“Idiot scratch” on 1911...Why?

Well after many years out of the 1911 game, I took a new SW1911 home.
Actually, I took home two, a CGN member here in Victoria had a nicely tuned up full-size GSG 1911 .22 that I picked up for practice on and off the bench.

A quick review of youtube , y'all, and I both guns stripped oiled and ready to shoot. Well the GSG is ready to shoot the S&W is off to the local gun smith for a trigger job and internal polish.

As for the idiot scratch or any other scratch, well that is what keeps Frank Paolini (cerakotebc) gainfully employed. :)

Rick
 
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I just made my own scratch guard tool using a piece of firm plastic from some bubble packaging.

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Not a fan of the Big Bang Pistol set.

However, for some reason, I always liked Castor Troy's (Nicolas Cage) pair of 1911s from the Movie Face Off. :)

Rick

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I agree with a couple other posts above - they are either tools you will use or, if they indeed are collector worthy, then not at all shooters. I got a 1962 Browning medalist last year. It had less than 1 box of ammo thru it, no marks anywhere - and I had to decide .. was it a collectable or a fine shooter to be cared for. In the end, I didn't buy it to try and make money from, I bought it as a unique gun for its shooting properties (OK and to show off at the range). I take care of it, but its impossible to clean without using screwdrivers and scratching the screws. I think of the wear marks as patina.
 
I also have the idiot scratch on one of my 1911's, had the gun since brand new and don't remember they day the mark showed up, I was probably watching a movie or show at the time it happened, Even with my OCD it doesn't bother me as much as I though it would.
Last night while trying to assemble a $1700 Tanfo at 2am that I had every part completely removed, I ended up putting a few scratches on it, it was late and I was frustrated it wasn't going back together as easy as last time and decided I couldn't go to bed until I had it back together, was ticked at myself for not being more careful, But was more happy I got it back together and could go to sleep, it's still new but is a competition gun so I know by the end Of the summer it's going to have a lot of new marks.
 
I find it happens to newbies. 1st experience with a 1911 and they dont know about the scratch concern when it comes tp assembly.

Some releases are stiff and 1st tim assembly is where it can happen. My gsg1911 and ruger1911 are smooth as they come but the sw1911 is stiff. It also only has few rounds thru it
 
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I've never scratched a 1911, but I've gouged the finish in a few (what I consider) expensive long arms.

Feels bad :/


For the pistols, a little nick near the slide stop is acceptable, but to grind a groove from the trigger to the detent... That takes dedicated carelessness.
 
Hard pressed to find any vintage 1911, especially the original Colt government, USGI & contract models without the idiot scratch on them.

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NAA.
 
Guns are tools. Idiot scratch is a minor design flaw, and a good negotiating point for dudes like me who can haggle prices down on otherwise excellent guns.
 
FWIW
The so called idiot scratch is called that by folks without a clue!
The guns that saw service invariably have that drag mark.
The assembly procedure as taught then, had the slide release lever pressed down to the frame, then pushed up to compress the pin spring, then all the way seated.
The prissy, don't scratch muh gun thing.
Is mostly recent.

If a 1911 pistol is used hard, as it was meant to be.
It IS a pistol designed for battle use.
A little mark on the side of the frame is of little concern.

Of course the best way to keep a gun like new, is to never use it.
 
Idiot scratch is JMB’s auto signature. It was designed that way so even though he’s gone he can still put his initial “J” on your 1911 for free....and if he really likes your piece he will sign the slide too.

Just be proud of it.
 
It's still a pity when the scratch is so easily avoided by the use of a plastic shield,

The revolver equivalent is the S&W sideplate that shows evidence of being pried up with a screwdriver instead of tapped off with a soft face mallet. I've seen so-called 'smiths do this, but never on one of my guns.
 
Halger280HVMag said:
FWIW
The so called idiot scratch is called that by folks without a clue!
The guns that saw service invariably have that drag mark.
The assembly procedure as taught then, had the slide release lever pressed down to the frame, then pushed up to compress the pin spring, then all the way seated.
The prissy, don't scratch muh gun thing.
Is mostly recent.

If a 1911 pistol is used hard, as it was meant to be.
It IS a pistol designed for battle use.
A little mark on the side of the frame is of little concern.

Of course the best way to keep a gun like new, is to never use it.
Click to expand...

Who cares that an issued pistol had the drag mark, 3 peice steel cleaning rods were a thing to I don't see people using those on their fancy ar15's. Comparing a civilian owned pistol that is a glorified paper puncher to an issued pistol is apples and oranges even if their the same gun. I pay for my pistol and last I checked im not turning mine into the QM so in civilian hands it is an idiot scratch the fact that the 1911 was (still is) a "battle pistol " has nothing to do with it.
 
I’ve never had an idiot scratch on any of my 1911s but I re-assemble my guns carefully. The slide stop can go in easily if you’re patient. The idiot mark is completely avoidable.

What I think is odd is the safety on the older SIG P210s. Regular use leaves that “line”. On a gun with that Swiss workmanship, that line looks hideous!
 
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