Norinco M1911a1 "sport Model" vs Government

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Jay795

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I have been thinking about picking up a 1911 and I see that Norinco makes a sport model. How does that compare to the regular government model. Does the sport model address some of the shortcomings of the norinco 1911 such as its refinement? I see that it comes with a lightened "target" trigger and "competition hammer"? Are all of the extras that it comes with beneficial?

Does anyone have experience with shooting both of these pistols? How would the "sport model" compare to a SAM or something in that price range?

Thanks!
 
I haven't tried a government model Norinco but I did order 2 sport models, one for me and another for a friend waiting for his RPAL. I found the sport model had the features I was looking for.
When they arrived I found they both had very heavy trigger pull and the fit and finish was inconsistent. One of them had a glosssy blue finish and the other was a satin blue.
So next I stripped both of them to the bare frame and fitted each piece so that everything moved smoothly and, googled 1911 trigger job and lightened the trigger pull.
After all this we have a pair of really nice 1911's that have a very nice light trigger and both are very accurate!
With Norinco's it can be a hit and miss deal but if you're willing to tinker you will end up with a really nice shooter for very little cash.
 
But they have no protential to modify or upgrade. Fit and finish can be fixed, but nothing beat a piece nicely forged tool steel. Lot's of people spend extra 1000 $ of parts and labor to make norinco 1911 beat Dsert Eagle and challenge 5000$ STI race gun.

There is nothing wrong if you want something good looking, affordable and just do once a month leisure shooting, but i like something affordable and yet can be easily turn into monster with technical touches.
 
Somewhere out there I'm sure a quality cast frame has cracked or failed…just like the forged ones (BHP comes to mind - they were weaker with forged frame).
Whether forged or quality cast, the frame failure is more of an individual frame thing than something that can be predicted in general for the respective process.
The cast vs. forged frame is not an issue with me when we talking a decent quality manufacturer and I believe that SAM is one of them plus QC on Norinco pistols may be hit or miss.
It's not only about the material used to make the pistol, but also proper heat treatment and I've seen in person Norinco 1911 on which the slide stop was cutting into the famous "tool" steel slide.
 
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Jay795 said:
Does the sport model address some of the shortcomings of the norinco 1911 such as its refinement? I see that it comes with a lightened "target" trigger and "competition hammer"? Are all of the extras that it comes with beneficial?
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I have a Norc Sport, and am very familiar with Govt models. I wouldn't count on the Sport being any more "refined", but it does have a few parts changes that may be to your preference:

Rounded commander-style hammer (vs traditional spur hammer)

Extended beavertail grip safety (vs. traditional)

Extended ambi thumb safety (vs. traditional small single sided safety)

Extended slide release

Extended magazine release

Flat mainspring housing (vs. arched)

IMO, these are the substantive changes, and everything else is purely cosmetic. Each of the listed differences is also a matter of personal preference. If you're not sure as to which you'd prefer and you can't try before you buy, don't worry. Just buy one and shoot it. You'll enjoy it, and you may elect to make some changes to it down the road (like many/most 1911 shooters do).
 
Jay795 said:
How would the "sport model" compare to a SAM or something in that price range?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have a Sport, and my bro-in-law has a SAM. They are both perfect for our intended purposes: He is not a tinkerer, and prefers his toys to have a nice look and feel. I think everyone agrees that the SAM does look and feel nicer. I love working on guns, so the Norinco was the obvious choice for me. If I were to do it again, I'd buy Norc in a heartbeat. If my bro-in-law were to do it again, I'm sure he'd go with his SAM.

FWIW, his SAM had a MUCH nicer trigger out of the box. It doesn't compare to mine (of course!) now that I've got hours of sweat equity into adjusting it to just where I want it.

Oh, and just in case it's a deciding factor: A Norinco would not be permitted to travel to the USA.
 
Ok perfect, thanks for all the responses. I think the added features on the Sport make sense for myself especially for the small price difference. I will just need to be aware that i still am buying a pistol with a finish that matches its price.

Thanks again!
 
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