Fixing a 1911's infamous "idiot scratch"?

MagnumWill · November 28, 2012, 03:37 PM

Hey everyone. A while back (when I was first getting into guns) I had discovered that my father in law (girlfriend's dad back then

) had an old pistol that was in possession of his ex-wife (it's a long story). Long story short, I retrieved the pistol, which is a late 80's Colt Combat Commander, with a full-size slide and grip in .38 Super Auto. I went through and cleaned it, however upon disassembling and reassembling my first 1911, *someone* dug the idiot scratch into it with the slide stop lever.

Seeing how I see this is a frequent problem - is there any way to lessen the appearance of the scratch, without re-bluing the whole thing?

Now that I think of it, I believe it is an 80-series lightweight model, so the grip frame may be aluminum? I could've sworn it's steel, correct me if I'm wrong. Can you blue aluminum? I certainly know you can't parkerize it

**Unclenick** · November 28, 2012, 04:38 PM

Aluminum is either anodized or varnished, as a rule. There is aluminum black, but it's not simple to work with an may discolor the area around the scratch. If you don't want to invest in Brownell's Aluma-Hyde (the varnish) something as simple as a Sharpie would make the scratch less apparent.

MagnumWill · November 28, 2012, 06:26 PM

It appears to be blued, so it's safe to assume that it's steel? I would have to look at it again (different state right now)

hoghunting · November 28, 2012, 10:54 PM

Put a magnet on the frame and you'll find out if it's aluminum or steel.

MagnumWill · November 29, 2012, 12:35 AM

I'll be able to tell immediately once I see it... I just need to physically touch it. Going to go see the folks for the holidays, that's when I'll fix it.

James K · November 29, 2012, 09:55 PM

I have never seen anyone try to fix that scratch who didn't make things worse and end up having the gun reblued, thus making it look worse than it did with the scratch. Leave it alone.

Jim

Bill DeShivs · November 29, 2012, 10:55 PM

Combat Commander frames were always steel.

November 28, 2012, 03:37 PM	#1
MagnumWill Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Central Colorado Posts: 1,001	Fixing a 1911's infamous "idiot scratch"? Hey everyone. A while back (when I was first getting into guns) I had discovered that my father in law (girlfriend's dad back then ) had an old pistol that was in possession of his ex-wife (it's a long story). Long story short, I retrieved the pistol, which is a late 80's Colt Combat Commander, with a full-size slide and grip in .38 Super Auto. I went through and cleaned it, however upon disassembling and reassembling my first 1911, someone dug the idiot scratch into it with the slide stop lever. Seeing how I see this is a frequent problem - is there any way to lessen the appearance of the scratch, without re-bluing the whole thing? Now that I think of it, I believe it is an 80-series lightweight model, so the grip frame may be aluminum? I could've sworn it's steel, correct me if I'm wrong. Can you blue aluminum? I certainly know you can't parkerize it __________________ Those who hammer their swords into plow shares will plow for those who didn't...

November 28, 2012, 04:38 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	Aluminum is either anodized or varnished, as a rule. There is aluminum black, but it's not simple to work with an may discolor the area around the scratch. If you don't want to invest in Brownell's Aluma-Hyde (the varnish) something as simple as a Sharpie would make the scratch less apparent. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 28, 2012, 06:26 PM	#3
MagnumWill Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Central Colorado Posts: 1,001	It appears to be blued, so it's safe to assume that it's steel? I would have to look at it again (different state right now) __________________ Those who hammer their swords into plow shares will plow for those who didn't...

November 29, 2012, 12:35 AM	#5
MagnumWill Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Central Colorado Posts: 1,001	I'll be able to tell immediately once I see it... I just need to physically touch it. Going to go see the folks for the holidays, that's when I'll fix it. __________________ Those who hammer their swords into plow shares will plow for those who didn't...

November 29, 2012, 10:55 PM	#7
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,979	Combat Commander frames were always steel. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

November 28, 2012, 10:54 PM	#4
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Posts: 1,559	Put a magnet on the frame and you'll find out if it's aluminum or steel.

November 29, 2012, 09:55 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I have never seen anyone try to fix that scratch who didn't make things worse and end up having the gun reblued, thus making it look worse than it did with the scratch. Leave it alone. Jim

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