SR1911 scratch under slide stop - not 'Idiot' scratch

[rdfact]

I ordered a Ruger SR1911 from a LGS. I went in to do the paperwork and start the 10 day wait. The gun store guy took the gun out of the box, dropped the mag, racked the slide and handed it to me with the slide open. I immediately noticed a nasty scratch on the frame. My first thought was my shiny new 1911 already has the 'idiot scratch'. The scratch is not visible with the slide closed - the slide stop covers it.
My Springfield 1911 stainless has a scratch in the same spot but it is much more faint and has several thousand rounds through it. Is it normal for a new 1911 to be scratched already? Any other SR1911 owners that do or do not have this same scratch.
I forgot to take a pic of my gun but this pic shows the same scratch.

[Nguyen]

Why didnt you ask for another one? Probably a nick when they assembled it.

[skosh69]

Why didnt you ask for another one? Probably a nick when they assembled it.

Exactly what I was thinking. Good luck.

[b18bturboek9]

Was that a display model that was handled by a bunch of ppl fondling it? That said if it doesn't bother you shoot it and add some more character to it.

[rdfact]

Not a display model, had to be ordered since they didn't have any in stock. Again, that pic is not mine but shows a similar scratch mine has. The scratch is NOT visible with the slide closed.
So far I have only paid $100 deposit.

[dyson]

Mine is clean on outside. Up to you if you want to wait for another one, 2 months left

[RamonSJC]

Unless you plan on putting it into a dust free glass exhibit. Just shoot it.

Though it does sting a little that its not flawless out the box when you purchased it new :/

[Dinosaur Jr]

Just ask your LGS how much of a discount you're getting for a pre-scratched gun. Otherwise, you want one that's pristine.

[rdfact]

Just ask your LGS how much of a discount you're getting for a pre-scratched gun. Otherwise, you want one that's pristine.

So how can you prove whether it came from Ruger this way or someone at the LGS caused it? Before I left they had already put the SSE barrel in it and put it back in the box. By the time I take it home it will have been stripped twice to put the SSE barrel in then take it out again.

Oddly, I don't get as irked when my $20,000 car gets a new scratch.

[Powder_Keg]

I've seen that scratch before, it's not always an "idiot scratch". Your's may or may not be.

When you field strip the gun, with the slide stop removed, look at the backside of the slide stop that faces the frame and check it for high spots. A lot of gun manufactures are using MIM for the small parts and sometimes they will have high spots left over from the injection manufacturing process.

[5ZS]

That scratch is from the slide stop going up and down.

If you like it to be less faint in the long term, you will have to de-burr and polish the underside of the slide stop to be as smooth as possible. A little too late for that one in that area. It's a Ruger and priced accordingly to labor and parts used. You should see my Rock, 2 of the the 4 came with real i scratches and the slide stop scrapping the frame in more areas.

[CK_32]

Don't worry, you'll probably do worse damage.


I know I did.

[TitanCi]

That scratch is from the slide stop going up and down.

If you like it to be less faint in the long term, you will have to de-burr and polish the underside of the slide stop to be as smooth as possible. A little too late for that one in that area. It's a Ruger and priced accordingly to labor and parts used. You should see my Rock, 2 of the the 4 came with real i scratches and the slide stop scrapping the frame in more areas.

Word. That's normal.. It'll happen. Shoot it and it'll get more.

I had my bnib Loaded refinished by SA. Came back pristine, not a mark anywhere. They even cut a slide stop relief because it came with an idiot mark from factory.

Guess what? After shooting 500 rounds thru it, the slide stop going up and down left marks, but only visible when the stop is removed. It's bad, but who cares. The bead blasted finish also has some marks on it from dust? Ejected casings? Who knows, but marks will happen.

Enjoy it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[r1ghtw1ng]

You're in luck. There is a 3M scotch brite pad (light grey) that will take that scratch out and blend it in perfectly with the Ruger SR1911 matte stainless finish. Pm me if you want a small section. I bought a big pad and can cut you off a piece.

[saudadeii]

Will you never shoot it for fear of scratching the barrel?

I have a commander size one. It's not a holy relic. Shoot it and be happy.