The 'Noob Scratch' on a 1911...

I make mine out of coffee can lids and give extras to friends.

I put that scratch on my pet Gold Cup years ago and it's still there as a reminder. It could have been so easily avoided by a bit of plastic ...... ;<(
 
Scratches happen all the time. A person gets in a bit of a hurry; or, fingers
get cold or .. Etc .. The more anything is used, the more likely it will get
marked up. I know lots of guys with scratched 1911's. They are shooters.
Scratches are not a big deal.
 
I make mine out of coffee can lids and give extras to friends.

I put that scratch on my pet Gold Cup years ago and it's still there as a reminder. It could have been so easily avoided by a bit of plastic ...... ;<(

Scratched my stainless Colt GCNM and it never bother me. Now have a brand new GCT but now I know better.
 
I haven't done so myself, but the presence of the scratch hasn't turned me off from a purchase. Sure, I'd prefer to buy them in factory new condition at well used pricing, but such opportunities are all too rare. I don't mind using the previous owners stupidity to get me a substantial discount on the final sale price! :)
 
25 years ago I put the noob mark on my brushed stainless Colt Government Model 80. Google provided me with a quick and easy solution, Scotchbrite 7448 (grey silicon carbide) pad. It took all of 10 minutes to do all of the brushed surfaces. After 25 years the noob mark and all other wear marks are either gone or barely noticeable. Rub gently in only one direction, it's magic. The only part you can't do is anything that has the bead blasted surface. Note... only for brushed stainless!

Of course, now I lie on the ground and grind it into the dirt during CQB, but now I can make it look like new again.
 
I haven't done so myself, but the presence of the scratch hasn't turned me off from a purchase. Sure, I'd prefer to buy them in factory new condition at well used pricing, but such opportunities are all too rare. I don't mind using the previous owners stupidity to get me a substantial discount on the final sale price! :)

Haha, too bad the equation "idiot scratch=substantial discount" doesn't seem to equate on EE. I've been snooping around on EE and I see a lot of LNIB, with the idiot scratch as bright as day.
 
Some 1911s are easy to install the slide lock directly into the frame. Others require you to roll it upwards and down into the slot.

Here's a cheap and easy to make jig to reduce your chances of an "idiot" scratch.

Grab a piece of plastic like from bubble packaging etc. Line on straight side along the length of the edge of your grip.
Draw a reference line just under the detent/plunger notch for the slide lock.
Draw a circle around the mag release, as exact in size as possible.
Cut along the reference line for the top of the jig.
Cut the piece of plastic just longer past the mag release reference mark.
Use a hole punch and punch out the hole for the mag release button.
Stick a piece of masking tap on the underside of the jig. This will help prevent it from slipping around and losing it should it fall on the floor etc.
Your jig should look like this.
14154751428_7711f387d4.jpg


How to use the jig:

When you're ready to reinstall the slide lock, place the jig on your pistol with the mag release through the reference hole.
Line up the side of the jig with your gun's grip.
14339775442_004b0a80cf.jpg


Insert the slide lock into position with it sitting on top of the jig.
Carefully slide the slide lock upwards and down into the notch.
Lift the jig up and away from the mag release end and remove it.
Press the slide lock into place. You are done.
14154750399_04a04f6198.jpg

Had a couple minutes this afternoon so made up a couple of these for my own use.

Plastic from some packaging. Black sharpie for marking. Hole punch. Pair of scissors. I made mine so that the top edge is just slightly under the cut in the frame for the slide stop nose. I didn't want to mess around with painter's tape on it each time. Not the prettiest but 100% functional:

DSCN5389.jpg


As seen in use on my Ruger SR1911:

DSCN5388.jpg


No chance of putting a 'noob scratch' on 'er now. :)

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NAA.
 
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