My 1st 1911

[lonestarjeff]

First time poster here. I'm a long-time admirer of 1911's(since I was a kid), more the military versions than the custom variations. I've been shooting revolvers for almost 40 years, pistols for about 10, but I just discovered the choices available for GI versions of the 1911. The authentic details of the AO caught my eye awhile back, so I've ordered one.

Jeff

[MuyModesto]

Welcome to the group, from Modesto, Calif. I've read posts by others who were delighted with their Auto Ordnance 1911s. Mine seems to have been a lemon. I had problems with the grip safety, the sear, the series 80 safety, the thumb safety, the ejection port, the thumb safety as well as inconsistent trigger pull for most of the time I owned it. In the year I've had it, my 1911A1 BOKW has been in the shop more times than all my other guns combined have been over the last 25 years. Currently it's back in the shop, for sale on consignment. Sincerely I hope yours works out better than mine did.

The one good thing; it was surprisingly accurate for a price-point gun. i shot my second best target for all of 2018 with it.

[Sergio Natali]

Welcome to our 1911 forum.
In the years I've owned and shot many firearms but never had an Auto Ordnance 1911.

Enjoy and shoot safe!

[lonestarjeff]

Thanks for the welcome, and sorry to hear of your bad experience. I read your posts & you seem to have gotten a lemon for sure. Every manufacturer has them....so far I've been lucky.

[DienBienPhu]

I prefer modern mfg M1911A1's for the range, thats why I never bought a GI surplus 45

with new ones by Springfield Armory, you can shoot them and not worry about damaging a historical collector's piece, I have over 30 years of use on my Springfield M1911A1 and think it's better than the originals,all forged steel, pre MIM

I wouldnt hesitate to buy a AUTO ORDNANCE for a shooter, dont need a "safe queen"

[lonestarjeff]

I considered the GI model Springfield for my 1st, but the AO had been on my mind for quite some time. Be interesting to have both to compare.

[Hawkmoon]

I think for someone who is looking for a pistol that looks like a military M1911A1, the Auto-Ordnance 1911BKO is almost the only game in town. Springfield no longer makes a 1911 that's visually close to the GI pistol. Armscor/Rock Island has their own rollmarks, plus a lowered ejection port. There's just nothing else out there that I can think of.

[Nick M]

with new ones by Springfield Armory, you can shoot them and not worry about damaging a historical collector's piece

Along these lines, sort of, the Mil Spec from the private company SA is similar to a GI model. Many here already know. I also considered the GI replicas, starting with AO. The Mil Spec has a few upgrades, but not much. 3 dot sights, throat work for hollow points and the ejection port. The down side is the political angle that is now stuck on that company from their own doing. The OP can read about it here and elsewhere.

[Hawkmoon]

Along these lines, sort of, the Mil Spec from the private company SA is similar to a GI model.

Only in that it's a 1911. For someone seeking a pistol that looks like a military M1911A1, the Mil=Spec is a lousy choice. It's hardly "mil-spec" in appearance.

• Slanted cocking serrations
• Lowered ejection port
• Flared ejection port
• nice grips, that don't look like anything ever used on a GI M1911 or M1911A1
• I.L.S. (Internal Locking System -- a.k.a. "Infernal" Locking System)
• Non-GI front sight
• 3-dot sights
• Seems to be available only in stainless steel

The Mil-Spec Defenders Series is a bit closer to the real thing, but it still has the slanted cocking serrations, lowered and flared ejection port, I.L.S., non-GI 3-dot sights, and a stainless barrel and barrel bushing.



Probably not a bad pistol, but not for those who want something that looks like a military issue M1911A1. Curiously, a number of years ago Springfield Armory had a model they called the GI Series that did have authentic details, and they dropped it.

IMHO, the Auto-Ordnance is still the closest thing you can buy new today.

[lonestarjeff]

The AO will be arriving this week. I'm sure I'll be taking it to the local indoor range soon after :-)

Ordered some bulk ammo this weekend, so that should arrive before my next trip to the farm. My little outdoor range will give me a chance to ring some steel too. :-D

Jeff