DaveK
17th February 2008, 10:29
Hello, everyone! I just bought a 1911STD, serial # AOC815xx, and I thought I would introduce myself and post a quick review. BTW, if anyone can provide a DOB, I would appreciate that.
First impressions: The gun is quite good looking. It does not look new, though it was. There are a couple of damaged places in the bluing, but I didn't pay the kind of price where one would demand perfection. The plastic medallion grips and blued finish themselves suggest a very old gun to me when I see them, and I really like it. Prefer the rollstamp on it to the PKZ model as well. The gun felt tight and the action was smooth. Added a Chip McCormack magazine and bought it.
Range trip: After wiping a few spots and oiling a couple of places on it, I grabbed 100 rounds of 230gr FMJ and headed off. After verifying proper function with a full load from each magazine, I hung some targets. Horizontal aim was accurate, but it shot a little high at 20 feet. Still within the circle, so I'm not sweating that. It failed to lock open one time with the factory magazine. Trigger function and pull was fine, but the wide flat shape and vertical lines were kind of uncomfortable. I may have the trigger changed at some point.
Cleaning: The only other 1911 I've ever had apart was a WWII GI Ithaca, which disassembled with ease. Not so this one. The barrel bushing was so tight that it wouldn't budge in the clockwise direction. I went to a shop to get a bushing wrench (out), and they eventually had to use a vise and nylon hammer to remove it! They substituted another (free!), which is still tight but can be manipulated. Other than that, no surprises under the hood. Nothing appeared to have been worn much by the experience, but (as usual) the WWB ammo left it quite filthy.
Return to house: My Smith & Wesson guns came with a piece of brown paper (which I assume is acid-free for the purpose, and not just a grocery bag) to keep the gun from touching the foam in the case. Oil will break that foam down, and it leaves funny dots on the finish when you get it back out. I plan to cut a piece of an old t-shirt to wrap around it while in the case.
This is my first 1911, and I am happy with the purchase overall. Its price and US manufacture figured heavily in my decision to go with A-O. I've been lurking here in the weeks leading up to the purchase, and I knew both good and bad. I'm happy that (for now) mine appears to be a good one.
First impressions: The gun is quite good looking. It does not look new, though it was. There are a couple of damaged places in the bluing, but I didn't pay the kind of price where one would demand perfection. The plastic medallion grips and blued finish themselves suggest a very old gun to me when I see them, and I really like it. Prefer the rollstamp on it to the PKZ model as well. The gun felt tight and the action was smooth. Added a Chip McCormack magazine and bought it.
Range trip: After wiping a few spots and oiling a couple of places on it, I grabbed 100 rounds of 230gr FMJ and headed off. After verifying proper function with a full load from each magazine, I hung some targets. Horizontal aim was accurate, but it shot a little high at 20 feet. Still within the circle, so I'm not sweating that. It failed to lock open one time with the factory magazine. Trigger function and pull was fine, but the wide flat shape and vertical lines were kind of uncomfortable. I may have the trigger changed at some point.
Cleaning: The only other 1911 I've ever had apart was a WWII GI Ithaca, which disassembled with ease. Not so this one. The barrel bushing was so tight that it wouldn't budge in the clockwise direction. I went to a shop to get a bushing wrench (out), and they eventually had to use a vise and nylon hammer to remove it! They substituted another (free!), which is still tight but can be manipulated. Other than that, no surprises under the hood. Nothing appeared to have been worn much by the experience, but (as usual) the WWB ammo left it quite filthy.
Return to house: My Smith & Wesson guns came with a piece of brown paper (which I assume is acid-free for the purpose, and not just a grocery bag) to keep the gun from touching the foam in the case. Oil will break that foam down, and it leaves funny dots on the finish when you get it back out. I plan to cut a piece of an old t-shirt to wrap around it while in the case.
This is my first 1911, and I am happy with the purchase overall. Its price and US manufacture figured heavily in my decision to go with A-O. I've been lurking here in the weeks leading up to the purchase, and I knew both good and bad. I'm happy that (for now) mine appears to be a good one.