Norinco Olympia .22LR... any reviews?

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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I'm toying with the idea of picking up a Norinco Olympia from Marstar and was hoping some of you who own one could share what your experience has been. I can only find a couple threads on all of CGN reviewing the gun. People seem to really like them as almost all of those reviews were favourable.

$200 is ridiculously cheap for an all steel, reliable .22 with 2 mags. With handgun prices being as inflated as they are right now it's very tempting, as I can't bring myself to (over)pay $800-$900 for a Ruger Mark IV or 22/45 with the abysmal quality control on their guns. At that price, I'd be real upset if there were QC issues. At $200, as long as it's reliable, you can accept that the gun might not have as refined a finish, etc...

The only potential downside is parts. From what I've read, and after owning a few of their rifles and handguns, Norinco steel is known to be very strong. I'm not sure if these are made from the same forged steel as their 1911s which would be awesome, but I suppose there's still the very small chance that a part might break, or the recoil spring might need swapping at some point (how long do they last on a .22?).

How do the US made magazines that Marstar has function in the gun?


Any thoughts or experiences you can share would be appreciated.
 
It's one of the only guns that hasn't been price gouged since the announcement in June.
Still waiting arrival of one.
 
Springs are not a big deal, all the steel I have run into on Norelco's seem to be very good.
Mags are not that great, but usally work ok
I have not handles these, but have handles lots of Norinco and other than some sharp corners and rough milling where it does not usually mater,
I think they are a great value, thou some will not agree with the country, but that is a different story, and my coffee cup is empty.

If you want a good cheap 22 , buy it , if you want high end finish, match triggers, than spend 1000, 1200 and buy a match gun, or a great used Hi Standard.
 
There are lots of good reasons to go for the Norinco Olympia. Being the lowest priced handgun available from any Canadian retailer, any reasonable person would have low expectations. But honestly, they are incredible value when you look at what you're getting. I think if they were made in the USA to this specification (i.e. a bit rough), they would easily be in the $500-600 range. Possibly more.

I've shot and handled two specimens, and fit and finish on them was "pretty good". They were better than any of the other Norinco models I've handled over the years (various 1911s, m93, 870 clone, m305, JW-20).

Haters are going to hate, that's inevitable. But if you don't have anything against the idea of Norinco firearms, these pistols won't disappoint you.

Unless spare parts kits are available, I'd buy two if it's going to be more than a safe queen. Sure, then we're close to the cash layout for a good deal on a used Ruger Mark or Browning Buckmark, but who knows if you'll be able to get parts for those in the future either?
 
alpining said:
There are lots of good reasons to go for the Norinco Olympia. Being the lowest priced handgun available from any Canadian retailer, any reasonable person would have low expectations. But honestly, they are incredible value when you look at what you're getting. I think if they were made in the USA to this specification (i.e. a bit rough), they would easily be in the $500-600 range. Possibly more.

I've shot and handled two specimens, and fit and finish on them was "pretty good". They were better than any of the other Norinco models I've handled over the years (various 1911s, m93, 870 clone, m305, JW-20).

Haters are going to hate, that's inevitable. But if you don't have anything against the idea of Norinco firearms, these pistols won't disappoint you.

Unless spare parts kits are available, I'd buy two if it's going to be more than a safe queen. Sure, then we're close to the cash layout for a good deal on a used Ruger Mark or Browning Buckmark, but who knows if you'll be able to get parts for those in the future either?
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I haven't seen many good deals on Rugers, Buckmarks, etc since the freeze was announced. Maybe they're selling before I see 'em, but I'm mostly seeing them in the $600 ballpark. I damn near bought a brand new Ruger for $650 yesterday, ended up going with a Bersa Thunder 22 instead though. With the price difference I can also pick up one of these Olympias, which I am very much considering...
 
$650 is cheap! Is that new or used? :p

The only new Mark IVs and 22/45s I can find in this country are between $700 and $900. Even paying that much you still roll the dice on what you get. Canted front or rear sights, screws that all but leap out of the gun, rough machining causing malfunctions, parts machined out of alignment, sloppy receiver to frame fit, etc. Pass. The $200 all steel gun with 2 magazines (more available for purchase), that gets consistently good reviews and has a reputation for being superbly reliable, but isn't finished as nice seems like less of a gamble to me at this point. The Olympia costs less than what most handguns have increased by in the past month or so.
 
Marstar's video is the best one IMO, if not a bit short. The other few videos are lacking, and really don't show much. I'd say the fact that you're ordering your third is a pretty strong endorsement. :cool:

I read that in order to insert a magazine, you need to actually depress the magazine release. Is this true?
 
CanuckShooter said:
Marstar's video is the best one IMO, if not a bit short. The other few videos are lacking, and really don't show much. I'd say the fact that you're ordering your third is a pretty strong endorsement. :cool:

I read that in order to insert a magazine, you need to actually depress the magazine release. Is this true?
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No, that would be awkward.

And to answer your next question, the mags drop freely.

It is also great for women since only the back of the slide moves, so very easy to ####.
 
I've had one for a while now, zero issues other than the safety selector is a little stiff and marked incorrectly. As a shooter it's very accurate and ears everything I've fed it with no complaints. Lots of good bang for the buck.
 
Bigbubba said:
Its a piece of junk.
You are getting what you are paying for
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I have one and it is great...
A fantastic hand gun for open sights shooting.
I shoot mine with the front weight on it and there is a deference in handling. I have likely 1K rounds through it so far and no issues.
My only concern is as some time I would like to replace the springs with a higher quality set of springs and where to get any needed replacement parts if needed.
The magazine hold down knob is small so I fabricated a block to help in loading.
 
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