Kahr 1911a1

StukaJU87 · September 18, 2011, 10:03 PM

Went to a local gun shop today and saw a Kahr 1911a1 made in MA for $480, so far the closet, cosmetically, to a "WWII" 45 I've seen. Can anyone who owns this model give a review? Really like the look but need to more about the pros and cons before I buy one.

AustinTX · September 18, 2011, 10:11 PM

It's just the Auto-Ordnance 1911A1. Kahr acquired that company at some point.

Sarge · September 18, 2011, 10:17 PM

Here you go, Stuka.

http://www.thesixgunjournal.net/aoww2.html

StukaJU87 · September 18, 2011, 11:37 PM

Thanks Sarge.
Review was dated 2006, has the "QC" gotten better since then? The one I looked at had no rattle, action was good, a little stiff, but not too bad. It did feel a little "gritty" when slowly working the slide. I didn't see any scratches on the finish after working the action several times, so I'm guessing it's nothing big and would go away once broken in.

I've read they're mags arent very good and cause most problems, any suggestions?

shafter · September 19, 2011, 06:33 AM

I got mine about two years ago. I'm almost completely a revolver guy but I wanted a GI 1911. It was a shade under $500 brand new so I bought it. I haven't tried shooting anything other than ball ammo and haven't had any issues. All I wanted was a GI replica so only shooting ball doesn't bother me.

I really haven't done a whole lot of shooting with it but it performed well with the 200 or so rounds I did fire. Along with the factory mag I picked up an 8 round Kimber mag which works well.

Sarge · September 19, 2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Thanks Sarge.
Review was dated 2006, has the "QC" gotten better since then?

Shafter's experience is much more current than mine, and he seems pretty happy. I corresponded with AO quite a bit when I was rebuilding mine in 2006. They were aware the gun was going to be written up for SGJ. To their credit, they were always polite, anxious to help and they shipped replacement parts as soon as I called them. I came to like the folks at AO before it was done.

That gun was new, and of course no manufacturer like to see negative reviews describing the necessary rebuild of a brand new product. Based on reviews I have read over the past five years, I 'm inclined to believe they took the article to heart and made QC improvements.

I use the Metalform blue 7 round magazine, with the rounded follower and welded baseplate, exclusively in any 1911 I carry for duty or defense.

Chris_B · September 19, 2011, 04:22 PM

This article made me buy my A-O 1911A1. Like this reviewer, for the price I am happy.

http://ezine.m1911.org/AO1911A1.htm

My 1978 Series 70 is a better pistol, however

StukaJU87 · September 19, 2011, 04:58 PM

Thanks again Sarge and thanks Chris, I was ready to buy it based on looks alone but wanted to learn what I could just to be safe. Looks like my fears were unfounded. Maybe Santa will come early this year.

safe cracker · September 19, 2011, 06:17 PM

1 of the best A/O 45's i ever shot

September 18, 2011, 10:03 PM	#1
StukaJU87 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2011 Posts: 256	Kahr 1911a1 Went to a local gun shop today and saw a Kahr 1911a1 made in MA for $480, so far the closet, cosmetically, to a "WWII" 45 I've seen. Can anyone who owns this model give a review? Really like the look but need to more about the pros and cons before I buy one.

September 18, 2011, 10:17 PM	#3
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	Here you go, Stuka. http://www.thesixgunjournal.net/aoww2.html __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

September 18, 2011, 10:11 PM	#2
AustinTX Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2010 Posts: 2,145	It's just the Auto-Ordnance 1911A1. Kahr acquired that company at some point.

September 18, 2011, 11:37 PM	#4
StukaJU87 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2011 Posts: 256	Thanks Sarge. Review was dated 2006, has the "QC" gotten better since then? The one I looked at had no rattle, action was good, a little stiff, but not too bad. It did feel a little "gritty" when slowly working the slide. I didn't see any scratches on the finish after working the action several times, so I'm guessing it's nothing big and would go away once broken in. I've read they're mags arent very good and cause most problems, any suggestions?

September 19, 2011, 06:33 AM	#5
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	I got mine about two years ago. I'm almost completely a revolver guy but I wanted a GI 1911. It was a shade under $500 brand new so I bought it. I haven't tried shooting anything other than ball ammo and haven't had any issues. All I wanted was a GI replica so only shooting ball doesn't bother me. I really haven't done a whole lot of shooting with it but it performed well with the 200 or so rounds I did fire. Along with the factory mag I picked up an 8 round Kimber mag which works well.

September 19, 2011, 04:22 PM	#7
Chris_B Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Posts: 3,101	This article made me buy my A-O 1911A1. Like this reviewer, for the price I am happy. http://ezine.m1911.org/AO1911A1.htm My 1978 Series 70 is a better pistol, however

September 19, 2011, 04:58 PM	#8
StukaJU87 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2011 Posts: 256	Thanks again Sarge and thanks Chris, I was ready to buy it based on looks alone but wanted to learn what I could just to be safe. Looks like my fears were unfounded. Maybe Santa will come early this year.