Auto Ordinance 1911A1

Sea Buck · August 13, 2014, 09:38 AM

A friend has a AO 1911A1 for sale. It's a ringer for a USGI WWII 1911A1, and I have not seen these before. Has anyone had any experience with these before I shell out some big bucks. He also says it has a hammer block like the series 80 Colts. I did not cock it or cycle the slide. My Colt 1911A1 was mfg in 1953, maybe it needs a buddy in WWII type park.

g.willikers · August 13, 2014, 09:55 AM

Pardon the nit picking, but the 80 series actually has a firing pin block.
No real matter, though.
The newer versions of the Auto Ordnance line by Kahr have a very good reputation.
The earlier ones, pre-Kahr, not so much.

ttarp · August 13, 2014, 10:01 AM

I have a post Kahr takeover Auto Ordnance, and its been a good shooter with no issues so far. Keep in mind I probably only have 1,000 plus or minus a few rounds through it though.

g.willikers · August 13, 2014, 10:29 AM

1,000 rounds should be plenty enough rounds to disclose any deficiencies.
Any defective guns that I've ever had showed their true colors well within that amount.

gyvel · August 13, 2014, 10:50 AM

Make dead sure that it is NOT one of the West Hurley, NY guns made by Numrich, The steel used in them was butter soft. Since Kahr took over the line the quality seems to have improved by light years.

polyphemus · August 13, 2014, 01:58 PM

It's prudent of you to ask around before buying.
I've one of those I bought brand new as a challenge,it has been that and then some but again I knew what I was getting in to,it runs really good now I can
aim it at a 5" target 50' away and consistent put six seven holes in it,no issues
anymore.
Here's my take on your request:buy a box of ball ammunition 230gn FMJRN and
ask your friend to let you shoot it,way better than anything anybody can tell you.good luck

presspics · August 13, 2014, 05:38 PM

If it's one of the new ones then it is awesome. The new ones even have the front strap machined properly to the same contour as the original Colt's. It also has the proper short shelf thumb safety. They really are dead ringers to the WWII guns. The only negative (to some people) is the Series 80 safety but it doesn't bother me. I give kudos to Auto Ordnance for going with the extra machining on the dust cover and front strap...

AK103K · August 13, 2014, 05:47 PM

I had one of the early ones (back in the 90's), and while it worked OK initially, it went downhill pretty quick, to the point its was quite annoying.

It also had a strange, parkerized type finish, and always looked a little "off" to me. Of course, I didnt notice that until after I bought it.

If it is in fact one of the older guns, Id pass.

Quote:

The only negative (to some people) is the Series 80 safety but it doesn't bother me.

Never bothered me either, and I actually prefer it.

Quote:

I give kudos to Auto Ordnance for going with the extra machining on the dust cover and front strap...

A lesson Springfield should take.

presspics · August 13, 2014, 08:11 PM

I agree AK103, I think all of the 1911 makers should make the proper front strap. That is the biggest turnoff for me. Springfield, Ruger, S&W etc should all learn from Auto Ordnance on this.

Hurryin' Hoosier · August 13, 2014, 08:26 PM

I bought my Auto-Ordnance 1911A1 (made in January 2014) a little over a month ago.

I've owned and/or shot many, many pistols (and revolvers) over the years, many of which cost far more than it did. But I can honestly say that I don't know that I've ever fired one which I liked any better, was any more well-made and well-finished, accurate, and solid. And I'll guarantee you won't find a more authentic American-made 1911A1 for any price.

Hurryin' Hoosier · August 13, 2014, 08:29 PM

AK103K: "I had one of the early ones (back in the 90's), and while it worked OK initially, it went downhill pretty quick, to the point its was quite annoying."

Comparing an A-O from the '80s or '90s (under Numrich ownership) to one of today's guns (under Kahr ownership) is like comparing apples to oranges.

gyvel · August 14, 2014, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Comparing an A-O from the '80s or '90s (under Numrich ownership) to one of today's guns (under Kahr ownership) is like comparing apples to oranges

More like comparing butter to steel.

I had a very cheap not-too-bright customer in the 80s who bought one ('cause it was cheap-LOL), and then wanted me to do all sorts of mods to it to more or less duplicate a Gold Cup. When I refused, he got very irate.

It just wasn't worth the effort and aggravation. He was more or less trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Numrich guns used steel that was incredibly easy to file and would deform with a minimum of pressure.

**Aguila Blanca** · August 14, 2014, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurryin' Hoosier

And I'll guarantee you won't find a more authentic American-made 1911A1 for any price.

Umm, have you forgotten a certain company from (West) Hartford, Connecticut? Who could make a more "authentic" 1911 than the people who made the originals?

polyphemus · August 14, 2014, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurryin' Hoosier
An.d I'll guarantee you won't find a more authentic American-made 1911A1 for any price

I do believe I am in possession of a much "more authentic" M1911A1 in fact it is
a real M1911A1, 1943 Remington Rand read it and weep.
And by the way if it has a firing pin block( a what?) it is not an authentic M1911A1. Some guarantee.

orionengnr · August 14, 2014, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Has anyone had any experience with these before I shell out some big bucks.

