So I finally took the plunge and got my first 1911.  Springfield loaded in stainless, the gun is absolutely gorgeous except for one thing.  It has a very small idiot scratch on it from the factory.  It isn't a huge deal but I wouldn't be writing this if it did not bother me somewhat (I would just be posting a new toy thread instead).  Is there something I can do to get rid of this, or just deal with it?  Tried to get the best pics I could, and I'm not counting the scratches from the slide stop in the second pic, just the single small one that goes down farther.

       I see it.  I thought all of them had that.
 

Mine is worse than that if you do end up sending it back to them get that front strap checkered. 100% worth it.

Looks like wear from the slide stop during its movement.
Polishing the back side of the slide stop and the frame may make it look better, but it will probably return through use.

Call Springfield, they have good customer service.

mehhh.....I would call that one a possible "dealer scratch"...lol.....if it bothers you take the slide stop out grab a scotchbrite pad and touch it up..

I picked up an early loaded model a couple of years ago that someone threw down the driveway and decided to sell it to me for a couple hundred bucks....before and after pics with various grits of scotchbrite, proper technique a detail strip and some clp.....
Before

After

That one isn't a big deal to me.

Now I have seen some that go all the way to the trigger. That's unacceptable

Normally I'd say it's a tool that is meant to be used, not ogled. But... it IS a 1911.

Nice looking firearm.

That buffed out nice!

Come on, that's nothing. Tell us what you think when you disassemble the pistol and see all the tool marks inside. Honestly, take it out to the range and start shooting, its not a safe queen, its meant to be used.

On a Wilson I might be concerned but on a Springfield I wouldn't care, the slide stop marks would bother me more than the idiot scratch. And I like Springfield.

Care to detail that refininshing process to include actual grits for scotchbrite and 'proper technique'? i"ve got something similar

After reading this and several other comments on the web I went out grabbed a green scotchbrite pad and the small scratches came right up.  Looks like there was never a scratch there.  Took all of 1 minute, just went with the grain lightly until they were gone.

If the scratches are deep you may have to start with the maroon scotchbrite block pad.....320 grit....this will raise the grain up on the stainless and it wont be long and the scratch will begin to fade.....I like to take the pistol down to the frame removing grip screw bushings to provide an unobstructed path.....make sure you go with the grain especially towards the end of your stroke on the slide as you will have a tendency to make a sweeping or tailing motion.....after you have removed all of the scratches start finishing with the green scotchbrite....600 grit......the 600 will bring the finish back to the matte look but not over polish..you will see the finish come back fairly quickly...be sensitive to the edges as you dont want to soften them.....if the flats are ok then your done....if the flats need refinished they will need to be bead blasted....if you bead blast after polishing the flats make sure you tape flats up prior to bead blast.....keep steel wool away from stainless ...no need to use any lube with the scotchbrite pads but I cleaned the shit out of mine with CLP before reassembly.....good luck and post a before and after pic