If you bought a Norinco .45, what parts would you replace?

[mini14jac]

I've been mainly a 9mm guy, but I have an itch for a .45.
(Had a brief affair with a Taurus PT145. The memory still hurts. )
I'm looking hard a Ruger P90, or a Norinco.

The Norinco has been around the block a few times, but looks like it is in good condition.
I have shot it, and it is accurate, and functions well.

I can probably get it for $250.
I know these are supposed to be good "base" guns.
What parts would need to be upgraded to make this a reliable, accurate, self defense gun?
I would like to do most of the work myself, but I know zip about 1911s, so I would be starting from scratch.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[CastleBravo]

Personally, I'd suggest holding out for a better gun. But that's just me.

If you have to go cheaper than you should, Norinco seems like the best choice based on general consensus. You don't "have" to change anything if the gun is already working like you described. But if any part needs to be upgraded on a cheap 1911, it is probably the extractor. Get some quality aftermarket mags like Wolff or CMC Powermags & you should be fine.

And I have a friend who got burned on a PT145, too.

 

[archer215]

if the gun is used id definatley get a new recoil spring as you have no idea how many or if any hot loads have been thru the gun id also check the gun frame good for cracks and make sure all the safetys work just my $0.02

 

[MrAcheson]

Check the frame on the Norinco because thats the important "base" part of the gun. Norincos have *forged* frames which is why some shooters and race gun builders like them as opposed to higher-priced cast guns.

What should you change? Well the springs are a very good idea to start with. After that, shoot the gun for a while and figure out what you don't like. Buy new parts to fix it. Rinse. Repeat. With 1911s your going to need smithing on lots of parts though.

 

[strange246]

not much

Maybe the springs, and maybe the mags as the others suggest but i have 2 norinco .45's, one with many many thousands of rounds through it and it is accurate and totally reliable in every way...just my $.02 worth....

 

[Cthulhu]

If you like the WWII configuration of the stock Norinco, you might want to just check the mag and operating spring. I have 2 and both have been flawless in terms of feeding and functioning. One is stock aside from grips and a fitted bushing, another is someone elses idea of a "custom" pistol I got on the cheap. I use it as a test platform for 1911 parts, as it has already been messed with.

Norinco stock barrels, if fitted well, are more accurate than most shooters. They are also chrome plated, which makes cleaning a breeze.

The only part on my stocker I still might swap out is a King's Hardball sight for the stock one, which is rather small and shallowly notched.

Norinco's have dimensionally accurate, forged frames and slides, which are extremely hard compared to many other 1911 clones, that results in less wear over time. This is the reason that custom gunsmiths choose them to build custom defense pieces and raceguns. I've seen several Norinco's worked over by Wilson Combat that look fire and function just like the CQB's, though without the proprietary coatings that are now en vogue. Granted the frame and slide are probably the only original parts, but that says something for their durability. Many custom smiths will outright refuse to work on Charles Daly, SAM, IAI, AMT clones, but will work on Norinco's.

Inexpensive doesn't always mean cheap, and this is clearly one of those cases.

If you choose a "better" 1911, or the Ruger P90, feel free to PM me with the source of the Norinco. I think I can make room for another.

 

[OutLaw]

Get wolff recoil springs,New trigger,Sight up-grade,And a commander hammer and Houge rubber grips.

 

[stans]

Since you are looking at this as a self defense weapon, you should put in a new recoil spring, then test the gun with your chosen defensive ammo and magazines. If the gun will not feed your favorite ammo, try some different magazines. If it still will not feed, then it is time for a trip to a gunsmith who really knows the 1911. If it is 100% reliable out of the box, then just replace the sights with whatever turns you on, if you feel the need to replace the sights. This may also be a gunsmith job, since front sights can be difficult to replace, if you do not know what you are doing.

 

[Rocklobster]

Replace all the parts.

 

[nemesis]

You can start with a Norinco and just replace the frame, the slide and all the internal parts. Replace those with good quality parts and you'll have a good pistol.

Norinco is the commercial arm of the Peoples Liberation Army. They're not on my list of supported charities.

 

[Jim V]

Since there have not been any new Norinco "Model of the 1911A1"s imported to the US since well before Clinton left office, I seriously doubt that the PLA and the PRC will receive any money from the sale of that pistol.

If I were buying it, I'd replace all the springs with Wolff Springs and buy a few new magazines.

 

[Brian Busch]

Sorry, nobody can slam 'em for not making a good gun. The Norinco .45 is a great gun for the money. All the parts are properly heat treated tool steel, and made to spec. As others have commented, all you need to do is change the springs. I would probably have the trigger replaced with an aluminum one and get have a smith do a trigger job.

