1911 aftermarket parts-good/bad

[xxclaro]

Since there's such an abundance of aftermarket parts for the 1911a1, I'm wodering about the practicality or usefulness of some of them. I'm not understanding what the point of a 2 peice guide rod is, or what a extended combat ejector does. I must be missing the point of some of this stuff.
The one thing I would like to change on my Norc is the end for the recoil spring, not sure what it's called. Can't seem to push it down far enough with my finger, and the edges are really sharp. I always end up using something to push it down far enough to swing the bushing out of the way. On the vidie's I've seen, the guys never seem to have any trouble just pushing it down with their finger.
Also, I'll need to replace the recoil spring at some point, are there any brands that should be avoided? Who in Canada would be the best supplier of needed parts?

 

[Frozen Snake]

One piece guide rod is suppose to prevent spring binding. Again Suppose to.
Having a full length guide rod can make it difficult to remove the barrel bushing though using a "plastic" wrench helps. Having a 2-piece allows you to unscrew and remove half of the rod, thus making disassembly easier. The 1911 is not the simplist gun to disassemble. Its just the way it is.
Aftermarket is just that. Some people like to customise there 1911s. some ejectors are said to be more reliable. I think your spring should be good for a very long time. Unless if you are shooting Horse power loads only then I would change it for a heavier spring. I think Mine has a 22lbs spring with buffers. I would focus more on your sights and a trigger job. those Norincos seem to shoot great out of the box. Most of the banner dealers in this forum stock springs and Accessories for your pistol.

 

[xxclaro]

So the guide rod in the factory Norc 1911 is a 1 peice design,correct? I really have no trouble disassembeling the gun as is. I've heard more reference to a bushing wrench, but have no idea how it would be used or what it looks like.
As far as trigger jobs go, what parts should I replace to get a better trigger? I assume a sear and hammer or disconnecter would be first on the list? Also,did you find the buffers to interfere at all with the operation of your pistol? I've hears some people say they found it doesn't let the slide move back quite far enough?

 

[RUSTSPOT]

just installed a full length tungsten guide rod on my A1, dont like the looks of the full length sticking out of the gun but i'll see what it does at the range.it suppose to weight the gun down for faster sight recovery but it doesnt make the gun feel any heavier just by holding it.

 

[ian_in_vic]

Get in touch with Gunnar at Armco, see if he'll do a Norc package for you - easily the best way to solve every issue you could want to fix on a Norc. If you want better sights and an extended safety he can do that too - and he only uses proven brand name parts. My Norc's 'trigger train' is 100% OEC (original equipment copier ) and it is about as good as it's possible to get, 3 1/2 lbs. and like a micro switch. Also have him put a bushing wrench in the return package, a one piece guide rod is not necessary - or really desireable - the gun is accurate and reliable without it when properly set up. As far as springs go, Wolffe is great - they have kits of factory strength springs and ship properly to Canada with no problems. Technically the guide rod on a stock Norc is either a 'short' or 'GI'

 

[LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1]

Since this is sort of on topic, I will ask it here. I am thinking of getting a Norinco 1911 and plan on slowly replacing the guts with higher end parts, so in the end, I will have the high quality slide and frame from the Norc, with the internals of a custom 1911. Where is a good place to buy parts?

 

[RUSTSPOT]

Since this is sort of on topic, I will ask it here. I am thinking of getting a Norinco 1911 and plan on slowly replacing the guts with higher end parts, so in the end, I will have the high quality slide and frame from the Norc, with the internals of a custom 1911. Where is a good place to buy parts?

think twice before going down that road. i've spent little more than i'd like on my springfield in the past few weeks. i've got an extended safety, custom mainspring housing, magwell, full length guide rod, sear and spring kit. and still need a whole lot more internal work to make it a match grade gun. shouldve bought a kimber or something along that line to start. but it's a great learning curve doing things the hard way. i've bough all my parts from brownells but i had to keep each order under 100. wasnt easy and the shipping was killing me doing separate orders

 

[tiriaq]

Since this is sort of on topic, I will ask it here. I am thinking of getting a Norinco 1911 and plan on slowly replacing the guts with higher end parts, so in the end, I will have the high quality slide and frame from the Norc, with the internals of a custom 1911. Where is a good place to buy parts?

I wouldn't do that, unless I were doing it as a project for a learning experience. The Norc. frame and slide are machined, not cast, but can be pretty rough. By the time that you have replaced all the working parts with quality, brand name aftermarket pieces, the total will be pretty close to what a quality brand name gun will cost.
I enjoy my NP29s - one is set up as a .22, with a Colt conversion kit, the other is still 9mm, but the only parts I've changed are the sights, the grips, and the safety. Installed a Gunsite model with the low thumbpiece. Have fired about 4,000 rounds of 9mm through them, so I have a pretty good idea about what they are like. Next step will be to accurize the 9mm, but that is labour, not buying parts.
Like the 10/22 and the AR, there is an industry built around making aftermarket parts for 1911s. Lots of stuff that is fashionable or cool. I would limit parts changes to those that are actually going to make a difference.

 

[EdGCNM]

The 1911 does not usually benefit much from "drop-in" parts, at least in terms of accuracy and durability. There is a huge gunsmith business in properly fitting parts in 1911's so that tolerances are good and the gun is accurate and does not wear prematurely. Drop-in parts are of necessity designed for a loose fit so that they will go into any gun. You can do damage by being your own gunsmith (depending on what parts you replace or mess with), up to and including making it go full auto. Be careful.

 

[1851 Navy]

As far as internals go, all the Norc really needs is a good sear (unless one has a preference for longer triggers or different hammers). I put a Chip McCormick sear in my older Norc and the trigger pull is now almost as nice as my second, Armco-tuned Norc.

 

[sunray]

"...Drop-in parts are of necessity designed for a loose fit..." On the other hand some of 'em work just fine. Most parts(triggers, sears and hammers especially) need to be fitted though.