I just got a Sistema, my first 1911. I have field stripped it three times for practice. Everytime I seem to leave a mark on the disassembly notch. I have also scratched the frame. Is there a secret in getting the slide stop pass the stop plunger ?

I don't know about a secret, I just line everything up and slowly move my fingers out of the way as the slidestop is lowered into the notch.
So far, of many 1911 types and many years, no scratches anywhere.
I don't think I'm alone here, I cringe seeing that groove cut into the frame from rotating the slidestop into place rather than lining it up and gently pushing it into place.
If the plunger sticks out too far, a small non-marring tool can be used to depress it until the slidestop starts in, like a round toothpick half or piece of plastic.

I read where someone uses a playing card between frame and takedown upon replacing it...EVERYONE does this at least once and cringes just as you do!
Bill

I've been using an old credit, I think I got it down. How can I get rid of the peening marks on the take down notch?