[Rockrivr1]

I ran across a guy who's selling an Auto Ordanance 1911 for $350. I have no experience with this brand and am wondering what everyone thinks of these.

In Mass, 1911s are priced through the roof, with a few exceptions, due to most manufacturers being banned from selling in the state (They have to pass strict guidelines to sell in this state)

This is a 1911, it's in Mass and it's priced cheap. I think that tells me it's crap, but I figured I'd ask.

[adweisbe]

Sorry, no free lunch. Get the S&W 1911 for 599. You might also want to consider the Sig P220. Both are available in Mass and are the same price. This has been discussed before. I personally know one person who has one and pins on it kept breaking.
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=211612&highlight=auto+ordnance
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=156633&highlight=auto+ordnance

I would heed Old Fuff. There are plenty of good guns available in MA, especially on the used market. Checkout http://www.northeastshooters.com/ and post in the classifieds. Anything is available for a price and there are MANY good deals out there. You just have to know what you want and constantly monitor gun stores and forums for MA compliant goodies. Even the factory selection is not that bad as every S&W pistol is available, almost every Ruger (not a fan of their centerfire, but they get the job done), all the Classic Sigs, and a few models from one or two other manufacturers.

[Rockrivr1]

I did a search but somehow missed that post. Thanks for the update. I actually have a S&W 1911 and a Sig 220ST, but am alway on the lookout for more if the price is right.

[adweisbe]

A man after my own heart! I have a S&W 1911 and the 220ST is definitely my next purchase. I got a CZ-97B recently for 650, hardly used at all with six mags and 125 dollar holster combo. Sweet stuff! I bought a S&W 627 prelock with a nice action job for 850 or so. Lot's of stuff out there. If you visit local clubs for competitions frequently like I do you can also find good listings for used stuff posted there.

[Rockrivr1]

After I bought the 1911 the Sig 220ST was also the next big thing on my list. I lucked out as someone local was selling thiers for $450 with 5 mags. They had just bought it and they hated it. I like it, but find that I shoot the 1911 a lot more.

I stupidly went and got my C&R FFL and now I'm broke all the time. I've been looking for a Sistema 1911 and just recently picked up a CZ-52. The 7.62x25 round is a lot of fun.

Down side is that I'm always broke now. :rolleyes: Edited to add - I think I said i'm broke twice. Hummmm, guess I'm broke. lol

[vanfunk]

Regarding the Auto-Ordnance pistols, I think of them as a low-cost option for people who really know their way around a 1911A1. Given a proper pre-purchase inspection for proper assembly, I would go ahead and buy one. Personally, I have heard generally good things about the new "Kahr" A-O pistols. I have handled several and shot one. The one example I fired was as accurate as my GI Remington Rand and was reliable with CCI Blazer and Lawman ammo (all FMJ). Sights were well regulated from the factory. The trigger was heavy at approx 8 lbs. and had a few "hitches" in its rather lengthy pull for a 1911. The thumb safety operated stiffly but positively. I think it's a good alternative to the Springfield GI which, of course, cannot be obtained here in MA. However, Norincos do surface occasionally in the state and would make a much better "bare bones" 1911A1 for most purposes - but they are not available brand new and obviously don't have a warranty. Keep your eyes peeled in local "Want-Ads" for private sale 1911's. I found a USGI Colt in 90% condition for $600:)

HTH,
vanfunk

[rbernie]

I've known a few folks who had 'em, and all had bad experiences with recurring FTE/FTF. The ones that I've handled were badly fitted relative to other low-cost options.

IMO, they are for tinkerin' and not for relying upon as a defensive pistol.

[Cousin Mike]

...I'd probably spend the extra money for a S&W or Springfield 1911. At the VERY least, I would have gotten one of the nicer AO models.

I plan on trading my AO 1911 in on one of these as soon as I get over my revolver obsession. It's not a bad gun, it just isn't what I really want in a 1911. It's what I thought I wanted in a 1911 at the time.

Pro's:

-Super sweet trigger.... feels like 4.5lbs.

- Very tight fit of parts... It seems like it's designed very well internally.

-My AO 1911 is accurate, even though it has the GI sights. If you shoot in a coal-mine of a pistol range like I do (not well lit), you'll have one hell of a time seeing those sights.

- Mine is reliable. I had one MAJOR FTE once at a range, and while the range officers were extracting the casing (NEVER use aluminum cased ammo in one...) they gave me an old AO 1911 (pre-Kahr) to use. Thing failed every other round it seemed like, and half the time it was due to incredibly light primer strikes. Keep brass cased ammo in your AO and it shouldn't be a problem. Mine feeds JHP's as well as FMJ.

Cons:

- The finish is easily worn on the Parkerized models. Holster it a few dozen times, or set it down on a cheap table or something, and you'll have a new souvenir for your weapon.. IMO, get the SS model if you're going to get one.

- Fixed sights are TINY.

- Very uncomfortable shooter, the GI model. No Beavertail + arched MSH = pain after about 100 rounds in the web of my hand. The base of my thumb is usually sore after another 100 rounds. On the rare occasion I have fired 300+ rounds through this thing in one range session, the skin in the web of my hand is worn away I have a little scar from shooting it that's finally starting to go away... most think it's hammerbite, it's actually where the back of the grip rubs into my hand.

- Recoil is more severe with this gun for me than ANY other 1911 or .45ACP I've fired in any platform... Or any other gun I own, for that matter. I have one friend who enjoys shooting it, but his hands are smaller than my girlfriend's hands. I have large hands and arms, and this thing kicks HARD. I have no idea why felt recoil is so much more severe in this gun than any other 1911 I've had my hands on. Even the pre-Kahr AO 1911 I was given at the range had a much softer recoil (when it actually decided to work).

- Bought this gun last September (I believe)... The grip safety is already broken... The gun can be fired without any depression of the grip safety. I almost want to keep it to see what else will break on it with normal use. I'm also considering just saying forget it, and trading it in, as is, for a new one.
Then there's the fact that I have a warranty on this thing, so maybe I should use it. I just hate dealing with companies. Would rather have something I won't have to send back to the factory...

- Factory grips are as ugly as sin. :D

I could probably go more into detail but I'm sure that this gets the point across. Are there worse 1911's out there? Sure...

Is a S&W, Springfield, or Kimber 1911 worth the extra few-hundred bucks?

Hell yeah...

Just my opinion, FWIW... Whatever you decide to do re: this purchase, I hope it makes you happy.

Edited to add: Funny - whats up with everyone buying Sig P220's after their 1911's? FYI, I did the exact same thing. I got my 1911 in Sept., and my Sig P220 for Christmas.

[Jac]

I have a pre-Kahr AO Government model. My dad bought it about 13 years ago, then gave it to me for my 16th birthday (5 years ago). Now, we're not heavy shooters... this thing probably has less than a thousand rounds through it. :what:

For a while, it was a jam-o-matic... then, it got worn in; when I got it, it was dead reliable with good mags and ball ammo. Within the last few years, I've been shooting more lately. It now feeds (as far as I can tell with one box so far) WWB 230gr hollowpoints with no problems. That's with Shooting Star and Wilson mags.

From what I hear, the pre-Kahr AOs were hit-and-miss... I think I got a "hit". It's just taken 13 years to break it in. :D

If I were buying one today, I think I'd get a Springer GI or Milspec; I've heard good things about them. I might still get one, eventually, to expand my 1911 collection.

[SSN Vet]

purchased used in Michigan some 18 years ago for $250.....

experienced a FTE just about every other magazine....and this while shooting ball.

I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it and eventually sold it to buy a Taurus .357......I still own this one and it's dead nuts accurate.