1911 Idiot Scratch Removal

[RU_27 0]

Via youtube, I learned I am not the only person to scratch my Springfield 1911 Mil-Spec (Stainless Steel) when trying to reinsert the slide lock after doing a cleaning. 

 

Anyone have any advice on removing this scratch and/or for cleaning a stainless steel gun? Thanks all!

[sof 0]

Good luck RU. I bought a used TRP about a year ago and tried to get the previous owners holster scratches out using a very mild metal polish and a rag wheel. Made it look worse and ended up shipping it back to Springfield for them to do it, but I don't remember the cost. If you do have success I'd appreciate it if you posted that for sure because I'm sure the infamous idiot scratch is lurking in my future too. 

[Damjan 73]

Just shoot it. 

 

Don t worry about it.

[louu 399]

Just shoot it. 

 

Don t worry about it.

 

This...

 

I use to try to keep my guns better than new but if you use and abuse them you will eventually get over it. The more scratched up and wore in they get the better they shoot.

 

Actually you just get more use to them and you shoot better.

[maintenanceguy 510]

All my guns are for shooting.  If they don't have some scratches, they're not getting enough outdoor time.

[ogfarmer 138]

I am very particular with my higher end guns. I can not stand scratches etc... Yes certain guns I have it doesn't matter and those are designated for that.

 

For my 1911 I have a idiot scratch prevention tool. I had made my own but ended up getting some of these too.

http://idiotscratch.com/

[RU_27 0]

I'm pretty confident you can abuse tools, like firearms, and still keep them pristine. My dad did that with his mechanic tools and I like to do the same with my (more expensive) firearms.

 

 

I am very particular with my higher end guns. I can not stand scratches etc... Yes certain guns I have it doesn't matter and those are designated for that.

 

For my 1911 I have a idiot scratch prevention tool. I had made my own but ended up getting some of these too.

http://idiotscratch.com/

 

thanks OG

[Vlad G 345]

Just shoot it. If you do shoot it it will acquire other scars anyway, its called character.

[RU_27 0]

Good luck RU. I bought a used TRP about a year ago and tried to get the previous owners holster scratches out using a very mild metal polish and a rag wheel. Made it look worse and ended up shipping it back to Springfield for them to do it, but I don't remember the cost. If you do have success I'd appreciate it if you posted that for sure because I'm sure the infamous idiot scratch is lurking in my future too. 

Thanks,SOF. Did it come back looking like new or obviously buffed? i found some youtube videos of folks using sand paper for steel not sure if i trust myself.

[RU_27 0]

Just shoot it. If you do shoot it it will acquire other scars anyway, its called character.

Thanks, but character from shooting it is different from "character" because of a pin thats hard to reinsert.

[Vlad G 345]

Not really.  If you use your guns long enough, you'll take them apart with no tools in the middle of a match or a class or whatever. You are going to assemble it in a rush and you are going to scratch it.
 
On a collectable or BBQ gun I can see why someone might care. On a shooter gun, like a mil-spec, I wouldn't even remotely care. In fact, I'm pretty sure my milspec is scratched in every possible way, that one included.  This is what my magwell looks like after the third time it has been refinished
 

 

Most scratches are honest wear, unless you decide to carve your name on it with a pocket knife, I personally consider assembly/dis-assembly wear to be honest wear.

 

If you really want to make it perfect, that's fine too, all I'm saying is don't let the internet convince you that somehow a scratch in a certain place is worse then a scratch in a different place. If they tell you that a scratch there is a sign that you can't properly assemble the gun, tell them it is a sign that Browning screwed up and built a gun that gets scratched with normal assembly and dis-assembly... stand back and watch them sputter

[9thMarines 44]

Oh!!  THAT scratch... Have the same one on my  stainless Springfield.  Never knew it had an official name.  Thanks..

[RU_27 0]

Not really. If you use your guns long enough, you'll take them apart with no tools in the middle of a match or a class or whatever. You are going to assemble it in a rush and you are going to scratch it.

 

On a collectable or BBQ gun I can see why someone might care. On a shooter gun, like a mil-spec, I wouldn't even remotely care. In fact, I'm pretty sure my milspec is scratched in every possible way, that one included. This is what my magwell looks like after the third time it has been refinished

 

 

 

 

Most scratches are honest wear, unless you decide to carve your name on it with a pocket knife, I personally consider assembly/dis-assembly wear to be honest wear.

 

If you really want to make it perfect, that's fine too, all I'm saying is don't let the internet convince you that somehow a scratch in a certain place is worse then a scratch in a different place. If they tell you that a scratch there is a sign that you can't properly assemble the gun, tell them it is a sign that Browning screwed up and built a gun that gets scratched with normal assembly and dis-assembly... stand back and watch them sputter

[RU_27 0]

Great point vlad thanks!

[W2MC 1,699]

Not only do I have an "idiot scratch" on my Springfield; the back strap finish is wearing thin, other areas have worn bright, a couple of dings and mars here and there, and there are lines on the hammer from passing too close to the slide and frame.

 

That's what comes from 25 years of USE.

