Norinco NP-29 1911, shoots too damn high ! Any Advice ?

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So recently I was craving another handgun. Was interested in trying the 1911 platform. Local shop got some Norc 1911's in and that peaked my interest. I slept on it a few days and decided I did not want to take on a new caliber so I decided to stick with 9mm, as they had the NP-29 in stock. $370 and a day later I'm at the range. Yes, my local shop is very well priced and fast to transfer.

It was awkward at first, but 3 trips later I'm shooting very well with it.

When I got it the sights were WAY off, this is to be expecting. I got it shooting straight, but the thing seems to shoot 6" or more high depending on the ammo. I have to use a very exaggerated 6'oC hold to print the bullet where I want. That throws me off cause I generally don't like 6'oC sight pictures.

Looking closely at the rear sights, I notice they sit way higher then the front sights. My M&P 9 has lower profile rear sight with the same radius, and it shoots pretty much on elevation wise. The MP9 sights front and rear sights are pretty much the same height.

I'm thinking that a 45ACP with a lower Vel' will have a greater drop at a given distance, and that Norc just went ahead and willy nilly put the same sights on the 9mm that they do on the 45, not compensating for the different ballistics. However, I did do a search, and could not find posts of any other NP-29 owners reporting this same problem. Perhaps I missed something or used the wrong search terms.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem? Or what options there are to solve it. I'd love some adjustable sights, but as we all know, Norc uses a non standard dove in the rear.

More Info:

- I'm not the most experiences pistol shooter, but I do have a couple thousand rounds down range and know what I'm capable of.
I'm pretty sure it's not me, unless something about the physics of a 1911 are throwing me a curve ball.

- I'm used to shooting an M&P 9 with the Large Grip and a D'Eagle 44. Those are my other pistols. I will be looking into grip options for my NP.

- I'm typically shooting 25yards, I think, the Range Maint' Exec' says it's actually 35y, I've never measured it myself.
- I've also been shooting at the 50y gongs, and can connect 3 out of 5 times typically.
- I have tried closer and at about 8 "arshins" it's no where near as bad but does still print high.

- I've been shooting reloads. Some 115g CMJs @ 6.0g Power Pistol. But mostly 135g DRG Cast @ ~3.7g Bullzeye.
My cast loads shoot well for me out of both the NP and the MP. Knowing what I know about my reloads, I don't expect any different results out of factory rounds, worse if anything.

- The gun has yet to malfunction at all, so far showing a better track record then my MP which failed only Once on the very first shot I ever took with it.

- Barrel bushing seems to be ill fitted, and has some play to it, I wonder if that has anything to do with it.
Measured 0.015" play next to the barrel, and 0.0175" where it mates to the spring retainer.
It has a pronounced wiggle and the bunch is forced into a slight upward cant.

- Well knowing the risks, I've already done my own trigger job with some improvised stoning techniques using some machinist tricks I've picked up in the past. The NP was a heavy rough over 8lbs when I got it. It's now a much smoother just under 6lbs but with more of a rolling break (which is what I was going for).
Ironically, last time at the range, there was another member with an expensive Kimber, and my trigger felt nicer, Funny that.
I'm actually known for my improvisational smith/armorer expertise locally.
 
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I am waiting for my. NP29. Sights at back look ugly and high but that can be an easy fix. Are your groups consistent? If so, sights can be machined or changed.
 
They are actually nice sights. A yellow dot in front, and white ones in back. They would be otherwise be perfectly serviceable for my POU.

My groups seem consistent windage wise, but as I have to hold well under the target, lacking a defined point of aim, I'm having difficulty with elevation.
Other then that one issue, I'm quite impressed with the gun now that the trigger is tuned up.
 
