Should I upgrade my Norinco or buy a new 1911?
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Big JD-From the hills
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan.
Save up and buy another 1911 in the brand and configuration you want and don't look back.
Unregistered
Regular
- Location
- South Ontario
To answer your questions, I bought mine for $325. I should have bought it Armco prepped, but I didn't know at the time. Maybe I could do a few basic mods (I even own a "match" recoil spring guide or barrel bushing somewhere, I can't remember which). Or send it off to Armco for some basic cheap work and get another platform for the fancy stuff.
pitdogboy said:
"A real 1911..."? So, you mean, an original Browning? Nothing since the 1911 1911 is a "real" 1911
so, what you're really saying is get a pimp gun pretender, so you can show it off. Most high ticket 1911s have little in common with the original gun, other than some parts interchange. His Norc is closer to the real thing then most brand names.He can pimp his Norc, or he can buy a gun already pimped. Either way he's shooting a "pretender" ...
I'm not embarrassed to show my Norc, nor shoot it, nor to say how much I've got invested in it either...
Unregistered
Regular
- Location
- South Ontario
Well, let's do some addition.
My Norinco 1911A1 is box stock.
I want to add
-extended beavertail safety $100
-a longer trigger with trigger job $100
-tritium night sights $140 at least
-the $100 Norinco tune up (does this include polishing the feed ramp)
-bevelled magazine well (if this is necessary) $60
-refinishing $175
-install a match barrell bushing that I already own $60
-MAYBE front slide serrations $90
-MAYBE a commander hammer $100
Realistically here, we are talking $950 before tax.
Now, the closest thing I can find that fits my needs is the Springfield Loaded TRP for $1,895. However, the Springfield Loaded is pretty close at $1,050, though I don't know if it has the bevelled magazine well.
So on paper, I can save between 100-800 dollars by upgrading the Norinco to get what I want. However, that's only if I have to pay more than $950 to get the things that I listed above. If that's not the case, then it won't be savings.
The advantage to upgrading the Norinco is that it is done by a competent gunsmith and will work when I get it and shouldn't need any further adjustment.
What options have all these features in the $1,000 range? $1,200? Because at $1,200, it probably makes more sense to get the new firearm for only $250 more.
Also, what kind of accuracy do you get from just about any (Taurus, Springfield Milspec) basic 1911 compared to the Norinco? I know I can't shoot better than a 6" group on average and 3.5" on a really good day at 25 yards with mine. Meanwhile, I can shoot a 2.25" group with my .357 magnum revolver. What do you have to do to make a Norinco shoot 2.5" at 25 yards?
My Norinco 1911A1 is box stock.
I want to add
-extended beavertail safety $100
-a longer trigger with trigger job $100
-tritium night sights $140 at least
-the $100 Norinco tune up (does this include polishing the feed ramp)
-bevelled magazine well (if this is necessary) $60
-refinishing $175
-install a match barrell bushing that I already own $60
-MAYBE front slide serrations $90
-MAYBE a commander hammer $100
Realistically here, we are talking $950 before tax.
Now, the closest thing I can find that fits my needs is the Springfield Loaded TRP for $1,895. However, the Springfield Loaded is pretty close at $1,050, though I don't know if it has the bevelled magazine well.
So on paper, I can save between 100-800 dollars by upgrading the Norinco to get what I want. However, that's only if I have to pay more than $950 to get the things that I listed above. If that's not the case, then it won't be savings.
The advantage to upgrading the Norinco is that it is done by a competent gunsmith and will work when I get it and shouldn't need any further adjustment.
What options have all these features in the $1,000 range? $1,200? Because at $1,200, it probably makes more sense to get the new firearm for only $250 more.
Also, what kind of accuracy do you get from just about any (Taurus, Springfield Milspec) basic 1911 compared to the Norinco? I know I can't shoot better than a 6" group on average and 3.5" on a really good day at 25 yards with mine. Meanwhile, I can shoot a 2.25" group with my .357 magnum revolver. What do you have to do to make a Norinco shoot 2.5" at 25 yards?
IM_Lugger said:Taurus 1911 uses forged steel frame and slide. I really think it's a better gun... plus Para SSP is not satainless...
Lugger - Look, from my previous rantings on here regarding Taurus you know where I stand....
However, that said, saw that pic on that thread about the 2007 Shot Show of the new blued Taurus PT 1911... and I'm all fired up about it. What a beauty! Personally, I don't care much for stainless pistols but a nice blue one floats my boat. Will see when they land here & what they'll go for I might just break down & get one. I was going to go for a S&W [even before the Para SSP] but now I have the Taurus in my sights. If I can just stop buying used Colts and USGI 1911A-1's off the EE long enough to save up...lol...
If you want to use your Norinco as the basis for a project, why not do the work yourself? You will learn a lot, and the cost will be limited to parts and consumables. There are lots of bits around for customization. Personally I'd keep to the things that actually enhance function or accuracy, and are not just for style or appearance. As far as ultimate cost/sale value go, it is often the case that it is impossible to recover costs, regardless of what the firearm is.
