Author Topic: Norinco 1911...Any good??? (Read 3769 times)

drdougrx · « **on:** August 25, 2009, 09:41:26 AM »

Hi All,

Saw a Norinco 1911 at the local shop and there was a price of $549 on it. Worth the $$ and then worth a basic tune up (ie, trigger, Ramp/throat/polish and sites)??

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2009, 10:55:02 AM »

i once read an article that stated Bill Wilson would use a Norinco 1911 as a base gun for his up grades . The article also listed many other America made guns he would not use . It has also been said they make parts for Springfiels ar. but can't say for sure . sounds like a deal.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2009, 11:05:18 AM »

You can get a new 1911 from rock island cheaper and not sending $ to China.
A tune up is a tune up and aftermarket parts are aftermarket parts so if you just want a frame and slide there are cheaper ways to go than the Norinco.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #3 on:** August 25, 2009, 11:06:26 AM »

They haven't been imported for years

ctrout · « **Reply #4 on:** August 25, 2009, 12:51:43 PM »

Supposedly they are made from some of the hardest steel on earth. I bought mine with less than a box of ammo through it over ten years ago for $250. It already had an aftermarket trigger installed and had a throated/polished barrel. I have since converted it to shoot 45 Super and have run hundreds if not thousands of full power 45 Super through it and 1000s upon 1000s of standard velocity 45 ACP. I just had to replace the hammer/sear a couple months ago.

drdougrx · « **Reply #5 on:** August 25, 2009, 02:39:21 PM »

Small problem for me.....the peoples republic of Massachusetts has a law that forbids the sale of any handgun not certified as MA Complient by the Attny General and the State Police that is made after October 1998. Freek'n Dems....anyway...most of the larger companies make MA complient guns and several will not. Even companies that do make MA Complient models don't have ALL models certified as of yet. For example, I have a hankering for a Ruger Blackhawk in .357mag and can't buy a new one because the new X frame model has an internal key lock that hasn't gone through channels as of yet.

Anyway....most 1911's like a plain, used series 70 gvt or commander will sell for about a grand no matter what the condition. That's why I was asking about the Norinco.....

BIGDAVE54 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2009, 05:45:04 PM »

This deal where the state has to certify your weapon before you can own one....What kind of communist bullcrap is that? I'm sorry but they would have to be passing out buckets of gold double eagles at each street corner before I would put up with that. That is shameful. I was taught as a little boy in school that Mass. was a great place where freedom began for this country. I wonder what happened along the way!!! They obviously don't have people like the ones that gave us the great tea party there any more.If it was Arkansas or Bill Clinton land I could understand that way of thinking.

drdougrx · « **Reply #7 on:** August 26, 2009, 02:25:42 AM »

Right you are BIGDAVE....sorry State of affairs.

Savage · « **Reply #8 on:** August 26, 2009, 03:10:48 AM »

drdougrx,
The Norinco, is a good basic pistol. Price is a little high for my area, but perhaps not in yours. Don't know what is MA legal, but the Taurus PT1911 is still under $600 here. They have some MIM parts, but are inexpensively replaced with aftermarket ones if it bothers you. I have a half dozen other 1911s costing much more that don't do anything this one won't do. It comes with decent sights, ambi safety, nice beavertail , ring hammer, and decent trigger. If you want to go cheaper still, there's the RIA "Tactical". It comes with the same amenities, but a couple hundred bucks cheaper. I have had some problems with the RIA, but I think I have them worked out. I'll probably sell it if it runs ok on the next range trip. A basic Springfield Milspec or Para Expert are going in the $600 range also if they are approved in MA. Good luck!
Savage

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #9 on:** August 26, 2009, 03:12:13 AM »

maybe things will get better now

RIjake · « **Reply #10 on:** August 26, 2009, 07:52:36 AM »

I understand the Mass politics. I'm a refugee from the PROM. Anyway, the Norinco is a excellent 1911. Anyone who says otherwise has never owned one and/or is predjudice because of its country of origin. I hate China just as much as the next guy, but they guns are already in the country so who cares.

As far as the price. That's a bit high. Actually very high. I just bought one a few weeks ago here in RI for $400 out the door.

The stories of Wilson using them for builds are true as well as the steel being recycled train rails.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #11 on:** August 26, 2009, 08:09:29 AM »

The article i read said the frams and slides were in spec. with regard to pin hole placement , many others are not .

