[Zach S]

On a pretty pistol, it bothers me. I dont own any pretty pistols, theyre all bead-blasted stainless, if a scratch one of them my reaction is along the lines of "Oh well, its still a tackdriver" That said, I'm still careful not to put the idiot mark on them, the only two of mine that have it came with it. So if its YOUR gun, does it bother you?

[Matthew_Q]

It bothers me a little bit...

I have taken apart my 4 month old Milspec Parkerized a few times, but a couple disassemblies ago, the freakin slide stop just didn't want to go in! It skipped the plunger and bam! Idiot mark. I was pissed for a while, then said F-it. It still shoots, and I'm gonna have some wear marks anyway. Luckily it's only in the park. If I wear it all out, I can just repark it and voila, it's gone!

[Boats]

No idiot marks here. I guess I have torn down the 1911 so many times that I am immune to any such problems anymore.

It may also help that I have no FLGRs making the operation any tougher.

[Lictalon]

There's a NAME for that mark?

Now I DON'T feel stupid...I thought it were just me. :D

[doctorhumbert]

You can get 'idiot mark' on BHP also.:banghead:

You just have to use two hands when putting it back in slowly. If you wanna be really careful, use masking tapes.

[HSMITH]

Yeah it bothers me, there is no reason for it IMO. It will only ever happen if you are in a hurry or try to force it in. I have NEVER had one that was even remotely difficult to push the slide stop in when everything was lined up correctly, and I have done THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of 1911 tear down and assemblies (was a military armorer).

[MoNsTeR]

There sure is a reason for it, it's called an accident :rolleyes:
If you disassemble and reassemble the gun a hundred times, it's gonna happen once or twice, and that's all it takes to leave the mark, so I just live with it. This is, however, another reason not to settle for bluing or parkerizing as a finish :barf:

[BenW]

I'll prepare myself for flames. I have one on the first 1911 I ever bought, and on one other out of nine. But if I had the mark on every single one of my 1911s I couldn't care less. My guns are tools / sporting equipment. I have scratches on hammers, drills, watches, Palm Pilots, fishing poles, flashlights, etc. This happens from use. As was pointed out above, people have accidents (okay, on my first gun it was learning how to assemble / disassemble). I have always gone out of my way to care for and maintain all the stuff I own, but accidents happen. I have to say that I would consider myself an idiot for being upset about a scratch on a gun (okay, $20K Purdys are an exception :) ).

[Pumpkinheaver]

No it don't bother me. All my guns are supposed to be scratched up aren't they?

[Chupacabra]

First time I disassembled/reassembled my 1911 I scratch the frame trying to get that frickin slide stop back in. Doesn't bother me though. It's not like it's going to be entered in a beauty contest or anything.

:D

[Tamara]

Depends on the gun.

On my shiny blue Colt? Yes, it would. On my matte-finish Kimber? Not really. On my Baer? Yup. On my Pro? Nope.

I guess that leaves me in the "a little bit" category...

[HSMITH]

I repeat, there is NO reason for it. If it can happen you are holding the piece incorrectly. I attached a photo to illustrate my point. The upper thumb completely blocks the potential for an idiot mark. The lower thumb pushes the slidestop in and up at the same time. When properly aligned it will go together without any struggle whatsoever.http://www.thehighroad.org./attachment.php?s=&postid=397922

[Tamara]

The upper thumb completely blocks the potential for an idiot mark.

I'd always heard the term "idiot mark" used to refer to the little crescent-shaped mark on the frame below the slide stop where someone had pivoted it up and into place, so I can't see how a thumb above it will stop it. :confused:

[New_comer]

For a showcase gun, it should... Several hundred, or even thousands of dollars worth of depreciation would dampen anyone's day. :(


Otherwise, it's supposed to be only a tool, and tools are supposed to have nicks and scratches on them.


Besides, wear and tear gives the weapon 'character' ;)

[Zeke Menuar]

I bought my LW Commander used. The mark was already there. This gun isn't a show piece, it is a shooter. The mark does doesn't bother me as it doesn't seem to affect accuracy.

ZM

[Shmackey]

HSMITH, I think you're talking about something different from what everyone else is talking about. Tamara's got it.

It may also help that I have no FLGRs making the operation any tougher.

Boats, what does a FLGR have to do with it?


Oh--as for me, yeah, it bothers me on nice guns.

[Zach S]

The poll is a little closer than i thought it would be, I guess because of the "a little bit" option...

And, for those debating, I'm refering the the mark between the trigger and slide stop notch on the frame, I forgot about the one that is sometimes seen on the slide, as I rarely see it and its a little easier to polish out (from what I've been told anyway). Most used 1911s I look at have had the idiot mark on the frame though, take for example my Colt.

One more thing, I never noticed any more difficulty putting my Kimber (FLGR) back together compared to my Colt (GIGR)

[Mike Irwin]

OK, I have three Browning-inspired handguns, a Radom Vis 35, a High Power, and a Springfield Armory 1911-A1 Milspec.

