Posted: 3/29/2004 7:02:17 PM EDT
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I bought an Auto Ordnance parkerized WW2 Model 1911 about a month ago. I had heard that AO was making a pretty good 1911 since Kahr bought them out back in about 1995. The history of AO was pretty sketchy up to that point. So with a lump in my throat I bought the thing primarily because it was $418 out the door and American made. Day one. Using Winchester 230 gn FMJ, it functioned flawlessly. The trigger was pretty heavy and creepy, but it went bang every time I pulled it. 100 rounds without a FTF. However,The mag wasn't locking the slide back every time it emptied I got home and completely stripped the pistol. Using a set of needle files and a dremel tool outfitted with a buffing wheel and jewelers rouge, I cleaned up the machining marks with the file followed by polishing with the dremel on the slide bottom, sear, hammer (only where it contacts the slide), hammer strut, disconnector and thumb safety. I wasn't shooting for a 1.5 lb pull or an unsafe gun, so I was treading pretty lightly with the file. Just clean up and polish. I reassembled the pistol using Tetra grease. I replaced the plastic GI issue style grips with a set of wrap around Pachmyer Signature grips ($20) They make a huge difference in feel. I didn't like the solid steel trigger that came on gun due to there being no radius on the edges where my finger wrapped around it. After about 40-50 rounds, I could feel my trigger finger getting a little sore. I replaced the trigger with a Chip McCormick skeletonized aluminum trigger ($18). I bought an 8 round Chip McCormick "Stooting Star" mag ($15). Day two. Fired the first round of the same Win 230 gn FMJ and the second one failed to feed. (Uhh-Ohh). Cleared the jam and the next 98 rounds went down range without a hitch. The trigger breaks clean and the pull is about 4 lbs. No creep. No notchy-ness. Just click! The Chip McCormick "Shooting Star" mag worked flawlessly. The mag locked to the rear everytime the mag emptied. Day three. I fired another 50 rounds without complaint. Then I loaded a mag with Win 185 gn Silver-Tip personal defense ammo. The AO ate it without complaint. I also bought a NIW GI issue 7 round mag. It worked perfectly too. The gun is accurate enough that my 15 year old daughter was hitting coke cans at 15 yards. And that was the 1st time she had ever had a 1911 in her hand! I know some guys bad mouth the AO because they have cast receivers, but cast 4140 steel is plenty stout enough for a gun like the 1911. The thing is a real blast to shoot with the little bit of upgrading I did. It's reliable and accurate. I don't think I would have been happier if I had spent another 200-300 on another brand. I don't hesitate to use it as my carry gun when size isn't an issue. |
Nice to know. I keep looking at them because they're fairly inexpensive, but quite frankly, the AO name carries a lot of negative weight with it and has always scared me off. After that, and a couple other things I've been hearing, maybe the next time I get an itch for a new 1911 I won't dissmiss them as quickly 
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| I'm glad to hear that your AO/Kahr Arms 1911a1 is shooting good. From what I've heard they screwed over the '27a1 Thompsons that they're making. Thank God I've gotten an older(1995)AO made '27a1 Thompson so I don't have to worry about it. It's funny how much the price has gone up over the last few years. I remember seeing the AO 1911's for around $250 back about 10 years ago. Guess it's like the price of gas, it just keeps going up. I need to find a nice 1911a1 to go with my Tommy gun, maybe I can find a good used AO at a gun show. Thanks for the range report, good shooting. Talk to ya' later. |
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I own one of these pistols as well (bought May 2002). I wish I had spent just a LITTLE more and bought a Springfield Mil-Spec instead. My experiences at the range were very similar to yours (though I didn't perform the excellent changes you have). My AO 1911PKZ WWII model pistol is as accurate and attractive as I could ever want. I actually purchased it because I had been overdosing on Band of Brothers the week before. I shot my AO pistol better than any pistol I have ever owned, and I even grew to LIKE the ridiculously small GI sights, BUT: About the fifth trip to the range my pistol started FTEing one round out of every other mag (Wilson 47Ds, btw), and in the SIXTH trip this ratio went up to about one round in four. This problem was easily solved with a Wilson Bulletproof Extractor, so I happily went back to the range. I enjoyed the pistol for two more range trips. And then my plunger tube and my front sight decided to go AWOL. Examining the parts seems to indicate that they were not even staked in place! In defense of Auto-Ordnance, when I called them they gave me the choice of either sending the pistol in for repair, or sending out the parts so I could replace them locally. I asked them to send the parts, and recieved them in less than a week (I wanted to upgrade the sights anyway). BUT, this should not have happened in the FIRST place. I simply do not have confidence in the reliability of this pistol, and was very irritated to find out later about the whole cast drame and slide thing. I had lots of plans for this pistol, but decided not to bother. I will be getting a Colt Series 70 Gold Cup in a few months. I MAY fix my AO in the future, but setting aside money for it is no longer even in my budget. I am deeply disappointed in my Auto-Ordnance. |
| If you've got a C&R(everyone should have one) you can pick up a Sistema Colt 1927 for around $350-$400 and have a better gun IMHO. They are a "real" Colt made under lic. in Arginetina and have very good steel in them. I think that's the way that I'm going to go when the time comes to get a 45ACP pistol. |
Probably a good idea. I have learned you actually CAN polish a turd, but it is a waste of money in almost every instance. If you ever had any interest in learning gunsmithing, it might be a good one to practice on. |
I'll give you $100 for that turd. No need to polish it for me. |
I don't have any AO's but I have had my share of turds. They are good teachers but poor investments. |
| I miss my old AO 1911. It was my first pistol, and it really taught me a lot about the 1911. After tuning the extractor and replacing trigger, beavertail and safety with aftermarket parts, it was totally reliable. I sold it about 10 yrs ago to finance a ser 70 Colt commander...and I wound up having to do the same damn things to the Colt to keep it from failing every other shot. I never had the sight problems GunslingAR mentioned with the AO (I did have the exact same problem with a Springfield mil spec 2 yrs ago), but the plunger tube is the weak point in most 1911 designs. Brownells sells a plunger tube stake tool that IMHO should be in every 1911 owners range kit. It's always a good idea to check for loosness and give those 2 tiny rivets a little squeeze now and then. Thanks for the range report...you have me thinking about replacing that AO again! |
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My dad bought a AMT longslide for $375 and it was a pretty good gun for that. better than a $650 SA SS loaded model I owned. I don't think they are any lower in quality than older Colt MkIV's (accuracy is similar only the AMT comes with ajustable sights and a decent trigger (better than that short creepy Colt MkIV POS) for $275-300 less.) |