All you 1911 folks out there...

[C-pher]

Is this a good one, and is this a good price?

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976509886.htm

[Lynne]

I'm confused. It's listed as WW2, but then it says the condition is new in box. Is it a repro, or was in made for WW2 and never issued??? If it's a 1911-A1 - made for WW2 and never been issued, then I would say hell yes, that's a good price! Is it on the EOPS list?

[C-pher]

See, that's why I named it what I did.

I don't know that much about 1911s, so I figured that I would post it.

It seems that Eldon has several of these, so I'm thinking that they are new. I hear that Springfield 1911s are sought after. So I figured that I would see what you guys have to say.

[Lynne]

C-pher - can you email as ask them if it's a REAL WW2 era 1911? Or, is it brand new?

It seems to me, from what I've seen of 1911 prices, that if it's 60 years old, it would be closer to $1000 as it looks like it just came off the line. I don't own one, but I've drooled over enough of them. :D

[LenS]

That "Springfield Armory" didn't exist in WWII! SA is "now" located in IL and is NOT the same as the Springfield Armory in Springfield MA (that did build guns for WWII and is now nothing more than a museum).

This is a new SA 1911 in a configuration like the WWII vintage guns.

From what I've seen of the SA guns, this is about average price.

If it truly is in WWII style, it will never pass the EOPS and AG requirements, so unless it is currently in-state, it's a no-go.

[TYPEO1313]

I don't know much about that gun; I don't think it is Ma Compliant though. But I believe if it is true military spec then you should be able to put any Colt 1911 parts or military spec 1911 parts on it.

[Greg Derr]

This is a "NEW" gun made with the same features as a GI spec WWII issued 1911. The 4 inch gun was never made in WWII. This gun is also not Mass legal. None of the Springfields are. I have spoken to Springfield in the past and they are not interested in making there guns Mass compliant. THey could esily with the main spring lock they sell, but they won't on principal. Greg

[M1911]

As Greg pointed out, you can't buy it in MA. While it is listed as WWII Milspec, it isn't. It's a 4" barrel and a milspec WWII model would be 5".

It has the old style thumb safety and grip safety, and old style sights.

Personally, I much prefer an extended thumb safety, beavertail grip safety, and modern sights. If you want a M1911, I'd get a S&W 1911 long before I'd get one of these.

YMMV.

[Nickle]

It's definitely a repro.

I personally think the price looks a little high, considering what 1911A1's can be had for. You definitely can build a MIL-Spec 1911A1 for that.

I like them pretty much original, except for match sights.

[C-pher]

So, what you guys are all saying, is don't get excited about these. I think that he's got like 5 of them. So I don't know how it got them, but that doesn't matter as they are not that good.

Cool, thanks. As I don't know that much about 1911s, I figured that I would bring this up to you guys first.

[jacobtowne]

As others have suggested, Springfield Armory in Illinois has nothing whatever to do with the former government arsenal at Springfield.
The pistol in question is a recently manufactured commercial arm. The firm may feel justified in calling it "GI" or "Spec" because some of the parts are made to original specifications, but it is NOT a reproduction of the M1911 or the M1911A1, since the barrel is too short.
The Champion is similar to the four-inch barrelled Colt Commander, also a commercial pistol.
JT

[Nickle]

So, what you guys are all saying, is don't get excited about these.

I think you could do better elsewhere. I've got less than $200 in mine, but some the parts (including the frame and slide) were given to me.

[cdkayak]

Here's a link to Springfield's site with the GI model.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-GI.shtml

The price they're asking on GunsAmerica is higher than the suggested retail, you should be able to get that pistol for closer to $400.

CD

[Nickle]

$400 would be a decent price, and then I'd recommend it.

Watch out for the Gun Auctions, like GunBroker and GunsAmerica. The prices are way high for stuff. Do your homework, know what the real prices are, and shop wisely.

[Lynne]

That "Springfield Armory" didn't exist in WWII! SA is "now" located in IL and is NOT the same as the Springfield Armory in Springfield MA (that did build guns for WWII and is now nothing more than a museum).


Thanks Len - I didn't know that. I'm not up on the history part of companies. :D

[LenS]

Lynne et al:

That's why we have the forum. To share all sorts of useless tidbits of information! [wink]

[Pilgrim]

Yup, repro like the others said. Whilst I was looking at 1911's, I found the best deal out there (I think) is the AutoOrdnance 1911a1. I just got one and it's a great gun. They did vary from the true WW2 version in that it has a 'series 80' firing pin block, in order to make it Mass compliant. It is really close to original except for that and will take other milspec parts if you want to change things out.

I've put a cuppla hundred rounds thru mine flawlessly.

Look at one, you'll love it.

http://www.auto-ordnance.com/ao_1911pkz_f.html

http://www.dfandkf.com/1911a1.jpg

[Nickle]

And, since I've carried issued 1911A1's, I can tell you the Auto-Ordnance looks more like an issue 1911A1 than the Springfield does. I've NEVER seen "US" markings on the grips of an authentic 1911 or 1911A1.

[JonJ]

Saw one today at M&M's in Plymouth for $529.

