1911 AO off for repairs

[wky46]

As you know from my previous thread, my brand new 1911 PKZ was experiencing some major feed problems. My inexperienced guess it is the factory magazine. However it was suggested that it could be too much extractor tension. I was contemplating which new magazine and if that wasn't the culprit then maybe try my hand at loosening the extractor tension via the sticky in the Tech. Forum.
Well, after cleaning it today after firing 50 rds. (yes, still failed to feed several times) I noticed the front sight was loose. Aaargh.........

I'll be sending it back for repairs through the dealer I purchased it from and of course, have them adress the feed problems and the front sight.

Anyone sent a 1911 AO back in for repairs and what was your experience, good or bad?
Thanks all.

................

Phil

[wky46]

Heres a thought- I have a gunsmith down the road. Instead of waiting weeks for the gun to be returned to me from the factory, maybe I'll just send it to the gunsmith and have him do the repairs.
I'm mechanically challenged and after seeing the thread on extractor tension adjustment I think I'll leave it to the experts.
Also, Brownell' sells new Colt 1911 magazines, should I try it out or wait and try to find a CheckMate?
Thanks again

...................

Phil

[fredg]

I would try the new mag first, You will probbaly want one either way.

I have contated Check-Mate and got the info. Just call and place an order! I will be ordering one on Friday.

From what I have researched this is the mag we want for our AO:

CM45-7-B-H 7rd, Blue, Hybrid Style Feed Lips Dimpled Follower, Welded
Base

$22.94 ea + shipping

This is the contact info (THIS IS NOT MY INFO EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS LIKE A SIG LINE):

Joe DeBello
Project Manager
Check-Mate Industries
www.checkmateindustries.com
Email:joe@checkmateindustries.com
631-491-1777 Phone
631-491-1745 Fax

[L0UISVILLE]

I would have AO do any physical work, at least while you have the warranty. As far as the extractor goes, its not hard to adjust.Just do it at the range, and readjust as you feel fit.

[wky46]

Thank you Fred- It looked to me it was almost like jumping through flaming hoops to get a CheckMate. I just may order two now.

Louisville- I just might give the extractor thread one more look then.(BTW-my nephew is going to U of L and loves it. I'm about a 2.5 hr. drive west a few miles below Owensboro) Thanks for the reply.

Theres still that pesky front sight issue though

.....................

Phil

[L0UISVILLE]

The front sight issue is extremely common with AO. Just pull it, and restake it with some RED Loctite. And Joe at CheckMate is an extremely easy guy to do business with. Probably the best customer service Ive experienced in a while. Im glad your nephew likes it here. There are quite a few fine "birds" around here, besides the cardinal ;)

[JTQ]

If you look back at the very first post in the A/O forum you will see a post from "1911Tuner" from 2004. Way back then he posted A/O still doesn't know how to stake a front sight. You'd think that by now they would have gotten the problem fixed.

[wky46]

I contacted a gunsmith and am going to have him repair the front sight today. He said it was a simple fix (with my fingers crossed) so yes, with something that simple you would think they'd adressed the problem by now. I'm just too impatient to wait weeks for a simple repair such as that. Anyway, I have a S&W revolver that I need cleaned and tuned up a bit so I'll have him do that too.
I'm not slamming AO by any means and overall the gun seems like one heck of a deal for the price. I guess maybe they scrimp on a few things like putting out an inferior magazines and overlooking the small (but aggravating) stuff.
Anyway, if I get the front sight set and a new quality magazine takes care of the feed issues I'll feel I've got my moneys worth.

.................

Phil

[JTQ]

I hope it doesn't sound like I'm slamming A/O. I was intrigued by "Hunter's" review and began to look into the A/O at that time. I'm following your story looking for more information, and thanks for writing it.

As a guy who's only 1911 experience is on pistols with long triggers, flat mainspring housings, and beavertail grip safeties and commander hammers, I found it quite a revelation when I handled a 1911A1 configured pistol (like your A/O) for the first time just a few month's ago. I found the arched housing and short trigger fit my hand just right (at least in the store), the grip safety provided enough cover to protect my hand from the spur hammer, and the Parkerizing seemed to have just enough grip to obviate the need for front strap checkering or serations. It completely changed the search options for my next 1911.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[fredg]

Phil,
Just ordered my new mag from Joe at Check-Mate. Super easy took 5 min! ~$30 shipped for the one mag I bought.

So if you want a Check-Mate go for it!

[fredg]

JTQ, I bought my AO last year it came with a defective thumb safety which the dealer I bought it from took care of in about a week (he just ordered the safety and installed it himself).

