Rough Norinco?

During the first Bush administration one of the 'get tough with China' initiatives was to ban access to the largest firearms market in the world.

It was Clinton/Reno, IIRC.

Norinco was accused of knowingly selling military goods to criminal-types (allegedly intent on marketing to gang-bangers in California) who, as it turns out, were actually undercover agents of the State. The Clinton administration banned Norinco products from importation.
 
The only reason I have a name brand single stack 1911 is that I can't take my customized Norinco in to the US for competitions.
Unlike my name brand my Norinco hasn't given me an ounce of trouble.


The main reason that I have a name brand single stack is that I can't take my customized Norinco into the U.S. And, unlike my name brands, my Norinco hasn't given me any trouble either.
 
I understand I can't expect the world from a $350 pistol, I just thought I'd check what your experiences are:

I just received a Norinco 1911 .45 ACP pistol.

The mag release catches when pressed completely in, and can't be moved without undoing the screw that holds the spring.

With a magazine inserted I can not, not even with two thumbs, move the slide release. Without a magazine, it can be done with one hand.

Is this what can be expected with these pistols? Do I need to go on an extensive polishing trip? Or is this really what is considered beyond "normal", even for these cheap guns?

Cheers,

Frans

"Rough Norinco" is a redundancy.
 
forgive me if its been said, i haven't seen every post on this. as to the slide release issue, for some reason mine is tight as well. but at the range when you put a full clip in it releases like butter. i'm not sure why this is, but i expect in time it may loosen up a little. the mag issue is a little tougher, i've only had failure to drop once. the mag guide plate got hung up, i opened the slide and pushed it back with a digit and it dropped.
on a side not my does shoot high right by about 8 inchs at 25 yards. i'm going to try and tap the rear sight a smidge to the left and see if it gets better.
all in all, good little gun for the money.
 
The slide release is tight because the slide stop is being held up by the mag spring, and the recoil spring wedges it forward by pushing the slide cut (which is near vertical) forward with about 16 lbs of pressure (18 in a Commander). The pressures combine to push the stop up and forward while your poor thumb is essentially trying to rotate it downward and backward using that tiny little shelf on the stop. Remove one of the forces by inserting a full mag, and your thumb has a much easier time.
 
"The mag release catches when pressed completely in, and can't be moved without undoing the screw that holds the spring."

Take the mag release out of the pistol, remove the catch and the spring, clean the effing assembly and re-install, problem solved. Then take the rest of the pistol down to the bare frame and clean it thoroughly.

The design is 100 years old, the materials are first class, the execution is about average (especially on the latest examples). None of this is rocket science.
 
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It was Clinton/Reno, IIRC.

Norinco was accused of knowingly selling military goods to criminal-types (allegedly intent on marketing to gang-bangers in California) who, as it turns out, were actually undercover agents of the State. The Clinton administration banned Norinco products from importation.

Common mistake, Clinton was the "Assault" rifle ban - George Bush senior was the No Norcs ban.
 
TDC wrote "The simple truth is that even Norinco owners know their guns are junk. Hence the reason they proudly claim X number of rounds without failure, or X size of group. Those who bought a brand name pistol feel little need to brag. Digesting large quantities of ammo without failure is expected and is demonstrated on a frequent and predictable basis."

I'd like to read what you consider to be a brand name pistol and I'm not talking custom jobs. I don't claim to be an expert but I've had more than a few along with Norc's and think you protest too much. I'd particularly like to know what you consider to be digesting large quantities of ammo consists of?

I'm torn sometimes as to weather we should buy Chinese but the best case to be made for *affordable* products is that it helps introduce people to something they might otherwise pass on. The prime example is Lee reloading gear. "Gun snobs" piss on Lee all the time but that company has probabaly done more to introduce people to the shooting sports than many others because they made it attractively affordable for those who were on the edge.

Products like that have a place and a role to serve.

Large quantities of ammo in my opinion would be 500-1000 rounds in a single range session without failure of any kind. If your pistol can handle that, I'd bank my life on it for a carry piece. As far as lifetime round count. I really see no reason why a quality pistol couldn't last 100,000 rounds without the need for major component replacement. Springs and such wear out and should be replaced regularly.

I agree that Lee offers some great products. I also am willing to bet that no one with a Lee would pass on a Dillon for the same coin. Lee or any other company is in business to make money, not introduce new blood to the shooting arena.

