History Edit. Established in 1980 with the approval of the State Council of China, China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) is an enterprise group engaged in both products and capital operation, integrated with R&D, manufacturing, marketing, and services.
I generally do not care for commie guns. Norinco 1911A1's finishes are certainly less than spectacular. However they are forged and machined from 5150 steel.
That is tougher steel than we made M1 and M14 rifles out of. Wilson and the like charged up to 30% extra to machine on Norinco 1911's as 5150 eats cutting tools very quickly.
The barrels are hard chromed inside and out. The parts are interchangeable with any WWII 1911A1 with the exception of the grip screw bushings.The grip screw bushing to frame threads are metric and easily corrected if that's your thing by running a 1911 grip screw bushing tap through the holes and replacing the bushings. You will hear about the internals being junk, they are not. What they are is plain functional parts machined from bar stock and not cast or MiM'd.
All production parts are 'junk' when compared to top shelf custom parts. I wouldn't pay that much but then again, I paid $277 out the door in the 90's for mine. I would think that for a little more money you could get a 70 series Colt. The frame and slide are good parts but most guys swap out the barrel for a fitted match version and put in a trigger group. I put an FLGR in mine which helped the sloppy fit barrel, a trigger, sear, and hammer from Chip McCormick back in the day, along with some of his Shooting Star mags. It runs good enough that I have won some pin matches with it.
I have an old, pre ban, stock Norinco 1911A1, only mods are Wilson Flat MSH and Williams Fiber Optic Sights. Fantastic gun, but they’re going for a lot more these days, than what they originally sold for. When/if I see an old pre ban, stock Norc 1911, it’s steady $600+. I love shooting at the range with it, with the guys that wasted $1-3k on those “fancy” 1911’s.
Their Wilsons, Nighthawks, etc.choke, once we start swapping various ammo/reloads around. The Norinco just keeps firing, like a steel Glock! Originally Posted By DrZelig: I have an old, pre ban, stock Norinco 1911A1, only mods are Wilson Flat MSH and Williams Fiber Optic Sights. Fantastic gun, but they’re going for a lot more these days, than what they originally sold for. When/if I see an old pre ban, stock Norc 1911, it’s steady $600+. I love shooting at the range with it, with the guys that wasted $1-3k on those “fancy” 1911’s. Their Wilsons, Nighthawks, etc.choke, once we start swapping various ammo/reloads around.
The Norinco just keeps firing, like a steel Glock! Originally Posted By B44T: I generally do not care for commie guns. Norinco 1911A1's finishes are certainly less than spectacular. However they are forged and machined from 5150 steel. That is tougher steel than we made M1 and M14 rifles out of. Wilson and the like charged up to 30% extra to machine on Norinco 1911's as 5150 eats cutting tools very quickly. The barrels are hard chromed inside and out.
The parts are interchangeable with any WWII 1911A1 with the exception of the grip screw bushings.The grip screw bushing to frame threads are metric and easily corrected if that's your thing by running a 1911 grip screw bushing tap through the holes and replacing the bushings. You will hear about the internals being junk, they are not. What they are is plain functional parts machined from bar stock and not cast or MiM'd.
All production parts are 'junk' when compared to top shelf custom parts. My first 1911 was a Norinco that I bought from at the old Southeastern Firearms and Public Safety in Norcross, GA. They had a property room buyout from Tampa and they had one for $150!!!! Bought immediately.
Had Andy Gazaway a local gunsmith work it over. Traded it about four years later for my first Glock 19 plus a ton of mags.
About five years ago I got a message on one of the boards from the guy who ended up with it. Told him if he ever wanted to sell it to call me. Wish I still had it. Accurate as hell and solid reliable.