I have heard of Auto Ordnance (mfg of SMG) but never knew anyone who owned the company's other models.
How does their model 1911s compare to other manufacturers ?

Auto Ordnance used to be sketchy but have improved a good bit over the years. I had a nickel.38 Super years ago that was covered in machine marks. The nickel finish looked like the silver wrapper off a stick of gum. The front sight had a burr on it that cut my finger. But it worked, though it wasn’t the most accurate 1911 I ever owned. Supers headspaced on the rim, not the case mouth back then, and it did affect the accuracy.

Very Important!!
If the frame is stamped "West Hurley New York" avoid it (made by Numrich Gun Parts). If the frame is stamped "Worcester MA" i've heard they are good pistols (made by Kahr Arms). I have personal experiance with a Numrich M1911 that was pitiful.

I bought their 1911A1 a few years ago, it’s a very nice gun

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Truth right there!

The Kahr manufactured 1911's are good.

I had a West Hurley made M1 Thompson carbine (the semiautomatic 16" barreled version of the submachine gun).

Biggest piece of **** I've ever owned.

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

My experience with the AO M1911 is over 30 years ago. It was so pitiful that I haven't touched one since. Hopefully, with the change of ownership (Numrich to Kahr) they have gotten better. I am set in my ways and unless it is a Caspian or a Colt, I do not even look at them.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

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This, times however many hundreds of dollars you intend to spend.


My only AO was a West Hurley, NY pistol, bought it in the late 1980's. It was the least expensive 1911 available at the time and all the gun magazine writers raved about its high quality, reliability, and accuracy. They either received a hand built example or they fudged their reports. Mine was unreliable, inaccurate, horrible trigger and made of some surplus parts plus a whole lot of cast steel parts, including the slide. Even the barrel was odd, with 7 lands and grooves and the exterior surface had an odd, cast steel looking surface. I turned it into my experimental/learning 1911.


Those made today in Worechester, MA are made by Kahr Arms. They still use a cast steel receiver, and there is nothing wrong with that, but Karh uses billet machined slides, which are durable and far, far better than the cast steel slides on the West Hurley AO pistols.


If you are serious about an AO 1911, avoid the West Hurley pistols like the plague.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I only had one experience with the AO 1911. A friend bought one about ten years ago. It looked and felt quite nice. We took it to the range and succeeded to fire one (yes, 1) shot before it seized up like a rock. It went back to the dealer the next day. I will not recommend them based upon that experience.

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NRA Endowment Member

My brand new Auto Ordnance 1911a1 US Army is flawless right out of the box.
Seems the new company that owns them is on the right track.

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Plant garlic in the fall

Then I am glad for you. Enjoy it.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I have a Kahr made AO 1911 that I've spent so much on I'm not sure what is wrong with me!

It was my first 1911, and after I'd spent so much I just said "what the heck" and kept going. I sure as heck can't sell it. It's one of those guns your *married to*. Has been switched to all billet parts and has nice new sights...all done by a great gunsmith. It has always run great! Accurate to, even with its original barrel.

Attached Images

	AO 1911.jpg (95.3 KB, 100 views)
	Kahr 1911.jpg (89.6 KB, 11 views)