Springfield vs.Auto Ordnance

[BADUNAME30]

Does anyone have experience with these two autos? Can you describe any appreciable differences in workmanship, tolerances, function, reliability etc.
I am tryig to choose between the Springfiled GI-.45 model and the Auto Ordnance Standard.
Thanx for any and all input. Jim

 

[mljdeckard]

Albeit many years ago, I had an Auto Ordnance that was problematic. It would only feed hardball ammo, and the front sight fell out. I got rid of it.

I've only fired a couple of Springfields, they appear to be at least as good as anything in the price range.

 

[nad3ooo]

fwiw- i have the auto ordnance WW2 model (and i have a springfield mil-spec)

i love them both

the auto-ordnance is a great gun, i think they might be a little overshadowed by springfield's GI model- a great gun in itself, and also a larger market

my auto-ordnance, i can contest, came to me with a great fit and finish, it was extremely accurate out of the box, and is a really tight pistol...i dont regret purchasing the AO at all...

just my $.02

 

[EHL]

I have a GI springer, I can attest to it's reliabilty and function. Great pistol and a great platform to improve upon if the mood should strike you. Forged reciever and slide on a springer versus a cheaper cast reciever and slide offered by Auto Ordinance. Springers customer service is fabulous too. My experience with Auto's customer service has been sketchy at best.

 

[CWL]

Reputation-wise, get the SA. It will always be in demand if you need to sell it. SA slides and frames are also excellent 'bases' from which to add upgrades. Gunsmiths typically lump SAs with Colts as easy to customize.

 

[nad3ooo]

Reputation-wise, get the SA. It will always be in demand if you need to sell it.

i agree with this completely, AO gets passed over for SA in my opinion...

 

[colorado_handgunner]

Can't go wrong with Springfield. Runs true, always. Great customer service and a lifetime warranty!

 

[BADUNAME30]

Thank you all for your input. I actualy think thati want one of each lol That way i can personaly "field test" 'em both. I have to admit tho that seeing a great American icon such as the 1911 with made in brazil on it is jist a very hard pill for me to swallow.

 

[10-Ring]

I'd go SA...in my experience, the AO is just too quirky for my liking

 

[BADUNAME30]

Again, thanx all for your input. I did in fact buy 'em both so now i can compare for myself.

 

[Cowboybootnut]

That is the BEST solution to a "which gun" dilemma.

I might try that out on the wife. "Honey, I didn't know which gun to buy so I bought both of them."

 

[Silverado6x6]

I have a well used AO 1911 lookalike, not very accurate compared to my Glock or Sig .45's, I keep it as a truck gun.

 

[BADUNAME30]

That is the BEST solution to a "which gun" dilemma.

I might try that out on the wife. "Honey, I didn't know which gun to buy so I bought both of them."

I'd laugh at that cowboybootnut but my wife would do the same thing. buy 'em both that is
The ONLY problem i have tho is how am i gonna sneak these other 2 1911's in the house without my Series 70 findin out.

 

[MAKster]

Auto Ordnance is just a name. Kahr bought the trademark a few years ago. There is no real connection to the original company that created the Thompson submachinegun.

 

[chihuahuatn]

A wise man once told me , that "1911's are like Harleys Davidson's,they rarly remain stock builds" My AO is used and abused and I have used the frame and slide for building a custom 1911 to suit my needs. If you want a stock GI get the Springfield, if you like me I have made many modifications to my AO GI.
Mike

 

[BADUNAME30]

That is exactly what i plan to do with the AO Mike. I was a gunsmith for many years but didn't do much AL work. Now i'm retired and i'm gonna "tinker" with the AO.

 

[Mags]

I have a Springfield Loaded Model didn't start acting right till i put about 700 rounds through it. Now it is an amazing gun.

 

[BADUNAME30]

A wise man once told me , that "1911's are like Harleys Davidson's

I sure hope this doesn't mean my 1911's are gonna start drippin oil all over my house.

 

[Silverado6x6]

I am a gunsmith of the at home type and many times I have bought from Brownells over the years for misc. quality gun parts and they are to me the best source for 1911 parts be in stock or custom parts and I was also thinking of spending money for a better looking slide, hammer, barrel, grips etc. to customize the AO I have but after a little thought I thought of better ways to spend my money like buying a SIG P220 and a Glock 21, admittedly I like the grip of a traditional 1911 frame but have to admit its better to modernize if possible nowadays the fact that in a fast action encounter the odds are you will miss most shots and a higher capacity handgun is insurance unless one was to carry 3 or more magazines.

I see nothing wrong with trying to improve an Auto Ordnance .45, just don't tell anyone what it originally was

 

[Drail]

I have built a lot of guns on Springfields Mil spec models and they were consistently good. On an AO I wouldn't seriously think about buying it unless I could tear it down on my bench and do some serious measuring. I have seen quite a few with hammer and sear pin holes far off spec and not even parallel to each other. The only way to get a decent trigger on one is to cut the sear or the hammer hooks on an angle. Springfield gets my vote.