TDC
 
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I guess you've never been to the Philippines,where a very large and very active police force, which is currently involved in fighting a terrorist insurgency uses Norinco 1911's. The Philippine National Police issues them (hence the 'Police Model") instead of the locally produced Armscor. The PNP is currently about 3 times the size of the RCMP. As far as 'major competitors/major circuit' goes, there is really only one major circuit - the US, and Norinco pistols are banned there. Think that might have something to do with it?

I stand corrected. One nation provides Norinco products for their police force. As for major competitors I know of no one in Canada or abroad(except for the US) who is running one and/or winning. As I stated previously. If Norinco products were so great why don't I see more at the range or at the three gun matches I attend?
 
TDC - So, what's your "go to" 1911 pistol? :confused:


If I absolutely had to run one, it would be a Kimber. Its tough choice between a 1911 and a big stick..As for the SIG GSR, I wouldn't buy one, run one, or steal one if I had the chance. I'll throw this out there for some serious flame fest action. The 1911 is an ancient dinosaur that has been surpassed by modern technology and designs.

TDC
 
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"The mag release catches when pressed completely in, and can't be moved without undoing the screw that holds the spring."

Take the mag release out of the pistol, remove the catch and the spring, clean the effing assembly and re-install, problem solved. Then take the rest of the pistol down to the bare frame and clean it thoroughly.

The design is 100 years old, the materials are first class, the execution is about average (especially on the latest examples). None of this is rocket science.

This would be a classic example of why I don't care for 1911's. If you aren't shooting them you're working on them. Kind of like a certain brand of motor cycles.

Using your thumb to release the slide is bad form. Try an overhand or slingshot grip on the slide. Its much more positive and costs nearly nothing in additional time with all the benefits of ensuring a round is indeed chambered with the maximum force permitted by the recoil spring.

TDC
 
1911 Norc

I have one and it shoots great. I had same issue with the slide stop and replaced the lever with an oversized one, now it works great.

For the price the Norinco's are great. :dancingbanana:
 
If I absolutely had to run one, it would be a Kimber. Its tough choice between a 1911 and a big stick..As for the SIG GSR, I wouldn't buy one, run one, or steal one if I had the chance. I'll throw this out there for some serious flame fest action. The 1911 is an ancient dinosaur that has been surpassed by modern technology and designs.

TDC

Okay, I take it you don't have a 1911.... what are you running for a pistol then?
 
Okay, I take it you don't have a 1911.... what are you running for a pistol then?

I don't own a 1911, I have shot them a fair bit. Two shooting buddies have Kimbers. Nice guns, well made but inferior by design for my purposes. I run Glocks. They work, they're simple, and they're reliable.

My signature line is a big hint as to what I shoot.

TDC
 
I don't own a 1911, I have shot them a fair bit. Two shooting buddies have Kimbers. Nice guns, well made but inferior by design for my purposes. I run Glocks. They work, they're simple, and they're reliable.

My signature line is a big hint as to what I shoot.

TDC

I've got no issues with that... There's a particular Glock 22 .40 cal that I've been shooting since early 1995 that has thousands of rounds down the pipe with no hic-cups to date. In fact, as much as I love 1911's in general and my own 1911's in particular, in a scenario where I'd have to choose just one pistol for a typical SHTF situation, my "go to" would be that G22... :cool:
 
So I got my "low quality" Norinco in the mail this morning and true to my word I stripped it down and totally cleaned it. However I didnt do any polishing of sorts to it as im going to wait and take it to the range first. Blast a few boxes thru it and then go from there.
Now TDC before you get your panties in an uproar, im going to let you in on a little secret here. The number 1 reason for my wackyness on buying a Norinco 45 instead of a "REAL" 45 is because of likeness. I know I could have laid out some serious coin for a true .45, but what if I didnt like it? What then? Would I be able to take it back to the gun shop and say...."can i have my money back, cause she kicks like a mule?" Im sure the owner would gladly take it back, but id be taking a loss on the fact that its a used gun. So for me the Norinco brand is a cheap alternative to wondering if i like to shoot a .45 or not.
As it stands right now, I love shooting my 9mm handguns. I may go out and buy a 10mm and even a .40 just to see if I like them or not. As for the Norinco pistol, well if I dont like it then its okay in my mind as I didnt spend great gobs of cash for it.
Oh yeah, TDC you'll like this one as it pertains to Glocks in general. Is the G17 a good one to shoot or is the Gen 3 G17 better? No im not saying im going to convert to Glocks but im saying that if im going to have a variety of manufacturers in my gun safe, I may as well have a Glock as well. Having many handguns will also help introduce peeps to our gun club who are interested in joining but want to try before they buy.

Darin
 
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