Odd 1911 Help

[mio]

Hoping you guys can tell me what I looked at tonight. All I know about 1911s is that the Kimber I bought used last month is sweet and more tricked out than I realized.

Anyway a coworker told me he was thinking of selling his .45 for $225 and asked if I would be interested. A picture showed it to be an Auto Ordnance 1911. A quick look on here last night told me these were hit and miss mostly miss but since I could shoot it I thought it was worth a look.

The gun turned out to be one of the ones from Thompson it was a Pitbull model (Commander size?) and said ZG-51 on it. What was really confusing to me was that when I locked the slide back the barrel had a huge bell at the end however when the slide was forward into the battery position it definitely fit properly. I locked the slides back on his and mine and put them barrel to barrel and there was a huge difference in OD. I found this really strange and decided I didn't want it because of this.

So my question is what's up with this? Is it just a brand specific barrel? Also any other information about that model would be nice. He didn't really want to sell the gun, and actually only offered it to me and one other coworker. He offered it up because he wants a Glock and his wife told him to sell a gun. He did hint that now that I went over and looked at it he was going to tell her that I was buying it and then go buy his Glock next weekend. He isn't really a handgun guy and was wanting to know more about the gun so I told him I would look into it a bit.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[mio]

Oh one other odd to me thing I noticed is that it had a half cock. Is this normal?

 

[Bama Drifter]

Sounds like a bull bbl (bushingless) setup. Not completely unusual, just not the old GI style that is most familiar. The Auto Ordnance - Thompson website would shed more light on it. Probably an ok deal @ less than $300. Good luck!

 

[mio]

Thanks for the quick reply. It wasn't what I was looking for not being the full size so I don't have any regret letting it pass mostly just looking for info for him.

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, dog knot on the barrel instead of a barrel bushing.
Because there isn't enough room in the slide for a barrel bushing on the shorty guns.

All 1911's have always had a safety intercept notch (half cock) except those using the Colt Series 80 system with a firing pin lock.

Everything about the gun you are looking at is perfectly normal for a modern 1911 shorty.

rc

 

[mio]

Thanks RC. What purpose does it serve?

 

[Liberty1776]

by the by... I would have snatched that in an instant for that price. But then, I believe one can never have too many 1911's...of any persuasion...

 

[Red Cent]

dog knot

 

[9mmepiphany]

I would have snatched it up too...and I don't even like Auto Ordance

The flared/belled/bull barrel is there to lock up the barrel to the slide in place of the bushing on the GM

 

[rondog]

You passed up a great deal, IMO.

 

[imashooter]

If it's in good condition and he still has it, you should grab it for that price. You will grow to like it or have no trouble selling it.

 

[rondog]

If it's in good condition and he still has it, you should grab it for that price. You will grow to like it or have no trouble selling it.

No kidding! You should beat feet right over there, beg forgiveness for your negligence, and bring it home!

 

[AZAndy]

They don't have a great reputation, and Officer-sized 1911s have their own set of problems, but for that price I'd get it just to play with.

 

[mio]

Thanks guys. Looks like what you don't know can hurt you. Now I know better for next time. He really didn't want to sell it or I would be back at his house when the sun comes up. I'll shoot him a text today just in case.

 

[DeepSouth]

My brother had an AO 1911, only one I've ever handled and it never worked. It would feed the first two rounds out of a magazine then it was a single shot. I personally wouldn't buy one at any price but I do understand others have had good luck with them.

 

[Drail]

The reason a bull barrel is used in compact 1911s is simply because there will not be enough room in a shortened slide for a full size full length bushing used in a 5 in. gun. If there is not the rear of the bushing will crash into the barrel's lugs before the slide can come all the way back. The bull barrel setup eliminates the bushing to allow for the shortened stroke. On a Commander (4 or 4 1/4" barrel) this can be dealt with by using a shortened chopped down bushing - or by just installing a bull barrel. Either method solves the problem. On an Officer's size 1911 you must either use a very short bushing like Colt did - or a bull barrel. Once you start chopping down a slide you must compensate for reduced travel and space to get a full stroke that will allow extraction and feeding of a cartridge.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Tell him you have come to your senses and go buy it. If you don't like It will sell at a profit for you. I have a 3 1/2" and a 3" compacts one 1995 other 2005 Mine are Colt . And Never had one problem from either one Still use for carry today . I can't just be lucky because I ve never won the lottery . Ball or HP they just keep going and going. I have also a early Detonics 1st of the chopped 1911's and it still gets shot. Not carried any more Lighter compacts today. As long as good recoil springs and mag springs I see no reason for trouble from these compacts

 

[Drail]

Oh, there's plenty of reasons if you get one even a little out of spec. If you have one that runs 100% - you're lucky. If you have TWO that actually run - Jesus loves you.......

 

[BHP FAN]

I have the RIA version and love it.

 

[rondog]

I also have a RIA Compact and love it too. It's given me zero problems.

 

[RayTheGreat]

I would pass it. Even at that price, the Thompson Auto-ordnance guns were disappointing, to say the least. Thompson Auto Ordnance wasn't actually a gun manufacturer, they just bought the cheapest parts they could and assembled them themselves. Their guns had reliability problems and were made entirely of cast parts, although I've heard they let some somewhat-decent guns out of their factory every blue moon or so. I still wouldn't risk it.

There are better budget 1911s out there, look into a Norinco or something similar.
Just my advice, good luck whatever you choose.

-Ray

 

[Drail]

+1 There's far too many quality 1911s out there to even think of messing with an Auto Ord.