A friend dropped of a 1911.45 pistol labeled Auto-Ordnance Corp West Hurley, NY with the Thompson Trade Mark. Located the following on the web and believe his is one of the 1911's manufactured by the corp registered in 1974. Any ideas on the model number?
Sep 18, 2011 Based on the serial number it was made by Auto Ordnance in West Hurley, NY well prior to my AO which carries a 18XXX S/N and was purchased in 1989. AO has since been acquired by Kahr. It is a copy of a USGI 1911A1. Auto-Ordnance Thompson for sale online. Toggle navigation MENU? Number of Active Listings: 22 Total Number of Listings: 168. Auo-Ordnance Thompson 1927-A1..45ACP. With 10-round drum and 30-round stick mag. Original box. From mid 90's. Excellent condition.
The weapon is in need of a barrel, recoil spring etc., any ideas on where he can purchase the parts? (Called Numrich Arms and they don't have this weapon listed) The name “Auto-Ordnance Corporation”, which had been abandoned in 1944, was re-registered in New York on June 14, 1974 by Numrich Arms Corp.
Of West Hurley, New York. The new “Auto-Ordnance Corp.” had no connection with nor was it a successor in interest to the original Auto-Ordnance Corporation of Thompson, Ryan, Maguire, and “Tommy Gun” fame although its literature, catalogs, trademarks, and “Thompson” gun patterned to look like the original Thompson fools consumers into believing otherwise. Kahr Arms purchased the new “Auto-Ordnance Corp.” from Numrich Arms in 1998, apparently believing that they were actually buying the original Auto-Ordnance Corp., not the one created by Numrich Arms. Auto Ordnance has been making 1911-type pistols since around 1979 or so. Up until the time Kahr took over they had a very bad reputation for quality, something I can personally attest having bought one back in 1989.
The good news is that they are usually rebuildable into decent pistols, and they accept all standard GI-spec parts (BTW the new ones have a firing pin safety so that's not the case with them). I salvaged mine by replacing the barrel and extractor with GI components bought at the local gun show (at that time GI surplus parts were readily available and cheap, unlike today). You should be able to peruse Brownells or Midway's websites and find some inexpensive factory-spec components to upgrade whatever needs replacing on your friend's pistol. You're looking for stuff that fits a standard 5', Government-length Series 70 or older 1911. BTW you probably can order spare parts from the current Kahr-owned company as well. Avoid the temptation to replace everything on your brand-new 1911 just to make it 'better'. Know what you're changing out and why.
You may spend a lot of money fixing things that weren't broken to begin with. Shoot at least 500 rounds through it first, then decide what you don't like and want to improve. Regarding vintage 1911s, pre-1970 pistols are highly collectible in original, unaltered condition and should NEVER be refinished or modified as it completely ruins their monetary value. Auto Ordnance has been making 1911-type pistols since around 1979 or so. Up until the time Kahr took over they had a very bad reputation for quality, something I can personally attest having bought one back in 1989. The good news is that they are usually rebuildable into decent pistols, and they accept all standard GI-spec parts (BTW the new ones have a firing pin safety so that's not the case with them).
I salvaged mine by replacing the barrel and extractor with GI components bought at the local gun show (at that time GI surplus parts were readily available and cheap, unlike today). You should be able to peruse Brownells or Midway's websites and find some inexpensive factory-spec components to upgrade whatever needs replacing on your friend's pistol.
You're looking for stuff that fits a standard 5', Government-length Series 70 or older 1911. BTW you probably can order spare parts from the current Kahr-owned company as well. Thank you very much for the info. I did call Kahr and they refereed me to Numrich. For sure I will check Brownells and Midway for GI-spec parts. Again thanks and yes it does feel cheap.
Avoid the temptation to replace everything on your brand-new 1911 just to make it 'better'. Know what you're changing out and why. You may spend a lot of money fixing things that weren't broken to begin with. Shoot at least 500 rounds through it first, then decide what you don't like and want to improve. Regarding vintage 1911s, pre-1970 pistols are highly collectible in original, unaltered condition and should NEVER be refinished or modified as it completely ruins their monetary value. If the serial number is below 50000 buy with confidence and rebuild with any GI spec parts.
Unable to check the serial number, the weapon is currently submerged in transmission fluid. The ejector and extractor fill like they are frozen. Poster logman on this site recommended: Stand the slide vertical muzzle up and soak with Kroil, or Hoppe's 9 overnight. Fill from the breech face. Then use a dowel 6'-8' long and from the muzzle end first try to just get it to move by giving the dowel a sharp rap or three Used Hoppe # 9 and when that didn't work used penetration oil.
Since both failed, did a google and located the recommendation of the transmission fluid. So in a couple of days, I will then use the dowel rod (hopefully it will work this time) and verify the serial number.