Cimarron 1911 and Auto Ordnance 1911A1 GI

[AethelstanAegen]

I'm looking at buying my first 1911 and I'd like to keep it very simple/traditional. I'm trying to keep it below $600 and so the two guns on my short list are the Auto Ordnance 1911A1 Pakerized GI and the Cimarron 1911 (preferably the High Polish Blued model). I've done a fair bit of reading of review online of both guns but was wondering if anyone had any first-person experience/feed back on either one. There seems to be less info out there on these two models which appear to be close reproductions of the original 1918 1911 (Cimarron) and the WW2 1911A1 (AO). Also, if anyone knows of any retailers/online shops besides Cabellas that carry the Cimarron, I'd be very appreciative.
Many thanks!

 

[1911Tuner]

Don't know anything about the Cimarrons, and haven't seen any of the reissued Auto Ordnance pistols since Kahr took over. The Thompson Auto Ordnance clones were consistently bad. If you happened to get a good one, you were very lucky.

 

[galena]

I have two Auto Ord/Thompson 1911 types. Shoot both extensively and have never had a problem with either. Both are older models. One was what they called their "Comp" model but I took all the 'comp' grxp off. As stated, never a problem one. Keep shootin.

 

[ReconRelic]

Auto-Ordinance

I've owned an Auto-Ord. 1911 for years. The only problem I ever had was feeding soft lead SWC target rounds. A little polishing on the feed ramp and a little 'tweak' on the magazine follower solved that problem. I have relatively small hands and use a "high" grip so I added a beavertail grip safety and a commander hammer to keep from slicing up my hands when the slide came back

 

[DCT]

I don't know what other models you have looked at, but for that price range you might consider the Rock Island Armory or The American Classic. Both have worked well for me.

 

[1911Tuner]

galena...you should play the lottery. I've never been able to get more than about 7500-8000 rounds through a Thompson AO without bustin' the slide adjacent to the breechface.

 

[galena]

1911 Tuner, Well, I said I shot both AOs 'extensively' but I've got to admit neither has 7500-8000 rounds down the tube. One may be approaching 4000 and the other somewhat less. I have five other 1911s (Colts and a Kimber) plus six Para-Ord LDAs and I rotate them around and I have never really kept track of number of rounds per weapon. Thanks to your heads up, I will keep an eye on the AOs. I didn't intentionally go out to buy either, just got them very reasonably in a couple of transactions. So far, so good......but we will see. Keep shootin' Galena

 

[Onmilo]

You might be interested in this review of the Cimarron pistol.
Videos included in the link.
Good stuff.
http://gunblast.com/Cimarron-1911.htm

 

[JTQ]

1911Tuner,

Hasn't your buddy "Hunter" shown you his AO?

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

 

[1911Tuner]

He ain't even mentioned it, JT...and I'll definitely use this little tidbit against him the next time he starts in on me over this old Springfield that I carry. heh heh heh

Thanks...

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Thanks for the input so far gents. I've looked at the Rock Island Armory 1911s but am still very much on the fence about them (I've heard great things but they're not quite I'm looking for...I hate the giant rollstamps among many other things). I've also looked at the Springfield "GI and Mil/Spec" 1911s but I'm not a fan of the integral locking system (ILS).

I'm leaning towards the Cimarron as from what I can find (such as the gunblast article) they're reliable (including with JHP which seems to cause trouble for the AO) and I've been able to find them for ~$20-30 more than the Auto Ordnance. If I do pick up one of these, I'll be sure to post a review here because it's been wicked hard finding info on either one.