can someone explain to me what an idiot mark is?

[hobgob]

I was looking at the buy/sell/trade threads because as soon as I save up some money and buy myself a revovler for ccw, i will be in the market for a nice 1911. I keep seeing people mention that their 1911 do or do not have "idiot marks" on them. I am not familiar affliction that seems to plague the 1911. can someone please enlighten me? thanks

 

[highorder]

The idiot mark often refered to is usually the arc shaped scratch on the frame left by careless reassembly of the slide stop. Someone here must have a pic handy...

 

[Omega]

This is the mark left by edge of slide release when the person who assembles the gun pushes it down along the frame while fighting plunger spring.
"Idiot mark" affects only gun appearance, not quality

 

[Snubster]

I don't have a pic either but I have an idiot mark on the first 1911-patterned gun I owned.

 

[RNB65]

Any mark on a firearm caused by carelessness. Specifically, it usually refers to a mark on the side of a 1911 slide caused by careless insertion of the slide stop.

 

[Guitargod1985]

Here is a decent picture of an idiot mark.

Note the scratch just behind the slide release.



Just for clarification, this is NOT mine. A quick Google of "1911 idiot mark" (page 3, I believe) yields this picture.

 

[hobgob]

nice 1911! im lookin for somethin similar. how do i avoid that scratch when reassembling?

 

[fletcher]

Just be careful not to slide the slide stop along the frame when reassembling. Carefully lower it right near the plunger, then push directly parallel to the frame surface to push it back into position. "Idiot mark" is a bit of a misnomer, though IMO.

 

[ATAShooter]

It's just a matter of paying close attention to the lever as you are inserting it.

 

[sparkyguy]

I've had my Springfield Loaded 1911 SS for almost a week and have already put the "idiot mark" on mine. Mine is on the frame, and a small one on the slide as above. I had no idea disassembly/reassembly would be as tedious when I bought it, being my first 1911. BE CAREFUL!

 

[AndyC]

I'm not gonna say it

You can buff or touch it up - it's not scarred for life unless you leave it like that

 

[alamo]

Back when I didn't know any better, I put an idiot mark on my dad's Ithaca 1911A1 from WWII. I'll be glad to demonstrate how it's done to anyone - I know just how to do a really good one.

 

[briansp82593]

my colt came with one preinstalled

 

[Caipirinha]

What's the best thing to use to buff a scratch out of stainless steel?

 

[sparkyguy]

Mothers' Mag polish

I used Mothers' Mag polish on the slide where I somehow put a scratch under the "45", but only rubbed for a minute(was kinda skeered) and it was less noticeable. I haven't done the frame scratch yet, we'll see next time I disassemble it.

 

[Moonclip]

My Llama 9x19 also came with one as a factory option it seems.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

"Idiot mark" is a bit of a misnomer, though IMO.

Agreed, it is definitely overstating it. I like "inadvertent scratch" better, as it is difficult not to. What would be really bad is completely overshooting the plunger and putting a scratch on the slide. (whistling)

 

[Hawk]

Brownell's markets a "slide stop spring plunger pusher - inner" tool for the truly obsessive.

All my 1911s have the mark.

 

[rellascout]

Another way to prevent it with a new 1911 owner is to put a coated playing card between the slide stop and the frame of the gun when reassembling. Once you have snapped in back into place slide the card out.

Nicer playing cards work well. Cheap ones will tear.

I find this is unnecessary after a while. You get better at it and then it is unnecessary.

 

[Thirties]

Here are a lot of idiot marks... used gun = good price




.

 

[2nd 41]

I have a Nylon pick kit. One has a small slotted end (like a tiny screwdriver) I hold the plunger in and slowly insert the slide release.
I do like the Card technique mentioned earlier.

 

[briansp82593]

heres the one my colt came with no i didnt do it lol

 

[foghornl]

Both of my Springfield 1911's have the "Clumsy dude putting gun back together" mark.





Clumsy guy was me in both cases...

 

[Claude Clay]

only 2 types of 1911's
-those that have it
-those that dont have it yet

8+thousand rounds a year mostly in my gold match & defender, both have them.
oddely my double eagle doesn't

 

[1KPerDay]

I wanna play too!

A real idiot put this mark on my wife's gun... me!