Problem with my Norinco 1911A1 clone?

schick

schick

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Don't know why I never noticed this befeore, but I think I may have a fault with my old Norinco 1911A1. I tried researching a little, but am still unsure.

Should my pistol lock open on an empty mag? Can I simply place an empty mag in pistol, pull the slide back and have it lock open? I'll be honest, I can't remember if it ever worked. It passes all other function tests.

I have refinished the pistol since I bought it, so I am likely the culprit.

Any advice on how I can rememdy this myself, or do I have to see a smith?
 
schick said:
Don't know why I never noticed this befeore, but I think I may have a fault with my old Norinco 1911A1. I tried researching a little, but am still unsure.

Should my pistol lock open on an empty mag? Can I simply place an empty mag in pistol, pull the slide back and have it lock open? I'll be honest, I can't remember if it ever worked. It passes all other function tests.

I have refinished the pistol since I bought it, so I am likely the culprit.

Any advice on how I can rememdy this myself, or do I have to see a smith?
Click to expand...

Dude, it supposed to lock open on an empty mag... ;)

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
My son has the same problem with his Norc 1911. Of four mags he has for the gun, only one will lock open on an empty mag. He tried a number of fixes and has sent it back to Gunnar but it still only works on that one mag. If you figure it out, let us know as apparently this is not uncommon with Norcs.
 
I wish I knew what part of the 1911 is suposed to lock the slide open on an empty mag. Something with the plunger spring? I can't seem to fiind this online yet.
 
The magazine follower pushes up of the hold open lever or "Slide lock". This is what is supposed to happen. When it doesn't it is usually the fault of the mag follower. If you look, the follower has two hands on it, the left (Lower) one is the one that pushes up on the mag catch. You can sometimes bend it slightly outwards to the left to make it work.
Scott
 
schick said:
Don't know why I never noticed this befeore, but I think I may have a fault with my old Norinco 1911A1. I tried researching a little, but am still unsure.

Should my pistol lock open on an empty mag?
Click to expand...

Yes

I have refinished the pistol since I bought it, so I am likely the culprit.

Any advice on how I can rememdy this myself, or do I have to see a smith?
Click to expand...

Pull the slide off, reinstall the slide stop then insert an empty mag. look down at the slide stop and see if the follower is pressing up against the slide stop.

P1260003%20%5b800x600%5d.jpg


If its not, you can tweak it slightly by bending the follower:

P1260005%20%5b800x600%5d.jpg




How did you refinish it ? some of the sprayed on coataings can add thickness to certain parts.

I had one here that was duracoated and there was enough added that the slide stop and safety actually sat out from the frame enough to cause some interesting problems.

You could also just go and buy some decent mags for it :)
 
vhenem said:
Pull the slide off, reinstall the slide stop then insert an empty mag. look down at the slide stop and see if the follower is pressing up against the slide stop.

You could also just go and buy some decent mags for it :)
Click to expand...

:agree:

Try the first suggestion above. If that fails, try a different slide stop, if you have one available. I replaced my original Norkie slide stop with a Colt part and that solved the problem.

You will probably need extra mags anyway. My Norkies like Shooting Star McCormicks.
 
vhenem said:
Yes


Pull the slide off, reinstall the slide stop then insert an empty mag. look down at the slide stop and see if the follower is pressing up against the slide stop.

If its not, you can tweak it slightly by bending the follower:
Click to expand...

Thanks I'll try this.

vhenem said:
How did you refinish it ? some of the sprayed on coataings can add thickness to certain parts.

I had one here that was duracoated and there was enough added that the slide stop and safety actually sat out from the frame enough to cause some interesting problems.
Click to expand...

I used Armacoat. Even when used sparingly I noted that things were tighter all over.

vhenem said:
You could also just go and buy some decent mags for it :)
Click to expand...

One day, when I'm richer (or not as cheap).
 
It can only be one of 4 things.

Mag Follower - just try some new mags or tweak the ones you have
Slide Stop - 2 things to look at. The external catch and the internal engagement on the mag follower.
Slide - Cut in the slide might be rounded off and not catching
Other - If a shock absorbing recoil buffer is installed, or some other issue, it may not allow the slide to come back far enough to engage the slide stop.

This should not be a difficult diagnosis. I am interested to see what happens. No offense but you do not sound like you are to proficient with this sort of thing. Might be a good idea to bring it to a fellow CGNer to check out. Cheaper than a smith.
 
Rugerman said:
My son has the same problem with his Norc 1911. Of four mags he has for the gun, only one will lock open on an empty mag. He tried a number of fixes and has sent it back to Gunnar but it still only works on that one mag. If you figure it out, let us know as apparently this is not uncommon with Norcs.
Click to expand...

What did gunnar say? I am sure he wouldnt send it back faulty. Must be your mags my man. Did you send gunar the mags to or just the pistol?
 
I would say a mag issue. Colt mags are only 25 dollars or so. The mags are definitely the weak part on the Norc 1911. But that can happen with any make of 1911. My friend has a Para GI Expert, the mags wont even feed more than 2 rounds without problems, colt mags, no issues.
 
I've had no problems with my Nork mags but I've had issues with other aftermarket brands that were solved by using the Nork follower...
 
Update:

I removed the slide to examine how the followers on each of the 4 (Norinco) mags worked.

Damn it, they all work great and lift the stop. I tried repeatedly and they all raised the stop all the way up tight.

So I placed the slide back on and tested each mag again and again. I noted that locking open was inconsistent. Some times yes, other times no. Not only do I have to really pull that slide back hard, but I have to actually pause it at the rear briefly or it won't lock open. Simply moving the slide back 100% and letting go will fail to lock the slide open. I have to force a little pause to actually get the slide to lock. It's like the follower needs a little time to catch the stop.

I have a wolf recoil spring in stalled. Too strong? Could it actually be returning the slide home too quickly for the mag springs to bring the follower in place fast enough?

Do I still need to consider bending up the follower? They seem to function when the slide is off.
 
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