So I just discovered on one of my Les Baer 1911’s that there is a rub mark along the plunger tube, maybe during assembly or possibly the safety lever rubbing on it. How would you all handle it as a touch up rather than having to replace the plunger tube? I’ve read some people use a sharpie though would that look okay on a blued Baer gun?

Here’s a pic:

Ummm.... Might want to chat with Baer. The staking on the tube may be loosening slightly, causing it to rub on the safety.
Something aint right.

Well it’s brand new, never had a round through it. Had it for years in the safe untouched after having it custom built for me by Baer and finally got it out just to check the action and found the mark. There is very slight light between the lever and the tube but maybe it happened on assembly. I reached out to Baer though despite it being unmolested by me and never fired outside the factory, the time has been too long so it will cost me a decent amount to send it in and fix it. Trying to avoid having to send in my $3k gun if I can touch it up myself though if there is no surefire way to make it right by my own hands then perhaps I’ll bite the bullet and send it in.

I've used this stuff for touchup in the past, and have been happy with the results, but the guns I've used it on are getting used pretty heavily and are nowhere near as nice or as valuable as that Baer.

I apply it with a q-tip. It works ok if you do a couple of coats. No guarantees that it will match perfectly, and if you carry it it will probably rub off pretty quickly, but it's worth a shot and will be better than a sharpie. Make sure you follow the directions to degrease prior, then rinse, dry, and oil it well after application.

https://www.amazon.com/Birchwo...Liquid/dp/B09BW3PK18

Well now that it’s all messed up you can shoot the heck out of it! Lol

Stuff like that bothers me until I start using it then it gets better. That’s the remedy. I would try sharpie first. What could it hurt?

I would wipe it down with alcohol, and hit it with cold blue.

Yeah it’s super minor I was just kinda “$@!&” when I saw it. I may try that cold blue paste thing. Or even the sharpie technique. The thought of putting sharpie on a 3k gun is crazy but I guess if it works to cover it up then that’s an improvement right?

Did you look at it? That alone wears the bluing on Baers.

little blue on a q-tip, touch let dry

First I'd check the action on the safety lever, see if it is hitting it or it's going to be right back.

Cas yeah it’s been said the Baer bluing is thin, but gosh it looks so nice. HRK, it doesn’t appear to touch, only barely though. Leads me to believe it was during fitting, which kinda makes me mad that it wasn’t caught given that it was a more expensive version of an already expensive gun.

Brand newunshot?!?!? Send them this photo and ask them what's up.

That picture looks more like a scratch. Is the safety hitting it there?

I sent them the photo though they said shipping and labor and test fire are all on my dime due to me owning it for years. They said the mark could have happened anytime while in my possession. I said it’s been in the safe with the safety lever untouched so how is that possible? They said nothing after that so I’m SOL. Kinda surprised me as I’ve always had wonderful customer service from just about every other gun company. I’ve heard this about Baer from time to time though figured I’d roll the dice and get another Baer after owning and selling both TRS’s I had. I love the guns, but the lack of warranty and follow up despite them saying they strive for 100% satisfaction especially with custom ordered guns, kinda sours it all a bit. Don’t get me wrong it’s still a beautiful gun and I’m sure it will shoot fine as it’s pretty smooth and feels amazing in the hand. It’s 99% the way I want it and it’s going to get a mark or two on it here and there over the years I’m sure, but like I said before I would just like to be the one that puts that mark there—not the factory.

And maybe I’m out of line thinking it should be taken care of? I mean at least the labor portion and any part replacement I’d think. If I still had to cover just shipping then perhaps I’d kick it back to them. I just don’t wanna spend another $150 tackling this issue.

The lever looks like it doesn’t rub now, but maybe on install it rod because the scratch does sort of look like it came from the lever as it’s lateral though when I look closely it’s seemingly from a wide up and down contact.

Maybe I’ll try the sharpie and then if that looks stupid I’ll just put a tiny bit of that cold blue paste. Now I don’t know if the Brownells or the Birchwood Casey one is better. It’s such a small area it probably doesn’t matter though.

quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
I sent them the photo though they said shipping and labor and test fire are all on my dime due to me owning it for years. They said the mark could have happened anytime while in my possession. I said it’s been in the safe with the safety lever untouched so how is that possible?

I'm sure you're an honest man, but I'm sure they've also dealt with dishonest men who put dings in their guns and wanted them to warranty it.

quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
And maybe I’m out of line thinking it should be taken care of?

Personally, I think so. You said so yourself, you've owned it for years. That's kinda where it ends for me.

That's a bummer. Since Baer is going to be worthless, I'd show it to a gunsmith. If it were mine, I would want to be sure that the safety and the little tube (can't think of the real name) aren't touching, otherwise it will just happen again.
A gunsmith might have access to something other than a Birchwood product or Sharpie to use. I would have him touch it up and then go enjoy it! They all get scratched after a while.
Of course, this is just my opinion and is worth exactly what you paid for it!

Brownell’s Oxpho Blue works well on spots like that. I find it’s much better than the Birchwood Casey cold blue.

If you're concerned that there might be contact between the lever and the plunger tube, that should be easy enough to rule out by sliding a piece of paper between them.

Personally, if it were mine, I'd stick it in a holster, shoot the snot out of it, and put a bunch more scratches and wear on it.