The 'Noob Scratch' on a 1911...

NAA

NAA

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Everytime, I open an ad in EE Pistols with the offering of a 1911 for sale I can't measure my disappointment when I see the pics with a predominantly displayed 'noob scratch' right under the slide stop. Sometimes you will even see it arching faintly, or worse, across the slide as well, as someone did a full sweep with the slide stop on reassembly.

Way back when I was a 'noob' and uneducated in such things I don't ever recall putting one on a 1911 myself. However, over the years I have bought a few different 1911's to feed the addiction that came with the scratch pre-installed. It is almost impossible to find a vintage Colt 1911, government model or USGI 1911A1 without it.

When I see what should be an almost spankin' new Kimber or Ruger SR1911 offered to sale, I have to just lower my head and silently murmur "Really?" when I see it, though.

Any thoughts?

[youtube]0HLRZksKOXg[/youtube]

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NAA.
 
A turn off for me too, and I'm fairly new to the 1911. Sometimes I think perhaps I'm snobbish, but my first one was a Ruger and I was bloody careful to understand how to reassemble it properly from the get go.

No scratch on mine, and if I were to buy a scratched one, it'd better be a smokin hot deal. I'd rather see honest finish wear over all than that scratch
 
It irks me to no end to see an idiot scratch on a 1911. I'd never buy one that has one just because it would irritate me every time I looked at it.

It's like a scratch on a classic car......it's the only thing you see when you know it's there.
 
Maybe people should put a small piece of tape there till they have their finger dexterity dialed but it doesn't bother me that much.....bad design.
:p
 
If you are on the market for a shooter, who cares? If you are the kind of guy who clean and stare at your guns more than you shoot, then you might want to buy a brand new one.
 
Noob scratch, idiot scratch... meh. If it's a beater gun, who cares. If it's a collectable or safe queen I'll cringe.

I made my own assembly jig for installing the slide stop without scratching the frame using a piece of plastic. I'll post pics later if anyone is interested. Takes a couple mins to make one.
 
when I buy used..I expect to see it LOL
By the time I come back from a 3 gun match, my gun is so dirty I couldn't see it anyways.
 
I love those kind of scratches because I can ask for a lower price on a firearm because of it, and I'll never notice or care about it myself.
 
I've had enough 1911s flow through my hands to tell you that "noob scratch 'or idiot scratch is a right of passage- sooner or later we ALL acquire it- I DON'T CARE how careful you are- those that haven't haven't either been shooting long enough or been just plain LUCKY- YOUR TIME WILL COME- I've seen folks use a small screwdriver to compress that plunger only to have the blade of the screwdriver slip and scratch the frame that way- it's not the slide stop necessarily- and that's the ONLY excuse for buying blued over stainless/chrome nickel- it's easier to re-finish or touch up that scratch- so says 50 years experience.
 
Ahh, the Idiot-scratch. Personally don't care too much if a gun I buy has the scratch, as it brings the price down ... but what does bother me is others seeing this scratch and thinking I did it. Too embarrassing!
 
I've looked over the 2 1911's in my possession and I don't see any trace of this scratch.. Might be a silly question but how does one damage their gun like this? Try to put the slide stop in and have it pivot all around?
 
NAA said:
Everytime, I open an ad in EE Pistols with the offering of a 1911 for sale I can't measure my disappointment when I see the pics with a predominantly displayed 'noob scratch' right under the slide stop. Sometimes you will even see it arching faintly, or worse, across the slide as well, as someone did a full sweep with the slide stop on reassembly.

Way back when I was a 'noob' and uneducated in such things I don't ever recall putting one on a 1911 myself. However, over the years I have bought a few different 1911's to feed the addiction that came with the scratch pre-installed. It is almost impossible to find a vintage Colt 1911, government model or USGI 1911A1 without it.

When I see what should be an almost spankin' new Kimber or Ruger SR1911 offered to sale, I have to just lower my head and silently murmur "Really?" when I see it, though.

Any thoughts?

[youtube]0HLRZksKOXg[/youtube]

1CanadaFlag.gif

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NAA.
Click to expand...

love that song.

I've owned a few Colt's with the idiot scratch pre-installed as well.
 
I won't buy one with the idiot scratch, and I won't be doing any foolish scratching myself.

I also shake my mustard before I apply it to my sandwich, and close the shower curtains so they dry properly every day.

As you get older and wiser remember these things. They should come as no surprise.
 
It has been awhile since i have heard that song......I can still see Clint Eastwood driving through the rain with his captive Nazi Officer , but I think the Tank tunnel charge scene through the Nazi Camp was the best part of the movie....
 
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