Auto Ordnance 1911A1 WWII .45 Parkerized

[Yoder]

Does anyone have one of these? Just curious if it's reliable or needs some tinkering to get it to run. I just ordered one for my son as a present for getting into the Army. He wanted a 1911 close to the original GI spec and this was about all I can afford at this time. I just want some personal experience on this gun, not you should have bought a $1500 STI. Thanks.

[Kramer]

I bought one back in 1994 and it has run ell over the year. I did replace the recoil spring once or twice and currently it has an extended and threaded barrel for suppressed shooting.

[DrillNFill]

I have one for about three years now and it is a lot of fun to shoot. Nice and weighty in the hand, manageable recoil, no FTF/ FTE that I can remember with all sorts of cheap ammo. I will say that a small amount of the parkerization has worn at the corners/ edges from occasional carry in a leather slide holster. It's a blast (literally)

[Pilot321]

I've never had one, but the reputation of the older ones is spotty. Since Kahr has bought AO, there are reports they are better. All hearsay on my part, but I think you have a better chance of a good one with Kahr/AO.

[Marina Blue Bob]

Firsthand experience, not hearsay.
I bought an A.O. M1911A1 in parkerized finish in 2011. I go to the range almost monthly. In two yearsI 've put nearly 2000 rounds of ball ammo thru it with not a single problem. I don't run JHPs etc. because I'm not interested in them. She ran fine right out of the box. I field strip clean it every 200 rounds. I really enjoy this gun; fit and finish is excellent and it's made in America.

[Yoder]

Glad to hear good reports. I ordered it from Buds, still waiting for it to ship. My son can't wait to shoot it. Thanks.

[JoshIronshaft]

I just purchased one myself to look "appropriate" when driving military vehicles in parades and for some occasional fun shooting. Hope it arrives next week as good as it sounds!

[Yoder]

We're picking it up Thursday. I'll give a report once we shoot it.

[mp517prct]

My parents got me one for X-mas '96 when I was still in H.S., love it, and will never part with it. It does not suffer JHPs well, but mil-spec 1911s were never meant to fire anything other than ball ammo anyway. I've carried it into the back country of Wyoming on hunting trips (Grizzly Bear Repellant) with Alpha-Bravo 230gr Cast Bullets.

A few years ago, a friend of mine who owns a Springfield Inc. G.I. M1911A1 went to the range with me and we fired our M1911A1s then swapped guns and both agreed that the AO was a better shooter.

[QuackXP]

I just purchased one myself to look "appropriate" when driving military vehicles in parades and for some occasional fun shooting. Hope it arrives next week as good as it sounds!

We're picking it up Thursday. I'll give a report once we shoot it.

Very much looking forward to a detailed review once you get these. This 1911 is currently at the top of my list for a next purchase.