I've NO clue what you're talking about when you say idiot mark.

[Roadrash]

Yes!! I have one, and damnit I'm proud of it. :D

I did that the very first day I got this beauty. :banghead:

[Pumpkinheaver]

There is a third idiot mark that can be had as well. It's the mark you get when your eye is too close to the scope on a hard recoiling rifle. And yes I've had one!

[HSMITH]

Idiot marks can be above on the slide OR below on the frame, although the big one on the slide could be called a jackarse mark, it is truly sinful. If you place your upper thumb as I have you will never get one on the slide. If you place the slide stop as I have and push with the lower thumb up and in at the same time you will never get one on the frame. This really isn't this difficult.........

[B27]

I just use a tiny flat blade screwdriver to depress the plunger tube pin and voila'. No scratch, no frustration.:)

[goon]

I am almost glad that my new M-28 is at the factory getting re-timed right now. It keeps me from screwing it up.
Every gun I have ever owned has idiot marks on it.
Big suprise. I'm an idiot.
My most notable idiot mark would have to be the little peice of skin I left stuck to the SAR-1 I used to have. I accidentally burned myself on the barrel while trying to escape from a thunderstorm one day.

[boing]

Only my first 1911 has the idiot scratch, on the frame. I've never seen anyone stupid enough to do it to the slide. :D

I've seen some guns that don't have the proper fitting of the slide stop and plunger to allow the stop to pop into place. In those cases, the guns have Factory Idiot Marks.

I voted "yes", but only because of the Factory Idiots.

[Erich]

So far, so good . . .

[Ian11]

Its highly avoidable but there could be those days when I'm not paying attention. I've bought used Colt 1911's with the idiot mark on it. If the gun is good no big deal.

[Ali]

Yeah , i did the "slide stop shuffle."

Same scratch , same place. We all have a scar somewere ,so it does not bother me much.

[Silent Bob]

I think "idiot scratch" is a smug term that 1911 enthusiasts that weren't breastfed as infants use to describe a typical rookie error. I think "rookie scratch" would be a better term.

[444]

Yeah, my primary 1911 has the mark on the frame. And, I don't consider myself an idiot for doing it. Actually, you can't even see mine unless the slide stop is off the gun. It doesn't bother me, but of course I wish the finish was pristine. But, that is far from the only mark on the gun. And the finish is well worn in several places. I don't consider myself an idiot for that either.

[BBall]

What idiot mark? oh yeah did I mention I have a stainless frame? They buff right out =).

[Boiler_G]

When I gave my brand new Colt 1991A1 NRM an 'idiot' scratch I was upset. It bothered me at first, but I got over it. This gun is a tool, looks are just an added bonus. I guess it shows character and that I actually use and maintain my gun. Oh well. I voted yes, but I am over it. :o

[Dorrin79]

my guns are tools (or maybe toys, depending on the gun)

one expects anything used to eventually get scratched, dinged, etc.

as long as it does not affect their performance, it doesn't bother me.

[bogie]

If you don't have an idiot mark...

1) You haven't shot the gun enough, or...

2) You haven't cleaned the gun enough.

[clubsoda22]

1911 has an idiot mark. Oh well. It's not to bad. Pissed me off when i got though. I was like "WHY THE HELL CAN'T YOU BE MORE LIKE THE TAURUS!" Snap on, snap off.

[Correia]

For those of you who freak out about scratches on your guns, don't look at any of my working guns or you will go into an apolictic fit and die. :D Scratches, dings, scuffs, holster wear, yee haw!

[JackStraw]

For those of you who freak out about scratches on your guns, don't look at any of my working guns or you will go into an apolictic fit and die.

Don't you mean "epileptic."

All of my guns are flawless and gleam like diamonds because I don't shoot them (that would hurt them)...I just polish them while watching Magnum P.I. re-runs.

[Tamara]

Be very careful with your high-dollar carry 1911's, lest they get scratched. :D

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=167277

[sm]

Tamara LOL :D
I really like that pic.

Idiot marks :I don't worry about it. I have "character" marks one will notice before before the little half moon on frame.

Mind pic: Rain, wet, mud . Running I slip, muzzle safety is paramount, belly flop to keep muzzle downrange, you can't distinguish what kind of gun much less its a steel one. RO said " I wasn't worried, but I did get a bad case of willy's seeing all that mud-then you add to my misery when I saw and heard that mag getting dropped ewww what a sound to hear a muddy mag and being inserted into a muddy gun, on the next target you rolled to aquire". Wasn't pretty, but it worked. :p

I think what really got to most is when I field stripped and swished around in a bucket to get the mud off , wiped off, lubed , and went to next stage. Gun never missed a beat.:)

[Tacblack]

I did it on the first one I had. Since it has been reblued, have not done it again. It bugs me

[Erik]

Yes. No. Maybe...

