Thompason Auto-ordnance any good?

[Moptop]

I ran across a Thompson Auto-Ordnance at one of my local pawn shops. Someone did some major tune-ups to this thing. Custom hammer, extended saftey and slide lock levers, speed bump grip lever, fitted barrel bushing, extended mag well, and a match grade barrel....all in chrome. Plus a real nice custom sight set. The action feels smooth and the trigger pull is great.

My question is are these made in the U.S. and are they a quality piece? From what I can fine on the auction sight they don't seem to bring more that about $500-$600. Nowhere on TAO's page does it say where they are made.
This one could be had for what I would call a very good price for a 1911. I just don't know much about them.

Any info on them would be helpful. Never know, if I hear good things about it I might just end up with another 1911......which is never a bad thing.

Thanks all. Dominick

 

[JTQ]

Auto Ordnance is US made. The current models are made in Worcester, Mass. They were bought by Kahr around the year 2000.

Previously, they were made in West Hurley, New York.

The newer guns, since Kahr bought them, have a better reputation, though they are not high end (or really mid-level) guns, they are probably priced appropriately.

It's always hard to make a guess as to the quality of a modified pistol, unless you know who did the modifications or you are a particular expert in the pistol in question.

Here are a couple of Auto Ord reviews

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

http://www.thesixgunjournal.net/auto-ordinance-1911-a-1/

 

[4v50 Gary]

I don't care for Auto-Ordnance. However, there being a lot of work on it, it may be a better gun than when it left the factory. The true test is how it functions and unfortunately, I don't think the store will allow a test drive.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have a Thompson/Auto Ordinance M1911 purchased new in the early nineties. It required a little polishing and tune up to function reliably with 230 FMJ and it has shot fine since.

On a lark, I replaced the barrel a few years ago with a Colt barrel (Mk IV, Series 70) removed from another M1911. Accuracy improved greatly.

I always assumed at least the components were foreign made but I do not have any specific information to back that up.

 

[Ramone]

Are you sure it was chromed?

My 1911TC (Thompson Custom) came only in Stainless:



other than the CT grips, that's just as it came from the factory.

It's been flawless for 6 years, and the fit and finish are excellent.

 

[Cowboybootnut]

I had one made in Hurley NY, made in the mid-1980s. After a lot of work, it was a good reliable pistol. I sold it, and actually miss it.

 

[Moptop]

I didn't pay any attention to where it was made. From what I have been able to find about them is the very early ones were very good ( ser# 4000 and before) compaired to later built units. I guess some of them were made using Essex frames & slides. I always thought Essex was reguarded as decent quality parts. If anyone knows otherwise please let me know. This thing sure has had a lot of custom done to it concidering it doesn't have a very good rep as far as reliability.

If I am by there tomorrow I'll stop in and look at it a little more.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Skylerbone]

In a word, no. If you simply can't help yourself, run through the safety checks, examine the barrel to feed ramp relationship: from slide lock (and empty), push the muzzle of the barrel back and look through the top of the ejection port. There should be a gap, I'll post pic. in a minute. If you're good to go there, have a look at the breechface. Look from the right side at the left side (bring a good light). The face should be smooth and the far edge should be curved rather than angled.

Give me a few minutes for pics.

Barrel/frame relationship:

Should be curved, not an angle: