Questions on Norinco 1911

jethunter

jethunter

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Thinking of buying a Norinco 1911 and looking for some educated answers from people who own and shoot them.

The base model Norinco 1911A1 appeals to me, but I'd like adjustable sights better than fixed. Is the Norinco rear sight attached on a common sized dovetail? Is there any issue with adding aftermarket adjustable sights? Is the front post high enough to use with adjustable sights?

There are some upgraded Norincos with adjustable sigts, skeletonised hammer and lightened trigger, etc. Is it worth getting one of these? Or build from the base model?


Thanks for your input.
 
Personally, I don't find adjustable sights on a handgun to be all that crucial, so I don't mind the fixed sights. But the adjustables are more open, and easier on aging eyes, and quicker to get on target. But I have 1911A1's in multiple configurations, when you're coming my way, lets meet at the range, and you can give them a whirl and see what works best for you.
 
Sounds good. I'll be home next week and just need a couple days to find my land legs again before I venture out of the house.
 
So long as the gun prints to point of aim, fixed sights on the norc A1 are fine.

Of course adjustable sights would be nice for all of those guns who don't shoot to point of aim, or for where you want to set them up for a different sight picture.

I'm in the same state of mind, and for me the answer to the question of a GI gun with Adjustable sights may very well be a National Match type pistol, such as from Colt. Way at the other end of the park from a norc, however!
 
I have a number of Norc 1911s. Some have fixed sights, some have been converted to adjustable sights. The rear dovetail is a standard Colt size.

DSCN9491.jpg
 
How about the front sites? (sorry, not trying to hi-jack, just saw an unanswered question) I want to buy a Norc 1911 but immediately want to put fibre optic sights on it. What kind of dovetail size worries will I have? What kind of durability does a fibre optic sight have on a .45 ?
 
Honestly, when you want bare bones, you will always upgrade it. Just adding rear adjustable sites will run you about $100 anyhow

Go SAM, a little more expensive, but has all the options most will add. Better quality, much nicer look

SAM113086.jpg


SAM > Norinco, I have owned both, still have a SAM got rid of the norcs quickly, I own over 15 1911's of top brands, and still like the SAM
 
sgt.rock said:
How about the front sites? (sorry, not trying to hi-jack, just saw an unanswered question) I want to buy a Norc 1911 but immediately want to put fibre optic sights on it. What kind of dovetail size worries will I have? What kind of durability does a fibre optic sight have on a .45 ?
Click to expand...

Norcs come with either a stake on front sight or with a front dovetail.

If you want a dovetail, either type can be have a dovetail cut for a sight. the Norc dovetail is unique (small) your gunsmith will have to cut it wider.
canAmsights8.jpg


If your pistol has a stake on, it is a standard Colt narrow tenon (Series 70) and you can buy a fibre optic sight to fit.
canAmsights6.jpg
 
I have a Norc 1911 in 9mm. The back sight is standard colt so finding a rear is no problem. I recommend the .45 with the fiber optic sight installed because as the previous member says it is not a standard dovetail. I find it impossible to see my dots when inside the looking out into daylight at the range. I may have to spend some coin to get the front sights I want. The GI .45 has staked fronts. Other than that the pistol is accurate and eats all ammo like a pig. Just ask my wallet. Grip screws are metric so don't lose them but the grips are standard dimensions. You can purchase screws and all other parts from Marstar. Most aftermarket A1 parts will fit nicely. The enhanced features (Lightened trigger, hammer and extended mag release, safety and slide stop) on most models work surprisingly well. After a couple hundred rounds everything smooths out and the trigger gets crisp and clean. The magazines are barely functional but for the money who cares. Spend the dough and get some Mec-Gar, Wilson or other quality mags. The steel used in the barrel and other stamped parts is as good as it gets. I probably would have purchased the SAM but the model I wanted was sold out. Finish may not be quite as pretty on Norinco but it shoots strait and goes bang at a fraction of the cost.
 
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madcow said:
Honestly, when you want bare bones, you will always upgrade it. Just adding rear adjustable sites will run you about $100 anyhow

Go SAM, a little more expensive, but has all the options most will add. Better quality, much nicer look

SAM113086.jpg


SAM > Norinco, I have owned both, still have a SAM got rid of the norcs quickly, I own over 15 1911's of top brands, and still like the SAM
Click to expand...

Which retailers carry SAM pistols?
 
The Norc GI version has a standard colt rear dovetail and a staked on front.
The current versions shoot to POA/POI and group well.
The sights are typical oem colt....small/fuzzy/crude...but functional.

The guns themselves are.....
Excellent steel..frame slide/barrel.
Their smaller parts are decent quality but poorly finished...sharp/rough interfaces/notchy. Springs are poor quality. Mags are functional but poor quality and spotty function.

The upgraded versions have oddly cut dovetails proprietary to Norc and the sights shoot low.

The GI version makes an excellent base for a custom gun or a great GI gun left as is with some decent mags and maybe grips. It only needs a dehorning to be very serviceable.
If you are going to add better sights, controls etc then I would either buy a GI gun and upgrade or ...like others suggested...the SAM guns are only a bit more $$ and come with good stuff and quality out of the box.
 
terez said:
The Norc GI version has a standard colt rear dovetail and a staked on front.
The current versions shoot to POA/POI and group well.
The sights are typical oem colt....small/fuzzy/crude...but functional.

The guns themselves are.....
Excellent steel..frame slide/barrel.
Their smaller parts are decent quality but poorly finished...sharp/rough interfaces/notchy. Springs are poor quality. Mags are functional but poor quality and spotty function.

The upgraded versions have oddly cut dovetails proprietary to Norc and the sights shoot low.

The GI version makes an excellent base for a custom gun or a great GI gun left as is with some decent mags and maybe grips. It only needs a dehorning to be very serviceable.
If you are going to add better sights, controls etc then I would either buy a GI gun and upgrade or ...like others suggested...the SAM guns are only a bit more $$ and come with good stuff and quality out of the box.
Click to expand...

Well said.
I too would have purchased a SAM but they were out out the model I wanted in 9mm. Sam's come with 1 mag. Having said that I am satisfied with my Norc for now. I use it often and beat on it hard. Performance wise it exceeded my expectations after breaking it in. FTL, stove pipes and FTF have not been an issue. Trigger is much better than expected. Maybe I got a good one but others have mentioned the quality of finish has gone up on some of the newer arrivals.
 
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Nestor said:
Are the barrels on 45 1911s better now and not like in the past? I can remember them from years ago being somehow too soft and with nearly non existent rifling...
Click to expand...

The rifling is clearly visible these days, and they are far from being soft at the norincos. Most of them are chromed.
CG
 
I have the sport version and I like it alot...I've changed a few things on it but havn't messed with the sights yet...I have the standard 3 dot system
 
Just got a Norc 1911A1. Haven't even shot it yet.

First impressions:

- it looks plain but it doesn't look cheap.

- Fit is good but not great. Slide is slightly sloppy - just like a real military issued 1911A1. Finish is very similar and maybe even a bit better than wartime military contract produced 1911A1s.

- the small parts are made quite well and the pistol operates as it should except for the safety.

- safety is freakin STIFF. At first thought it was seized but it wasn't. I have fairly strong hands and thumbs and I have to use a LOT of force with both thumbs to manipulate this safety. Not usable like this, needs some work.

Overall impression is it looks like a good buy at $300, IF the safety doesn't turn into an issue. Hopefully a bit of polishing is all it will need.
 
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