Auto-Ordnance 1911TC

by
posted on October 29, 2009
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
2009102916024-auto_f.jpg

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 II. 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 II 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.....

Latest

Gotw Wilson Combat Divison 77 Project 1 Web
Gotw Wilson Combat Divison 77 Project 1 Web

Gun Of The Week: Wilson Combat Division 77 Project 1

Join American Rifleman staff on the range in this video to get a closer look at Wilson Combat’s somewhat cryptically named “Division 77 Project 1.” 

The Armed Citizen® July 18, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: POF-USA LMR BASE Rifle

The Patriot Ordnance Factory LMR Base offers a .308 Win. chambering in a lightweight, AR-15-size package, which makes it a capable platform for today's new gun owner. And it comes at a fair price.

2025 Accessory Of The Year: Wyoming Sight Drifter

For each of the past 23 years, the editors of American Rifleman have convened to select our top picks for the past year’s best and most innovative products. Here are the most recent winners.

Henry Donates Rifles To Support Young Leukemia Victim

Henry Repeating Arms has donated a limited run of 50 “Team Keane” Golden Boy .22 lever-action rifles to support 13-year-old Keane Rhodes of Universal City, Texas, who is currently undergoing aggressive treatment for ALL T-cell leukemia.

Rifleman Review: Springfield Armory Echelon

Springfield Armory introduced its Echelon in 2023, bringing a modernized, chassis-style, striker-fired handgun to the market that has since seen several notable line extensions.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.