Mystery gun arrived! PICS

[lavern23]

I made a post last week about this gun. It was described as a lightwweight government with a 3.5 inch barrel. I called and found out that is is an enhanced lightweight commander in 45acp. I sure am glad it was listed wrong cause it was sure to be gone at the price they were asking if the listing had been correct. Here is a few pics!

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/lavern23/lightweightcommander012.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/lavern23/lightweightcommander011.jpg

[Blackhawk]

Good looking gun. I just love those commanders.

[lavern23]

Thanks. It arrived with the idiot scratch. Is there a way to blend this in without refinishing the alloy frame?

[Blackhawk]

Birchwood Casey makes a cover up pen that can be purchased cheaply. That should do the trick. Alternatively you might consider having the entire frame refinished with one of the spray on gun finishes like gun Kote.

[daveohno]

Nice Commander!

[elijdub]

Nice Commander!
+1! Congrats!

[44 Man]

Why refinish the frame and end up scratching it in the same place again! I thought at one time I could say I would never leave and idiot scratch on a gun, but I have found that I am not infailable. I think most of us would have to admit to having that darn slide stop swivel down occasionally as we changed our grip to push it in. The trick is to stop pushing at that point and start over. I always hate it when I push the slide stop back up and then it snaps with the pin protruding into the slot and I have to go and get a tool to push the pin back so I can back it up a little and try again! I have never put an 'idiot scratch' in very deep or noticable but I have still done it a couple of times. Congratulations on a beautiful gun! I'm jealous! 44 Man

[tombstone]

+1 to what 44 Man said - and you can always have it refinished later if you really need to; but, once it's refinished it's no longer original. Scratches are part of used 1911s - they add character. :) Nice pistol and a good find!

[lavern23]

thanks for the advise and positive comments

[azreloader]

Nice little ORM Commander! Congrats!

[dakota1911]

Agree with azreloader. It is a nice little Commander and a range report is always welcome. I would also not worry about a mark under the slide release.

[Bud White]

Congrats Very nice

[geritolranger]

ok i am new in here, not to guns though,and I am a bit lost as to what an idiot scratch is, my weapon probably has one and I would not even know it! So what is it and what causes it?

[naw1201]

ok i am new in here, not to guns though,and I am a bit lost as to what an idiot scratch is, my weapon probably has one and I would not even know it! So what is it and what causes it?


It's a scratch on the left side of the frame caused by inserting or removing the slide stop and not being careful. I know I felt like an idiot after putting one on my "new" Kimber. :mad: :(

[civicracer]

I aggree to Tombstone, scratches are part of the gun :))

[geritolranger]

ok so now I know what it is and I am sure I have caused some on Marine 45's over the years! lol

[Phil]

When re-assembling, you can try using a small piece of either clear packaging tape or electrical tape on the frame - right where the idiot scratch usually ends up.

I think it was John who mentioned this one. I now use a small piece of the clear packaging tape and it makes that last step less stressful - especially on a blued OACP with a FLGR :)

[civicracer]

Great suggestion Phil

[daveohno]

When re-assembling, you can try using a small piece of either clear packaging tape or electrical tape on the frame - right where the idiot scratch usually ends up.

I think it was John who mentioned this one. I now use a small piece of the clear packaging tape and it makes that last step less stressful - especially on a blued OACP with a FLGR :)

I don't recall who said it first, but I saw this one here also. It's a good recommendation.

[lavern23]

The clear tape thing sounds like a good one to me too. I wish they would put something like that in the manual so that a green horn won't mess up and leave the scratches for the next owners.

[Phil]

I don't recall who said it first, but I saw this one here also. It's a good recommendation.I know we're getting off-subject here, but I saw the suggestion right here on the M1911 Forums, posted by El Commandante. The clear tape works best for me.

BTW, if the scratch isn't too deep on a brushed SS gun, a green 3-M Scotchbrite pad from the hardware store will usually make that dreaded scratch disappear. :D