How to Remove a Minor Scratch on Your Firearm 

I have a Colt Elite TEN FORTY I bought new in the early '90s. That was before I knew much of anything about 1911s and, of course, I put an idiot scratch in it. Given how few (411) were made, it's resided in my safe for most of its life. I pulled it out the other day and the scratch really bothered me. I found this video and followed it exactly. The result was perfection - not a hint of a scratch nor is the area where the work was done any different from the surrounding finish. Excellent video!

Amazing trick. I tried it on my Witness with the so called "wonder finish" and it worked better than anything else I tried. A few notes: 1, not all 80 grit sand papers are created equal. I bought some from Walmart and the sand crystals are so sparsely spread on the paper. It left merely two or three holes on the finish after each tap. 2, I ended up using some left over granite Talon grip tape and it worked surprisingly well. It feels like a high quality ~100 grit sand paper and I can simply stick a small piece on the surface of the punch so I don't have to worry about accidentally moving the paper.

You Sir, Are a genius! Many thanks. I just picked up my new colt competition. Came with a bad scratch. This method pulled scratch right out! I was nervous lol but works. Thanks again.

I enjoy your Tuesday videos. Thank you.

Thanks for quick and useful advice, nasty scratches from my GSG 1911 slide sorted out!!

Didn't think I'd find a video for this. Great job.

Thank you so much for posting!!! Just tried this on my Springfield 1911 Loaded that I've only had for a month and already scratched up the slide. Excellent instructions and detail🤙

Awesome information. I tried both methods and my pistol turned out beautiful I had some pretty deep scratches in the flat brushed side and it took me a couple hours but my gun turned out good as new and this gun is over 12 years old and it lived a hard life. Thank you for the awesome tips. I even polished up my father's gun for his birthday he thought I took it to a gun smith and got it professionally restored I showed him and everyone I know that has a gun this video.

Thank you for this amazing and simple DIY for my 1911 Loaded Stainless. Idiot scratches on same day as pick-up. But, great as new. Thanks to you and 3M.

This was the only video I could find with any information at all at how to fix a slide with a matte finish that had been scratched. I had a site installed by a gunsmith, and he put the site on backward. After putting it on backward he fixed it but he scratched the top of the slide just in front of the site. It left a shiny square about 3 mm by 3 mm scraped off of the matte finish. I used your technique with 80-grit sandpaper and a punch and a hammer to Target the area. I had it perfectly fixed within 20 minutes and you cannot tell there was ever trouble. Thank you so

firearms are meant to be used, new scratches may bother you for awhile, then you'll forget and learn to live with it.

Wow, this is amazing. I have a 30 year old stainless Springer that needs some tlc and now I know how to give it!

Great video thanks. Loved the trick for the blasted area.

Thank you Colt! This actually works!!!

Excellent video! Thanks!

Excellent video, thank you! Btw, is there a specific marron scratch pad to use? I found this 3M Very Fine, 220 Grit.

Man I this vid hit the spot!!! Thanks so much!!!👑✨👑

Now that's the kind of information you need to hear that was good stuff

Simple enough...great video instructor!..now I can fix my combat commander!thanks very much!

Great video. Can the sand paper process be done on a aluminum frame? LW Commander.

Great info!

The slide finish of my 1911 SS Competition was ruined in a vice by the wood blocks on each side, while attempting to adjust the Novak sights. I have tried this method with a 3M pad and it works like a miracle. Finish restored, no fish hooks, no waves in the pattern. Be patient and use it with trust.

Very impressive indeed, thank you so very much !

I also Thank You for this post ....having put an " Idiot Scratch " on my SW 1911 as a newbie with 1911s it bugged me to no end. I followed your instruction but used the Grey scotch Brite which is finer even though I bought the red also. And now NICE !!!!! 0:10

Had a scratch on the side of my mil spec 1911 stainless. Used a Master Pro sanding block from O Reilly auto in P320 and took 20 or so passes in correct direction and scratch disappeared. Very pleased! Keeping it on hand for next one...

Do you have recommendations on how to remove a scratch from a frame that is aluminum alloy and has type III hard anodize?

Thanks a lot, I thought I was going to have to polish out my blasted finish.

Any tips for fixing the blur around the laser engraving on a stainless colt slide? Not sure if it’s laser engraved or roll marked but it’s blurry as hell.

Thanks. Would this work for scratch to picatinny rail on handgun?

EXCELLENT video. I am re-doing an SR9 which has the exact same scuffs and scratches...I can't wait to try this.

Tape off the sandblasted areas for added assurance.

I have some sanding scratches after trying to use a fine sand paper to remove a couple scratches. It took the scratches out, but left me with sanding scratches. I'm going to try this as a last resort before taking it to a professional.

this actually works! thank u..now if it would run as good as it looks id be happy

in regards to removing scratch on bead blasted guns: you say to using 80 grit sand paper ; but how do know if the 80 grit will match the fininsh of the bead blast ? my custom smith is bead blasted matt finish

Just curious when doing the brushed slide flat why you didn't have to do the whole side?

