Thompson/Auto Ordnance 1911?

[possom813]

Can someone tell me about a Thompson 1911? I found one in a pawn shop that I had to put on layaway, but I can't find much info on it?

It has the Thompson logo on it and has Auto Ordnance on the slide. It looks like a 1911, takes a 1911 magazine, and doesn't have "1911" anywhere on it.

Any ideal on where to find out what it's possible worth, and why it has a funky safety on it that pokes out way too far.

-John

 

[res1b3uq]

http://www.auto-ordnance.com/

Now owned by Kahr. Auto Ordnance was the less expensive 1911A1, Thompson was a little better finish, but same gun. Quality control was spotty. If you get a good one, you've got a winner. If you get a bad one, you can fix it. Safety in question must be an add-on. I have a good one, rattles like a freight train if you shake it, but extremely accurate. Price about like a Rock Island. Safety can be replaced with most any 1911 safety.

 

[Cowboybootnut]

I had a Thompson .45 and .38 Super that I bought NIB in the mid-80s. The late Jim Clark Sr. was impressed with the .45 considering the price. The .45 needed work, trigger, barrel and I had some sights and a new safety put on. After that, it was a fine shooter, still at a decent price. I sold it years ago. The .38 Super was a good shooter out of the box, but I had a new trigger, extended safety and sights put on. It is a great shooter now.

I think what ever you get in the Thompson/AO, if it doesn't work good at first, spend some $ at a good gunsmith and you will still be ahead.

 

[bannockburn]

possum813

The older Auto Ordnance 1911's were primarily made with investment cast slides and frames, and while they were serviceable firearms, they really could have benefited from the use of better parts and fitting. I believe that some of the parts of those guns were made in Italy, then shipped to the U.S. and assembled here. As res1b3uq wrote, quality was hit or miss with these pistols.

 

[Moonclip]

Cowboybootnut, can we see a pic of the .38super if possible? My friend wants the Auto Ordnance "Pit Bull" .45acp automatic as he raises pit bulls! He likes cowboy boots too a lot also!

I've generally passed on these guns but I'd pick one up if the price was right, maybe a 9mm one.

 

[Cowboybootnut]

I am not the best on gun pictures. If you need better, PM and I can e-mail.

 

[Moonclip]

Thanks, like the boots too!