Other than that it has been a great gun! I got it because it most resembles the Ithaca 1911 my dad brought home from the Army. I have never had any feed issues with mine shooting WWB Ball ammo. I am going to try some Golden Sabers hollow points and a new Check-Mate mag here soon.

From reading the other forums it seems that any gun you buy is likely to have issues even the high dollar ones.

[wky46]

A call to Joe at Checkmate in the morning! .
I will keep everyone posted on the progression as I dropped it off at the gunsmiths today and that he'll get to it soon and it should be ready by the end of the week so maybe the new magazines will arrive just in time.
He did opine that the AO magazine follower was a bit odd looking.

Yes Fred I feel the same way as the day I shot the first round through the AO. It brought back memories of my granddads old 1911 Remington Rand. I don't have enough experience with .45's to determine if its the 1911's design or if its the AO itself and I'm veering a bit off topic but it was so smooth and a pleasure to shoot. Alot less recoil than was expected and even with the small sights it was easy to target. I love the sleek narrow look and feel and the rounded edges of the 1911, unlike the boxy and modern design of most autos on the market today.
I feel lucky to own it even with its little hiccups. I miss it already.

................

Phil

[Hunter]

Phil I believe AO makes a good pistol and should be fine once and issues are addressed. I imagine using the Checkmate magazine will make all the difference in the world.
I have had the AO I reviewed for the ezine out a few times since the review and she is still running fine.
Please keep us posted.

[wky46]

Hunter- I must have read and reread your review ten times before I decided to purchase the AO so I was actually expecting an issue with the magazine.
As a matter of fact of all the reviews on the AO 1911 the integrity of the magazine was questioned.
There was a couple of threads I read before hand that adressed the loosening of the front sight. So neither issue was a total suprise.
OF COURSE I'd be the one who had both issues to deal with!
Thanks for the review, its what sold me on the AO and I haven't regretted my decision.

......

Phil

[wky46]

Hi all- Just got my .45 back from the gunsmith last night but haven't had a chance to check it out yet, however.......
He ran 3 magazines of the AO and 1 of my newer Colt magazine through it with wad cutters and never had a misfeed or jam or nothin' after he buffed out the barrel feed ramp even more. He felt that it had a bit of sharp edge and suspected it to be the problem. He did not mess with the extractor.
He also restaked the front sight.
He figured if wadcutters don't jam it up then certainly ball won't. He's confident hollowpoints should work well in it too.

He also remarked on the erratic shell ejections (which I 've experienced as well)..., hitting the face, next case hitting your foot and so on and suggested replacing the factory main spring. Probably will have that done as well. Sounds like its all taken care of!

If I experience any misfeeds in the future I'll upgrade to a CheckMate. I called CheckMate earlier in the week but couldn't get through right away and since I was at work I'll just try again.
When I first suspected the feed problem was due to the AO magazine I purchased a Colt replacement from Brownell's but haven't had a chance to test it out myself.

Lets see...... $420 for the AO. $26 for Colt magazine and $25 gunsmith- still one heck of a deal

.............

Phil

[fredg]

Good news Phil! Glad to hear your AO is working our for you!

[wky46]

Thanks Fred. Put over 100 rds. of FMJ 230 gr. Winchester through both the Colt and AO magazines and the gun experienced no feed or jamming issues.
I rapid fired several magazines as well, still no problems.
It was smooth as budda.
And now with a stationary front sight I'm on target!

When I first brought the gun to my gunsmith and I suggested that the feed problems were stemming from the AO magazine he had the attitude that one magazine is like the next and discounted that to be the reason for the feed issues (he examined the AO mag and deemed it sound, but with an odd looking follower).
He disassembled the gun and remarked how well the feed ramp was polished but then felt the sharp edge and immediately suspected it.
So I've got to come to the conclusion that as far as my 1911 feed problems went, it wasn't the AO magazine.
I haven't used JHP as of yet but at $36 per 100 I'll have to wait on those.

Thanks again everyone I'm having a blast with it now

Man I love this gun!

............

Phil

[fredg]

Got my Check-Mate mag today, looks very nice, I hand fed a couple of rounds seems to work OK. Hope to try it out in the next few weeks....

[Hunter]

PhilI am glad your AO is working as it should.
Do you have any pictures?

[wky46]

Fred- I still want a Checkmate
Hunter- Let me (with the wifes help)figure how to post pictures and then I most certainly will.

Hopefully by the weekend

................

Phil

[Hunter]

Looking forward to the pictures. The FAQ also has instructions on posting in this site.