Sooo... If you had to choose one of these 1911's...

L

Load_This

Member
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Location
RH, Toronto
This one goes out to people who know their 1911's...

I'm thinking it might be time for a new hangun... And 1911 style pistols are calling my name...

I'm looking at an Auto-Ordnance 1911A1:
I don't know much about this product but I'm attracted to the "U.S. ARMY" stamp on the slide. This thing is finished in a "WWII parkerized finish".
Is this a US issued 1911? Or one built to replicate a US issued gun?


OR

A Para-Ordnance 1911:
The product code on a similar model to the one I'm looking at is - SX745S. Or if you're familiar with the CF program offered by para, it's the Canadian Forces stamped single stack 1911, in .45 AUTO, with a tan finish.

I'm leaning more towards the Para but really dont know much about both products... Any insight?
 
The Auto Ord 1911 isn't a real GI, in fact it has a firing pin safety. It is a good basic 1911 (with a firing pin safety). As far as Para goes, there'll be a legion of folks along shortly to advise against that, due to issues with customer service and slide stop notch durability. If you want a really good, parkerized 1911 that will last, look at the STI Spartan - it's the best bang for the buck right now, if you don't want an Armco prepped Norc.
 
Load_This said:
This one goes out to people who know their 1911's...

I'm thinking it might be time for a new hangun... And 1911 style pistols are calling my name...

I'm looking at an Auto-Ordnance 1911A1:
I don't know much about this product but I'm attracted to the "U.S. ARMY" stamp on the slide. This thing is finished in a "WWII parkerized finish".
Is this a US issued 1911? Or one built to replicate a US issued gun?


OR

A Para-Ordnance 1911:
The product code on a similar model to the one I'm looking at is - SX745S. Or if you're familiar with the CF program offered by para, it's the Canadian Forces stamped single stack 1911, in .45 AUTO, with a tan finish.

I'm leaning more towards the Para but really dont know much about both products... Any insight?
Click to expand...

I don't know schmick about the Para. And personally, I don't care to or care to even own one.

The Auto Ord is as close to a USGI 1911A1 as you probably are going to get. No it is not GI issue. It is done up to replicate the WWII era GI 1911A1's. And to appeal to those who are caught up in the nostalgia, without breaking the bank.

It does have a firing pin block safety in it, though, which the original USGI models DID NOT have in them. That said it is a pretty good representative piece. If you don't want to spring for a vintage 'real deal' USGI 1911A1 [mfg by Colt, Remington Rand, Ithaca or Union Switch & Signal or Singer (as if you could even find a Singer to purchase ;) ) then the Auto Ord is likely what you want.

Personally, for a GI type pistol, I'd take the Auto Ord even though I can't abide the firing pin safety junk.

If you want a great 1911 for a shooter with some nice stuff on it for the money go for an STI Spartan which has already been pointed out.

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
Springfield Armory makes a parkerized G.I. if you really want a quality 1911A1 that is as close to military issue. It even has the low profile sights that are so difficult to see and the grip safety tang that usually gives painful hammerbite.

If it was me, I'd check out an Armco tuned Norinco 1911. It comes with a beavertail grip safety and more important, a good trigger job and reliability tune-up.
 
X3 on the Spartan. I actually put 400 rnds thru my shiny new Spartan (from ARMCO) for the first time today. Very nice! High quality 1911 for the price!

6Gun
 
Thanks for the replies!

I've heard good things about STI, but I have decent prices on the Auto-Ord and the Para-Ord...

Since the Autp-Ord isn't truly a service pistol, I think the Para is the way to go, anyone else have Para specific info???
 
The STI Spartan and the Para are good 1911s, but I believe their frames and slides are cast steel. Nothing wrong with well-made cast steel, but the original 1911s used forgings.

Norkies are made from forgings and the ARMCO tuned versions are still way cheaper than the both Spartan and Para.
 
I have had two Paras and they both worked fine, but the finish on the 9mm alloy one started to flake off almost right away. No problem at all with the steel 45 one. Traded both of them for a Colt, and now all my 1911s ( 3 ) are Colt.They cost more but they hold their value and Colt makes a premium product. Had a Springfield Armoury and it worked great as well.
 
Load_This said:
Thanks ...good things about STI, but I have decent prices on the Auto-Ord and the Para-Ord..........anyone else have Para specific info???
Click to expand...

Got two Para Ltd. double stackers in .45 and .40. Both purchased used from the EE. The .45 shot well from the getgo. Where it points, it hits consistently up to 25 yds. Am shooting my reloads 200 grn lead SWC which it eats up like a pig. 500 rds so far and thousands more to come.
The .40 Ltd. looked so good, couldn't resist, so sold three redundant pistols in the armory to make the purchase. Initially grouping right 3" and was sight adjusted. Now shoots and groups well in bullseye, however, its snappy in combat rapid.
Do loading for Power Factor in both calibers. Being my first .40, will have to spend more time getting used to it. So far shot a total of 200 rnds of my reloads using both 180gr and 200gr. FMJ.
For 1911's I heard good and bad about Para's. Even my gunsmith is not a fan. He likes STI's and 1911 Dan Wessons. Thankfully mine work great.:)
That being said, got friends with various 1911 Norinco's which I have shot and they perform admirably. Last month, another club member let me shoot his STI Spartan. Shot so well, didn't want to give it back. Another friend, lent me his Colt Combat Elite with trigger work done, and it too, is dead on.
With so many choices out there, continue to do your homework. Hunting for the "right" 1911 will be loads of fun in itself. Good luck!!!!
 
Rottboy, thanks for the Para info, and to everyone else who replied... Much appreciated... Still leaning on the Para at the moment but looks like there's some thinking to do now... "Spartan, Spartan, Spartan"..... hmmm
 
I have the AO 1911 GI. I must admit the trigger pull was creepy and rough but I had my gunsmith do a trigger and action job and it's butter smooth now with a crispy trigger! I beat on it and she works and shoots great. I bought it because I wanted a 1911 that was a GI model that I could shoot and abuse and not feel bad about. As for Para...never again would I buy one no matter how ###y they look. Here's my plain jane AO for your viewing pleasure.

ParaOrdSmall-1.jpg
 
Load_This said:
Rottboy, thanks for the Para info, and to everyone else who replied... Much appreciated... Still leaning on the Para at the moment but looks like there's some thinking to do now... "Spartan, Spartan, Spartan"..... hmmm
Click to expand...

One thing need to remember, when you buy a gun, look into the warranty service first, Para is now in the State, if your Para #### up, you screw yourself as they have quite a bit of lemon rate than STI, STI also has repair service in Canada. Anyhow some Para don't have a steel flame, what you get is a alloy. From what I was told, Para won't take some of the 1911 drop in parts that said need some hand fit, someone may correct me if my information is wrong.

Trigun
 
Trigun said:
One thing need to remember, ......Para is now in the State, ...quite a bit of lemon rate than STI, STI also has repair service in Canada........Trigun
Click to expand...

Exactly what my gunsmith told me too!!! Although he mentioned that Para's later production seem to be better, STI's have had top notch quality from the beginning.
Check out a current listing on the EE as one guy has a bunch of STI Spartans he is unloading (all brand new) for $799 shipped. That's a very decent price for a high quality unused 1911. Its EMT time!!!!:rockOn:



SKS Russian Tula 1950, 1952 and 1953, Sig Sauer P226, Beretta 92 SBC, CZ85 Combat, Para P14 45 Ltd., Para P16 40 Ltd., SigPro 2022 .40S&W, Marlin 60
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom