Anyone have experience with these? Actually saw it in a film I'm watching and haven't heard of them before.
Found this review online:
The 1911 has been America’s fighting handgun for over a hundred years. Considered a workhorse, the 1911 has a sweet spot in all of our hearts. Regardless of your creed or dedication to the polymer pistols of today, you can appreciate the 1911 for the piece of history that it is.
And that’s what we’re here to talk about today. History. Auto Ordnance has released an homage to the WWII era 1911A1. This is history you can still shoot (and without risking the value of a collector’s piece). The 1911A1 from AO is that rare blend of nostalgia and function. These guns are basic, effective, and retail for much less than a hot-rod modified, 1911 or a legitimate war relic.
Fit and finish of the AO 1911 is surprisingly good for a gun in this price range. THE AUTO ORDNANCE MODEL 1911A1
Shooting the Auto Ordnance WWII Parkerized is like stepping back in time. More than reminiscent of WWII issue 1911, this gun is a spot on replica–only without the wear and tear (a feature that will appeal to the living history buffs). It is a fair representation in almost every way.
Accuracy is on par with much more expensive 1911s. 2″ groups from 10 yards are easy.
The frame and slide are machined from steel castings and fit for reliability and not match-grade accuracy. It wouldn’t be an homage to the WWII era guns if it wasn’t reliable, so this makes sense. These guns shoot like they look. The controls are stiff, and the gritty take up in the trigger makes the gun feel as if it were manufactured on a WWII assembly line.
As bad as I make it sound, the reality is that the gun is well built. Considering the price point and throw-back design, I’d say it’s truly a bargain. This isn’t a pistol that will appeal to those looking for a 1911 for daily carry. This is a range toy of sorts. Not that it couldn’t be carried, or even used as a platform for modifications. But most of the market for this gun has a genuine interest in the gun for its historical feel, and not for its defensive potential.
And that brings us to the question of accuracy. This is where the AO is genuinely a surprise. There’s almost no rattle in the gun, and the barrel fits snugly in its bushing. From 10 yards, I shot consistent 2 inch groups. Recoil is modest, the trigger (which could be smoothed out easily enough) resets positively, and the gun keeps chugging magazine after magazine.
With the use of modern materials and machining techniques, these handguns are tight where it is necessary for accuracy and loose where it’s needed for reliability.
The arched mainspring housing and simple checkered grips give this an accurate historical feel. ERGONOMICS
If you know the early history of the 1911 just skip on down a bit. There’s literally nothing new here. While modern 1911s are getting thinner grips, or more checkering, this new old single-action is certainly not. This gun does have many features that were considered ergonomic in first half of the 20th century, but it is missing the now-ubiquitous over-sized controls, ambidextrous safeties, front strap checkering, flared mag-well, target sights, and forward cocking serrations.
But accept it for what it is. The lack of traction on the frame, the undersized controls, and the crude sights begin to grow on you. And it is a great way to test your Call-of-Duty skills. You want to know how hard your ancestors really had it? Run one of these along side a modern 1911, or whatever you carry, and see. IN THE END
One of the best features of the AO is the price. Less than $500. There are scores of 1911s on the market now. The cheap imports keep getting better. And there are scores of American made 1911s that seem to differentiate themselves with higher prices (justified by all of the “customizations” that come standard. This working replica is going in the opposite direction. And AO isn’t inflating the price. What they’re offering is a solidly built, 100% reliable, surprisingly accurate American legend.
If you’re into the history-you-can-shoot, check out AO’s other guns. This is one of the company’s specialties.
Check out the specs at AO: http://www.auto-ordnance.com/1911A1
https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/aut...1911a1-review/
Found this review online:
The 1911 has been America’s fighting handgun for over a hundred years. Considered a workhorse, the 1911 has a sweet spot in all of our hearts. Regardless of your creed or dedication to the polymer pistols of today, you can appreciate the 1911 for the piece of history that it is.
And that’s what we’re here to talk about today. History. Auto Ordnance has released an homage to the WWII era 1911A1. This is history you can still shoot (and without risking the value of a collector’s piece). The 1911A1 from AO is that rare blend of nostalgia and function. These guns are basic, effective, and retail for much less than a hot-rod modified, 1911 or a legitimate war relic.
Fit and finish of the AO 1911 is surprisingly good for a gun in this price range. THE AUTO ORDNANCE MODEL 1911A1
- Model: 1911PKZSE
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Barrel Length: 5″
- Weight: 39 oz.
- Length: 8.5″
- Safeties: Thumb safety, grip safety, firing pin block
- Sight: Blade front, rear drift adjustable for windage
- Grips: Brown checkered Plastic
- Magazine: 7 round magazine
- Warranty: 1 year
- MSRP: $688, (retail is closer to $480)
Shooting the Auto Ordnance WWII Parkerized is like stepping back in time. More than reminiscent of WWII issue 1911, this gun is a spot on replica–only without the wear and tear (a feature that will appeal to the living history buffs). It is a fair representation in almost every way.
Accuracy is on par with much more expensive 1911s. 2″ groups from 10 yards are easy.
The frame and slide are machined from steel castings and fit for reliability and not match-grade accuracy. It wouldn’t be an homage to the WWII era guns if it wasn’t reliable, so this makes sense. These guns shoot like they look. The controls are stiff, and the gritty take up in the trigger makes the gun feel as if it were manufactured on a WWII assembly line.
As bad as I make it sound, the reality is that the gun is well built. Considering the price point and throw-back design, I’d say it’s truly a bargain. This isn’t a pistol that will appeal to those looking for a 1911 for daily carry. This is a range toy of sorts. Not that it couldn’t be carried, or even used as a platform for modifications. But most of the market for this gun has a genuine interest in the gun for its historical feel, and not for its defensive potential.
And that brings us to the question of accuracy. This is where the AO is genuinely a surprise. There’s almost no rattle in the gun, and the barrel fits snugly in its bushing. From 10 yards, I shot consistent 2 inch groups. Recoil is modest, the trigger (which could be smoothed out easily enough) resets positively, and the gun keeps chugging magazine after magazine.
With the use of modern materials and machining techniques, these handguns are tight where it is necessary for accuracy and loose where it’s needed for reliability.
The arched mainspring housing and simple checkered grips give this an accurate historical feel. ERGONOMICS
If you know the early history of the 1911 just skip on down a bit. There’s literally nothing new here. While modern 1911s are getting thinner grips, or more checkering, this new old single-action is certainly not. This gun does have many features that were considered ergonomic in first half of the 20th century, but it is missing the now-ubiquitous over-sized controls, ambidextrous safeties, front strap checkering, flared mag-well, target sights, and forward cocking serrations.
But accept it for what it is. The lack of traction on the frame, the undersized controls, and the crude sights begin to grow on you. And it is a great way to test your Call-of-Duty skills. You want to know how hard your ancestors really had it? Run one of these along side a modern 1911, or whatever you carry, and see. IN THE END
One of the best features of the AO is the price. Less than $500. There are scores of 1911s on the market now. The cheap imports keep getting better. And there are scores of American made 1911s that seem to differentiate themselves with higher prices (justified by all of the “customizations” that come standard. This working replica is going in the opposite direction. And AO isn’t inflating the price. What they’re offering is a solidly built, 100% reliable, surprisingly accurate American legend.
If you’re into the history-you-can-shoot, check out AO’s other guns. This is one of the company’s specialties.
Check out the specs at AO: http://www.auto-ordnance.com/1911A1
https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/aut...1911a1-review/
Comment