1911 norinco vs SAM vs Girsan

[lejarretnoir]

Yea, I read that some time ago from STI.
To be honest, the S&W 929 I have with MIM trigger and hammer is a very nice crisp trigger break.

 

[Familygunnutz]

Hardly, I've owned Chinese guns since the late 90's, which is probably 5 times longer then you have had your PAL by the sounds of it....
Dumped all my Nork 1911's recently in favor of SAM, no comparison, way better guns for the money. Had an M4.....hugely disappointed, dumped it. Had 9mm toks, worked but shot like ####, terrible workmanship. Dumped Chinese SKS in favor of Yugo and Russian.
I still have a few .22 rifles, and an M14 and shotty. I'm familiar with what Chinese guns are and what they are not. I don't have expensive guns, I have good value guns....you know, quality vs price and where I'm happy with that. Chinese isn't it for me, but $50-$150 more is in most cases. If that is snobbery calk me a snob....

so your statistically single digit experience or sample size is enough to conclude that anything norinco made is POS? SAM may have better fit and finish which can be definitively concluded by comparing both brand side by side, but how do you comparing reliability without proper testing methods and significant sample size? you could have had your PAL for 100 years and one of every norico ever made, your sample size is still no way near significant enough to conclude anything. I could not careless whether Norinco is better than SAM or vice versa, you were accusing someone talking out of their ass because they presumed Chinese steel is better, yet you presume noricos are all unreliable?

 

[Mark-II]

Good to hear, I still want a SAM GI in .45....I'll try those guys out if they get them in before wolverine does...

I went for their 45 Commander. Ended up with serial #1 lol

I like the GI pattern, as I've waxed on about, so the selling point was purely the sights. They do charge PST of your province, so there's no big savings for me over Wolverine. Something for you to consider as well since W might end up same price AND they back their product. For a few hundred $ I'll gamble this once.

But I'm going to put fake colt medallion grips on mine, the bobbed colt grip safety, and have myself an ersatz colt commander

 

[Hitzy]

so your statistically single digit experience or sample size is enough to conclude that anything norinco made is POS? SAM may have better fit and finish which can be definitively concluded by comparing both brand side by side, but how do you comparing reliability without proper testing methods and significant sample size? you could have had your PAL for 100 years and one of every norico ever made, your sample size is still no way near significant enough to conclude anything. I could not careless whether Norinco is better than SAM or vice versa, you were accusing someone talking out of their ass because they presumed Chinese steel is better, yet you presume noricos are all unreliable?

Not really what I'm saying so I'll try again.....I'm saying with the exception of the M14, there are comparable and better made, better fit, better finished, better all around firearms from the US/EUROPE/PHILIPPINES that don't cost very much more money then the Chinese counterpart. Like a tank of gas more, or a couple cases of beer more...people don't have to buy Chinese guns to get shooting cheap.
My Chinese guns functioned fine, but they were never as nice shooting or as accurate as my "better guns", solely as a result of the poor manufacturing that went into them. I ran a Colt .38 super barrel in my NP29 for years, worked fine, that barrel shot well, it was fun for a while but eventually I wanted something better. I can say that I have something to be disappointed about with every Chinese gun I ever bought....every one had something about it that gave me buyers remorse. Not one I bought and thought "hey this is really a great deal for the price". It's always been " yeah I see why these are so cheap, they are $### because they are worth $### and not a penny more ".
I've only once been disappointed with a US gun, and that was my SR9 first impression, as well as first few range trips. No failures or anything, I just thought it was built cheap, and I couldn't shoot it for #### at first. Eventually I got use to the trigger and could see how accurate it was, and after several hundred rounds showed no wear, which made me think it may actually last quite a while....
Reliability is right up there with accuracy for me and what I expect out of a gun. If it's reliable and shoots terrible... well I don't really want it. That's what I found with the Chinese handguns, worked but didn't shoot good enough for me. And when I would see tool marks like a robotic beaver would leave....well that doesn't help either lol

 

[Mark-II]

I think Norinco's are made from our recycled Chevy's, aren't they? Lol. I have 2 SAM's, the Omega 6 9mm, and Thunderbolt SS .45. Thousands of rounds downrange, and guys at the club compared them to their big buck 1911's, and they were very impressed with them.

