How do I prevent an "idiot mark" on my 1911?
- Thread starter Drjones
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shep854
Member
???Take a plastic coated playing card and lay it along the frame where the end of the slide lock would ride. It'll shield the frame and is slippery. The card is also useful for pushing in the plunger when needed.
Good use for jokers, though you get style points for an ace of spades. (A business card will work too. When working vice I'd get'em from escort services and "sportin' ladies", adds a certain style to the gun cleaning kit.)
Good use for jokers, though you get style points for an ace of spades. (A business card will work too. When working vice I'd get'em from escort services and "sportin' ladies", adds a certain style to the gun cleaning kit.)
In my experience, the springs on some 1911 detent plungers are stiffer on some guns than on others. Many will just let the slide release snap into place without much problem. That certainly reduces the chance of a scratch. Others may need a little help in pushing in the plunger with a non-marring tool tip. Just be careful. Knowing that it could happen will probably go a long way in preventing it. When we were newbies many of us screwed up the first time. The playing card suggestion sounds like it would work. I'll keep that one in mind. Best. Watch-Six
Rival
Member
Before I field stripped 1911 for the first time, I read some guide and it mentioned that you have to be carefull while putting back the slide stop. It said something about it being tricky, and that you can scratch the frame if you are not carefull.
So, naturally, I just played attention to it while putting back the slide stop for the first time. The trick is to get that little metal part that sticks out of plunger tube inside of the plunger tube with the slide stop. You can put the gun on the table, and drive the slide stop with two hands, carefully rocking it back and forth (parallel to the table) to get past the plunger tube.
So, naturally, I just played attention to it while putting back the slide stop for the first time. The trick is to get that little metal part that sticks out of plunger tube inside of the plunger tube with the slide stop. You can put the gun on the table, and drive the slide stop with two hands, carefully rocking it back and forth (parallel to the table) to get past the plunger tube.
Black Majik
Member
Being careful is key.
Dont put in the slide stop until' you're ready. Dont let it rest on the frame either after putting the slidestop through the locking lug.
Use the cards to get used to putting in the slidestop. After that, its pretty easy not to make an idiot mark. Just push up and in (slidestop lever slightly below the plunger).
Enjoy your Colt. which did you get?
Dont put in the slide stop until' you're ready. Dont let it rest on the frame either after putting the slidestop through the locking lug.
Use the cards to get used to putting in the slidestop. After that, its pretty easy not to make an idiot mark. Just push up and in (slidestop lever slightly below the plunger).
Enjoy your Colt. which did you get?
Black Majik
Member
Good choice!
I guess my constant recommendations of the NRM Governments finally paid off.
You'll love that gun. A few days ago, I realized.... The Colt Government is still seriously the most BEAUTIFUL handgun ever!
"All your base are belong to us!"
I guess my constant recommendations of the NRM Governments finally paid off.
You'll love that gun. A few days ago, I realized.... The Colt Government is still seriously the most BEAUTIFUL handgun ever!
"All your base are belong to us!"
stealthmode
Member
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2004
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- 459
i have an idiot mark but i am not ashamed
you can put a piece a tape there to keep from scratching
you can put a piece a tape there to keep from scratching
You???
I've been recommending these things for a looooooooong time....long before I even ordered this one!
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63662&highlight=King
Pachmayr sells a plastic tool called a Widget. www.lymanproducts.com/pachmayr/index.htm IIRC... I paid $4 for mine. It can be used to assemble any 1911 and never leave the "scratch".
Good Luck...
Joe
Good Luck...
Joe
Hawk
Member
All my 1911's have a graceful arc scribed into the left side.
I thought it was a rite of passage
I thought it was a rite of passage
cratz2
Member
I put a mark on my first 1991A1... After that, I've never left a mark that I can recall... Just be careful. The suggestion for a piece of tape makes sense though.
