[Rich D]

I picked up my 2016 made, AO 1911 yesterday, field stripped and lubed it. I really like the flat black finish and hope it holds up. The grips stink, as does the trigger. The trigger has some slack, then 2 very definite stages with a very gritty feel. The fit is tight, and the action is smooth. I put the grips from my Loaded on it, but may go with the Magpul grips. Anybody try them? An American made GI 1911 for $450.

 

[Guest]

I had been hoping to get a real USGI 1911A1, but, not likely to happen at today's prices. I was looking at the AO to fill my itch for a GI model.

My understanding is the 80 style safety setup accounts for the trigger stiffness, it may loosen up after some shooting, or disassemble clean & check for any rough spots...

 

[Rich D]

I had been hoping to get a real USGI 1911A1, but, not likely to happen at today's prices. I was looking at the AO to fill my itch for a GI model.

My understanding is the 80 style safety setup accounts for the trigger stiffness, it may loosen up after some shooting, or disassemble clean & check for any rough spots...

Same here. I wanted a beater 1911, and got one with a Davidson's Lifetime. I do intend on shooting it some first before I do any altering. I've dry fired it, and the trigger seems to be improving. Will, like on my Ruger SBH, the trigger improve if I push the hammer forward as I fire?

 

[Guest]

Can't really advise if that's a good practice or not, I'd just give it a good cleaning and check for any rough edges, then shoot the snot out of it...

 

[WaM14gunner]

I have been shooting my AO for a little bit now and the trigger has smoothed up just with shooting. Its still quite tight after about 500 rounds, and wont yet function 100 percent if I put a shock buffer in it, but runs fine without it. I really like mine a lot. If you look around you will see my first report on this.

 

[POLACK]

look here from brownells
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...ing-kits/1911-trigger-pull-set-prod66653.aspx
http://www.brownells.com/search/index.htm?k=1911+trigger+group&ksubmit=y

 

[Rich D]

I have been shooting my AO for a little bit now and the trigger has smoothed up just with shooting. Its still quite tight after about 500 rounds, and wont yet function 100 percent if I put a shock buffer in it, but runs fine without it. I really like mine a lot. If you look around you will see my first report on this.

Yep, saw it, and was influenced by your input. Thanks.

 

[High Hat]

look here from brownells
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...ing-kits/1911-trigger-pull-set-prod66653.aspx
http://www.brownells.com/search/index.htm?k=1911+trigger+group&ksubmit=y

Those parts would help the trigger pull but wouldn't look right on this pistol. These parts work great and look correct for a military pistol:https://shop.harrisoncustom.com/hd-130-retro-ignition-set

I have this ignition set in my 1911 and recommend them highly!

Get a trigger track stone to clean up the frame to help a little more.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Just ordered one of these today (BKO Model) for my kid. The 1911's I have are not exactly like my Father, Uncles and Brother carried in the Army, or which I carried in the Navy.... that's what he wanted. This is the closest on the market that's affordable. Didn't need a collectable Rand, Ithaca, Singer or Colt....; )

It will only be for plinking, and shooting the old Navy Pistol Ribbon Qual and Watch Stander Qual. Not changing a thing on it as my issued 1911's were identical, plastic grips, crappy trigger, sights and all......

For those who have the newer (Kahr) Auto-Ordnance, is there any indication who made the magazine? I suspect Metal Form?....I need 5 more as the pistol only comes with 1.

 

[WaM14gunner]

Others have stated the issue mag is marginal. The one that came with mine seemed fine at first, then I had some issues, not sure if they were mag related but tried some GI types that I got somewhere and they seem to be more reliable. I believe the issue mags can be had from the Kahr site.. Mine is marked with the KMT logo and made in USA. I read somewhere it may be made by CMI. There is a pic of my mag on my review thread of this pistol.

 

[hardheaded]

That figures , I was just looking for a truck door gun
Your US pistol was 29.00 cheaper than this Phillipine RIA I bought last week
The cheapest 1911 I found new was north of 750 I didn't know these were out there
View attachment 154402

 

[POLACK]

glock makes a nice 45 also

 

[Rich D]

I just put the Williams Fire Sights carry type on mine.

https://williamsgunsight.com/product/colt-government/

I did it myself with a pair of vice grips, some red Loctite, Dremmel, file and a punch. The AO 1911 has a narrow tenon hole, so the sight base has to be filed narrower. I also cut a groove across the sight base with a Dremmel cutting disc so I could spread the tenon easier. I'm waiting for the Loctite to set up now.

The trigger has gotten better with a lot of dry fire, and some cleaning. I need to polish up the internals, and I have a set of Wilson pins for my last alteration. I'll have about $500 total into it.

 

[WaM14gunner]

How is the AO running for you? I like mine a lot.

 

[Grunt03]

I have been shooting a 1911 in competition for years. Always buy a base model and trick it as much as the rules will allow. That's the beauty of the 1911. If you're looking for a wide selection of pistol grips for the 1911 try VZgrips.com.

 

[Rich D]

glock makes a nice 45 also

They forgot to put a safety on it, though, and I can "safely" make my trigger a lot better than a Glock. They do have their place, but I don't like to carry them. A 34 with a 33 round mag and a light sleeps in my night stand.

 

[Rich D]

How is the AO running for you? I like mine a lot.

No problems so far, but I haven't shot it much because I couldn't see the sights well. I also put $17 Magpul grips on it, and really like the big thumb scoop, and sticky texture.

 

[M14E2]

The real thing is nice to have , but if ya want to shoot , get a new one. The originals were made with a 5000rd life expectancy. The slides were not fully hardened and can crack with prolonged use. A fresh 18# spring and shok-buff can help prolong this from happening.
As for the Mag-Pul grips , they are nice , but personally I wish they were symmetrical. The left panel has a wide groove so ya can reach the mag release button , but I don't need it and it just doesn't look or feel right.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

The real thing is nice to have , but if ya want to shoot , get a new one. The originals were made with a 5000rd life expectancy. The slides were not fully hardened and can crack with prolonged use. A fresh 18# spring and shok-buff can help prolong this from happening.
As for the Mag-Pul grips , they are nice , but personally I wish they were symmetrical. The left panel has a wide groove so ya can reach the mag release button , but I don't need it and it just doesn't look or feel right.

If I remember correctly, 5,000 rds was the return cycle round count to CRANE. I think at Miramar we had 200 service grade 1911's in the armory......had to count them every morning and evening and that number sticks in my head...lol....I only remember shipping one cycle out. The (new) ones that came back were reconditioned but didn't look any different. I think CRANE just inspected and replaced parts as needed.

The most commonly failed part on service grades was the disconnector......and you knew when one bit the dust......BRRRRRRP!!!..and the look on the student/shooters face was priceless....

When I get the AO (Love calling it that) in I'm sure the mag will need tuning. I plan on running at least 500 rounds through it before tearing down to depot level and inspecting....assuming nothing drastic happens before.....lol

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Others have stated the issue mag is marginal. The one that came with mine seemed fine at first, then I had some issues, not sure if they were mag related but tried some GI types that I got somewhere and they seem to be more reliable. I believe the issue mags can be had from the Kahr site.. Mine is marked with the KMT logo and made in USA. I read somewhere it may be made by CMI. There is a pic of my mag on my review thread of this pistol.

The entire pistol is marginal....and I expect that, no worries. A little tuning here and there and it will run fine for what I want it for.

The site is out of mags. I have some USGI mags, somewhere, but will have to rebuild them.

Did your (KMT) mag have a removable floorplate or was it welded?