oppinion on a AO 1911...and OLD AO 1911

[broadkil]

i got an offer to buy a auto ordenence .45 for $200
the front sight blade is broke off (they didnt know what they were doing) and i need to know what should i fix or need to wrry about if i get this gun
thanks gents

[Boogalou]

I've never owned one but I understand they were kind of a crapshoot before Kahr acquired the name.

The price sounds pretty good if the gun is mechanically sound.  The front sight could be removed, slide dovetailed,  and a new sight put on.  As long as the frame and slide are ok you could replace just about everything else on the gun.  Depends how much money you want to spend.  

The thing that would worry me is that you don't know if any other part of the gun has been bubbarized or not.  Would be a good idea to take it to a gunsmith you trust.

[jwc007]

The front sight shouldn't be too much of a problem and is usually held on by a bent tenon.  It is replaced by a new one and this my be an opportunity to replace that sight with a Hi Viz Fibre optic front sight.  Any good Gunsmith can replace it.  The only problem might be getting what's left of the old front sight, out.

As has been noted, Auto Ordnance quality before Kahr acquired them is quite variable, but for $200 the risk is certainly lower.  Have a good Gunsmith inspect it with a thorough field strip.  Test Fire if possible.