I'm gonna go for my PAL soon, both my Restricted and Non-Restricted. I have shot a few times at shooting ranges and while I do enjoy a rifle, I prefer a handgun more. My question is when I get my RPAL, what would be a good handgun to buy first off? I'm looking more at 1911's, as out of the handguns I have shot at the range, I do prefer the 1911 style pistol, preferably a .45ACP with a Single stack magazine. I am doing research on my own but some input from people who have been doing this type of stuff for a while would be greatly appreciated
Need a handgun recommendation
- Thread starter bristow84
- Start date
Jwirecom109
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Alberta
Norc is a good one to start with for a 1911, 45, u can invest in more ammo that way.
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
You are aware of the cost of store bought .45 acp compare to say 9mm?
And You are also aware thar there are 9mm 1911 options?
If the answer to the above questions is yes, then the next question is how much money do you want to spend.
1911's probably have the widest variety of pricing options of everything on the market!
A Norc in 9mm or 45 can be had for as little as $350 brand new, but you can get up into thousands on a Wilson Combat, or Nighthawk, with a whole bunch of options in between.
Give us a price range, and you will get the answers you are looking for, but be aware there are going to be many different opinions. Everyone makes a 1911 these days, so this is probably one of the hardest questions to answer.
A search of the forums will likely reveal a whole bunch of threads on the same topic, butif you wait around long enough Wendell might come and do the work for you. LOL
And You are also aware thar there are 9mm 1911 options?
If the answer to the above questions is yes, then the next question is how much money do you want to spend.
1911's probably have the widest variety of pricing options of everything on the market!
A Norc in 9mm or 45 can be had for as little as $350 brand new, but you can get up into thousands on a Wilson Combat, or Nighthawk, with a whole bunch of options in between.
Give us a price range, and you will get the answers you are looking for, but be aware there are going to be many different opinions. Everyone makes a 1911 these days, so this is probably one of the hardest questions to answer.
A search of the forums will likely reveal a whole bunch of threads on the same topic, butif you wait around long enough Wendell might come and do the work for you. LOL
UR on the right track.
One major cause for dissatisfaction with any pistol is reliability. Just about anything else is tolerable with a first gun, generally speaking. If you can buy your 1911 from a shop in your area that has a good reputation and offers good product lines, my advice would be to start there. Once you've been at it awhile and have learned to tinker with #### then the bargain basement brands may just be the challenge you're looking for. Otherwise; good quality + support = fun. You're looking at $1000 bux or more.
Just my .02
One major cause for dissatisfaction with any pistol is reliability. Just about anything else is tolerable with a first gun, generally speaking. If you can buy your 1911 from a shop in your area that has a good reputation and offers good product lines, my advice would be to start there. Once you've been at it awhile and have learned to tinker with #### then the bargain basement brands may just be the challenge you're looking for. Otherwise; good quality + support = fun. You're looking at $1000 bux or more.
Just my .02
Jwirecom109
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Alberta
Norc or sam would be good options people thaat own them enjoy them
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
That makes it easy. 
Norinco, or S.A.M.(Shooters Arms Manufacturing)
Norinco has been around a long time, and have a pretty good track record. Many people here are very happy with their Norc's, and I have owned 2 of their 1911's and been happy with both, but ended up trading as .45 acp isn't woth it for me. Nothing wrong with the guns though, and the "Police" model I had was pretty damn good in the fit and finish dept.(For a Norc that is) They have rough endes, and they are not polished, leaving some visible machining marks but they do function pretty well.
Now if you are willing to spend $100 more I would check out Wolverine Supplie's new imports called S.A.M. The fit and finish is head and shoulders above the Norcs, and the tactical model has very nice sights as well. There have been some positive reviews here, although I have read some negative ones out of the US.
It's a tough call between the 2. The Norc will likely lead you to want to upgrade parts such as sights, and trigger(ugliest part on a Norc) while the SAM seems a little nicer out of the box.
I would try to handle them both in person to compare before buying.
Cheers
M
Norinco, or S.A.M.(Shooters Arms Manufacturing)
Norinco has been around a long time, and have a pretty good track record. Many people here are very happy with their Norc's, and I have owned 2 of their 1911's and been happy with both, but ended up trading as .45 acp isn't woth it for me. Nothing wrong with the guns though, and the "Police" model I had was pretty damn good in the fit and finish dept.(For a Norc that is) They have rough endes, and they are not polished, leaving some visible machining marks but they do function pretty well.