 

[tator]

I started out with one that was slightly mod'ed. By the end of my project I had everything replaced but the frame, barrel and disconenctor.

The stock slide had a very poor Mec-Gear adjustable rear that was over sized pounded into the dove-tail.

It already had a highrise beavertail, extended slide stop, thumb safety and mag release.

I installed a WC Sear, Adj Trigger, Extended Ejector and Extractor.

Caspian Slide with Fiber Front and Diamond Rear.

CMC Full Length Glide Rod.

and finally... I got brave and sanded all of the machining lines out. In the pic the frame is bare metal but it looks cool

 

[tator]

BTW the extractor was only replaced because it would stay tuned. It appeared to be either worn or soft.

 

[Cthulhu]

Ooh, only one Anti-Chicom, Anti-Norinco post. I was fearing this would turn out like a post on the Shotgun forum.
A good weapon is a good weapon, not a personal political statement. Kudos to all those people who actually own and haved worked on Norinco before posting, instead of spouting gunstore mythos and xenophobic rhetoric.

First thing first is to do shoot it as is. If it feels sluggish or malfunctions, get new springs. If it still won't run look at the internals starting with the extractor.
Test the mags and replace or rebuild as needed.

Think long and hard about the parts you replace and research them in the forums (TFL, 1911forum, etc). Depending on your grip and handsize, you might not need a commander hammer, beavertail grip safety, or flat mainspring housing. Hogue wraparounds might be too long, or thin grips too small. I dislike FLGRs, others love them. On a defence piece, be wary of parts that might snag, hang up, or unintentionally cause a malfunction, like extended slide stops, extended/ambi safeties, and big mag releases.

Use the scientific method. Change one part at a time and then shoot it. Not every 1911 needs to be setup like a Kimber or WC featured in the gun rags. After you have a pistol that is close to 100% reliable as you can get it, and is as accurate as you require, everything else is a matter of ergonomics and cosmetics.

 

[nemesis]

There are many people on this forum who have chosen to forsake the purchase of S&W or Ruger arms due to the political involvements of the manufacturer.

I do not support the political aims of the Peoples Liberation Army nor do I approve of their action in repressing freedom. You may remember Tien-An-Men Square as being one of their best publicized efforts at crowd control.

We have many manufacturers in this country who can supply you with 1911's and parts without supporting the Peoples Liberation Army. If you can somehow equate this with xenophobia, it may be an indicator of how much value you place in living in freedom.

 

[Brian Busch]

Hmmmm. Does that mean that I am supporting the Nazi Party by purchasing an AC42 P38? Am I supporting the communists by buying a Makarov? Or socialism by buying a CZ75?

Norinco .45s have not been imported into the US for at least a decade. How old does a gun have to be before you will purchase it? Or is it only USA-made for you, since the USA has never suppressed freedom. Just ask a native american.

 

[jack pringle]

what Brian Busch says.

 

[rcm509]

I have made some modifications with my Norinco .45 1911 not only to improve how it feels when I shoot it but also for aesthetic purpose. The following are in my Norinco as of now:
Ed Brown beavertail grip safety and EB combat hammer, Videki trigger, S&A magwell / mainspring housing, Millet fixed sights, Wilson 2-piece full length guide rod, a BulM5 slide stop and locally handcrafted wood grips. The trigger was tuned to around 3- 3.5 pounds pull and the barrel feed ramp polished like a mirror. I have not made any change with the finish of the slide and the frame as I am completely satisfied with the finish right now. My Norinco functions flawlessly with any type of .45 acp wether its a reload, hollow point, wadcutter and of course FMJ. I hope I could paste here a picture of my pricey possession soon.

 

[mini14jac]

Thanks for all of the good input.
I looked back at the price list the guy gave me, and he is asking $300 for it, and prob. won't budge, so I am in no hurry to jump on it. (Not the $250 I was thinking about. )

I stopped at the 'smith last night to see if the night sights were on my Kahr yet.
The guy had half a dozen bins of 1911 parts on his counter!
He is very opinionated, so I asked what he thought of a Colt Defender, (which I think is a very cool gun).

"Overpriced" was his answer.
He showed me a Para P12 (or 10?) compact that he had there for $500. It was a good looking gun, but I think I prefer a single stack grip.
I spent some time at the gunstore yesterday, also, fondling the Colt, a Charles Daly, a Ruger and several others.

I'll probably try to buy a gun that already has the features I want, but I'm in no hurry.