Need your help deciding on a 1911

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Grungo

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Hey everyone, this is my first thread, and I promise I won't make another unless I have a good reason.

I am planning on getting a 1911 any day now, and have narrowed my choices down to three guns made by two companies. They are:

The Norinco M-1911A1 'Government' .45 ACP $325

http://www.marstar.ca/gf-norinco/1911A1.shtm


The Norinco NP30 High Capacity .45 ACP Nickel Plated $450

http://www.marstar.ca/gf-norinco/images/NP-30N-800px.jpg


And lastly the Rock Island Armory G.I. .45 $550(includes a lifetime warranty)

http://www.rockislandarmory.com/fs_pistols.html

Now I think I know most of the prevalent problems with each gun because I've researched them a while, but I want to know which you think is the best deal? I've heard all Rock Island guns come with a lifetime warranty(is this true? they don't have much information on the site), and that is the main reason I've left the G.I. in the race. I don't plan on doing any form of upgrading on the gun unless I have to, so don't think about how you would spend the extra money or anything like that, any money leftover can go toward one of my other addictions. The main things I'm looking for are reliability and accuracy, and I'm not choosing any other style of gun beside a 1911, and don't need suggestions on other guns because I want to narrow down my choices or I'll be studying 1911s for weeks. I appreciate any help you can offer me.
 
For $599 ( a bit more) you could also pick up a Para Ordnance GI Expert...some nice features that you usually find only on higher-end 1911s (flared ejection port, almost match grade barrel, skeleton trigger)...accurate and very good value too
 
Me, if I was just starting out in the 1911 game I either go single stack Norc 1911A1 or add a few more bucks and get an STI Spartan 1911 in .45ACP.

Not sure if the Rock Island Armory 1911 is available up here yet, anyone? [Edit, never mind I see site sponsor Frontier Firearms is getting some more in..... ;)]

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
I dont see the Rock Island stuff being better than Norinco, comparable or maybe worse. Also I would never buy a double stack 1911 only a regular single stack in .45 acp. I would get a Norinco, a new magazine (Ed Bear, Wilson or similar) and maybe a quick tune up on the extractor and add some sites and go shooting from there.
 
I agree with those who recommended Norinco 1911 single stackers, but I would like to add that you get the Sport or the Sport Two-Tone because these models come with the accessories I consider to be basic necessities in the 1911 format. The beavertail, the ring hammer to go with the beavertail, long trigger that I prefer, ambi-safety, the extended mag release (love it or hate it), semi decent combat sights, extended spring guide (another LIOHT) and the slide-top rib.

I didn't mention the extended slide lock because I do not consider that a must-have, and the stock Norkie slide lock seems to be giving me trouble.

Stock Norkie 1911 should be reliable with factory or reloaded full power round-nose (lead,plated or jacketed) cartridges. Reduce the powder load or use a different bullet profile and you may need to tune the gun to that ammo. Norkie magazines are suspicious too, so budget some cash for a few Wilsons, Checkmates, or Tripps.
 
You guys seem to be in agreement for the most part. I've read some reviews that have made me worry about the Norinco's durability, which was what drew me to the RIA lifetime warranty, but now I'll have to take some more time to decide.

I don't want a doublestack any more. I prefer the slim grip of a 1911 and with small hands the double stack would seem too bulky. Plus, the nickel plating might be protective but it's too flashy for my taste.

Thanks for weighing in everyone!
 
Pesonally if I were ready to spend $550 on a RIA, I'd save up another $250 and get a Spartan. Well made, nicely machined and finished, Bomar style adjustable sight with fiber optic front, and all the cometition goodies.
 
Of the three, the basic Norinco single stack is the best choice. You can get it tuned by Armco for $100 for a lower total price than the RIA out of the box.

In general, 1911s usually work best in their original configuration; single stack, 5" barrel, .45 ACP. The more you deviate from this, the higher the probability of getting a chronic problem gun.

STI Spartans certainly look like a lot of gun for the money if you like all of the features that they come with. I personally don't care for the full length guide rod or the slide serrations.

Likewise, Norinco "Sport" models come with the same un-features plus an extended slide stop and magazine release. Beavertail grip safetys are nice, but only a must if you are prone to hammer bite. If I was going to buy one, I would have to spend extra to get rid of the FLGR and extended slide stop and mag release. I would rather add the extras I want to a base Norinco instead.
 
If you want a nice clean shootable GI style 1911 (which is what it sounds like you want) I'm throwing my vote in with the Norc crowd - do yourself a favour and get one from Armco (he has some of the older style true "GI Norc" guns which might be more to your taste than the 'Sport Model'). That way you'll get a gun that's been thoroughly gone through before you get it and will function 100% with any ammo you feed it - even out of spec reloads :redface:.
 
Socrates said:
For $599 ( a bit more) you could also pick up a Para Ordnance GI Expert...some nice features that you usually find only on higher-end 1911s (flared ejection port, almost match grade barrel, skeleton trigger)...accurate and very good value too
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I am just going to speak up and say I have had stupid problems with my Para GI. And at this moment I would NOT recommend it to others.

Slide stop release is WAY out of spec. Took me 6 months and a pile or arguing to get a warranty one. And the one they sent me was further out of spec. (Machined items and I can see the differences with my eyes)

New one is so far out of spec that is causes less to no jams, but now my slide will not lock back on last.

Just food for thought and my .02
 
Wow thanks a lot for all of this guys, I did not expect do get half as many suggestions, and they've all been very helpful... Is this really a forum?

I just got an e-mail from frontier firearms telling me that Rock Island Armory only offers a one year warranty in Canada, which basically removed it from the competition. Basic single stack Norinco it is.

I've thought about the STI Spartan, but I don't need all of the bells and whistles so to speak. I love the classic 1911 design, the one upgrade I might put on the norinco is a guide rod if they are worth it. And I'd have to agree JoKa, when I was looking up the para ordnance my jaw dropped, but then I found a lot of people had problems with the gun. There seems to be common issues with the parkerized coating, and the slide refusing to lock back, and the others you listed guarantee to keep me away. I hope you can manage to fix it though.
 
Don't bother with a full-length guide rod. They serve no useful purpose on a 1911 and may compromise reliability.
 
Grungo said:
the one upgrade I might put on the norinco is a guide rod if they are worth it.
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I've always considered the lack of a guide rod to be a design flaw so I install them in all my 1911's. Every spring needs a guide. A FLGR forces the spring to stack up the same way every time which allows the slide to cycle more consitently. Once you've got the slide operating properly you can start to select the proper spring according to your loads and how the pistol functions. It also adds some weight to the front end which is always a good thing.
 
Viper26 said:
I've always considered the lack of a guide rod to be a design flaw so I install them in all my 1911's. Every spring needs a guide. A FLGR forces the spring to stack up the same way every time which allows the slide to cycle more consitently. Once you've got the slide operating properly you can start to select the proper spring according to your loads and how the pistol functions. It also adds some weight to the front end which is always a good thing.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes: The stock recoil system in a 1911 actually has two guides for the recoil spring that work together... The recoil spring plug acts a a guide externally, rather than internally like a rod, and the short recoil spring guide. They do just fine on their own. You are trying to "correct" a problem that does not exist. Sorry, but it's a fact. ;)
 
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