Now if you are willing to spend $100 more I would check out Wolverine Supplie's new imports called S.A.M. The fit and finish is head and shoulders above the Norcs, and the tactical model has very nice sights as well. There have been some positive reviews here, although I have read some negative ones out of the US.
It's a tough call between the 2. The Norc will likely lead you to want to upgrade parts such as sights, and trigger(ugliest part on a Norc) while the SAM seems a little nicer out of the box.
I would try to handle them both in person to compare before buying.
Cheers
M
Any clue if any stores that carry firearms sell S.A.M?
Norinco is probably a safe bet, and I was actually looking at the Sport Model, considering its already got most of the things I'd upgrade for. Where would I upgrade a 1911 pistol? Just a normal gunsmith?
Norinco is probably a safe bet, and I was actually looking at the Sport Model, considering its already got most of the things I'd upgrade for. Where would I upgrade a 1911 pistol? Just a normal gunsmith?
I'd advise a 9mm, some people say .22 but my only .22 was a GSG 1911 and it just didn't have that punch. I'd say for $3-500 go with a Norinco NP-22 with rail (SFRC or Frontier are great), best bang for the buck of any pistol in my humble opinion. If you want to spend $500 than you might be able to find a used Glock 17 Gen 3, my number 2 gun based on the price point solely.
Wolverine Supplies
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Ruger SR9, mid $500's depending where you buy. Well built. Beautiful firearm. A bit more $$ than a Norc. I smile everytime I look at mine,.......
I know I have a quality firearm in this gun.
I guess you missed the part where he already said he was set on a 1911, and .45 acp, eh?
cumminsdsl
Member
- Location
- Ottawa Valley
I got a Norc. 1911 and have yet to have any issues, its nothing like my Kimber but overall not a bad gun for the price.
Problem with Kimbers is they are bloody expensive.
From everything I've read, the Shooter's Arms Manufacturing 1911s (available at Wolverine) are far nicer quality than the Norincos. They're only about $100 to $150 more.
I'm a newb and was shopping around for a 1911. Was going to buy a Norinco, but after some research I ended up ordering a used S.A.M. It should be here any day now. Can't wait.
I'm a newb and was shopping around for a 1911. Was going to buy a Norinco, but after some research I ended up ordering a used S.A.M. It should be here any day now. Can't wait.
I've got a Norc 1911A (my first restricted purchase actually) and have been for the most part happy with it. The finish on mine (one of the earliest Marstar imports) is nice, and except for adding a set of walnut grips (one of the bakelite originals cracked in the hot sun) I have kept it stock. It sometimes won't hold open on the last shot when shooting 230gr bullets, but a more knowledgable shooter who examined it for me said that was because the springs were strong and prone to short stroking that will probably change with time. The action stays open when I'm done shooting the faster 185gr bullets, so that's what I've been using in it.
I've also shot a friend's Kimber and have to admit that it was pleasant to shoot and gave pretty good groups. Thusfar, I've found that my Norc tends to shoot low, and while the group size with 185 gr bullets might be representative of a lack of skill on my part, I've done much better with my 9mm P1 from Tradeex.
I think that you'll want to check out your potential handgun purchase in person, since it often comes down to what's most comfortable for your own hands. If you change your mind about the .45ACP route, I'm sure that the 9mm Norc would be fine, though a nice post-war P38/P1 might be a better gun at lower cost.
I've also shot a friend's Kimber and have to admit that it was pleasant to shoot and gave pretty good groups. Thusfar, I've found that my Norc tends to shoot low, and while the group size with 185 gr bullets might be representative of a lack of skill on my part, I've done much better with my 9mm P1 from Tradeex.
I think that you'll want to check out your potential handgun purchase in person, since it often comes down to what's most comfortable for your own hands. If you change your mind about the .45ACP route, I'm sure that the 9mm Norc would be fine, though a nice post-war P38/P1 might be a better gun at lower cost.
From everything I've read, the Shooter's Arms Manufacturing 1911s (available at Wolverine) are far nicer quality than the Norincos. They're only about $100 to $150 more.
I'm a newb and was shopping around for a 1911. Was going to buy a Norinco, but after some research I ended up ordering a used S.A.M. It should be here any day now. Can't wait.
That SAM pistol sounds like an interesting option. If I didn't already have a Norc 1911, I'd probably go that route as well.
