Thompson Auto Ordnance Old vs New

[beasleydano]

I have owned a couple of Auto Ordnance 1911s in years past and they were serviceable but nothing to brag about. Are the new ones marketed by Kimber improved?

[wjkuleck]

I have owned a couple of Auto Ordnance 1911s in years past and they were serviceable but nothing to brag about. Are the new ones marketed by Kimber improved?

Uh, that's "Kahr," not "Kimber" :) .

Little has been written about them, but Kahr seems responsive to feedback. Note their recent improvements to their M1927 after consulting with the Thompson Collectors Association, and to their M1 Carbine after input from Phil Schrier of the NRA Museum.

Regards,

Walt

[Hunter]

Kahr has improved on the AO line since they acquired the name back in (I believe) 1999.

[OD*]

I have owned a couple of Auto Ordnance 1911s in years past and they were serviceable but nothing to brag about. Are the new ones marketed by Kimber improved?
Our member Hunter is being modest (the first time ever! ;)), here's a good article he wrote on the AO pistol.

http://ezine.m1911.org/AO1911A1.htm

[Hunter]

See Dan I am trying our your advice, I sure hope it pays off as it seems like walking through spiderwebs in the dark.
Thanks for the complement.

[OD*]

We would brag you up a lot more, but you don't give us a chance! :p

[MoneyTree]

Our member Hunter is being modest (the first time ever! ;)), here's a good article he wrote on the AO pistol.

http://ezine.m1911.org/AO1911A1.htm

I thought I'd read most of the reviews in the E-zine but some how I had overlooked this one . Very interesting hands on review Hunter and the " I spoke with Frank Harris at Kahr and I have decided to purchase this pistol for myself. " said it all for me . Do you still shoot it and have you by any chance done a follow up review ? I'd like to thank you for your generosity and the time and money you invested in giving us this review . I hope the membership appreciates all the guys and gals who do so much to make this site the success that it is .

[Hawg Haggen]

I traded for one of the older West Hurleys that had been reworked. I dunno zackly what all was done to it beyond the visual or how much was spent doing it but it's a never fail, shoot anything, accurate as heck 1911 now. I wouldn't take a gold monkey for it either. Only cost me a practically new Glock 30. One of the best trades I've ever made.

[worlocksmith]

I'm new to this, I'm wondering if I'm correct in assuming an AO manufactured in new york is considered "before Kahr?"
-and Hawg Haggen, that's good to hear, if you ever find out what was done I would appreciate the information.

[Hawkmoon]

That is correct. The pistols made in West Hurley, NY, were from when Numrich Corp. owned the A-O brand. The Kahr A-Os are made in Worcester, MA, I believe.

[Hawg Haggen]

I'm new to this, I'm wondering if I'm correct in assuming an AO manufactured in new york is considered "before Kahr?"
-and Hawg Haggen, that's good to hear, if you ever find out what was done I would appreciate the information.

I can tell you what I do know. The ejector port was opened up, the trigger was replaced, the chamber entry was polished or maybe the barrel was replaced, the action was smoothed up, hand fitted barrel bushing and a full length guide rod installed. The mag well was beveled, new rear sight, front strap was checkered, flat mainspring housing installed, beavertail grip safety and commander style hammer installed. I don't know if any of the springs were changed. It does still have the short military style ejector and I don't think the extractor was changed. It was also drilled and tapped for a rail but the rail is gone and the screws were tightened and ground off flush on the inside. It had an extended slide lock but that had to go. That and a new set of grips is all I can think of that I know was done. I did have to peen the front sight to tighten it up and the AO mag doesn't like anything but hardball. It will feed SWC's but not reliably. Colt mags feed anything including empty cases. I don't like to brag................Well, maybe I do :lm: but this is the most accurate and reliable 1911 I've ever owned or fired for that matter. I've posted pics of it on a couple of other threads so won't do it again on this one.

[mrgrowl791]

This is a AO 1911 I bought in 1991. I paid 286.00 NIB. It has the Hurley NY. stamped on it. This is not the perferred model is it? That is a new Colt Commander at the top. I paid 730.00 for it. The AO has been an excellent shooter.





http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh443/mrgrowl791/DSCN0014.jpg

[terabyte]

Here's a pic of the last AO West Hurley I have LOL the blue match with the factory Colt 22 top is about perfect.

The AO since sits idle & the Colt 22 top made its way to a Colt frame now.

Would like to sell the AO with all the stock parts + the aftermarket stuff.

Actually they are not bad pistols for the money in my opinion, just not Colt :nono:

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/4969/colt22lspw6.jpg

[oscarflytyer]

I recently purchased a Worcester AO used - $340 out the door...

Have only briefly shot it, but so far, I am very pleased with it, esp for the money! Plan to make a few mods (beavertail/hammer and slightly upgraded sights) but want to keep it simple.

[kenhwind]

Went to gun show on my birthday once and came home with an AO West Hurley 1911A1 10mm. I kind off liked it. It shot good, some internal parts left something to be desired, but the frame and slide were nice. Another one that got away.
I had a Kahr AO M1927 LW, very well made and finished, their Customer service is pretty good.
Ken

[shep854]

Hello all; I've been away from this site for a couple of years, finally got back to check it out again.

I read Hunter's review in the e-zine and I see that Kahr/AO has made changes to their "GI" 1911A1. Mine was purchased NIB back in '04 (s/n AOA03xxx) and stamped "Auto-Ordnance Corp/ Worcester MA". It has an enlarged ejection port, slanted serrations, a bare steel barrel hood and lacks the firing pin safety. When purchased, it had a teardrop thumb safety and long trigger, which I replaced--I also cold-blued the hood, to get it more in line with a true M1911A1's appearance.

I wasn't real thrilled with the OEM mag, and it didn't last too long. All my other mags are USGI. Except when I ran some stupidly hot handloads through it and the barrel bushing cracked (some very knowledgeable people have said there's no cause/effect there), the pistol has been flawless, for over 1k, even though I ran a lot of Wolf through it early on.

Given the cost of ammo and my finances, I currently only run 20 or so rounds at a time, for a quick grin--then I pick up a .22.