I just recently bought the same thing in .45.It also shot high even with a 6 oc hold.I talked to Roger Kotanko about a different sight,something novakish and cheap.I allowed myself to be talked into a bomar adjustable rear and fibre optic front.Before i hung up i also agreed a few trigger parts where in order along with tuning it to a 3lb pull.Not really what i intended to do with a norc but i'm looking forward to the results anyway.I really hated that ugly rear sight and no longer have to look at it.
 
Those Bomars look interesting ? Where do you get them ?

No idea.Roger is doing the work which includes milling the slide for the bomar.You have to be prepared to part with some cash and in the end you will still have norinco thats really not worth much.I like adjustable sights and a nice trigger so i decided to go ahead with it but its not for everybody to invest in a norinco like i have.
 
Well, I already did my own trigger job, I believe I can install my own sights, or find someone locally that can do so.
Just have to source them out for purchase. Dlask has a nice adj rear, but it seems to be missing the dots, and is not a correct fit.
The Bomar seem a better fit.

One the other hand, if the barrel bushing is part of the problem, I think I'll need that pro fitted. I doubt a loose bushing will equate to a 6" rise in POI.
 
Two possibilities: Install an adjustable rear sight. I have done this to several of my Norc 1911s. The rear dovetail is a standard size.

You can install a taller front sight. Something around .190" In suggest having a smith cut a standard front sight dovetail.
 
A taller front sight would be the ticket.Dlask might have something that would work without to much fitting.
Well, I already did my own trigger job, I believe I can install my own sights, or find someone locally that can do so.
Just have to source them out for purchase. Dlask has a nice adj rear, but it seems to be missing the dots, and is not a correct fit.
The Bomar seem a better fit.

One the other hand, if the barrel bushing is part of the problem, I think I'll need that pro fitted. I doubt a loose bushing will equate to a 6" rise in POI.
 
w w w.heinie.com/index.php?cPath=9_10
not sure who carries them here in Canada

too-damn-high-meme-generator-the-shot-was-too-damn-high-a1d904.jpg
 
My own NP29 shoots right on POA with 124gn ammo. So I'm not much help.

But if you want some info on the hieghts of the front and rear sights I can give you that. With that info you can figure out which sight is "wrong" for your gun.
 
I have the same problem like you, My Norc enhanced shoots too high, about 3" at 15yards but then again I also don't like aiming at 6 o'clock, but much prefer POA, I in other words whatever my front sight covers, that's where the bullet hits. You have two options, lower rear sight or higher front sight. The rear is indeed a little too high .290 from base of slide to top of sight and the front is .170. In comparison , my Springfield 1911 45 has a rear sight of .220 and the front is .175. I decided to change the rear sight as it would be easier to install myself, rather than playing with the front sight, which has a smaller dovetail and would probably be harder to fit. I bought Wilson combat sights that includes front and rear for $37.99 from Brownwells, the front sight (.173) is not needed, but picked up the combo for the good price. I installed the rear with some light filing on one side of the sight, I didn't touch the dovetail, in case I would have to put back the original sight, or in case I sold it. Rear sight is now .230 high. Haven't shot the gun yet with the new rear sight, but I will get back to this thread with how it shoots.

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...ts-government-sku965-367-003-16447-36960.aspx
 
Just an update from my previous post just before this one. First let me say that the sight combination front and back resulted in this Norc shooting exactly where I wanted. In the first picture you will see hoe the gun shot for me with the original sights. First 5 rounds was at point of aim and second 5 rounds at 6 o'clock. Windage was left as is, and no issue, a it can easily be fixed. Ammo was 115 gr Winchester whitebox, distance was 13 yards






Next is my target at the same distance. shooting at Point of Aim. Just the way I like it!! rear sight looks real nice and matches perfectly to the rest of the gun. Shot about 50 rounds with this gun, had one failure to feed at the 12 round, Good value for the price. I included some pictures withe new rear sight. sorry for the quality of pictures.





 
Thanks for the post.

Was it a problem to get the rear sight out of the dovetail?

Would be nice if you can explain how you did it.

Thanks
 
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