Girsan MC28? Norinco pistol clones? Which one is more reliable and newbie friendly?

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pecan

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Looking to purchase my first handgun. Something on the lower end of the market (sub $500). I've sort-of narrowed it down to these two handguns, the mc28 and the assortment of norinco handguns (np-22) both around $350.

I'm looking for reliability (as much as you can get for the price) and being fun to shoot. I imagine I might purchase myself a glock 17 later in life when I have more time to shoot/get involved with competition shooting, but it doesn't hurt to have an additional cheap pistol to lend to friends on the range is my thinking. I'm learning towards mc28 because it is much easier to find magazines.

Do you guys have any suggestions?

I might want to also try IPSC. I don't expect to do very well, but I think it would be a fun hobby. If I really enjoy ipsc I would consider upgrading to a competition gun instead of a g17, hence my thinking for just getting a cheap pistol first.
 
Are you looking to buy new? That's a big part of the purchase in my opinion. I was able to get a used cz phantom in the 500's with a couple mags. I was in the mindset that I wanted to get one in the 400's but you MUST count the aftermarket and mags cost in the purchase price in some way.

If mags cost $35 ea compared to some at $20 ea that can be a lot of range time adding up. You're also gonna want to look at parts of the magazine's or other high-wear areas that may be plastic or metal. Dropping metal mags isn't as bad as plastic most of the time.


You Can always get a used one of the ones you listed but with some work done to make it a better shooter. Norincos have been known for being great handguns with a trigger job and proper care. You can find some that have/come with mods that can help you shooting too.


Don't be afraid to purchase something in multi caliber as well. A lot of platforms have drop n play parts kits you can get. Think 22/9mm etc. All depends on what shooting / budget you're looking into.
 
I have had and still have both the MC28 and a couple of Norinco's. Np22 & NP34.
All are good pistols with one difference between them. ( In my opinion ).
The Girsan MC28 is a striker fired pistol. This system is not conducive to a great out of the box trigger pull.
The Norcs are hammer fired. Single action triggers tend to be pretty good..

If you can try them out to see how they fit your hand. That may make your decision for you.
 
I ran 3 gun for three years with an NP-22. Never had a problem. Went bang every time. More than accurate enough for the distances that you shoot at.

I don't know about others experiences, but mine just kept going.
 
The norc np-34, np22 and colt 1911 clones are the best deal going for inexpensive pistols in Canada. The girsan is not bad, and shoots real well. If there is no price difference and no personal preference on the gun, see if you can try them out on a rental range or at least hold them. It may help you make up your mind. The mags are all around the same price if you look online
 
I had an MC28 as my first one. I found that, as a newbie, the trigger pull and feel were difficult for me to be accurate with. I picked up a Norinco NZ85B which is a CZ clone and one of their best. Spent $25 on a better mainspring and recoil spring and put some Hogue grips on it for another $25 and it now shoots beautifully with a wonderful trigger. I may take it appart and polish up the parts to improve it even more. I also got a slightly used Norc 1911 for $300 and spent an extra $250 on a bunch of Wilson Combat and Dlask parts as well as doing a trigger job and polishing various internal bits and it shoots really nicely now too. If you are willing and able to do some basic work on a Norc they are a great way to go. I also briefly had an NP58 (P226 clone in .40 S&W) whcih was nice and worked well. Single action trigger was decent. The double action pull was terrible. But that could likely be improved.
 
Learn to shoot well with the mc28, and you'll be amazed when you move up to something with a better trigger. I bought one on a whim, and aside from the trigger i have no complaints for the price.
 
Hitzy said:
Get one of the Girsan 92 clones if you want cheap, reliable, and accurate. 92 parts and mags fit, so you are not stuck if anything craps the bed.
$459 at Tenda for the standard full size blued https://www.gotenda.com/product/girsan-regard-9mm-blued-9mm-rmc9/
$519 for the SS with rail version.
https://www.gotenda.com/product/girsan-regard-stainless-with-rail-4-9-barrel-9mm/
I have a compact and full size, no issues with either one. Could also probably find an M&P for around $500 as well.
Click to expand...

Agree with this...
 
I just bought an np 34. The mags for it are impossible to find. I looked for np 22 mags they to are unicorns. Ipsc you need 5 mags minimum. Six mags optimal and more should a mag break.
 
No I only found one actual np 34 mag in the country the closest thing are meggar 228 which require modifications to function. Tenda has some in stock. Anyway it is not that important to me I shoot a Dlask custom 9 mm in classic for which I have a ton of mags. I like the style of the sig 228 it is just a fun plinking gun I won’t be using it in competition however the guy stated that he will. The cheapest gun may not be the cheapest overall option. Once you buy the cheap gun then buy the mags, the holster and the mag holders it will be more expensive then some of the packages I see on the exchange with all the above.
 