[TonyS. 12]

I buy guns to shoot them. They will get scratched, dinged, and anything else that happens with normal use, not abuse.

[RU_27 0]

While I appreciate everyone's opinions, I think some folks are conflating the difference between "wear and tear" from use versus the  scratch I am upset over due to the way the slide lock was designed/inserted in this 1911. To be clear, I understand that guns will be subject to wear and tear - e.g. I own a Mosin from 1942 that was obviously used in combat and appreciate all of its dings and marks.

 

The point of my post was to find a solution to removing a scratch to a BRAND NEW gun. Some people may think that is no big deal, and of course, you're entitled to your own opinion. But there's also nothing wrong with wishing to keep one's tools in pristine condition to the extent possible.

 

Thanks,  

[bhunted 887]

One word: Flitz!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[W2MC 1,699]

If its parkerized....I can think of no way, other than a re-finish.

 

And I think we all object to the mark being called an 'idiot' scratch....who's the idiot who came up with THAT name?

[RU_27 0]

One word: Flitz!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 Thanks!!

 

If its parkerized....I can think of no way, other than a re-finish.

 

And I think we all object to the mark being called an 'idiot' scratch....who's the idiot who came up with THAT name?

Some folks on Youtube...obviously a reliable source ;D

[Damjan 73]

Its also politely called  a  "reassembly scratch"

[Damjan 73]

While I appreciate everyone's opinions, I think some folks are conflating the difference between "wear and tear" from use versus the  scratch I am upset over due to the way the slide lock was designed/inserted in this 1911. To be clear, I understand that guns will be subject to wear and tear - e.g. I own a Mosin from 1942 that was obviously used in combat and appreciate all of its dings and marks.

 

The point of my post was to find a solution to removing a scratch to a BRAND NEW gun. Some people may think that is no big deal, and of course, you're entitled to your own opinion. But there's also nothing wrong with wishing to keep one's tools in pristine condition to the extent possible.

 

Thanks,  

Just curious.

How many average rounds do you shoot in a year?

I find that most people who worry about the aesthetics of the guns either have only one or two or shoot a few boxes a year.

[RU_27 0]

Just curious.

How many average rounds do you shoot in a year?

I find that most people who worry about the aesthetics of the guns either have only one or two or shoot a few boxes a 

well over 1000, and just for fun no competitions etc. However the gun at issue was JUST opened and hence part of the frustration

[acaixguard 37]

Just some food for thought, but you're talking about a Springfield Mil Spec (a great base gun btw). How would you feel if this was a high end custom 1911 that costs over $3k? It's just as possible on an expensive gun too.

 

It's probably best to change perspective on how you view an everyday type of gun. It's one thing if this was a Swenson or Heirloom Precision 1911 that you want to pass down to future generations, but a Mil Spec is meant to be used and abused.

 

That said though, if you are dead set on keeping a stainless gun looking new, you may wanna find someone who can bead blast it for you.

[RU_27 0]

Just some food for thought, but you're talking about a Springfield Mil Spec (a great base gun btw). How would you feel if this was a high end custom 1911 that costs over $3k? It's just as possible on an expensive gun too.

 

It's probably best to change perspective on how you view an everyday type of gun. It's one thing if this was a Swenson or Heirloom Precision 1911 that you want to pass down to future generations, but a Mil Spec is meant to be used and abused.

 

That said though, if you are dead set on keeping a stainless gun looking new, you may wanna find someone who can bead blast it for you.

 

Just some food for thought, but you're talking about a Springfield Mil Spec (a great base gun btw). How would you feel if this was a high end custom 1911 that costs over $3k? It's just as possible on an expensive gun too.

 

It's probably best to change perspective on how you view an everyday type of gun. It's one thing if this was a Swenson or Heirloom Precision 1911 that you want to pass down to future generations, but a Mil Spec is meant to be used and abused.

 

That said though, if you are dead set on keeping a stainless gun looking new, you may wanna find someone who can bead blast it for you.

That's a great point and much appreciated. Also, appreciate the type!

[sof 0]

Ru, sorry for the delay in getting back to you.  Yes the gun came back in show room condition and they also polish the slide surfaces and more at the same time. Sorry to read all the just shoot it opinions you are getting here because when I did mine I got the same thing and I shoot a lot, at least 200-300 rounds every week of the year and often more. By the way, I took grief when I posted how much I shoot one time, so I guess the thing to take away here is that they're your guns to be used and shot the way you want.

Call Springfield and the gal at the desk will tell you what you need to do if you decide to go that route. I found no other way for that brushed satin ss surface on mine. 

[RU_27 0]

Ru, sorry for the delay in getting back to you.  Yes the gun came back in show room condition and they also polish the slide surfaces and more at the same time. Sorry to read all the just shoot it opinions you are getting here because when I did mine I got the same thing and I shoot a lot, at least 200-300 rounds every week of the year and often more. By the way, I took grief when I posted how much I shoot one time, so I guess the thing to take away here is that they're your guns to be used and shot the way you want.

Call Springfield and the gal at the desk will tell you what you need to do if you decide to go that route. I found no other way for that brushed satin ss surface on mine. 

 

You the man! Thanks, sir.