Posted: 2/6/2010 12:58:14 PM EDT
| Are the Auto Ordnance 9mm upper assemblies any good?I know AO has a spotty rep but I've never seen a 9mm one. |
| I picked up an AO a few years ago that had both 45 and 9mm upper. The 45 shot fine but the 9mm didn't feed reliable. After doing some reading I found the feed ramp on the frame has to be shaped different for the 9mm. Once shaped for the 9 then the 45 upper didn't feed properly. If you are looking to make a dedicated 9mm then I don't see a problem, just don't expect be able to switch back and forth. |
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I had a factory built AO 9mm 1911. They're not the greatest as far as quality goes, you could do much better if you're going to use any parts other than what came on the gun. In spec parts just don't fit well without alot of work...lol. Anyway, I left it stock and shot the crap out of it and it was a very fun gun. It started having extraction/ejection problems and I found the extractor worn out. I fitted a Colt extractor in there and it ran fine again.
I had purchased the AO cheap ($250), so I easily got what I paid for. I also had alot of fun with that gun and that's a great reason to own a gun. I wouldn't recommend one to anyone who doesn't really understand what the deal is with them. They are basically a low end 1911 with out of spec parts. That doesn't mean you can't have fun with one. It just means I wouldn't bet my life on one, nor expect to do much to make it into what it's not. It's best to buy one for what it is at a low price. Since you're building a range gun out of a top half, I say go for it. As mentioned, use a 9mm profile feed ramp, and a 9mm ejector on the frame will be required as well. Fitting shouldn't really be too hard overall. 1911's in 9mm are actually pretty fun guns to shoot. They're easy for weak hands to operate the slide, because the 9mm recoil spring is generally lower than one in a .45. Recoil is zip. It's cheaper to shoot than the .45. Everything good about a 1911 (save the .45 part) makes one in 9mm just as good frankly. While I'd personally spend more money and get a complete Colt, or such, there nothing wrong with going the route you are, as long as you don't end up spending too much money. |