For under $500 you can find an M&P 9 used on the EE, there are currently at least a couple in the $425-450 range for a first gen with holster etc, a much better purchase and far more conducive to the shooting sports should you go that way. There are a couple of FNS9's in the $400 range also ,which is a smoking deal for a fantastic and well built pistol. I have owned both the Girsan and currently just picked up a Norc NP34, both are nice guns and work well but there are better options under $500 without a doubt, even a Canik TP9SA can be found in that range.
Good luck in your search :)
 
JBD said:
No I only found one actual np 34 mag in the country the closest thing are meggar 228 which require modifications to function. Tenda has some in stock. Anyway it is not that important to me I shoot a Dlask custom 9 mm in classic for which I have a ton of mags. I like the style of the sig 228 it is just a fun plinking gun I won’t be using it in competition however the guy stated that he will. The cheapest gun may not be the cheapest overall option. Once you buy the cheap gun then buy the mags, the holster and the mag holders it will be more expensive then some of the packages I see on the exchange with all the above.
Click to expand...

CZ75/85 mags work in the NZ85B :)
 
get the mc28 v2 not sure trigger might be better? parts can be had from north silva, was tllking to them earlier today
 
RK99 said:
CZ75/85 mags work in the NZ85B :)
Click to expand...

Yes, they do! Too bad no one is bringing in the NZ85; best Nork Pistol ever built. Mine is a forever gun; granted I put some CZ75 rubber overmolded grips on mine as the nork grips were crap, but great trigger, CZ/Jericho comparable mags, accurate. What more can one ask!!!
 
Hitzy said:
Get one of the Girsan 92 clones if you want cheap, reliable, and accurate. 92 parts and mags fit, so you are not stuck if anything craps the bed.
$459 at Tenda for the standard full size blued https://www.gotenda.com/product/girsan-regard-9mm-blued-9mm-rmc9/
$519 for the SS with rail version.
https://www.gotenda.com/product/girsan-regard-stainless-with-rail-4-9-barrel-9mm/
I have a compact and full size, no issues with either one. Could also probably find an M&P for around $500 as well.
Click to expand...

This! I stopped reading this thread when I read this post. Spot on if you want the best bang for your buck. I woould add you sometimes run into a lightly used Beretta 92 for around $550. The surplus guns are a good buy if you have good young eyes to deal with the old style Military sights. I also have the Girsan Compact 92 and it has been reliable as tomorrows sunrise. I have not shot it much and if you got $450 in your pocket I might be willing to part with it.

Take Care

Bob
 
Canuck44 said:
This! I stopped reading this thread when I read this post. Spot on if you want the best bang for your buck. I woould add you sometimes run into a lightly used Beretta 92 for around $550. The surplus guns are a good buy if you have good young eyes to deal with the old style Military sights. I also have the Girsan Compact 92 and it has been reliable as tomorrows sunrise. I have not shot it much and if you got $450 in your pocket I might be willing to part with it.

Take Care

Bob
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Unless the Girsan trigger is better than the Berettas I have shot, i would look for something else. Same goes for Nork Sig Clones; heavy double action; extreemly long reset compared to CZ75s and Shadows, NZ85s, Steel Jerichos, or Sphinx. Jerichos, CZ and Sphinx can be found on the EE; Surplus Jerichos are pretty good value too. For 9mm, these are the best of the best, unless you want plastic LOL.
 
Meroh said:
Unless the Girsan trigger is better than the Berettas I have shot, i would look for something else. Same goes for Nork Sig Clones; heavy double action; extremely long reset compared to CZ75s and Shadows, NZ85s, Steel Jerichos, or Sphinx. Jerichos, CZ and Sphinx can be found on the EE; Surplus Jerichos are pretty good value too. For 9mm, these are the best of the best, unless you want plastic LOL.
Click to expand...


The OP is talking about a $400 - $500 gun for range plinking and dabbling in competitions and you bring up Shadows? Really. A stock DA 75B trigger is nothing to write home about nor is the NC85 and Stock Jerichos. Even a Shadow has a heavy, long DA trigger pull stock. Slick all of them up with a lighter main spring and they can become very good triggers as can the Girsan copy of the Beretta Compact.

Other than the Beretta copies that Girsan makes the issue I would have with the Girsan copies is the parts issue. What happens when a extractor breaks? I don't know the answer to that. Are they available? Without readily available parts a handgun becomes a boat anchor real quick.

Take Care

Bob
 
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