Which pistol?.. Noob warning!

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1shot

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Hi guys,

I don't usually come to the handgun forum, but a fellow GN persuaded me to "go restricted"- so here I am considering a purchase..

Wondering what the collective "you" think about the Norinco line vs a good used s+w mp? I'll likely go 9mm. (as my Hi-power was in the British army)

I've read some outstanding reviews of the m+p, but not much on-line content regarding Chinese copies apart from the odd headspace problem.
So from Marstar I'm looking at the Norc: 1911, Cz and Sig series.. Is there one of these you would stay away from, and are genuine parts interchangable with these copies?

Any other brands/models you would recommend under $500 to get me started..
Thank you in advance, for any opinions you'd like to share with me.

1Shot
 
For the sake of an extra $150 (or less), go with the M&P9....great value, and a super pistol.

1shot said:
Hi guys,

I don't usually come to the handgun forum, but a fellow GN persuaded me to "go restricted"- so here I am considering a purchase..

Wondering what the collective "you" think about the Norinco line vs a good used s+w mp? I'll likely go 9mm. (as my Hi-power was in the British army)

I've read some outstanding reviews of the m+p, but not much on-line content regarding Chinese copies apart from the odd headspace problem.
So from Marstar I'm looking at the Norc: 1911, Cz and Sig series.. Is there one of these you would stay away from, and are genuine parts interchangable with these copies?

Any other brands/models you would recommend under $500 to get me started..
Thank you in advance, for any opinions you'd like to share with me.

1Shot
Click to expand...
 
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Many people here own and love thier Norincos, and others hate them with a passion. As far as which models are good and which aren't...this thread should help you with that. http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42873

The MP is a great pistol, and would be my pick of the choices given...but that said, I've never shot a Norinco.

If you have a $500 budget, then there are tons of used pistols you can pick from...most of them probably better than a Norinco. But that doesn't mean that they don't have thier place. Thier fun per dollar ratio is very high, and they are more than suitable for a beggining shooter.

But in the end it comes down to what feels better to you. Try both if you can...that's your best way to choose.
 
new pistol

M&P is a very good choice with the various grip changers will fit any hand and you can switch to left hand if required, mine is very usable, I use it as standard but placed the magazine release to the right side so it can be dropped with the right thumb. I have had a Norinco 9mm Sig 226 copy for several years and it is an exellent shooter, compared to my Sig 220 the finish is poorer and the trigger pull is slightly gritty still but at 1/3 price a good buy. I heard that the quality can vary depending on the factory producing Other owners of different Norinco guns vary from pretty good to good with a few adjustments. Either one is ok but S&W seem to have a few reductions lately so check around.
 
I really dislike the M&P.
I know many people like them, which is great, but I find several things detract from it.
the balance is really wierd. top heavy, frame is too light, leading to a snappy, unpleasant shoot.
Ergonomics are NOT GOOD.
I don't understand why everyone praises the adjustable backstrap, it feels like you're holding a super soaker or something not designed for human hands.
The slide release is also too inlet. you practically have to dig to get to it.

I'd suggest a Norinco for your first pistol, possibly a 1911 or commander
Or, a CZ75 or like. very cheap, very nice.
or a Hi Power if you have used it and like it.
-Derek
 
HKfan said:
Why not get a Hi Power? :)
Click to expand...

My issued Hi-power was lets say, "well used" and though I shot very often she never felt like a true extension of my arm- I found it quite inaccurate and it did not point natural for me personally. But it was a stock, clunky Army pistol with super bulky sights.
I also have big gorilla hands, maybe that was part of it??

So what I'm reading here is general praise for the Norcs, and one exception saying spend the extra and buy the MP.

Keep the advice coming!! :)
 
The M&P is the most comfortable 9mm my hands have ever fired. It's lots of fun to shoot and has never given me a failure yet. These things are by far the best bang for your buck and have all the ruggedness and reliability as GLOCKS.
 
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I have two Norcs, a Tokarev which, apart from its crumbling grips, is a hoot to fire, and an NZ-85 copy of a CZ-75. I put Hogue grips on the NZ and it is probably the best shooter I have. (For now!)
 
