Auto-Ordnance was originally created in 1918 by John Taliaferro Thompson to manufacture the Thompson Submachine Gun. Despite the success of his design, Thompson lost control of the company after World War 2. It changed hands several times before being sold in 1951 to George Numrich of the surplus firearm giant Numrich Arms Corp. During that period, M1911 pistols were marketed with the Auto-Ordnance name; however, many of those guns appear to have been cobbled together from surplus parts, giving Auto-Ordnance Government Models a less-than-sterling reputation. Eventually, the M1911 pistols were dropped from the company line.
In 1999, when Auto-Ordnance was purchased by Kahr Arms, production of M1911 pistols once again commenced. The company’s initial O-frame offerings were replicas of G.I.-issue guns, replete with spur hammers, M1911A1-style grip safeties and even lanyard loops on the mainspring housings. Three such pistols—a Parkerized World War 2 G.I. model, and Standard and Deluxe versions of the basic M1911A1 design—are still catalogued by Auto-Ordnance. In 2004, the company capitalized on the custom M1911 craze by introducing several Thompson Custom models, including the 1911TC Stainless reviewed here.
The Auto-Ordnance 1911TC embodies the company’s objective of providing a pistol with custom touches at a reasonable-size Government Model pistol with a 5” barrel. The slide is machined from 416 stainless steel bar stock, while the frame is a 421 stainless steel investment casting. Both components have a glass-beaded finish. Most other components are of either stainless steel or plated chrome-moly steel, with the notable exception of the checkered, blued-steel flat mainspring housing. Black, checkered plastic stocks with a Thompson logo inlay are standard on the 1911TC. All the requisite custom features found on contemporary Government Model guns are in evidence on the 1911TC, including a slotted Commander-style hammer, extended thumb safety, beavertail grip safety and slotted, lightweight aluminum trigger.
The 1911TC offers no surprises for those familiar with the workings of the Colt Government Model, with all internal parts being of standard design. A Colt Series 80-style safety system is incorporated into the pistol’s slide and frame. The components resemble those used in Series 80 pistols.
The 1911TC’s few functional departures from the original M1911 design are intended to improve the gun’s reliability, such as the extended ejector and lowered, beveled and fluted ejection port and the full-length, one-piece guide rod.
Auto-Ordnance has obviously given some thought to the 1911TC’s ergonomics as evidenced by the 22-line-per-inch checkering on the frontstrap, extended and checkered magazine release, front and rear slide serrations, extended thumb safety, and narrowed beavertail grip safety with palm pad. Also the mouth of the magazine well has been moderately beveled to facilitate reloading.
Sighting is by way of a dovetail-mounted 0.12”-wide ramped post front and a high-visibility blade with a 0.10”-wide rear notch. The faces of both are finely serrated to minimize light reflections.
We tested our 1911TC at 25 yds. off sandbags using a 230-gr. load from American Ammunition, a 230-gr. JHP load from Black Hills and a 185-gr. Silvertip load from Winchester. By a slight margin, the best accuracy was reported by the 230-gr. Black Hills load, which also produced a phenomenally low velocity spread. Our 1911TC was remarkably consistent, producing groups right around 3” with all loads—a level of accuracy sufficient for self-defense or for casual practical-pistol competition. The gun shot about 1 1/2” high and to the right of the point of aim with the 230-gr. American Ammunition and Black Hills loads, and nearly dead-on with the 185-gr. Winchester Silvertip load.
No malfunctions of any kind were observed. Ejection was strong, with brass landing five to seven feet to the right rear of the gun. Recoil was tolerable with all loads.
We appreciated the frontstrap chekering and palm-pad beavertail, which ensures positive deactivation of the beavertail grip safety even with an imperfect strong-hand grip.
There are a few aspects of the 1911TC that might be improved. The frontstrap chekering could have been a touch sharper, there were a few edges that could have used additional dehorning, and the pistol’s 7-lb. trigger pull could have been lighter. (According to Auto-Ordnance, the trigger pull on our gun was something of an anomaly, as pull weights are generally standardized at about 5 lbs. at the factory.) However, in light of its competitive $775 price, these are minor quibbles.
Overall, the 1911TC offers a commendable combination of desirable features in an affordable, well-made, reliable and accurate package.
| SHOOTING RESULTS (25YDS.) |
| .45 ACP Cartridge |
|
VEL. @ 15'
(fps) |
ENERGY
(FT.-LBS.) |
GROUP SIZE IN INCHES |
|
SMALLEST |
LARGEST |
AVERAGE |
American Ammunition
230-GR. C3 |
|
756 AVG.
22 SD
|
292 |
2.41 |
3.45 |
3.03 |
Black Hills
230-GR. JHP+P |
|
944 AVG.
3 SD |
455 |
2.59 |
3.24 |
2.84 |
Winchester
No. X45ASHP2
185-GR. ST HP |
|
943 AVG.
11 SD |
366 |
2.53 |
3.19 |
2.90 |
|
AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD: |
2.92 |
|
| Velocity recorded 10 feet from the muzzle with a Shooing Chrony. Accuracy tested off a sandbag rest; results are the average of three, three-shot groups at 25 yards.Measured Average Velocity for 10 rounds from a 5” barrel. Range temperature: 84F. Humidity: 67%. Accuracy for five consecutive, five-shot groups at 25 YDS. from sandbags. Abbreviations: C3 (completely copper coated), HP (Hollow Point), JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point), SD (Standard Deviation), ST (Silvertip). |
| The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” since at least 1921, when Col. Townsend Whelen first titled his column with it. Even then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used by target shooters to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line. “Sight dope” also was a traditional marksman’s term for sight-adjustment information, while judging wind speed and direction was called “doping the wind.” |
WARNING: Technical date and information contained herein are intended to provide information based on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely necessary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training requirements, procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. |