You don't need tape, cards or tools. You need to use the proper method of installing the slidestop. Here is a picture of hand placement that will ensure you never have an idiot mark on it. You place your left thumb on the slide so that if the slide stop slips it can't go up and put a nasty scratch on the slide, the right thumb presses in and up at the same time ensuring it can't come down and mark the frame. The slide stop should never contact anything other than the bottom edge of the plunger when you are pressing on it, and with proper placement of your hands you will never ever have the idiot mark.
FedGunner
Member
I've got a 1911 on the way and, this being my first Horsey, would like to know how to prevent the infamous "idiot mark" when taking down/reassembling.
That is an easy one.
Use the pistol the way it was meant to be used. Holster wear, bumps and dings, and "This was from that rock when I was doing a transition....."
All that will cover any mark you might be concerned about.
That is an easy one.
Use the pistol the way it was meant to be used. Holster wear, bumps and dings, and "This was from that rock when I was doing a transition....."
All that will cover any mark you might be concerned about.
Tamara
Senior Member
Put the slide stop in right.
Hey, the rest of us all had to pay our dues...
sm
member
My firearms have "character" the "idiot marks" don't show.
I always thought it was a "Rite of Passage"...launching recoil guide plugs are another...there are others...like the lady said, one has to pay the dues.
I always thought it was a "Rite of Passage"...launching recoil guide plugs are another...there are others...like the lady said, one has to pay the dues.
Wildalaska
member
My technique is easy and foolproof, involves the use of no tools and I have never had an idiot mark (mah daddy taughtme)..
But its too hard to describe, stop by and Ill show ya
WildcofeesonAlaska
But its too hard to describe, stop by and Ill show ya
WildcofeesonAlaska
WhoKnowsWho
Member
My first gun was a 1911, it has a very small scratch where I did it the first time, haven't done it since.
I bought my used Springfield Loaded with the scratch, I think he did it a few times more than once.
I bought my used Springfield Loaded with the scratch, I think he did it a few times more than once.
idiot mark
I currently own three Colt .45s, have had many others, and have assembled and disassembled the 1911 literally hundreds of times. I don't doubt my ability to insert the slide stop without leaving the dreaded mark, but why take the chance? I always use a plastic card to protect the frame. It's cheap insurance to forestall an accident that can really only be rectified by refinishing.
I currently own three Colt .45s, have had many others, and have assembled and disassembled the 1911 literally hundreds of times. I don't doubt my ability to insert the slide stop without leaving the dreaded mark, but why take the chance? I always use a plastic card to protect the frame. It's cheap insurance to forestall an accident that can really only be rectified by refinishing.
Zach S
Member
Just be careful, the only 1911 I have that has the idiot mark is an AMT, and the idiot mark came with it (not only on the frame, but the slide as well). Now if my Kimber, Colt, or Para had the mark, I dont think it would bother me. If I wanted to keep them pretty I wouldnt carry any of them. As a matter of fact, I'm looking at a used Kimber that has it. I cant afford it at the moment though...
Of course, theyre all stainless. If I had a blued 1911 I would be singing a different tone, blueing is too pretty, an idiot mark would really ruin that.
Of course, theyre all stainless. If I had a blued 1911 I would be singing a different tone, blueing is too pretty, an idiot mark would really ruin that.
alarmguy
Member
I got a 1991NRM last year. When I got it home and field stripped it I noticed that it already had an idiot mark. It was also poorly fitted with a very loose frome slide fit and the slide overhangs the back of the frame noticeably. It was the price that sold me: $479 at Gander Mountain. When they got another one in at the same price I bought it too. The newer one is much better. I'll leave it stock and send the other one out for some customizing when I can afford it.
Edward429451
member
Just don't be impatient and rush things. The slidestop should never touch the frame, just the plunger.
I've never put 'custom engraving' on a 1911 but mine still has it.
The moral of that story is don't let other people dis/reassemble your 1911 even they are so called gun people who can shoot good. It only takes once so if you don't want it there, don't let them do it.
I've never put 'custom engraving' on a 1911 but mine still has it.
The moral of that story is don't let other people dis/reassemble your 1911 even they are so called gun people who can shoot good. It only takes once so if you don't want it there, don't let them do it.
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