Norinco pistols are for people who are too ####ing impatient or cheap to spend a few dollars more on a real gun that works all the time.

M&P hands down. Or buy a glock and get it over with.
 
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I own a Norinco 1911 compact and a Smith M&P in 9mm, get the Smith. It's a better gun, in fact it's a better gun than a Glock. As to recoil, "dude it's a nine, 'nuff said" it isn't an issue to most people. I've put a few hundred "real deal" NATO rounds through it as well as every common bullet weight and +P. It just sends them off down range and reloads for the next shot. The trigger feels like a 2 stage rifle trigger, so that won't present any problems, and they do smooth up with use. Oh yeah, and since you can make it whatever size you want, you'll find it easier to shoot. Mine's a sh*tload of fun to double and triple tap, three cases in the air at once and three holes in the target. :D
 
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I have an M&P9 on the way as well. Was just at the store today picking up some ammo and held one again cuz it's so much fun!

I would go for an M&P just for the fact that you won't have to wait! Marstar is completely sold out of all their 1911's and they told me months ago that they would be getting a shipment "in a couple of weeks" The 9mm version is the most popular so they're probably on back order anyway!

I got sick of waiting and checked out the M&P.

Williams Arms in Port Perry, ON has them and they are asking $625. That's less than MSRP!!! Comes with two mags and the backstraps for that price.

Order it from them and they'll ship it anywhere in the country. Kick ass company to deal with
 
If you must buy a Norc, get the 1911.

I think you would be further ahead to save the extra money required to buy a good used brand name pistol from the CGN Exchange. If you are going to shoot 9mm you need to look at a Glock 17 and a CZ 75B.
 
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I think people who diss the Norcs are the same kinda people that look at an AR180B and think on a cold day the "plastic" will snap in half on the first shot.

I got one of the Norinco Sig 226 copies and it's been great to me so far. The grips they come with are crap, but $20 will get you a better pair if you need em.

The Norinco 1911's are the best bang for the buck though. Solid as rock and well priced.

It really depends on the cash you got.
 
I agree with the slie release comment..it is next to useless, but I slingshot 99% of the time anyway.

The M&P can't be for everyone...but all the points you mention are the ones that the gun is generally praised for, and that I like it for.

Just goes to show pistols are a matter of personal preference and taste.


BBq_Woa! said:
I really dislike the M&P.
I know many people like them, which is great, but I find several things detract from it.
the balance is really wierd. top heavy, frame is too light, leading to a snappy, unpleasant shoot.
Ergonomics are NOT GOOD.
I don't understand why everyone praises the adjustable backstrap, it feels like you're holding a super soaker or something not designed for human hands.
The slide release is also too inlet. you practically have to dig to get to it.

I'd suggest a Norinco for your first pistol, possibly a 1911 or commander
Or, a CZ75 or like. very cheap, very nice.
or a Hi Power if you have used it and like it.
-Derek
Click to expand...
 
Thre are a lot of pistols out there and each has it's own following. In my mind it realy comes down to what you like and what you intend to use the pistol for.

Do you plan on playing IPSC or IDPA. If so, a good choice is the CZ75/85 series of pistols in 9MM. Guns have decent triggers and the triggers can be made better and are very competitive in their respective divisions.

If you like tupperware, and I admit I don't, the S&W is a decent choice. For me the lighter gun equals more recoil (Basic physics) but the gun is certainly gaining popularity and I believe it is a cut above the Glocks...now.

The only NOrincos I have owned are the 1911 varieties both in 9MM and .45acp and they are rock solid guns, well made and can be turned into outstanding shooters.

If you do intend to play IPSC/IDPA I would avoid the Hi-Power. It doesn't fit in IPSC Production Class and is not competitive in IDPA - main draw back is the guns very long reset and crappy trigger. It was a great gun in it's day but that day has long passed and their are several designs out there that would serve your purpose much better.


Take Care

Bob

ps Ignore Manboy's comment about reliability of the NOrks - he obviously hasn't owned their 1911 A1 in .45acp or their NP 29 in 9MM
 
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