No way I would shell out "big bucks".
IMHO, that is a $400 1911. Maybe.

ttarp · August 14, 2014, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Umm, have you forgotten a certain company from (West) Hartford, Connecticut? Who could make a more "authentic" 1911 than the people who made the originals?

The whole point of the AO is to look like the original. Colt has made a few changes over the years, so if your going for the looks the AO fits the bill better than the Colt.

Quote:

a real M1911A1, 1943 Remington Rand read it and weep.

Uh yeah, I'm pretty sure we're talking about new production 1911's.

polyphemus · August 14, 2014, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Uh yeah, I'm pretty sure we're talking about new production 1911's

So you may be but there's no reference to that here:

Quote:

An.d I'll guarantee you won't find a more authentic American-made 1911A1 for any price

Ok?

ttarp · August 14, 2014, 08:38 PM

Ok I guess. I just figured that statement makes zero sense if he weren't talking about new production. Guess my assumption was misplaced.

polyphemus · August 14, 2014, 10:15 PM

The folks at Cylinder and Slide ran a limited production for the 100th
anniversary completely faithful to the original right down to the number of
lines per inch on the hammer spur.From a distance the AO may look original
enough to be used in the movies but looks can be deceiving and buying a
firearm for its looks is not very wise,mine was made in Worcester MA and
it was a basket case right out the box but it was my basket case and my
project if I couldn't get it to shoot right I simply had no business owning a
1911,it is in the rotation right now and holding its own with the fancier ones
at the end of the day it's what you do,not what you do it with.

gyvel · August 14, 2014, 11:09 PM

Quote:

The folks at Cylinder and Slide ran a limited production for the 100th
anniversary completely faithful to the original right down to the number of
lines per inch on the hammer spur.

Those guns were about 90% correct. One thing they overlooked was the subtle differences in the slide contours between an original 1911 and a 1911A1. (And I'm not referring to the recoil spring housing cuts at the bottom front of the slide.)

Also, there was another company offering the identical gun at the same time, which tells me that both that company (I don't remember the name) and C&S were most likely having the guns made by a third party.

Hurryin' Hoosier · August 15, 2014, 07:58 PM

Yes, Polyphemus, I was talking about new-production pistols. I'm both happy for you and envious with regards to your having a Remington Rand. I wish I had one, too. And I'm terribly sorry to hear that your Auto-Ordnance was not up to your expectations.

I also see that I should have emphasized the obvious in my post. I forget that there are those who are either intentionally disingenuous or just honestly thick.

Okcafe86 · August 15, 2014, 08:02 PM

I've got one. I picked it up in 2008. 98% sure it was made by kahr. I haven't put a whole lot of rounds down range (maybe 600), but I haven't had any problems.

Edit: I paid under 500$

polyphemus · August 15, 2014, 09:22 PM

Quote:

I forget that there are those who are either intentionally disingenuous or just honestly thick

.Not at all,your problem is that you don't know what you are talking about.

Hurryin' Hoosier · August 15, 2014, 09:59 PM

".Not at all,your problem is that you don't know what you are talking about."

Absolutely right, Poly old boy. And I do appreciate a scholar of your stature reminding me of that.

joe-lumber · August 17, 2014, 05:21 PM

Stay away from Pre-Kahr. I had a 38 Super and it was terrible. It would shoot powder back on me and sometimes go off out of magazine it seemed.

August 13, 2014, 09:38 AM	#1
Sea Buck Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: New England,Florida Snow Bird Posts: 312	Auto Ordinance 1911A1 A friend has a AO 1911A1 for sale. It's a ringer for a USGI WWII 1911A1, and I have not seen these before. Has anyone had any experience with these before I shell out some big bucks. He also says it has a hammer block like the series 80 Colts. I did not cock it or cycle the slide. My Colt 1911A1 was mfg in 1953, maybe it needs a buddy in WWII type park.

August 13, 2014, 09:55 AM	#2
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Pardon the nit picking, but the 80 series actually has a firing pin block. No real matter, though. The newer versions of the Auto Ordnance line by Kahr have a very good reputation. The earlier ones, pre-Kahr, not so much. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

August 13, 2014, 10:29 AM	#4
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	1,000 rounds should be plenty enough rounds to disclose any deficiencies. Any defective guns that I've ever had showed their true colors well within that amount. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

August 13, 2014, 10:50 AM	#5
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Make dead sure that it is NOT one of the West Hurley, NY guns made by Numrich, The steel used in them was butter soft. Since Kahr took over the line the quality seems to have improved by light years. __________________ As always, YMMV. __________________________________________ MIIAA SIFE

August 13, 2014, 01:58 PM	#6
polyphemus Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2012 Posts: 1,055	A.O It's prudent of you to ask around before buying. I've one of those I bought brand new as a challenge,it has been that and then some but again I knew what I was getting in to,it runs really good now I can aim it at a 5" target 50' away and consistent put six seven holes in it,no issues anymore. Here's my take on your request:buy a box of ball ammunition 230gn FMJRN and ask your friend to let you shoot it,way better than anything anybody can tell you.good luck

August 13, 2014, 10:01 AM	#3
ttarp Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2013 Posts: 888	I have a post Kahr takeover Auto Ordnance, and its been a good shooter with no issues so far. Keep in mind I probably only have 1,000 plus or minus a few rounds through it though.