Sorry, thread needed pictures. Lol.

Aww. Your two SAMs are kissing

 

[NAA]

Girsan 1911s are here and available from both Wanstalls and TFC Firearms. Bought the Bright White version and am very happy with it.
Comparable pricing to the SAM with excellent quality finish -- I don't have a SAM so can't compare. Very tight and well constructed.
No failures of any sort when I took it to the range and fed it Chinese ammo.

Well, don't that just beat all!

Wish I could warm up to a 1911 with a rail, though.

Think I'll still go for a SAM.... in 9mm.... got enough 1911's in .45 ACP already...lol....

------------
NAA.

 

[Green Skull]

Just buy the Girsan and then tell us about it. The Girsan is pushing $600, the Norc and Sam come in well under $500. The platform stands up no matter what. It just depends on how much you want to spend.

 

[kschneider]

Aww. Your two SAMs are kissing

Lol, and look what my AR's are doing, facing the opposite way!!! LMAO.

 

[kschneider]

Just buy the Girsan and then tell us about it. The Girsan is pushing $600, the Norc and Sam come in well under $500. The platform stands up no matter what. It just depends on how much you want to spend.

Actually, the SAM stainess Thunderbolt is like $625, so just a few bucks cheaper than the Girsan. Is the Girsan frame steel, or alloy like the Regard, cause the finish looks the same.

 

[NVShooter]

Just got back from the range...shot my "new-to-me" SAM 1911 in 9mm (the Sigma 9 model in SS, Commander length I think they call it). I like the 1911 platform but wasn't sure what to expect. WOW! Shoots like a dream. I have 8 different mags (3 different mfg) and there were no issues of any kind with any mag or any ammo. Then I picked up my CZ Shadow and shot it and immediately noticed more recoil with the Shadow. Not that it matters when you focus on the front sight, but it was pretty evident. The SAM Sigma 9 is hefty little gun, only a few ounces lighter than the Shadow. With an FO front sight on the SAM, I will be in heaven. I'm sorry I can't offer an opinion on the Norinco but I do have a 1911 (.45ACP) Kimber. The fit and finish of the SAM is just as nice in my inexpert opinion and everything on the SAM is just as tight.

 

[wayupnorth]

Nothing to do with the OP"s topic,...but if you ever wanted to do the 460 Rowland Uprade in the future, you would need the Nork for that. They are actually recommended.
Well there ya go. LOL

that is just strictly a heat treatment thing.
norcs are heat treated and SAMs are spot heat treated, thats the only difference.
with the 460 Rowland they dont recommend running spot heat treated.

 

[wayupnorth]

if i may add my $0.02 to the pot.

ive got 3-4 Norc 1911's and 1 SAM and another on the way, and i have access to my dads and he runs 1 Norc and 2 SAMs.
so ive got a good taste for both brands.
in my humble opinion - for the money - SAM win's hands down.
dont get me wrong, i like Norc's, the last year or so their bluing has been GREAT!
but my money will be going to SAM's from now on.
they are easily double the gun and for only like $50 more.
you just cant beat that.
if my Rowland build didnt require a 100% heat treated gun i would have used a SAM on that one too.

here is one of my norcs with one of a sam.
norc has the nice shiny bluing while the sam has the almost parkerized finish.

 

[Fretman]

I have never shot or owned a Girsan, my Norc for the price is just fine but the fit and finish on the SAM is spectacular for the money paid! Not to mention Wolverine is a top notch company to deal with!

 

[9mmGunGuy]

The user manual says it is a steel alloy. Not sure exactly what that would make it. It could be a cheaper stainless steel variety -- not the non-magnetic SS (I checked).

Actually, the SAM stainess Thunderbolt is like $625, so just a few bucks cheaper than the Girsan. Is the Girsan frame steel, or alloy like the Regard, cause the finish looks the same.

 

[Mark-II]

Lol, and look what my AR's are doing, facing the opposite way!!! LMAO.

The bottom one should be inverted, though