Savage · « **Reply #12 on:** August 26, 2009, 11:43:36 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on August 26, 2009, 08:09:29 AM

The article i read said the frams and slides were in spec. with regard to pin hole placement , many others are not .

That's the story I heard as well. Very important for a build using aftermarket parts!
Savage

skarke · « **Reply #13 on:** August 26, 2009, 01:55:03 PM »

price seems a little high, but that Norinco frame is excellent.

drdougrx · « **Reply #14 on:** August 26, 2009, 03:03:04 PM »

Taurus PT1911 - NOPE, not legal.
RIA "Tactical"- NOPE, not legal.
Springfield Milspec- NOPE, not legal.
Para Expert-? I don't think so either.

Whatta state.

rickt300 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 26, 2009, 05:46:18 PM »

Price seems a bit high but I built one from a Norinco that cost me $275. new. I have shot the heck out of it, owned it since 1992 and it is still my go to pistol. My upgrades were reliability oriented with a heavier recoil spring so I could shoot +P level loads all the time and for hunting. The original barrel still shoots into 4 inches at 50 yards. I'd build another.

rio grande · « **Reply #16 on:** August 26, 2009, 06:00:05 PM »

Worth every penny if not messed with.
IMHO, better than most Springfield Armory, Taurus, RIA, Para....
Of course they were $250 or so before - that was then.
If it has been gunsmithed, pass it by, you don't know how it was done or by who.
A lot of guns have been ruined by home 'gunsmiths' who thought they knew how to do something but didn't.
I owned several, factory original, all shot flawlessly.
If I bought it, I'd leave it as is or, at most, simply change parts without file or sanding work so that it could be easily returned to as new condition.
If you felt you HAD to ramp, throat, etc., I guess you could send it to a professional - but I very much doubt it would be necessary.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #17 on:** August 28, 2009, 08:05:04 AM »

Quote from: BIGDAVE54 on August 25, 2009, 05:45:04 PM

This deal where the state has to certify your weapon before you can own one....What kind of communist bullcrap is that? I'm sorry but they would have to be passing out buckets of gold double eagles at each street corner before I would put up with that. That is shameful. I was taught as a little boy in school that Mass. was a great place where freedom began for this country. I wonder what happened along the way!!! They obviously don't have people like the ones that gave us the great tea party there any more.If it was Arkansas or Bill Clinton land I could understand that way of thinking.

Dave we have the same problem here in CA.
It is a way to gain $ for the state. They charge you (GUN COMPANIES) to test the gun, then to be on the list and then to renew on the list. After a certain date only semi auto hand guns with. A a "loaded chamber indicator" that says same, B, Magazine cut off. If the gun does not have a mag it can not fire (like the Hi Power or the S&W third Gen Series) and a few other items are going to be allowed to to be added to the list.

pslshooter · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2009, 06:04:46 AM »

Quote from: drdougrx on August 25, 2009, 09:41:26 AM

Hi All,

Saw a Norinco 1911 at the local shop and there was a price of $549 on it. Worth the $$ and then worth a basic tune up (ie, trigger, Ramp/throat/polish and sites)??

I built my favorite shooter in a Norc frame and slide. I bought the pistol for $350 in '04 and it already had some work done to it. Prev owner put Trijicon sights on it, beaver-tail grip safety and rounded happer o it. I took it to the range and was very impressed with it, then the custom bug bit me. $600 in parts later I have a pistol that shoots 5" groups from the bench at 25 yds. I shoot full size human silluette at 100 yds and hit the black every time. I carry it for deer season for the does that walk under my stand.

Savage · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2009, 10:14:52 AM »

5" groups from the bench at 25 yds.

Hope that's a misprint. I'd be more than a little disappointed in any 1911 that wouldn't shoot better than 5" from the bench at 25yds. Especially one that I had a thousand bucks in.
Savage

pslshooter · « **Reply #20 on:** August 30, 2009, 11:07:58 AM »

Quote from: Savage on August 30, 2009, 10:14:52 AM

5" groups from the bench at 25 yds.

