Question regarding Norinco 1911 NP29

Munkey1973

Munkey1973

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
82   0   0
Location
Regina, SK
Looking at getting a used Norinco as an affordable 1911.

Question: are the parts on these Norinco's made to standard 1911 specs ?

Mostly I want to know if the grips are standard.

If the trigger, slide release, safety are standard, then that would be a bonus too.

I have taken up metal engraving as a home/side business and don't want my first gun (experimental project) to be expensive.
 
Last edited:
I am not positive but think most parts are spec. Interchangability of any 1911 part still may require fitting. The steel is quite hard on Norinco guns. Would that affect engraving?
 
sgt.rock said:
I am not positive but think most parts are spec. Interchangability of any 1911 part still may require fitting. The steel is quite hard on Norinco guns. Would that affect engraving?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info !

If I do get a NP29, then I am also looking at getting 1911 copper grips -such that they can be engraved and can be coated with Cerakote/Duracote ... or if I really commit to my business, I can get a gold plating system as well and get real fancy.

I am certain that the amount time (and/or power-speed-frequency-hatch settings on the machine) would all be affected....
But that is why I want to do it -so that I can learn what works and what doesn't... and take notes for future jobs.

Then eventually buy another affordable gun (Glock 17 maybe), and repeat the learning curve.
 
The grips I had on mine were interchangeable, as was the slide stop...but 1911 parts for the most part have to be fitted. They're not "plug 'n play".

Also, the sights are non-standard.
IIRC, replacing them would have required a gunsmith's services to mill appropriate sized grooves in the slide.
 
Last edited:
Odd Shot said:
The grips I had on mine were interchangeable, as was the slide stop...but 1911 parts for the most part have to be fitted. They're not "plug 'n play"
Click to expand...

Thanks, good to know regarding the grips.

I don't really care too much for the factory slide release and slide safety (too big/clunky for my liking)....

Did you replace your slide safety ? If so, was it DIY or is it something that is best left to a competent gunsmith ?
 
The slide stop on my Norinco wouldn't hold the slide back on the last round. The safety was also a little rough looking. I replaced both with parts from Brownell's and fortunately they fit without issue.

The slide stop was a straight drop in part.
I think I needed the armorer's block to take out the safety....or for the hammer spring housing to replace the sear spring inside. Can't recall off the top of my head, as I did a few things at once (I recall swapping out all the springs as it was a new to me but used Norc 1911 I picked up for $300 or so)

This video may help:
 
Last edited:
There's some very tricky fitting between the safety and the internal parts it interacts with. Definitely not a plug-and-play part!

The grips are the easiest thing to change, though. There may be a bit of trimming of the top of the left one depending on the safety it has to fit under, but that's relatively trivial and in soft material.
 
I have changed many parts on Norinco 1911s. other than a new barrel, which required some fitting to set the headspace, every part was a plug and play.

All the Norc 1911's I have worked on (about 20) have has a standard Colt dovetail rear sight. There are two models of front sight. The Norc dovetail front sight is not standard. I have milled the dovetail a bit wider to take standard sights.
bivIoiI.jpg


The older Norcs use a tenon to mount the sight. This is the small Colt tenon, the standard front sight for a Colt series 70.
YwoDi6d.jpg
 
I have only worked on the older pattern with the front sight secured by a rivetted tenon, just like standard 1911s.
Never experienced any difficulties installing 1911 parts.
Keep in mind that there are many parts on the market made by many manufacturers to heaven only knows what dimensional standards.
I have long felt that the NP-29 was among the best lower priced pistol available.
 
Only thing I have noticed is the barrel bushing is different on the 9mm as the barrel was slimmer on 2 I had.
The grip screw bushing ate different, other than that , most has been covered.
Value wise, a good gun.
The Chinese are very good at copying others good work, designs, and generally use very good martials ( on guns)
Just don't buy Chinese drill bits
 
I've owned a few different Norc 1911's over the years.

Generally, if they come with an extended slide stop I like to swap that out for a standard one. Never had an issue doing that.

Also, like to change out the trigger for an aluminium adjustable, something like a 3 hole Videcki one. And usually ditch the crappy factory Norc grips for nicer ones. Really like the 'double diamond' hardwood grips.

Here's my older NP29:

DSCN4452.jpg

----------
NAA.
 

Attachments

  • DSCN4452.jpg
    DSCN4452.jpg
    90.4 KB · Views: 150
NAA said:
I've owned a few different Norc 1911's over the years.

Generally, if they come with an extended slide stop I like to swap that out for a standard one. Never had an issue doing that.

Also, like to change out the trigger for an aluminium adjustable, something like a 3 hole Videcki one. And usually ditch the crappy factory Norc grips for nicer ones. Really like the 'double diamond' hardwood grips.

Here's my older NP29:

View attachment 566952

----------
NAA.
Click to expand...

That looks very nice with the aftermarket parts !
 
One of my NP29s is equipped with a Colt .22 conversion unit. Works really well. The Colt unit cost more than the pistol...
 
Munkey1973 said:
Looking at getting a used Norinco as an affordable 1911.

Question: are the parts on these Norinco's made to standard 1911 specs ?

Mostly I want to know if the grips are standard.

If the trigger, slide release, safety are standard, then that would be a bonus too.

I have taken up metal engraving as a home/side business and don't want my first gun (experimental project) to be expensive.
Click to expand...

100 % compatible
 
VICIOUS said:
GRIPS; watch the grip screws. they are METRIC
Click to expand...

Very good point and I can totally relate (in a way) this ^^^

My experience with firearms accessories, in general, is that if its not manufactured in the USA, then just assume that it has metric threads.

Long soMy F Class chassis is a Dolphin FT/R (a genuine Dolphin - not that knock-off sh#t that Extreme Gun Shooting Centre sells) which was designed and manufactured in the UK.

Even though the inlet was for a good ol' USA made Remington 700 footprint, I was initially puzzled at why my imperial allen keys were such a sloppy goddamn fit in the many allan screws that are found EVERYWHERE on the chassis.

Until I realised that "this is not American made" and was metric I had in my head (erroneously of course) that it was of poor fit and finish!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom