered than any other tool. It's about making an avoidable, stupid (idiotic) mistake on your tool.

Agreed. But I, like some, believe a gun is just that...a tool.

It's akin to trying to keep your brand spanking new white sneakers clean when you were a kid.

I just feel liberated to enjoy the gun or shoe when I no longer care what it'll look like.

It's avoidable if you care. I have a Les Baer TRS and don't take any precaution to avoid an idiot mark. If it happens, then it happens. Gun is still a sweet shooter.

I've bought 16-18 guns/ARs/shotgun in the last 16 months. "it'll be passed down to my son" is in the back of my mind when I decide what gun I'll buy. It's just me...but I want him to have guns that I enjoy shooting and look "used."


Again..It's just me

[Omil]

You see em on 1911s when people aren't putting the gun together properly (using force) after field stripping.

StickY

[ABN-RGR]

I have one 1911 - a Colt Combat Commander - that I learned how to disasemble from the owner's manual (the Army was using Berretta M9's by this time).

The pistol has an Idiot Mark on it, but it's MY idiot mark. I plan on passing it down to my son along with a story and a teaching point.

[Farva]

People have to much ego these days. Shoot the damn gun and stop worrying about a scratch.

[RedFord150]

My Colt Double Eagle came with an 'Idiot Scratch', I bought it used. I put the one on my DW PM7. I let it bother me for 5 minutes, than I got over it.
My wife has a completely different idea of an 'Idiot Mark'. She thinks the gouge I put in our old dining table when I dropped the bolt from my Ruger 22/45 on it is the real 'Idiot mark'. Luckily, we both hated the table and replaced it several years ago.

[Buddhabelly]

People have to much ego these days. Shoot the damn gun and stop worrying about a scratch.

It's nothing about ego. It's like you drive your car into a post and put a dent in the fender. It's an idiotic/careless mistake that reminds you every time you see it. You can choose to drive the car with the dent, or have it fix.

Nothing to do with ego.

[macey109]

Blue or stainless?