S.A.M. Thunderbolt 9mm

ted_dent said:
Hopefully they'll let you strip it down to check the internals. The majority of my issues were in the interior of the gun that you couldn't see by external inspection (rough chambers, damaged barrel link, chip in land).
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I think they will.

I was also checking out those Canuck 1911 (Tisas) pistols. They're about $150 less than the SAMs but pretty similar (no front strap checkering). I haven't heard much about them.
 
The one thing that I have noticed, many US 1911 gun builders will not touch 1911's from the Philippines. Sure the Norinco's aren't perfect but they do come with very tough forged frames and slides, the SAM's are cast metal unless that has changed.

There was a video around here somewhere of the Shooters Arms Manufacturing plant.

Believe it or not, used Norinco 1911's sell for $400.00-$500.00 in the US.

Btw, you will usually see tooling marks specifically inside Norinco frames and slides, this is not due to sloppy workmanship. It is due to the hard 5100 alloy they use for there 1911's.
 
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MET said:
The one thing that I have noticed, many US 1911 gun builders will not touch 1911's from the Philippines. Sure the Norinco's aren't perfect but they do come with very tough forged frames and slides, the SAM's are cast metal unless that has changed.

There was a video around here somewhere of the Shooters Arms Manufacturing plant.

Believe it or not, used Norinco 1911's sell for $400.00-$500.00 in the US.

Btw, you will usually see tooling marks specifically inside Norinco frames and slides, this is not due to sloppy workmanship. It is due to the hard 5100 alloy they use for there 1911's.
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http://www.bbc.com/news/business-21840183

Also this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLlrcpXTntE
 
Import said:
It was my understanding that Norinco's firearms wer not allowed in the states....even visiting.....
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Not sure what the 2 links I posted have to do with Norinco? The links reference Shooters Arms Manufacturing in The Philippines.

There is an import ban on firearms from China in the US as far as I know. You can still obtain used pre ban Norinco 1911s.

As for the Application/Permit for Temporary Importation of Firearms and Ammunition by Non-immigrant Aliens, I think you're still okay with Chinese made.
 
Hey zee705
Wasn't yours....lol...hit the wrong one...was 'met' I was meaning to quote....soz.... I found the Norinco steel far superior for custom building...but that said...lots of hand finishing and fitting if custom parts required...
 
The Norinco's were used by many top gun builders in the USA until the US banned the import of Chinese firearms in the 90's. There is some interesting reading in a few 1911 forums along with some Norinco based custom builds back in the day.
 
MET said:
The one thing that I have noticed, many US 1911 gun builders will not touch 1911's from the Philippines. Sure the Norinco's aren't perfect but they do come with very tough forged frames and slides, the SAM's are cast metal unless that has changed.

There was a video around here somewhere of the Shooters Arms Manufacturing plant.

Believe it or not, used Norinco 1911's sell for $400.00-$500.00 in the US.

Btw, you will usually see tooling marks specifically inside Norinco frames and slides, this is not due to sloppy workmanship. It is due to the hard 5100 alloy they use for there 1911's.
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The US have a pretty decent following with Rock Island Armory/Armscor which is Philipines based.
 
MET said:
The Norinco's were used by many top gun builders in the USA until the US banned the import of Chinese firearms in the 90's. There is some interesting reading in a few 1911 forums along with some Norinco based custom builds back in the day.
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Even Wilson used to state in their catalog that they would work on Norincos.
 
savage112 said:
I own both the SAM 1911's and a Kimber custom II in .45 ACP. While in your opinion, the SAMs may be better made than Springfield or Para, not by any stretch of the imagination, are they better made than Kimber.Comparing a SAM with a Kimber is just foolish.
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I have a couple of buds who dropped Kimbers after finding the pro2 carry were garbage. I have only handled a few myself and I was grossly disapointed in them. My sam is near perfection but Ill admit it is a small sample size.
 
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