Posted: 6/17/2006 5:39:44 PM EDT
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Local shop has a used (non-commission) "of the 1911A1" that I'm thinking of purchasing... We spoke about the inherent toughness & specs, how much/if I'd plan on modifying, etc. Assuming the lugs aren't all beat up or any other damage is present, is $400 reasonable? Shop is really nice, so I don't want to insult them by haggling too much. or should I just grab it and start shootin'? As you can tell, I'm a 1911 noob, so I don't want to get taken for a ride...!  |
| Around here, the last 2 or 3 I have seen sold ranged from $300 for an excellent used one to $400 for NIB unfired. I would say $350-375 or so should be a fair price in today's market if in really nice condition. (no way I pay that for one shot all to Hell) I would buy a nice one at $300 / 350 and I don't particularly like 'em. |
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First off lets talk about reality. There is simply no way a Springfield Mil Spec is a better, or nicer, or in any way superior to a Norinco 1911. Now you may like the SA pistols better for whatever reason, namely it doesn’t say made in China on it, but that is purely personal preference. The $400 for a Norinco not new in the box may be about $25 too much. But if it is a slightly used pistol, and the purchase is convenient, it may well be a good buy. Keep in mind Norinco’s don’t come with any customer service, or warranty, but you will likely never need either, and you don’t have to worry about replacing any MIM or cast parts. Mb |
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You must be smoking crack! The reason people dont replace the parts on a Nork is they cant as they do not take standard parts. If you think a Nork will run better than a S/A you are insane! Simply try reading the complaints from MANY people who have owned them. Try getting a quality smith to work on one for you as well. Hey mb... You may have gotten lucky and got a good one... Every dog has his day and you were lucky Nork was having theirs when yours was built. But to think you can compare the Nork to a S/A is wrong! No customer service and no warrant?? Thats great! Buy from a company that wont even stand behind its product. Ghost Ring, good luck with whatever you do but first and foremost PLEASE go to some of the 1911 specific message boards where there are specific threads releated to each manufacturer (email me if you need links). Read from more than one person with experience with the specific manufacturer... As I said NO disrespect to mb but he is the first person I ever heard say a good think about Nork and my one experience was more than enough!
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Err...Norincos do accept USGI parts. They were patterned after USGI WWII 1911A1's. There are smiths out there who flat out PREFER working on Norincos. Good steel, USGI tolerances and dimensions, etc. None of this MIM stuff, either. Maybe you're thinking of Armscorp...but the Norinco 1911's are NOT crap guns, generally.
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I don’t smoke crack… mater of fact I don’t smoke at all. But, to say the SA Mill Spec is way better than a Norinco is just not so. I realize, after reading your latest post you have had a bad experience with Norinco's in the past, and this can certainly shade your opinion, but I assure you the Norinco 1911’s are as close to mil- spec as any 1911 made. They will accept currently made commercial parts, as well. I can’t speak for your past ill experience. However, I am sure it was the exception, regarding the performance of Norinco 1911’s and not the rule. As to the SA Mill Spec, it’s a nice gun but I think it retails a little higher than the $400 Norinco. If you said the SA TRP, SA Operator, or SA TRP Pro was a much better 1911, I would agree with you. But then again they are not selling for $400, and I would only agree they are much better in respect to their features offered, and not their quality over that of the Norinco 1911’s. MB |
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To each their own... Id take a new S/A Mil Spec for $475 anyday over a $400 new Norinco. Anyway... Enjoy, I am not going to change your mind and you arent going to change mine. Different strokes for different folks, that's why there are so many manufacturers out there. |
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I have two Norincos, have probably at least 1K rounds through each, and no problems whatsoever. BUT I paid $175 for one and $220 for the other, a far cry from $400. Yeah, it was a few years ago. I had one a long time ago that kicked brass in my face, but other than that it worked and worked. |
Well if it makes you feel any better, they don't import them anymore, the Chinese already got their money for any Norinco you buy today, so your purchase isn't feeding the commie war machine. Now you can just go to Wal-Mart and feed the commie war machine . . . 
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JYogi The reason that there is no warranty on a NORINCO is because they were imported years ago and banned from futher importation. So there went your Customer Service. News Flash, NORINCOs are made on Colt machinery that the chinese purchased way back when. It has also been stated here that a NORINCO is the only 1911 that Wilson Combat will "build up". I too am an owner of 2 NORINCOs. Paid $350 for each of them. I have had no problems and would never sell them. ETA- How many have posted on here about their problems with a Springfield, Kimber, etc.? I have never seen any post regarding any problems with a NORINCO. |
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As an owner of a Norinco: Cycle the slide by hand several times and then observe the lugs on the barrel. Any marks? Sometimes they miss the very slight clearance that is supposed to be done to prevent any peening. Other than that, my Norinco (and its cheapo mags, go figure) has been flawless compared to the Springfield Armory Stainless steel Champion Loaded that I had. Some malfs here and there, had to be certain that the rails were greased. Whereas on the Norinco I've run it dry several times with no issues, just to see (I lube it now to minimize wear). I still would only pay about $350 max out-the-door. I'm saving up for an Ed Brown Executive Elite or Special Forces right now  . I've sent an email in to find out what the exact differences are  .
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I bought a used, 98 percent Nork a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't expecting a lot. I had been considering a RIA, but I found it in a local shop for 175.00 and thought I'd take a chance. Before I could pick it I broke My right hand. This morning I had my cousin put 150 rounds of Hardball through it.. Function is perfect. My Kimber custom 11 didn't make 50 before I had to send it back. The Nork is a fine .45 as far as I'm concerned..........Essex
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None taken I still want another 1911 but this time the Ed Brown I mentioned earlier or a 'shooter' Colt from the WWII/Korea/Viet era (no safe queens here [if I can help it  ] )
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