1911 norinco vs SAM vs Girsan
- Thread starter ithacaturkeykilr
- Start date
Don't know how much feedback you'll get about the Girsan, since it's new to market. SAM is solid, though, and if it's not then Wolverine has awesome support and will make it right, rather than you playing bad gun return roulette like you do if a norc is bad.
Don't know about the Girsan but I have a Norinco and a SAM 1911.
Norinco has a forged frame opposed the the SAM's cast, and I find the Norinco's have a more durable finish.
My Norinco is more reliable. Fit and accuracy are about the same on mine.
Norinco has a forged frame opposed the the SAM's cast, and I find the Norinco's have a more durable finish.
My Norinco is more reliable. Fit and accuracy are about the same on mine.
Shanks4300
Regular
- Location
- Winnipeg, mb
Why buy anything but a SAM, especially with the price drop from Wolverine. I'm on my second one and there's no way there is a better 1911 out there for $500.
Norinco:
+ordnance grade steel
+cheap
+reliable
+forged parts
+chrome lined barrel
-sloppy fit and finish
-no warranty
-needs de-horning
-poor triggers
SAM:
+best fit and finish for your money by far
+super tight tolerences
+backed by warranty
+made by people who have been making guns their entire lives
+great triggers out of box
-cast+mim parts
-questionable service life
-okay quality steel
-non chrome lined barrel
Don't know much about Girsan, but I would think that a SAM would have it beat for bang for buck anyway.
+ordnance grade steel
+cheap
+reliable
+forged parts
+chrome lined barrel
-sloppy fit and finish
-no warranty
-needs de-horning
-poor triggers
SAM:
+best fit and finish for your money by far
+super tight tolerences
+backed by warranty
+made by people who have been making guns their entire lives
+great triggers out of box
-cast+mim parts
-questionable service life
-okay quality steel
-non chrome lined barrel
Don't know much about Girsan, but I would think that a SAM would have it beat for bang for buck anyway.
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wow..absolutely perfect summary.
Since we haven't seen the Girsan 1911's here yet, if I was going to start out in the 1911 world I'd go with the SAM.
I've had few different Norc 1911's & while I've never had a lemon yet, the SAM's seem a way better deal for what you pay for.
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NAA.
I've had few different Norc 1911's & while I've never had a lemon yet, the SAM's seem a way better deal for what you pay for.
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NAA.
Fair enough, though the newer models are most definitely 5100 series steel on the frame and slide.
I don't think 4### series steel is considered "ordnance" grade, since it's a steel more readily available and widely used in commercial applications. Manufactures would only put up with the headache of milling 5100 steel if their intent is creating ordnance grade goods.
How many guys buying their first 1911 have a ghost of a chance of wearing out the slide or frame?
I'd question non-ferrous alloys, perhaps, but to me a steel gun is a steel gun and I'll be fertilizer before it wears out.
...especially given that I grease the #### out of my guns to begin with.
I'd question non-ferrous alloys, perhaps, but to me a steel gun is a steel gun and I'll be fertilizer before it wears out.
...especially given that I grease the #### out of my guns to begin with.
True, I don't think any of us would ever outlive our firearms.
However, it's good to know that a firearm is made out of better materials. Some people may factor that in to their purchase, especially when investing in a firearm for a potential SHTF situation.
When you have a gun that's made out of a better steel, there's that much better of a chance that it will provide more years of service down the road if there isn't a part supply available, less chance of breakage, and generally longer service life. Would you trust your life on a gun made out of pot metal or a high grade military steel?
Have a read, 4140 is THE ordanance grade steel....used in just about every firearm ever made.
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/rifles/ar-15/guide-to-gun-metal/
Girsan 1911s are here and available from both Wanstalls and TFC Firearms. Bought the Bright White version and am very happy with it.
Comparable pricing to the SAM with excellent quality finish -- I don't have a SAM so can't compare. Very tight and well constructed.
No failures of any sort when I took it to the range and fed it Chinese ammo.
Comparable pricing to the SAM with excellent quality finish -- I don't have a SAM so can't compare. Very tight and well constructed.
No failures of any sort when I took it to the range and fed it Chinese ammo.
Since we haven't seen the Girsan 1911's here yet, if I was going to start out in the 1911 world I'd go with the SAM.
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NAA.
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Thanks for the link.
I think I was referring to the fact that 4140, and generally, 4### grade steel is used in knives and other applications that aren't necessarily "ordnance". It may be called "ordnance" grade steel, but it's definitely not exclusive to only guns.
5100 series steel is the new "ordnance" grade steel IMHO. The chromium content in it is more suited for firearm applications.
Norinco makes tanks, artillery and a whole host of other weapons. I am only assuming their steel source is high end for them to be putting 5100 steel in sporting guns.
I think I would trust my life to a higher quality made firearm made from known quality steel to proper specs and dimensions that is accurate and reliable. The harder steel in a Nork means nothing when they are sloppily fit, with out of spec and unhardened small parts. The lack of proper fitting will make a 1911 wear out and break parts faster then anything else.
5160 is a common spring steel used in knives for decades as well...new ordnance grade lol, talking out your ass. One manufacturer uses it for a couple commercial firearms and now it's the new ordnance steel, even though 4140 has been used since forever.... Lol. Classic Nork owner comments right there.
The story of it being used in the 1911's was it came from rail road tracks that were reclaimed....that's all.
