Half moon engraving

[ra407]

Is there anything I can use on my smith 1911 to remove a light scratch on the satin finish of the frame. I accidently scratched it putting it back together after cleaning it for the first time. I asked Smith and Wesson and they said it had to be glass blasted at a cost of about 125.00. They called it the half moon engraving, it happens alot.

Thanks

[Car Knocker]

It's called an "idiot mark". A search on that term will show that it's a relatively common ocurrance..

[GunNut]

Yep, "idiot mark" it is.

Just leave it there to remind you what not to do in the future, plus there's a good chance it will happen again.

I couldn't see spending $125 to fix a scratch.

Steve

[edison]

Can't speak on removing the mark, but don't feel alone. It's a 1911 thing. A rite of passage. Only happened on my first 1911. Once you get the knack of snapping it back in you wonder what all the fuss was about. Now getting the recoil spring in the first time was more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Okay, I had to go to the 1911 forum to get the real instructions.

edison

[deadin]

If a little "experience" mark really bothers you, maybe you shouldn't be shooting your 1911. Just keep it in the original packaging in the safe and only handle it over a soft pad while wearing gloves.:evil: :D

[1 old 0311]

Hell leave it like it is. It proves it was cleaned at LEAST once.:what:

[.45FMJoe]

Ah the infamous "idiot mark." Well, you could spend the $125 or you could just wear the Scarlet Letter as a rite of passage. It's really not that big of a deal.

[sloppyjoec]

FREE AT LAST now you can enjoy you're firearm without worrying about scratching it, i know it makes you sick to see it now, but trust me, when the feeling passes you will smile when you see the first scratch.

[GRB]

A scracth is a sign that the gun is being used. Why bother having it and treating it like a piece of fine art when it is a working gun. Go out, shoot it, clean it, get it dinged and scratched; but don't let it get rusty - a sure sign it is not being used or cared for enough.:cool:

[rich636]

Wait until you get a few more good scratches so you get your $125's worth out of the bead blasting.

[1911 guy]

First of all, everybody does it once. I still have my first 1911 and it has the scar to prove it was my first.

Now, how to take care of it.
1) buy a holster
2) get your CCW if you don't already
3) carry the 1911
4) bang it on a few doorways, tables, chairs and cars doors.
5) wear the bluing a bit with the holster. This is best done by taking classes.
6) shoot it. A lot

See, you can't even tell it's there anymore!