Auto-Ordnance 1911A1 US Army

BCWILL

BCWILL

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
84   0   0
Location
BC Interior
Auto-Ordnance 1911A1 US Army ?

Really want a 1911 to play with...can't or rather won't spring for a real one... just yet anyways;).

What's the consensus on the above mentioned A-O 1911 ? I've found many conflicting reports on the net and a search doesn't turn up mutch on here...:confused:

Are there any other makes that are "decent" in this price range....Norinco/Springfield etc. ?


Sorry for the basic questions but my Auto experience is limited to a Ruger markII so be gentle on me please:D
 
Auto Ordnance's quality has apparently improved since Kahr arms took over but you can't really go wrong with one of the Norcs from Marstar, especially if you like to tinker. Spring for a few more bucks and get one of the ARMco tuned ones and you'll be happy.
 
I'd second getting an Armco tuned Norc - you can spend a whole lot more for cosmetics, but it would be hard to get a better functioning pistol, and the accuracy of all the ones I've seen (and the one I own) is above average. If you're looking for a GI style 1911, they would be hard to beat.
 
I really have no doubt that Armco tuned Norinco 1911's will be delightful to shoot but with shipping and taxes, you'd be exceeding 500 bucks.

Now a lot can be said good and bad, about a stock Norkie, rough slide with a gritty creepy trigger and all. A buddy acquired a very slightly used, stock Norkie Commander, and took up reloading on a shoestring budget. He was practically a handgun virgin when he bought that Norkie and now after approximately 2,000 rounds through it, he can consistently group 8 shots into 2.5 inches off hand at 15 meters. He has probably dry-fired a few thousand as well, and continues to do so. He's had a few stovepipes or failures to chamber while experimenting with his handloads (COAL, powder charge weights, crimp, etc), but after he developed his loads, he has had zero FTFs or FTEs.

His Norkie Commander is and has been functionally reliable from day one.

The trigger, slide and almost everything else that needs to, has smoothed out by now. Admittedly the trigger is still a little creepy. But my friend is now a good pistolero without needing a tuned Norinco. He put his money into a simple reloading rig and components.

So if you want a 1911 to play with, or learn to shoot a centerfire combat handgun in 45 acp, I unequivocally recommend a Norinco 1911. Box stock. Try to find one with a factory beavertail safety because that is the only part I would add, to prevent hammerbite.

Before taking up shooting my buddy researched and talked to me, explained his goal...to be a good .45 acp shooter with the least possible expense. He also soaked up the advice of several experienced shooters/buddies.
I am proud to say that he had the sense to listen to sound advice:D

He bought the most basic 1911 around and concentrated on learning the proper skills. A novice with proper training, learning attitude and discipline can learn to shoot well with any decent gun. I believe a stock Norkie 1911 is a decent gun.
 
Last edited:
The Auto Ord 1911A1 GI copy is externally a fairly faithful copy of the WWII era USGI 1911A1's... [i.e. Colt, Remington Rand, Ithaca, US&S, etc]. Internally, it has the firing pin block safety system in it that the original GI pistols did not. That said, if you want a GI knock-off without springing for the real deal, likely this is your ticket.

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
I would choose the Norinco 1911. I have gone from a Coly 70 Series Gold Cup that was customize by Dlask in the 1980. I shot IPSC for about 10 years, started a family and decided not to shoot competitively. Regret selling the gun to an up and coming shooter but recently purchased a Norc. Functions well and very shootable. Having a great time getting back into handguns. Good luck choosing.
 
I have shot a friend of mine's Auto Ord and it works great. I have owned S.A., Para and a few Colts :D, and the Auto function as well as the rest. Never having held a Norinco, I cannot comment. I have just read a 1911 review of an new Auto Ord. and it was exceedingly accurate.
 
BCWILL said:
Thanks Folks........really appreciate the insight :)

Now just gotta shop around and see what comes up;)
Click to expand...

You probably already know this, but 1911s come up fairly often on the EE. The good deals are usually snapped up in literally minutes, specially Norincos.