[Greg Derr]

The Auto Ordinance looks very GI. Even the thumb safety is correct. If you are looking for the differences to the 1911- there are three main changes. The MSH is flat in the 1911. The grip safety is much shorter. And it lacks a relief cut for the trigger finger. Greg

[Pilgrim]

Saw one today at M&M's in Plymouth for $529.

I paid $535 for mine with 2 extra used Colt mags, and an excellent black GI holster of the 70's era.

[C-pher]

Northeast Trading has one for just about $500 as well. I was looking at it on Sunday. Just saw it in there tonight again.

[Nickle]

The Auto Ordinance looks very GI. Even the thumb safety is correct. If you are looking for the differences to the 1911- there are three main changes. The MSH is flat in the 1911. The grip safety is much shorter. And it lacks a relief cut for the trigger finger. Greg

The AO is a replica of a 1911A1, and those 3 features are correct for the 1911A1, but NOT the 1911.

[C-pher]

Let's say that I picked up a AO until we get the time to build one. Will that be a good one to be familure with before we have a build party.

[Nickle]

Let's say that I picked up a AO until we get the time to build one. Will that be a good one to be familure with before we have a build party.

Definitely.

[C-pher]

OK, then I'm going to have to work on picking one up.

[sal]

Yoy might want to give Collectors a call. The website says that they have two 1911s and 2 1911a1's. The website does not list a price though.

[squirrel slayer]

Are these the same as the Kahr? I saw one on the cape at the powderhorn. It is a Kahr. Were they bought by Auto Ordinance?

[squirrel slayer]

Are these the same as the Kahr? I saw one on the cape at the powderhorn. It is a Kahr. Were they bought by Auto Ordinance?

[squirrel slayer]

Are these the same as the Kahr? I saw one on the cape at the powderhorn. It is a Kahr. Were they bought by Auto Ordinance?

[M1911]

Other way around. Kahr bought AutoOrdnance: http://kahr.com/new_press.html#kahr_buy_ao

[M1911]

Other way around. Kahr bought AutoOrdnance: http://kahr.com/new_press.html#kahr_buy_ao

[M1911]

Other way around. Kahr bought AutoOrdnance: http://kahr.com/new_press.html#kahr_buy_ao

[squirrel slayer]

M1911- that makes sense. That's why they are still called Kahr! They are good, especially for the price right?

[squirrel slayer]

M1911- that makes sense. That's why they are still called Kahr! They are good, especially for the price right?

[squirrel slayer]

M1911- that makes sense. That's why they are still called Kahr! They are good, especially for the price right?

[M1911]

They are good, especially for the price right?You asking about Kahr's or AutoOrdnance 1911s? Kahrs, yes they are excellent guns. I've got 3 - K9, K40, and MK9. AutoOrdnance? No opinion. I've never held or shot one.

I will say that I'm not a fan of the old milspec style 1911s for shooting. I like:

- beavertail safeties -- the old style bites the web of my hand
- extended thumb safeties -- the old style is harder to reach and harder to ride with your thumb
- higher profile sights -- the old style sites are too hard for my tired old eyes to see.

In other words, I like something closer to a Kimber series I. YMMV.

The old style 1911s sure are purty, but I just can't shoot them worth a darn.

[mark056]

Kahr acquired Auto-Ordnance in 2000 or thereabouts I believe, and the 1911A1's are made at the Kahr factory in Worcester. As indicated in another thread, I purchased one on Monday and will give a report on my experiences with it, once I have had the opportunity to fire it.

It seems to be a well-made gun...but the proof is in the pudding, so to speak and I will reserve judgement until I have shot it.

Mark

[jhrosier]

I bought an AO/Thompson 1911, several years ago, before Kahr took over production.
I wanted only the frame & slide to build a target gun. Good thing too, ALL of the small parts were seriously out of tolerance and will not fit any other 1911 frame. All of the parts that I replaced required some greater or lesser amout of hand fitting to function.
The result, after much fitting, is a "mouse" gun that fires 185gr.swc's at about 650fps, flawlessly. Recoil is non-existant & I can fire as fast as I can squeeze the trigger because the sights never leave the target.
Sadly, steel plate shooting in central MA pretty much ended shortly after I completed the gun.
I would hope that Kahr has reintroduced the concept of tolerances and interchangeable parts to their current production.

[Pilgrim]

As in a previous posting in this thread, I bought the AO 1911a1 , military version and I think it is a fine piece. I don't have any other 1911's to try and swap parts to it but it sure looks good to me. The fit and finish is great and I've fired 200 rounds thru it flawlessly now.

I also have a AO Thompson M1927a1 made when AO was owned by Numrich and it too is a very well made peice.

Numrich sold AO to Kahr a few years ago and Kahr apparently has made some major changes to their methods of manufacturing and quality control. Their pricing used to be bottom dollar and now it's getting up with the other major players, so I'd guess that their mfg costs for that quality are being reflected in their pricing.

Do a google on autoordnance and there are several magazine articles about the gun and the company and it's commitment to quality. I think you'll be pleased.

Don't use comments based on the 'old' company to bias yourself about the products they have now.