Norinco 1911

cumminsdsl

cumminsdsl

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what's the word on these, are they complete junk or can they be modded to perform like a med-high $$$ 1911, looking to get my first 1911 and wondering if they are a good start, or just stay away until I can afford a good one. any help is greatly appreciated.

thanks
 
there are TONS of threads on here on Norincos. try doing a search.

basically people who have them (often can't afford a more expensive 1911) like them, and people who own higher priced 1911 tend to dislike them.

it's not a $1000 gun but a good value for what you pay. (under $400)
 
If you search the other threads, the name ARMCO will turn up sooner rather than later, and for good reason. Click the link at the top of the page. If you want a smooth working value priced 1911, get a tuned up Norinco from Gunnar. I have 600+ rounds through mine so far and it keeps getting better.
 
Best bang for the $$$. You cant go wrong for less then $360 Shipped Bran NIB.

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I have over 800 rounds in mine and it's a ton of fun.
Will I buy a Made in USA one day ? If I can find one for $500, YES :D
 
I bought an Armco tuned Norc for my first pistol and I love it. Accurate and it functions well. They are just straight up GI .45's, not a lot of flash, but I like them plain when it comes to 1911's. I plan to get a .22 conversion kit for it so I can shoot it a bit more.
 
also my plan is instead of dumping over a grand on one gun Im planning on getting a S&W MP9 and a norinco 1911 to play with, both will be kind of project guns. any thoughts
 
here is my project Nork Sport 1911A1C a very good investment (forged frame and slide)
this way I have a Nork Commander with a low budget and then play with it changing small parts and controls
Norincos 1911's series are fully recommended !





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They're a little rough around the edges out of the box, but a good pistolsmith (such as Gunnar at Armco) can tune them up to be reliable and have a good trigger such that you will be able to spend less than the out of the box cost of the next least expensive 1911.

A Norinco is actually a very good starting point for a custom gun. The low purchase price for the base gun keeps the overall project cost lower.
 
cumminsdsl said:
what's the word on these, are they complete junk or can they be modded to perform like a med-high $$$ 1911, looking to get my first 1911 and wondering if they are a good start, or just stay away until I can afford a good one.
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WilsonCombat modified or built race or stock competition guns from base Colts, Springfield Armories and Norincos. They stopped working on Norkies, from what I have read and heard, because the hardness of the 5000 series steel used in Norks would wear out their tools and cutters fast, resulting in high costs to replace the tools and labor to set them up.

IMO, they are perfect for a first 1911, if you can look beyond the poor finish. Read up on ARMCO tuned Norkie 1911s and you'll find many satisfied shooters.

Alternatively, you can look for the Police or Sport Model because IMO they already have the minimum "parts" for a good, functional shooter (beavertail, novak style sights, slide top rib). Get a trigger job or just shoot the heck out of it. The trigger will get smoother and lighter, but probably not crisper, over a couple thousand rounds. Some shooters install a Wolff mainspring for instant trigger improvement. When you become quite proficient with your Nork, a match barrel might be a good upgrade.

You ask if you should stay away until you can afford a good one (1911).
Truth is, the Nork 1911 is a good one box stock. The ARMCO tuned Nork about 100 bucks more, is a very good one.
 
Just gotta chime in:

I had a Norc 1911A1, and it was the most expensive paper weight I ever bought - One of the mags broke the first time it was loaded, and the pistol NEVER functioned reliably - Regardless of lubes, state of cleanliness, magazines, bullet shapes, and charge weights, it was a "bang, bang, stop" kind of firearm. I gave it to my wife (literally), as her first pistol. She traded it in towards an XD, very quickly.

LOTS of people have had a great experience with them - I did not.

For what it is worth....

Cheers,

Neal
 
cumminsdsl said:
also my plan is instead of dumping over a grand on one gun Im planning on getting a S&W MP9 and a norinco 1911 to play with, both will be kind of project guns. any thoughts
Click to expand...

That's funny - I bought my norc from Armco and then decided to get a 9mm as well. Looked at the M&P but bought a SR9 (easier out of the box for lefties). Small funny world. Be sure to look at a SR9 if hunting for a 9mm.
 
I just picked up one of the nickel plated Norcs made for European export. I have 250 rounds through with no hi-cups. I highly recommend a norc is you don't have the money for a Springfield or Colt.
 
how much do you guys spend on the .45ACP ammo each month or each year? i'm just thinking - does the cheap Norc really save that much in the grand scheme of things? the .45ACP ammo isn't exactly dirt cheap, right?
 
If you don't reload then a .45acp is expensive to run. I reload and make my own bullets so for a reload I spend the following:

Bullets - nothing
Powder 30.00 a pound @ 5 grains per round
Case - nothing
Primers - 40.00 per 1000
For a total of 6 cents a round or $3.02 per box of 50

It wont take long to get the break even point with the reloading equipment and the bullet making stuff.

As far as norinco's go I have never had a bad one. The one I use most of the time for competitions has just made it over the 10,000 round mark last fall. When I got it I tightened up the rail and slide fit, put in a match bushing and changed the safety and trigger and the sights so I could get a better sight picture. It is as smooth as silk right now and I can not remember the last time I had a jam with it.
 
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