Hope that's a misprint. I'd be more than a little disappointed in any 1911 that wouldn't shoot better than 5" from the bench at 25yds. Especially one that I had a thousand bucks in.
Savage

Sorry, Yes at 25 it shoots 2-3" groups, 50yds is 5" using Winchester WinClean 185 grn. It has been the best off the shelf ammo I've used. I'd like to get dies for my reloader for it to see if I can make better rounds than I can buy.

Savage · « **Reply #21 on:** August 30, 2009, 11:54:38 AM »

Ahhhhhh, ok! Thought that might be what you meant. Didn't want anyone think you had to tune a 1911 to get 5" groups!
Savage

RIjake · « **Reply #22 on:** September 09, 2009, 10:09:49 AM »

To the OP, this pistol wouldn't have been at Four Seasons in Woburn by any chance would it?

drdougrx · « **Reply #23 on:** September 09, 2009, 12:06:08 PM »

yep....still there???

Mikey · « **Reply #24 on:** September 09, 2009, 01:58:38 PM »

Doug: Hey! The Norinco is a solid, basic, mil-spec 1911A1. Any improvements you would make to any other basic 1911 would apply to the Norinco. I really don't think that price is too bad either. You could buy the pistol as is, get a bunch of good Chip mcCormick 8 round mags, shoot the snot out of it to smooth it out and then think about what you want to change. And have fun in the process. Mikey.

drdougrx · « **Reply #25 on:** September 09, 2009, 03:30:35 PM »

Soooo mmmmaaaannnyyy guns.....sssoooooo little $$$$$$$ right now!!!!!

I miss talking to ya Mickey...hope we can hook up and bust some hogs one of these days!!!!!

WL44 · « **Reply #26 on:** September 09, 2009, 09:25:28 PM »

I bought one a while ago as I think they are pretty good. As you have states with issues I live in a country with issues and it will probably be years before I get the licence.

The Norincos have a good name here in full size 1911 style. The "Commander" types less so. The other Norinco pistols are really horrible IMHO.

The 1911's were forgings and very hard as far as I had heard. Some 'smiths complained and did not want to do any machining on them. Hardness is of course not the be and end all of durability at all, but that's what I heard and my expereince with them through friends and fellow shooters was positive.

I'd guess if it's already in the US the money went to China a long time ago....

rio grande · « **Reply #27 on:** September 10, 2009, 05:31:23 PM »

Saw a real clean, like new Norinco 1911 for $450 at the last gun show...Saturday it might be at another gun show around here, I know the dealer...if he's still got it I'm thinking about a trade.....an m37 Smith made in the '50's..

rio grande · « **Reply #28 on:** September 10, 2009, 05:32:48 PM »

Quote from: WL44 on September 09, 2009, 09:25:28 PM

I bought one a while ago as I think they are pretty good. As you have states with issues I live in a country with issues and it will probably be years before I get the licence.

The Norincos have a good name here in full size 1911 style. The "Commander" types less so. The other Norinco pistols are really horrible IMHO.

The 1911's were forgings and very hard as far as I had heard. Some 'smiths complained and did not want to do any machining on them. Hardness is of course not the be and end all of durability at all, but that's what I heard and my expereince with them through friends and fellow shooters was positive.

I'd guess if it's already in the US the money went to China a long time ago....

Oh, I don't know about 'the other Norinco pistols being horrible'... I had a Chinese Makarov once, kick myself for getting rid of it!

SAA · « **Reply #29 on:** September 10, 2009, 10:41:12 PM »

I have a Norinco 1911A1 45acp and so far I´ve just welded up the front sight and did a trigger job on it.
Used the original hammer, sear and disconnector but cleaned them up and honed the right angles on them.
I also fitted a flat mainspring housing, a STI trigger and a Clark 4-leaf sear spring.
The barrel has a sloppy lock-up and the barrel bushing has too much tolerance so I will be fixing these things this winter.
Been shooting 154gr SWC and 200gr SWC in it and only had a slight feeding problem with one magazine, adjusted the lips and that solved the problem.
The Norinco is like a Ruger, basically a good gun but they need a little work to be really good.

Did some Ransom-Rest testing at 25meters >25yards.
5 shots 154gr SWC.

5 shots 200gr SWC.

I´m hoping for better accuracy when I´ve tightened up the barrel lock-up.

Left, Norinco European edition. Right, Norinco 1911A1 (mine).