Norinco JW-21B lever action .22
- Thread starter JR86
- Start date
I remember hearing that Bell was importing them. I also contacted ARK Army Surplus Store in Toronto who said they could get one. But I found a deal on a Henry and went that route.
After dealing with Henry today, I suggest you pay a few extra Canadian Pesos and get one their guns.
I had some questions about my gun today, called them and within 5 minutes I hung up, and had parts in the mail, for free. The hammer wouldn't always go to "half ####" position from the cocked position. I took the gun apart and saw the trigger spring was bent. I asked if that may cause my issues, and they replied with "Maybe, but it could also be the hammer, I'll send out both to you. What's your mailing address?"
Considering I don't speak Chinese, and the fact that there is no parts support from Norinco, I would say the extra money spent on a Henry is well worth it for their lifetime warranty. I am now considering buying more Henry's, just because.
After dealing with Henry today, I suggest you pay a few extra Canadian Pesos and get one their guns.
I had some questions about my gun today, called them and within 5 minutes I hung up, and had parts in the mail, for free. The hammer wouldn't always go to "half ####" position from the cocked position. I took the gun apart and saw the trigger spring was bent. I asked if that may cause my issues, and they replied with "Maybe, but it could also be the hammer, I'll send out both to you. What's your mailing address?"
Considering I don't speak Chinese, and the fact that there is no parts support from Norinco, I would say the extra money spent on a Henry is well worth it for their lifetime warranty. I am now considering buying more Henry's, just because.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Henry's are $350 right now at cabelas
Henry Makes a much better lever action than Norinco.
Steel or aluminum receiver?
That would depend on the model. some are aluminum alloy, silver alloy and brass.
Better question would be "What kind of warranty does the Norinco have?" As well as "Are parts available for the Norinco?"
As I mentioned, Henry has a lifetime guarantee, and full parts support.
Aluminium is used in shotguns, they seem to hold up OK, it's not a new concept. I imagine a .22LR would be OK as well.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
My thoughts as well on the situation. Cant see how buying a $200 gun with zero parts availability or warranty would be a good buy.
Seriously? what exactly are you expecting to break on the Norinco? I ran mine HARD for about 3 years. It saw every type of ammo and shot without a hitch. Not really much to break on it. Extractor? Firing pin? I think those can be gotten from Brownells etc as this is a clone of a 9422. (a little fitting might be required, but really, the Norinco hate is unjustified with this particular gun if you ask me.
I have nothing against Norinco, I own a few.
I think for the price difference I would rather the piece of mind that the gun is going to last me the rest of my life, or the even the next owners life. I'm the second owner of my Henry, when I called for support they didn't even ask me the serial number, they just sent parts for free. To me that kind of service is worth a lot. What is the phone number for Norinco anyhow?
If you're confident the gun will never have any issues, or you don't mind spending money on parts, shipping and exchange, then hoping they work after some fitting, save yourself a few buck and get the Norinco. I wonder what Brownells charges for a 9422 hammer and triger spring that Henry just sent me for free, plus shipping and exchange?? I bet it would be more than the difference of a Henry vs. Norinco.
Not knocking Norinco, just stating my experience I just happened to have yesterday.
I think for the price difference I would rather the piece of mind that the gun is going to last me the rest of my life, or the even the next owners life. I'm the second owner of my Henry, when I called for support they didn't even ask me the serial number, they just sent parts for free. To me that kind of service is worth a lot. What is the phone number for Norinco anyhow?
If you're confident the gun will never have any issues, or you don't mind spending money on parts, shipping and exchange, then hoping they work after some fitting, save yourself a few buck and get the Norinco. I wonder what Brownells charges for a 9422 hammer and triger spring that Henry just sent me for free, plus shipping and exchange?? I bet it would be more than the difference of a Henry vs. Norinco.
Not knocking Norinco, just stating my experience I just happened to have yesterday.
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hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
That is something a person never knows. I have personally looked at a few norinco 22's and the fit and finish was beyond extremely rough. The last lever I seen after you managed to close the action you needed 2 guys to open it again it was so rough (one guy holding the action the other pulling on the lever).
I guess it boils down to what a person wants in a lever gun. I love the styling of the 94 type and find the Henry a bit "homely" in comparison. I only "trumpet" the Norinco, as it is 25% of the price of a Winchester 9422 and mine shot awesomely.
Actually, I have had a few warranty experiences with Norinco via Bell Outdoor Products; and they all have been great! They exchanged one problem rifle, sent me a free replacement sight for another, and are going to fix or replace that rifle for me due to a similar issue (factory assembly issue I believe) to the first one. No fuss, just good business practices and customer service. I have another Norinco rifle, and zero issues and I have a Norinco NZ85B Pistol on the way as well (different importer and distributor, but one with a great reputation among members, here and elsewhere, and a published "Limited lifetime warranty". I have no hesitation.
Norinco products may not be the "best" but they are more than good enough, and better than a lot of stuff that is 2 x the price.
The only thing about Norico that irritates me is that their stuff is frequently sold out, and hardly ever comes up on the EE (everyone hangs on to it).
These things are what tell the tale.
If a person is not capable of doing a bit of polishing and hand fitting; or have no intent to have it "tuned" by someone who can; then don't buy it.
If you buy a gun that is free and easy when new, and you paid less than 500 bucks for it; by the time it wears in it's going to be sloppy; looser than a goose.
Before I ordered the NZ85 I did a lot of research. A number of other manufacturers were bragging about their fine machining; inside and out. On close examination, it is pretty obvious that there was not much machining on these other frames and slides because they are investment cast. Norinco still forges their slides and frames the way that original manufacturers did when they started; they use tool steel, that is maybe not as free machining as the medium carbon alloys that are commonly used for investment casting, but they are a lot longer wearing. Likewise, as less than mirror finish will hold oil/grease better (this is why you de-glaze the cylinders of an engine with a hone before reassembly; improved wear resistance, and better seal (fit)).
I've owned several hundred - at least- firearms in my life, and the only one that ever broke down and required parts was a Savage 22. I also own and have owned quite a few Norcs and they are entirely serviceable and reliable. As a matter of fact, one of the most accurate 22's I have ever owned was a Norc. It's kind of like the Baikal shotguns of the USSR era - inexpensive, clunky, heavy, but reliable as hell. Now, if I had the choice between a Norc and a Henry, at a fairly similar price, I'd jump on the Henry, but otherwise, I would not hesitate to buy the Norc.
I own a Norinco clone of the Browning SA-22 and I'm quite happy with it. The fit and finish is barely different than a hunted Belgian original.
I like the takedown feature on the 9422. The chiappa l322 offers it but the receiver is made of zamak. No thanks!
I like the takedown feature on the 9422. The chiappa l322 offers it but the receiver is made of zamak. No thanks!
Seriously, you guys should talk.
Totally kidding. As I have mentioned I have nothing against Norinco, I said in my first post I was shopping for one until a good deal came along on a Henry.
So apparently things go wrong with both guns. Thankfully Bell seems good as an importer. I just wonder what happens when China shuts down production (as they do, often), Bell won't have any new guns to give as replacements, and China is not famous for their parts support. I am not new to Norinco or other Chinese made guns, been buying, fixing and making them work them for almost 20 years, both powder burners and airguns. Most have no issues, some do. If you want to roll the dice, go for it. Best case scenario, you learn some gunsmithing skills, worse case you have a wall hanger, or parts gun.