Uhhhh. No.

For now.

;)

[boing]

apoplectic (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=apoplectic)

[WhoKnowsWho]

Funny, my 1911 was my first gun and I never did an idiot mark, if I did, I think it would bother me... dirtiness bothers me. Only if it has some mark that I knew I couldn't have prevented, like a used gun with a scratch.

I did send the plunger flying the first time I stripped it though.

[JackStraw]

...you will go into an apolictic fit and die

apoplectic

Maybe the writer intended something else due to the continued discrepancy?

[Correia]

Or maybe I just spelled it wrong. :p

[Deepdiver]

I posted this on another thread - but I thought it might be useful here, as well.

Birchwood Casey Super Blue will cover the idiot mark up real well on blued or parkerized finishes. Just use an ultra fine brush so that you only get the chemical on the scratch....then follow the rest of the directions. You've got to repeat the application several times, and avoid letting it set too long (about 30 sec is enough for each application). It worked great on my SA MilSpec that I let my hand slip on when it was brand new and tight.

FWIW.

[JackStraw]

You did didn't ya.

[foghornl]

Bugged me at first, but then I realized.."Hey, sometimes I AM an idiot". :p

[Correia]

Never did spell good. Guess that is why I'm an accountant. :)

[ruger357]

Does not bother me.

[Handgun]

While most of these types of marks are difficult to notice at the range I have to say I passed up on a great deal on a Para P13 because it had the worst case of idiot/rookie marks I have ever seen. There were 4 or 5 deep half circle ones on the slide and a half circle on the frame into the trigger guard and on the dust cover in front of the trigger guard. It looked so bad and deep that you would almost think it was done on purpose. It made the gun look abused but there weren’t really any other marks on it. I would have been embarrassed at the range if someone 4 or 5 lanes over could see the marks. And who would believe the “it was that way when I got it … really” excuse? :)

With that said, a small mark behind and above the trigger guard is one thing and does not bother me all that much. But when it is on the slide and in the trigger guard, that is a bit much for my taste.

[Tamara]

You did didn't ya.

There should be a comma between "did" and "didn't". ;) :p

[JackStraw]

Only if the writer intended to show an inflective pause between did and didn't...and he didn't.

[Correia]

Grammer fight! Grammer fight! :D

[Tamara]

It's "grammar". :uhoh: ;)

JackStraw,

What the writer intended to do is not as material to the discussion as is what he should have done. ;)

[Johnny Guest]

Uh, Tamara, while you're in teacher mode, how about some pointer's on misuse of apostrophe's? Seeing these little mark's put in at the wrong place's really get's me upset.

It's near about enough to send me into an epiletic fit of catonic apoplexy.
:D

Some of my Browning-type pistols have THAT HORRIBLE MUTILATION and some don't. (pause while he checks out the Commander . . . .) This particular one don't.

I have a couple of "safe queen" guns which I pamper. Couple more which I haven't even fired. But almost all of my pistols are like my boots and wristwatch and car. I have 'em to use. They're clean and functional, and I try to keep them in pretty good shape, but if they get scratched up - - - oh, well. :p

Best,
Johnny

[Mannlicher]

I could care less. Guns are tools, not object's de art

[JackStraw]

What the writer intended to do is not as material to the discussion as is what he should have done.

Exactly! That was my point in the first place.

Tamara,

I am intrigued that we think alike...and very pleased as I have seen what I believe to be a very complementary picture of you.

Respectfully,

JackStraw

[larryw]

Mine didn't, until I sent it to Springfield for warranty "repairs" (the first time). It came back with one. Yes, it bothers me. :fire:

[Quinch]

Bogie called it.

[raz-0]

I have not put an idiot mark on my trp operator, but I take great exception ot the notion that getting the damn slide release reinserted without extra tools and hand to use them is no problem.

It's a bit PITA evey time. The plunger is very stiff, and the slide release is a tight fit itself.

Oh and for the apostrpophe.. tamara may not have chimed in, bob the angry flowe rwill teach ya!

http://angryflower.com/bobsqu.gif

[OF]

I put a little bitty one on my new Springfield frame when I first got it. My first 1911 and I figured out the field stripping and assembly pretty much by trial and error right there on the desk.

I'm lucky I even got the thing back together at all. :)

- Gabe

[bogie]

Art's Grammar is gonna hurt someone...

[BigG]

Johnny: I have lot's of gun's and none of the 1911's bear the dreaded mark.

Heres to all you guy's and gal's who have learned to avoid the scratch's that mar the beautiful creation's of our arm's company's. :D

[JSolie]

...for the 'garammir poe-lease': The idjit mark don't bother me none. I gots me a teeny-tiny one on my Kimber. Happened when it wuz brand new and the little scratch happened on the second reassembly (I think). My Kimbers for shootin' and usin' and it don't go in no display case for alls y'all to gawk at. :cool:

-- John (the bane of tech writers everywhere)