Magazine Issues with Norinco 1911

NorthernPF

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Ramore, Ontario
Hey Guys

Just got my new Norinco 1911. I tore it apart and gave it a good cleaning but I have oone issue that I've noticed so far. It seems that I can't just push the magazine into the gun. The mag gets caught up on the mag release. I have to push in the mag release about 3/16" to get the mag to go in.

Any info on how to fix this?
 
Push harder.

If you want to either buy a replacement or to break out the files and modify the one you have, you can do that too.

Here are your manuals:
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I cut a couple of coils off the mag release spring in mine as I had the same problem. I also polished the catch while I had it apart.
 
This is a common problem with the Norinco 1911s, as well as with several of the higher-end guns. We have seen this issue with Springfield Armory guns, with STI pistols, and even with an occasional Para-Ordnance.

Generally speaking, the issue centers around a very square magazine release (internal angle), which does not allow for easy insertion of the magazine until the release has been polished or rounded off somewhat.

Other solutions range from changing the spring in the magazine release, to changing the release entirely.

Of course you can try other magazines as well, however we have seen mixed solutions with this option. The problem and solution seems to be the release rather than the magazines themselves.
 
This is a common problem with the Norinco 1911s, as well as with several of the higher-end guns. We have seen this issue with Springfield Armory guns, with STI pistols, and even with an occasional Para-Ordnance. .

I see a trend here. All 1911's have issues out of the box. Most Norincos have issues out of the box. "Its an easy fix" somehow justifies buying a firearm that DOES NOT WORK...Carry on.

TDC
 
I see a trend here. All 1911's have issues out of the box. Most Norincos have issues out of the box. "Its an easy fix" somehow justifies buying a firearm that DOES NOT WORK...Carry on.

TDC

My 1911 Goverment went several thousand rounds with no FTF or other issues. Eventually the factory mag wore out and I bought some Pachmayr ones.

I think its best not to always generalize. BTW do you own a Norc 1911 or have you ever owned one?
 
tell you a little story- way back when , we got a bunch of mags from south america- both blued and plated- got a colt series 70 and an issue remington rand- all mags would fit either gun, but some would hang up just like you said- these were like 10/50 bucks or so- solid bottoms, nowhere near quality of mccormic or wilson- the ones that worked and ejected properly went into my belt- the others i changed the springs and followers forwards and backwards, reversed the springs, and kept going until i got some more to work properly- then i took the slide off the colt and took the mags that were still giving trouble and took the springs and followers out of them, so all youi've got is a mag body going into a receiver- kept working with those mag bodies until they finally all ejected and didn't hang up in the receiver-but if you got the money, get either a wilson or mccormick
 
My 1911 Goverment went several thousand rounds with no FTF or other issues. Eventually the factory mag wore out and I bought some Pachmayr ones.

I think its best not to always generalize. BTW do you own a Norc 1911 or have you ever owned one?

don't worry, TDC just loves Norc's too much to see any problem on them.. LOL.. :runaway::runaway:
 
Love the Norinco Police Model 1911. Threw the Norinco mags in the trash in the first range trip however.

I have Shooting Star, Wilson Combat, a few high end Kimber mags and it runs great.

Springfield Armory, Colt, or Mecgar will probably work well too but I haven't had a chance to try them yet. My advice: stick with a magazine brand you've heard of and it'll go bang.
 
I see a trend here. All 1911's have issues out of the box. Most Norincos have issues out of the box. "Its an easy fix" somehow justifies buying a firearm that DOES NOT WORK...Carry on.

TDC

I must be lucky.... both my Norinco compact [commander] bought in the summer of 2007 and my brand new Norc 1911A1 from Can-Am function flawlessly right outta the box. No spring issues, no mag issues, no feed issues. Nada...... Go figure. :p

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
I don't own any Norinco products, although I have handled and shot all the greatest they have to offer(with the exception of M4 that is available) and they're all crap.

I don't own any 1911's because they are out dated antiques with too many negatives to be of any value for my needs. There's no dispute they are maintenance whores that require constant care to function properly. 45ACP is over rated as a calibre, the mag capacity is pathetic, external hammers are not necessary nor are manual/positive safeties(think DA or DAO pistols). For some they're what they seek. 1911's are "cinematic" and excellent poser guns for some. I won't lie, they are classics and have a very traditional look to them. However, looks are not a consideration when I select a pistol.

Regardless of why you prefer/praise or simply select a 1911 or any other pistol. If it doesn't run out of the box, its sh*t. I wouldn't buy a car that didn't run, especially not a new one. I expect my meals at a restaurant to be hot and cooked when I get it. To accept a non functioning firearm from the box would be no different than buying a dead car or receiving a cold uncooked steak at a restaurant. Yet for some reason it is acceptable for Norinco products and Norinco products only. Why? Deep down every Norinco owner knows they bought a low dollar POS and are hoping its one of the few that run.

I see numerous posts about how "my Norinco hasn't had a failure yet" or "x number of rounds through my Norinco and no broken parts". I don't see too many matter of fact posts by those with brand name pistols. Why? Brand name pistols work, and are expected to work out of the box. You get what you pay for and I pay for a firearm that will work all the time without extra care or modifications and its not a Norinco.

TDC
 
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Wow man, that's a little harsh. Buying a Norinco isn't like buying a car that doesn't work. Having a Norinco is like buying an older car that you want to work on. Because of the price you pay, you expect that things may not run 100% but then you change out some parts shine it up and you have one hell of a beautie!! The more high-end guns AKA Wilson 1911's are like buying a Ferrari, If I spent that kind of money (Which I never would by the way) you damn right I expect it to run smooth as butter. That's what you paid a crazy amount of money for. So for guns aswell as cars I'd take the less expensive one, change some parts to make it mine, tune it up and then sit back and enjoy something I worked on when it runs just as good if not better than the more expensive ones.;)

With more money in my pocket of course!
 
Slightly on-topic question :
Who carries Wilson mags in canada? Anyone tried their 9mm single stack mags in the NP-29?
 
I don't own any Norinco products, although I have handled and shot all the greatest they have to offer(with the exception of M4 that is available) and they're all crap.

I don't own any 1911's because they are out dated antiques with too many negatives to be of any value for my needs. There's no dispute they are maintenance whores that require constant care to function properly. 45ACP is over rated as a calibre, the mag capacity is pathetic, external hammers are not necessary nor are manual/positive safeties(think DA or DAO pistols). For some they're what they seek. 1911's are "cinematic" and excellent poser guns for some. I won't lie, they are classics and have a very traditional look to them. However, looks are not a consideration when I select a pistol

TDC
You must be a fan of plastic pistols

One of my first pistols was a Norinco
Its only problem was it wouldn't feed LSWC bullets
I still regret selling it
I don't own any Norinco pistols now but for what you pay you get a good entry level pistol
All my (and my wife's) 1911s work flawlessly and are used competitively
Their only maintenance is before the next match(clean and oil)
And no , we only take one each to the match
 
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