New Marstar NP29, initial trial & photos

geologist

geologist

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Got out to the range with my newly arrived NP29.

I had 2 newbies that wanted to try out handguns so I didn't get to shoot the NP29 as much as I would have liked.

The noobs shot both the NP29 as well as my GLOCK17 and seemed to be grouping better with the NP29.

Overall I am very happy with the NP29.

It is a nice dark blue-black with a very nicely finished exterior for a $350 pistol.

The rubber grips are FUGLY but felt surprising good when I fired it.

Between teaching the noobs I managed to fire off 3 magazines.

Shooting without a rest, 2 handed wedge grip at 15 yards, medium to quick tempo, 2" groups dead centre.

The trigger pull has about 1-2mm of take up, then 2 distinct stages of creep where the trigger finally breaks at 4-5 lbs. Hopefully the trigger will improve with a few more rounds.

Functioning with Win 115 gr FMJ was flawless. We put about 100 rounds through it and no problems with consistent forceful ejection right and back.

The magazine that came with the pistol has a bent follower that sticks in a hole in magazine when you load the 4th round. The other 2 Marstar 9 shot mags worked perfectly.

All of the mags drop free and the slide locks back after the last round.

The right side of top of the rear sight is slightly higher than the left but the pistol is printing dead on at 15 yards so who cares.

The front sight is fairly narrow and makes for a good target sight picture.

The front sight is low profile and clears my leather M7 shoulder holster nicely.

There a lots of sharp edges on this puppy that I need to smooth down. The safety, slide release, lower edges of trigger guard and frame.

Suggestions on how to smooth these surfaces without a sandblaster welcomed!!!

Np290003.jpg

Np290004.jpg

Np290005.jpg
 
Looking beautiful !! Now you need to put a pile of rounds through and and smooth up that action. How do you like those sharp edges , eh ? I sandblasted my entire pistol and then reparkerized it. NO MORE sharp edges. As it should be.

At this price point, I don't mind refinishing it. Anything you do to the Norinco 1911's is all part of the learning curve. They are great guns to learn to shoot on and super guns to build up.

Cheers,
Barney
 
Where did you buy that one with the stock norinco finger groove grip and beaver tail?

When I had mine it was the marstar one with the crappy 1911C style grips and standard grip safety.
 
I ordered this from Marstar May 26, arrived June 13.

I called CFC a couple of times to confirm the transfer and then called Marstar to ensure that they knew the transfer # and shipped ASAP.
 
geologist said:
I ordered this from Marstar May 26, arrived June 13.

I called CFC a couple of times to confirm the transfer and then called Marstar to ensure that they knew the transfer # and shipped ASAP.
Click to expand...
I wonder if mine is missing:confused: I ordered mine in way before you and I still dont have it.I did however receive a reg cert for it last thursday:eek:
 
PC9 -

call marstar and give them the new reg cert #, some times the CFO takes its time to fax the new cert / auth to them.

If you give marstar the cert # - they will call the cfo and confirm the trans is complete. Following that they can ship.
 
the grips might be ugly, and don't know yet how'll they smell in the summer heat, but they feel GOOOOD in the hand. At least for me.
 
I have short fingers. Anything that makes the grip longer front to back doesn't help. Dislike many trigger cocking semi autos for that reason. I suspect that I would have to replace the factory grips on a NP29; until I get one in my hand I cannot say for sure. The appearance doesn't do anything for me, but I am sure they make a very comfortable grip for some folks. Really, on a 'shooter', appearance is less important than function.
 
The Cocker said:
Ah. I got mine from marstar too last year. I got the crap model, the only extra was the extended slide release.
Click to expand...

