When is tight, too tight? What do you do? The Wilson Notch

[pony up]

Originally Posted by jmlutz

This post ought to be made into a sticky.You play with 1911's for years,you just pick up all the tricks over time,new owners can have hell sometimes.I hate to see someone putting an idiot mark on a fine new pistol the first few times they take it down.

They are called idiot marks because you do not have to be a newbie, they happen to idiots, too.. . I have been tearing down the 1911 since 1958. Way to many to count with only a 16 year education majoring in alcohol and sex. No so long ago I was in my recliner, feet up chatting with my wife, watching the Sox and field stripping my brand new SS Kimber Eclipse II for inspection and SLIP, my first scratch, ever. I still feel stupid. Spoiled by Wilson's tiny file treatment guide slot on the slide lock for the plunger and one split second of inattention. Ouch. It is not deep and not very noticeable but looks like the grand canyon to me and always will as a reminder.... even unloaded guns need and deserve respect and full attention.

PS- Do not use a pipe wrench as in one case I saw some time ago.......