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Old July 11, 2011, 07:28 AM   #1
Terminus009
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Auto Ordnance .45 1911

Hi fellow shooters,
Wow! There sure are a lot of 1911s out there! I think I have found the right one for me, a bare bones no-frills Parkerized Auto Ordnance. The style is right, the price is definitely right. None available at my usual haunts, so I'd like to know if any of you have had an opportunity to shoot one, and if so, I'd like to hear your opinions. Also, if you can point me towards any reviews, that would be swell. Thanks in advance,
J
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Old July 11, 2011, 07:45 AM   #2
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Quote:
the price is definitely right.
How much is the asking price?

Here is the first review that popped up: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301219

And another:http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105706
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Old July 11, 2011, 07:48 AM   #3
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MSRP new is like $629 but I'm sure when I find one it'll be lower than that.
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Old July 11, 2011, 07:50 AM   #4
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My advice? Save up for a Colt. Seriously. Avoid the AO.
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Old July 11, 2011, 08:05 AM   #5
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Wow! After reading that second link, I'm way leary of the AO! Yep, patience is a virtue: saving up for a Colt or a Springfield definitely is looking like a good idea.
Thanks Skadoosh!
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Old July 11, 2011, 08:08 AM   #6
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AO has gotten much better over the years. However, there are many choices for a GI in that price range.

Springfield comes to mind.
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Old July 11, 2011, 08:10 AM   #7
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Recognize that the AO original post was nine years ago! Quality may have been improved a lot. At least that is what I have read. No personal experience.
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Old July 11, 2011, 08:26 AM   #8
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I would recommend a Springfield Armory GI model if you want absolutely no frills but still a high quality firearm. If that is still above your price range look into the RIA/Armscor 1911 from overseas.

-EdInk
P.S. I prefer my guns to be pretty basic too. However, I found the GI sights a little too small for my taste. I went with a Springfield Armory Mil Spec model. It is pretty no frills other than having fixed 3-dot sights and a flared ejection port. Also, it has the arched MSH which I prefer over a flat MSH. You may want to look into this model as well.
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Old July 11, 2011, 09:03 AM   #9
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Thanks folks! Especially for pointing out some options I hadn't thought of. Too bad that Ruger SR is so new: I'd love to find one of those used. Surely to goodness a guy, if patient, could find a used Colt or Springfield at a halfway decent price! I still hope to hear from someone with experience on the trigger of a new (post Kahr) AO.
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Old July 11, 2011, 09:22 AM   #10
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Look at Para USA too.

I handled an AO when I was 1911 shopping a few months ago. It just came off as very cheap. For $50-100 more, you can get a Para GI Expert, which has been a good gun for me. It has better finish, better sights and better magazines, to start.
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Old July 11, 2011, 12:20 PM   #11
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I can find an AO for $500 brand new, but then again I live an hour away from the factory.

I have handled them, and shot them, at a range near me. They are barebones, but the quality seemed fine. Didn't have a single problem in 200 rounds of reloads, and this is a range gun that gets beat up. Fit and finish are basic but tight. AO got bought out by Kahr in '99 and I feel that the quality has gone up since then. I see a lot of bashing of them online, but from my personal experience they are a decent product for the price.

Personally I would try and find one without GI sights as I think they are somewhat limiting. I recently picked up a barely used S&W 1911 for $750 that was very nice.
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Old July 11, 2011, 04:06 PM   #12
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I would rather have a Colt. That said, I own a Colt, a Series 70 made in 1978. I also own an Auto Ordnance M1911A1. It was my first 1911

And it was a solid purchase. I cannot agree with them being 'cheap'. Compared to my Colt, a lot of solid pistols seem 'cheap'. The A-Os are no frills

The link to the thread from 2002 needs to be read in context. the pistols made in West Hurley were problems sometimes. the reputation has carried over to the Worcetser MA made ones. They are no longer made in West Hurley. That old thread is not the whole story on Auto Ordnance; it cannot be
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Old July 11, 2011, 04:40 PM   #13
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I assume your thinking of buying a 1911 around the 500-550 mark.If thats how much you intend spending you can go with the Springfield GI new for $540 in Tulsa or step up to a mil-Spec for $600 both parkerized. I have owned a GI and liked it alot I put a bunch of rounds through it and never had a problem. I do own a Mil-Spec now both are nice guns for that kind of money. Also I hear a lot of good things about the Desert Eagle 1911 and the STI Spartan have never shot either so I can't say about them only heard good things.
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Old July 11, 2011, 04:42 PM   #14
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oh and since your from Illinois. My advice buy a Mil-spec with NM serial number and support an american assembling the NM Mil-Spec a job
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Old July 11, 2011, 11:13 PM   #15
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Thanks everyone! I feel like I have a good idea what to watch out for in a new AO. I'm going to take a hard look at a RIA too, and I am certainly leaning towards a Springfield, since I used to have one of those.... Mil Spec NM # is assembled in Illinois? Cool. I didn't know that, and yes, that is definitely something to consider.
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Old July 11, 2011, 11:17 PM   #16
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I like the Auto Ords, but my local shop has the new Rugers in stock for $550 and the real deal Colts for $680. I'd save up and get one of those any day over the AO.

Each to his own. It's great to have so many choices.
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Old July 12, 2011, 08:43 AM   #17
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Don't forget to take into consideration the resale value between the various brands. Colt does VERY well in the resale market. There is a reason for that...
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Old July 12, 2011, 10:26 AM   #18
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For a bare bones GI model, get the Springfield.
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Old July 12, 2011, 12:03 PM   #19
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@ <deleted>
I fact that makes me sad every day, because Springfield makes sexy looking 1911s.

Again, the AO is not crap. I guess my point would be that for $100-$200 more you can likely get a better 1911.
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Old July 12, 2011, 12:13 PM   #20
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Better as in nicer sights, beavertail, etc. Things that to me improve the 1911 experience.

Do you want to argue the term better? For Pete's sake I have been one of the people defending AO!
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Old July 12, 2011, 12:18 PM   #21
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I would hope so. So nitpicky some people.
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Old July 12, 2011, 12:18 PM   #22
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The best 1911 I ever had was an old West Hurley Auto Ordnance. Course the only thing left of the original gun was the frame and slide. It would even feed empty cases.


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Old July 12, 2011, 12:29 PM   #23
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Lol dude, keep trolling if you want. I'm done. You're just arguing for the sake of it now. I like AO for its purpose, and I already said so.
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