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Old December 31, 2012, 07:56 PM   #1
freebird72
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Auto Ordnance 1911a1s?

I have been looking for a good reliable 1911a1 pistol that is under $600 or so. I have read nothing but good things about the RIA 1911s; however, I have just learned about Auto Ordnance, and it seems to be the same gun but made in the USA.

Is this right, are Auto Ordnance 1911s made in the USA? If so, are they as reliable and robust as the RIA 1911s?

I am looking for any and all info anyone can give me.
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Old December 31, 2012, 09:14 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freebird72
Is this right, are Auto Ordnance 1911s made in the USA? If so, are they as reliable and robust as the RIA 1911s?
Made by Kahr Arms in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Reliable? Luck of the draw. Personally, I wouldn't trust them for self defense.

Robust? It's a 1911. It's an all steel pistol, it'll live forever.
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Old December 31, 2012, 09:28 PM   #3
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It's a good starting point. Expect to do some work. If properly smithed, they can be good shooter's.
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Old December 31, 2012, 11:29 PM   #4
StukaJU87
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Made by Kahr Arms in Worcester, Massachusetts
Buy with confidence. Mine has been great. The only "work" they require is a different magazine. Don't use the factory mag if you can help it, they tend to cause jams.
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Old January 1, 2013, 12:11 PM   #5
Don P
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Rock Island is my choice. Personally wouldn't buy anything coming out of Kahr's
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Old January 1, 2013, 05:56 PM   #6
freebird72
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I am sad to hear I should stay away from Auto Ordnance. I was hoping I had found an American made GI style 1911 under $700. Oh well.
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Old January 1, 2013, 06:15 PM   #7
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If you'd like the opinion of someone who actually owns a Kahr/Auto Ordnance. I think they are well worth the money and a great value. Kahr seems to work out ant complaints I've ever read about the Auto Ordnance on the internet.

Check out the collection of 1911s that bac1023 posted in this thread, I notice he owns an Auto-Ordnance, so that should also tell you that they, probably aren't too bad, given the obvious fact that he can afford the very best.

I have eight 1911s and the Auto-Ordnance is the least expensive one I own, but if it wasn't any good, I would have written that it wasn't. If I had problems with it, I would have related them to you now.

So far however, its been great. Keep in mind though, that its only one example, but Kahr seems to have good customer service, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting any problems taken care of.
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Old January 1, 2013, 07:47 PM   #8
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I've been very satisfied with my AO. Have had it since '08. I had some ejection issues with the extractor not keeping a proper tune, but a quick swap out with a Cylinder & Slide one seemed to have solved that problem (got tired of readjusting the extractor tension all the time). That, and a new set of walnuts, I've pretty much kept it stock otherwise.

The most impressive thing about this particular specimen is that it will feed absolutely EVERYTHING, even empty brass. Up until I got my Maverick 88 12g shotgun, this AO was my primary HD gun.

Back when I bought the gun, I posted a range report of it over at another forum. Just checked and the thread is still there.

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=214410
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Old January 2, 2013, 01:17 AM   #9
StukaJU87
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Rock Island is my choice. Personally wouldn't buy anything coming out of Kahr's
I've heard good things about RIA but most negative comments about Kahr AOs that I've read have been made by people who have never seen, handled, or owned one.
Have you ever owned an AO 1911 made by Kahr? What is your decision based on?
My AO has been just as reliable and accurate as my Springfield 1911.
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Old January 3, 2013, 01:52 PM   #10
freebird72
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Maybe I would be better off buying an Remington 1911 R1.
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Old January 3, 2013, 02:18 PM   #11
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Brian brings a good point. My AO will feed empty brass as well, along with Pb SWC's.
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Old January 3, 2013, 02:31 PM   #12
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AO got a bad rep from really poor guns made by a former "owner" I think is the right word.
the guns they produced in the 80's and part of the 90's, you could not pay me to touch.

as I understand it, they have greatly improved but many people are still gun shy about buying from them, especially when there are better known for quality guns and cheaper in the RIA lineup.

if it has to be a GI style gun, you are very limited in options. Even fewer still as a US made gun. At least in the 600 or under range.
I didn't think the remington was made in the US either.
and ruger doesn't offer a GI type.
springfields GI is made in brazil.
does Para make one?

if it is truly a problem to buy a non-us gun, look used for colts or save another 100 ish and pick up a new one.
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Old January 3, 2013, 02:59 PM   #13
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My RIA has a few cosmetic issues that just glare, but the function(it's a 9mm) is 100%, and the accuracy is good. I'd start from either one and figure they're about even. There is that made in the US thing about 1911s.
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Old January 3, 2013, 04:17 PM   #14
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Maybe I would be better off buying an Remington 1911 R1.
Those are really nice guns for the money, I came within a whisker of buying one on a whim, and would have for certain if I wasnt already there to buy something else...
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Old January 3, 2013, 09:32 PM   #15
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I haven't had any issues with mine after about 200 rounds. I have also heard the horror stories but I think they were from the pre-Kahr days. I'd buy one again for sure.
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Old January 3, 2013, 11:47 PM   #16
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I have been really impressed with my Remington R1
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Old January 4, 2013, 05:09 PM   #17
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I got an Auto Ordnance 1911 for Christmas, talk about an awesome family! I've only put 150 rounds through it so far, but they all fired without a hitch, so as of yet I have no reason to complain.
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Old January 4, 2013, 05:43 PM   #18
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Try para ordnance they have some great looking feature rich guns and some recently improved customer service and quality
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Old January 4, 2013, 09:45 PM   #19
freebird72
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I just want an American made GI style 1911. I guess it has to be either Remington or Colt. I saw a nice Colt 1911 today for around $900 or a little more. Not sure what model, but it looked like a blued GI style.
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