August 13, 2014, 05:38 PM	#7
presspics Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2001 Location: NH Posts: 343	If it's one of the new ones then it is awesome. The new ones even have the front strap machined properly to the same contour as the original Colt's. It also has the proper short shelf thumb safety. They really are dead ringers to the WWII guns. The only negative (to some people) is the Series 80 safety but it doesn't bother me. I give kudos to Auto Ordnance for going with the extra machining on the dust cover and front strap... __________________ "Quid Clarius Astris"

August 13, 2014, 08:11 PM	#9
presspics Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2001 Location: NH Posts: 343	I agree AK103, I think all of the 1911 makers should make the proper front strap. That is the biggest turnoff for me. Springfield, Ruger, S&W etc should all learn from Auto Ordnance on this. __________________ "Quid Clarius Astris"

August 13, 2014, 08:26 PM	#10
Hurryin' Hoosier Member Join Date: March 1, 2012 Location: Columbus, Indiana Posts: 98	I bought my Auto-Ordnance 1911A1 (made in January 2014) a little over a month ago. I've owned and/or shot many, many pistols (and revolvers) over the years, many of which cost far more than it did. But I can honestly say that I don't know that I've ever fired one which I liked any better, was any more well-made and well-finished, accurate, and solid. And I'll guarantee you won't find a more authentic American-made 1911A1 for any price. Last edited by Hurryin' Hoosier; August 13, 2014 at 08:31 PM.

August 13, 2014, 08:29 PM	#11
Hurryin' Hoosier Member Join Date: March 1, 2012 Location: Columbus, Indiana Posts: 98	AK103K: "I had one of the early ones (back in the 90's), and while it worked OK initially, it went downhill pretty quick, to the point its was quite annoying." Comparing an A-O from the '80s or '90s (under Numrich ownership) to one of today's guns (under Kahr ownership) is like comparing apples to oranges.

August 14, 2014, 08:38 PM	#18
ttarp Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2013 Posts: 888	Ok I guess. I just figured that statement makes zero sense if he weren't talking about new production. Guess my assumption was misplaced.

August 14, 2014, 10:15 PM	#19
polyphemus Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2012 Posts: 1,055	authentic The folks at Cylinder and Slide ran a limited production for the 100th anniversary completely faithful to the original right down to the number of lines per inch on the hammer spur.From a distance the AO may look original enough to be used in the movies but looks can be deceiving and buying a firearm for its looks is not very wise,mine was made in Worcester MA and it was a basket case right out the box but it was my basket case and my project if I couldn't get it to shoot right I simply had no business owning a 1911,it is in the rotation right now and holding its own with the fancier ones at the end of the day it's what you do,not what you do it with.

August 15, 2014, 07:58 PM	#21
Hurryin' Hoosier Member Join Date: March 1, 2012 Location: Columbus, Indiana Posts: 98	Yes, Polyphemus, I was talking about new-production pistols. I'm both happy for you and envious with regards to your having a Remington Rand. I wish I had one, too. And I'm terribly sorry to hear that your Auto-Ordnance was not up to your expectations. I also see that I should have emphasized the obvious in my post. I forget that there are those who are either intentionally disingenuous or just honestly thick. Last edited by Hurryin' Hoosier; August 15, 2014 at 08:33 PM.

August 15, 2014, 08:02 PM	#22
Okcafe86 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2012 Posts: 102	I've got one. I picked it up in 2008. 98% sure it was made by kahr. I haven't put a whole lot of rounds down range (maybe 600), but I haven't had any problems. Edit: I paid under 500$ __________________ PRIDE RUNS DEEP US NAVY SILENT SERVICE MM2/SS A-GANG/LOWER LEVEL MAFIA

August 15, 2014, 09:59 PM	#24
Hurryin' Hoosier Member Join Date: March 1, 2012 Location: Columbus, Indiana Posts: 98	".Not at all,your problem is that you don't know what you are talking about." Absolutely right, Poly old boy. And I do appreciate a scholar of your stature reminding me of that. Last edited by Hurryin' Hoosier; August 15, 2014 at 10:06 PM.

August 17, 2014, 05:21 PM	#25
joe-lumber Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2013 Posts: 257	Pre Kahr Stay away from Pre-Kahr. I had a 38 Super and it was terrible. It would shoot powder back on me and sometimes go off out of magazine it seemed.