The chinese norinco 1911a1 is a great buy. The frame and slide are forged. Its an awesome pistol in its orginal form or for a build platform. The norinco is the first 1911 to properly function for me.
A few years back i purchased a well used Chinese Norinco 1911a1 for just $300. It looked to be in Very Good Condition ++. I did find the barrel bushing very loose fitting in the slide. I ordered a sportsmans guide new 1911 barrel (45acp) and there full length guide rod kit with the 18# recoil spring. I then went to CDNN Investments and purchased there IAI national match barrel bushing and the IAI full wrap around rubber grips. I went to work on the gun myself after purchasing the 1911 book and armors video. I figure by being a machine rebuilder/ class A machine erector for over 40+ years I could build anything. After fitting the national match barrel bushing my way that i thought it shoud be done the fisrt time out she shoots a cloverleaf at 25yds. Now i let my son and his girlfriend shoot it who never really shot a 1911 before they both shot one cloverleaf per mag. The 1911 norinco is that good. It cycles faster and smoother with less over travel. The recoil is down to 1 1/2" to 2" and its straight up now. The gun is so quick i can put two shots in the same spot before anything moves(target). Its not a race gun but its a lot faster than an orginal 1911. I did purchased the frame rail swage kit too so i could tighten up the frame to slide fit but i haven't done that yet. I don't really know how much better it can be accuracy wise with the frame rails / slide fit tighter. I did lube it with moly too. I wanted a shooter/beater 1911 and this one isn't it.
I was so impressed with my norinco I went looking for another 1911(new). I found the new Auto Ordnance Army WW2 copy and the new Springfield GI model at my local dealer. It was a tough choice too. I chose the new auto ordnance army ww2 copy 1911a1 first its also Mass. Complaint too. I installed the 18# recoil spring and lubed it up with moly and took it to the range. Its as good as my norinco only tighter because its brand new. It cost me only $389 at the time. Again i wanted ashooter/beater and this one isn't it my search for a shooter /beater 1911 continues.
I did stop by my dealer and also purchased the springer GI model too. I haven't shot it yet. The springer GI cost me $420.
The bottomline is i would hesitate to buy another norinco 1911a1.
This proves you don't need to spend big bucks to have a great 1911. Even the new Auto Ordnance army ww2 copy is a great 1911 too. I think its still affordable when you compare it to the rest.