Woooow. I have never thought sandpaper can be used to create the sandblast effect. Big thanks!

I take it that you recommend 80 grit sandpaper for most all bead-blasted finish repair?? I have a Beretta that I would like to touch up with your tapping method!

I don't know if the matte stainless steel manufacturing process is the same for Smith and Wesson but would this work on a S&W 5906 matte stainless steel?

awesome tips

Where did you get your front sight?

Thank you sir

Can this hammer hitting sand paper trick work on a cerakoted finish to remove small scratches ?

Awesome trick

Very good info. Colt 9mm AR next week

I got a p365 dull stainless slide with minor scratch at top. Will a 2000 grit sandpaper be ok for it

How do you remove rust from the top of the slide ‘ the sand blasted’ part?!?!? Please & thank you in advance

How do you take scratches out of a blues slide?

Hi how do i remove empty brass markings on my slide please mine is blued black? Is it normal for empty brass making markings on the slide like yellow dots on the slide near the ejection part.?

Thank you sir! Worked fantastic on my Sig P220 Equinox that had about 400 minor scratches/rub marks, on the brushed stainless area. 14 years, 3500 or so rounds, used during two classes, holstered at times, and now a quick inspection will have people thinking she's been a safe queen.

Or extractor tuning

Learned something new, thanks!

Should probably use some blue painters tape on the sandblast line so the scotchbright dosen't overlap it

Wow perfect

When are the four inch king cobras with adjustable sights coming out

Hey guys, my question for you is, my cz75 has some scratches on the stock and it is black flat, how do I remove them? same process?

Hi, i'm looking to gold plate my regent which has almost an identical slide. Is there a way to remove the sandblasted portion on the slide? Or would I need to gold plate over it? Thank you in advance.

Does it work for all color guns tho

Good evenig Sir, what kind of paper for sand blasted area? ...800 gr is good? Thank,s Marco from Rome, IT.

Any tips on removing a light idiot scratch on my blue 1911?

How do I get handmade engraving off gun from previous owner putting their name on gun?

Will this method work for the idiot scratches I have put on the frame while trying to put the slide lock pin back in?

Okay. I've got a tough one for you. How do you return the satin finish to a barrel with a rib on it? The brush pattern is perpendicular to the length of the barrel. The former owner polished the gun to a bright finish and I want to return the gun to it's former finish. And yes, I do have the various grades of Scotchbrite pads including the maroon one.

My groomsmen got me an engraved Springfield garrison and my first time putting it back together I popped the slide release up over the slide because of that stupid detent. Scratched right over the engraving and everything. Hoping this takes care of it. Fingers crossed 🤞

Great tips . I'll bet most of us viewing this was thinking surely the scratch will be the typical take down pin idiot scratch .

I dropped my revolver and it has some tiny dents can i fix it

I have a nickel satin combat commander from the 70's. Will this technique work on a slight scratch near he takedown pin?.thank you in advance..danny

Great info TYVM May I use 1000 grit sand paper instead of the maroon scotch right pad?

These tips made my gun shoot straighter. Thank you.

i own a colt gold cup trophy and have the exact same scratch on the barrel.....i'm just too afraid of trying your method :( I think you can make things a lot worse if you accidentally move, right?

Will a green scotch bright pad work?

That bench block looks awfully familiar......

I'm going to try this on my Colt Delta SS. I'm going to use the same method/scotch pad as in the video. This better not screw up my finish. I'm trusting his advice cuz he's with colt.

The things I’m learning from this video will be applied to my satin nickel door handle. LOL. Thank you…. I’ll try… for some reason, it’s so expensive to buy just one scotch bite maroon pad in canada.

Whats a pad name

Every time I take out one of my guns I scratch it! I say it adds character lol

❤❤❤

I have a question. I guess you could call me a Colt fan. Why doesn’t colt have a email address?or one on its contact information?

I have an idiot scratch on my Colt SS 38Super. I was assembling it at the range and a friend walked past (I'm pretty much deaf and had my old non electronic ear muffs on), slapped me on the back and said "G'Day Mick!" Frightened the daylights out of me and I dug a nice scratch into the frame. I suppose the 80 grit paper and the ball on my small ball pein hammer would be the way to go.

It'll get scratched again, and again, and again, unless you don't shoot it or handle it. You should just frame it and hang it on the wall then you wouldn't have to worry about scratches.

I’m too scared to try this lol

Does this work on relationships? Probably the hammering. 🤔

.. NO REPLYS FROM THIS CHANNEL .. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME WITH QUESTIONS ..

How about how to remove minor bankruptcies.

dude, could not even see the scratch on the gun to begin with!

Don't tell ppl this. They gonna fuck there finish all up

Just make circles on the whole thing

This is ridiculous

The best way to remove it is to use your gun and put bigger scratches on it... and you won't even know the old one's are there

Now that's the kind of information you need to hear that was good stuff