Norkies sell quickly for one reason. It is the best value in the 1911 world. Cheap and it works. From what I've read, the frame and slide are made of 5100 steel, which is tougher and stronger when heat treated, than the usual 4140 ordnance steel. Aside from being made from good materials, Norincos are also known to be faithful to original JMBrowning specs/dimensions. The small parts like hammer, sear, disconnector, etc are also said to be made from good steel. Those are some reasons why gunsmiths like Wilson them.

On the down side, Norinco's steel is so tough to machine that big gunsmiths like Wilson no longer work on Norkies because their tool life was greatly reduced. This meant more tooling expense and costly machinists/gunsmith time to set up.

So is there a real world benefit to Norinco using a stronger steel than the other manufacturers? Maybe yes, maybe no. IMO, since I like my 1911s stock, machinability is not a requirement. But I like to know I have the strongest steel in my 1911 pistols.

If your desire is to play in and be competitive in pistol shooting sports like IDPA or IPSC, that is an entriely different endeavor from basic 1911 shooting.
 
easyrider604 said:
You probably already know this, but 1911s come up fairly often on the EE. The good deals are usually snapped up in literally minutes, specially Norincos.

Norkies sell quickly for one reason. It is the best value in the 1911 world. Cheap and it works.
Click to expand...

+1 on this.

I just recently scored this used Norc of the EE for $315 shipped. I've only added the grips from a recent acquistion off the EE.

Of course, in it's present state, it's not too GI like, but I've been thinking about getting all the markings except the serial number, removed, and it refinished to a matte blue to retro look parkerized. I have a lanyard GI mainspring housing and GI saftey to retro fit to it for that GI look, too.

DSCN3797.jpg


DSCN3802.jpg


2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
Last edited:
Looks Nice NAA ! :cool:

Thanks for the advice again fellas.

It seems I just aquired an Armco Norinco 1911A1 :D

Can't wait ! :dancingbanana:
 
Last edited:
Well not exactly that "GI look" I was after......but certainly close enough, at least till the 1911 Bug takes full affliction. :D ;)

Thanks Fellas :)
 
I've had good experience with my AO1911 GI. The price was right new. I see Del Selins has em' cheap. All series 80 internals removed and trigger job done on mine. My gunsmith thinks I'm crazy for owning it as I have a few other 1911's that are a lot nicer but I too wanted a GI look-a-like that I can beat on and not worry about the finish. I'm not a Norinco fan but some of my friends here on CGN swear by them. Whatever floats your boat as long as you're having fun!
 
dannyair said:
I've had good experience with my AO1911 GI. The price was right new. I see Del Selins has em' cheap. All series 80 internals removed and trigger job done on mine. My gunsmith thinks I'm crazy for owning it as I have a few other 1911's that are a lot nicer but I too wanted a GI look-a-like that I can beat on and not worry about the finish. I'm not a Norinco fan but some of my friends here on CGN swear by them. Whatever floats your boat as long as you're having fun!
Click to expand...

If dannyair gives the Auto-Ord 1911A1 GI model the two thumbs up that would be good enough for me. I currently have a line on a used/exc low round count example just have to finalize a deal with the seller.

If I do get it I'm planning on leaving the firing pin safety "stuff" it it, though. Well, for the moment at least.

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
Thanks NAA. I like having a fairly light trigger pull so I had no choice but to take out the S80 internals. Well, truth be told, my gunsmith took it all out when he did the trigger work. He did notice a few burs from the manufacturing process at KAHR but he is extremely fussy about stuff like that so he ends up smoothing everything out as well as doing the trigger work. I get him to do all my 1911's as once you have one done you have to have them all done. I've taken a lot of used pistols to him and he has done some amazing things in terms of extending the life of the pistol by making sure lugs are cut and locking up correctly as well as head spacing and so on... pretty amazing what he finds and fixes. He's a dear friend of mine. If ever anyone wants to get in contact with him just PM me. I'll warn you again that one done by him leads to all of em'. Well worth the long wait.
 
dannyair said:
Thanks NAA. I like having a fairly light trigger......just PM me. I'll warn you again that one done by him leads to all of em'. Well worth the long wait.
Click to expand...

+1 on your smith - CAPE. Did work on my 1911'a and others. All of them function in such a smooth and reliable fashion. Usually drop of a pistol by an arranged appointment. So far my max. wait time was 2 weeks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom