Ciener Conversion on my Norinco

[Bitterroot Bob]

Howdy,
I took advantage of the Ciener Internet special last month and sent in $204 for the conversion and extra magazine to go on my Norinco 1911. It took a month for the transaction, but it was worth the wait! The kit comes in a fitted blue hard case. The slide fit my Chi-Com .45 like it had been fitted for it. Like the brochure promised, I was able to change it out in seconds. It took longer to wipe off the preservative oil than it did to install. The matte black was a match to the frame's finish and the windage-adjustable-only sights were slightly better than the originals sans the white dots.
The magazines hold ten rounds of HIGH-VELOCITY .22 LR. I was a little concerned about the lack of a stiff mag spring, but they load and shoot just fine from 1-10. Evidently Ruger Mark II mags are over engineered like everything Ruger. The Ciener mags appear to be easy to strip and clean, but I didn't try.
I loaded one mag with Remington gold bullet HV ammo and the other with Eley Sport Standard Velocity stuff. The book calls for HV- for a reason. The Remingtons shot exactly to where the sights were pointed and, shooting offhand, I was able to keep all ten in a pretty tight cluster. The Eley's grouped well, but lacked enough recoil energy to fully cycle the slide. The slide would move the hammer to half-cock, partially extract the empty, and then slide forward. The empty would be rechambered and the rim couldn't be grabbed by the extractor again. I finished off the magazine with my pocket-knife in my lap, one cantankerous shot at a time. The Eley was accurate, though. Reckon I'll shoot it through the T-Bolt.
The slide doesn't stay open after the last shot, but I can live with that. The Ciener/Norinco combo is accurate and will allow me to shoot my big gun for 90% less ammo cost than with the .45 barrel. AND I don't have to hunt the brass when I'm done!

Bitterroot Bob

[kynardsj]

I bought one of the kits 7 or 8 years ago for my Springfield 1911 A1. Took a little bit of buffing on the slide but after that it worked great. Nice toy to add to your 1911 fun.

[dorothy daily]

purchased one at midways scratch and dent sale last month. did not get a second magazine but they were selling for $70.00 tax included, and they were new in blue plastic box. who said larry potterfield does not have bargins. was a no plastic day cash or check only. left checkbook at home had $15.00 left out of $350.00. the place was like walmart on friday after thanksgiving. also got a new a&b 10-22 stainless fluted barrel for $20.00.

[Mikey]

Bob - sounds like you got yourself a winner with the Ciener conversion, and if your children will graduate from college soon enough to enable you to afford enough 22 lr ammo to enjoy it you will be really happy. 

I believe Ciener recommends the high velocity 22 lr ammo to achieve reliable functioning whereas the standard velocity or target velocity ammo might not.  If the target ammo moves the slide back only partially, to where the hammer goes back to half cock, you might be able to resolve this problem with a additional mainspring housing with a lighter hammer recoil spring installed. 

I know this sounds like it might be a pita but it might work for you.  Wolf Springs, of Ardmore, Pa. manufactures all weights of springs for the 1911 and target shooters often use lightweight spring packages or just cut coils off the existing springs. 

I would get another complete mainspring housing (inexpensive) and a lightweight spring kit, maybe 12 lbs, and install the spring - careful when you remove the hammer spring retaining pin as the hammer recoil spring can send the hammer strut whatever ya callit near 25 ft away.  The hammer strut whatever ya callit has to be depressed to drift the pin out and it's better to be working with a 'spare' set-up than to lose the only parts your have.......and not be able to find them in your reloading room.....as they look just like lots of the other stuff layin' on the floor.......or they might be stuck in the ceiling while you're lookin' on the floor....or you might have to ask your wife or children (anyone with better eyesight) to help you pick out the structural irregularities of the 'stuff' strewn around your gun room/reloading room floor in the hopes of finding that small part that launched itself, all by itself.....if ya know what I mean........

[Bitterroot Bob]

What. Has Jules described my basement to you?
That actually sounds like a reasonable proposal. I have the latest Brownells with me and I'll check to see what's available. I really ought to use this as an excuse to build a .22LR-specific 1911 and find a better .45, right?
I'm looking forward to wringing this thing out, if it ever stops raining. I might have to trade it in on a nail-gun so I can finish the ark.

Bitterroot

[teamnelson]

Still waiting to take mine to the range! That was an awesome deal.

[Mikey]

Bob - no, not quite 'described' more like 'compared' one day when she said - this place looks just like my brother's basement!  How do you ever find anything in here??

Well......you could use this as a excuse to build a 22 specific 1911, especially if the reduced tension hammer spring in the mainspring housing concept works; although I don't think you need any excuse for another 45. 

Nail guns do not give good accuracy beyond point blank range......................