Personally, I don't see those as an advantage. Much prefer the 'clean' look of the standard item... ;)
 
Review of NP29

Just unpacked my new NP29. As everyone has reported, there are some sharp edges, bottom of slide, etc., nothing that would bite, though. The only adjustment needed is to the magazine catch - it takes a solid shove to get the magazine to seat. Perhaps just a bit of a polish on its bottom edge. Easier to seat the magazine if the catch is pressed as it seats. But push the catch, and the mag drops free. The BT grip safety rattles, but it is comfortable. Commander style hammer. No risk of the web of the thumb getting bitten. Both safeties are positive. Trigger pull is on the heavy side, slight creep before release. Extended thumb safety and slide release. The rubber grips may to have to go. They are quite thick, and have the wrap around with finger grooves. They are comfortable, and the grip is positive, but I have short fingers, and they may be too much of a good thing. Just received a set of Hogues (thanks Hungry). The pistol seems a better fit for me, with the Hogues, but I will not be able to say definitively until I have shot the pistol with both grips. With the Hogues installed, the appearance is more traditional. Nothing to do with shooting properties, but some may prefer one look to the other. The sights have holes with coloured paint for a three dot effect. If I don't like it, I'll fill the holes with some JB Weld. Blade and rear notch are narrow; so are the sights on my M&P, and I like them. Slide/frame/barrel fit are excellent. There is very little play. The pistol does not rattle like many Colt/Browning 1911s. Field stripped it for cleaning, there are internal machining marks, particularly in the dust cover section of the frame, but nothing of functional consequence. Slide and frame rails are nicely cut. Pistol comes in a plastic case with rod and brush. Overall, first impression is positive. Will get to the range and see how well it shoots.
Stoned the magazine catch, now the magazine can be inserted without exessive force, or pressing the release. Two minute job. The magazine is serialed to the pistol, and is numbered "2". Presumably there was a "1". The box is moulded with a space for a second magazine. The magazine was very difficult to load with more than 4 rounds. Something was jamming the magazine follower at that point. I repeatedly ran the follower up and down, and it is now smoother, perhaps there was a burr. I am waiting for additional magazines to arrive.
Just got back from two hours at the range; fired about 175 rounds. Groups ran about 3 1/2" at 20 yds, fired two hands from a rest, about 5 seconds per shot. Poppers and plate went down. The factory magazine is hard to load, and is not satisfactory, a MetalForm was much superior. The sights are low and narrow. The dot in the front sight does not stand out, and makes the front sight hard to pick up. May replace the sights later on. The factory grips are a bit big for me. I fired about half the rounds with these, about half with conventional Hogue rubber grips. Shot well with both. Try the factory grips. You may find that they are a 1st choice.
If you are looking for a new full sized single action single stack 9mm, I recommend that you seriously consider one of these.
 
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TO ALL:
We negotiated a deal with Norinco, better grips and the beaver tail....
We did NOT increase the price....
I apologize and promise never to offer more for the same price ever again
John
 
I had a chance to inspect Rusty Shacklefords. While I can see why people with small hands might prefer the standard flat paneled version, I think that the upgraded grips are much better than the ones on my Norc 1911 from a few years back. The factory beavertail is leaps and bounds better than the standard, and a welcome addition.

Frankly, the only thing I'd do to it if it was mine, is a new trigger, and a new standard profile slide stop.

Sure, later on when the gun's broken in, a match sear and hammer would be nice, but the factory wasn't too bad.

Buy yourself two.
 
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Just like Canuck223 said, "Buy yourself TWO"...

I've been trying to tell everyone else that, just like the M14. Forget all the other unknown Norinco knockoffs. AT LEAST you know that the 1911 series of Norc bangsticks are the best value for the money.

Johnone: I look at things this way.... For the $ 349, I get the frame and the slide. All the other parts that happen to accompany the frame and slide are bonus or icing on the cake. I can sympathize with your grief. You've been around long enough to know that you cannot please everyone. I'm just happy as heck that you keep trying and trying to please all of us. I thank you for that, kind sir. In the meantime, thanks for importing the NP29, the best Norinco value around after the M14's that stuck around for 3 days in Marstar's W'house.

Cheers all,
Barney
 
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