Idiot scratches

[CraigJS]

Not being a 1911 guy, question, how does a 1911 get an "idiot scratch"? Just being careless in reassembly? Most I've seen look like the person has NO reason to own a gun, then take it apart if they have THAT little skill..

[Ranger01]

Carelessness, inexperience, or (most commonly) accident. One 1911 I have, the plunger is very stiff and the slide stop is very square and cannot be pressed in straight, it requires an "up and in" motion. A previous owner, with less dexterity, scratched it during reassembly.

[sawgrass]

Notching the slide stop pin goes a long ways in avoiding the scratch. It makes reassembly much easier.

[Ranger01]

Uea, Ive seen the mod, but since I'm selling it anyways it's not a big deal.

[2in2out]

I've never owned a 1911, and had never heard of this. Sorry for being ignorant, but my strain of that disease can be cured….

Found some helpful info on "the Google":
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=231003

[MnHornet]

On my most recent 1911 the plunger was not really free willy in the tube.
I can't blame the previous owner, the sticky plunger made it a bitch.

[mmcnx2]

As someone with 5 1911s, we call them idiot scratches becuase they are from idiots that don't know how to reassemble a 1911. Yes the plunger on some are pretty stiff but that is what they make tools for. Either fix the plunger, slide lock or use a tool to depress

Equates to using a hammer to install a screw, you can make it go in but in the end it will never be right.

[CraigJS]

Seems with the price of newer 1911s, they should mod that area a bit. IMHO you shouldn't have to mod or use tools to disassemble your pistol. Not very field friendly..

[Snowgun]

Working on the plunger to make it less stiff is first for sure, but notching or beveling the slide stop where it interacts with the plunger is great as well, just don't jack it up so it doesn't function with the follower on your magazines....

[LumberZach]

I have been careful not to do this, but I don't see it as much of a big deal. I don't have any collectable 1911's, but guns get scratched. as long as nothing makes the gun perform less than optimal, it isn't a big deal.

[thunderoussilence]

Get a Glock, I meant use a gentle buffing compound, I once experienced a person who welded sights to slide....I have no Idea why. Then the person added to the hammer once again......I just shake my head and then get to fixin.

[Pat]

Nighthawk makes this notch standard on all its pistols.

[CraigJS]

For a steep price.

[sawgrass]

Nighthawk makes this notch standard on all its pistols.

Guncrafters and Wilsons have it too.

Here's a link and a picture.

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=305893

and another one.

http://www.1911addicts.com/showthread.p ... idiot-mark.

Like fitting a trigger, go slow and check often.

[Thunder71]

Happens when you get home early from work and rush to install 'X' modification before the wife gets home.

...or so I've heard.