Not sure where you got your Norinco or when but I bought one about 20 yrs ago new. It has maybe 500 rounds sent out the barrel. I can hold it in my hands, shake it sideways and listen to the slide as well as other parts rattle. Granted it does work but has very ill fitting parts and I will not be buying another.
1911 Advice
- Thread starter novalty
- Start date
Not sure where you got your Norinco or when but I bought one about 20 yrs ago new. It has maybe 500 rounds sent out the barrel. I can hold it in my hands, shake it sideways and listen to the slide as well as other parts rattle. Granted it does work but has very ill fitting parts and I will not be buying another.
Some guys will make the point that loose fitting means reliable; dropped in the mud and filthy, still goes bang, whereas tight fitting can cause issues. I would not look askance because it rattles.
I think your rattle-when-you-shake-it Norinco is probably not as accurate at 25 yards as my high-end, and tight fitting, high-dollar Wilson Combats, but up front and personal, as long as it goes bang, doesn't matter much, right?
I hear good things about Norinco.
Here's S&W. Short guide rod, fixed Novak sights, wood grips, no forward serrations, just relatively simple. It's more accurate than I am and utterly reliable. I love it.
Last edited:
cmort666
Member
I bought mine used from a friend with the first Bush tax refund. The small internal parts were pure garbage, but the frame, slide and barrel are first rate. I replaced the trigger parts and grips and had some minor adjustments made for reliability. It's more than accurate enough at 50', much less 7 yards.
What I spent didn't even come within a mile of the price difference between the Norinco and even a tricked out factory gun. It's 100% and I carry it regularly.
Attachments
ColbyBruce
Member
Let me try this again
I currently have three 1911's.
Kimber Classic Custom Royal
Colt LW Commander
Norinco
I have owned many other 1911's. Colt, Interarms, mil-surp, ODI, Randall, AMT, Kimber, AO, Safari Arms, and a few parts guns built on Essex frames. They all went bang. With the exception of the AMT's, they all functioned properly. At 15 yards, I can pretty much empty the magazine into a softball size group with any of them. Some of those guns would do better out of a Ransom Rest (wish I had never sold it) but they were all good enough to be toters.
My son recently sold his Ed Brown Special Forces. It was a nice pistol. So nice, in fact, he was afraid to carry it. It shot very well, did not rattle, and was a fine piece of machinery. It cost him close to $1,800.00, IIRC (not sure if that included his holster). He bought it off a forum member here. I would like to own one myself.
Depending on your budget and tastes there is a wide variety of 1911 style pistols to choose from and they all basically do the same thing.
I currently have three 1911's.
Kimber Classic Custom Royal
Colt LW Commander
Norinco
I have owned many other 1911's. Colt, Interarms, mil-surp, ODI, Randall, AMT, Kimber, AO, Safari Arms, and a few parts guns built on Essex frames. They all went bang. With the exception of the AMT's, they all functioned properly. At 15 yards, I can pretty much empty the magazine into a softball size group with any of them. Some of those guns would do better out of a Ransom Rest (wish I had never sold it) but they were all good enough to be toters.
My son recently sold his Ed Brown Special Forces. It was a nice pistol. So nice, in fact, he was afraid to carry it. It shot very well, did not rattle, and was a fine piece of machinery. It cost him close to $1,800.00, IIRC (not sure if that included his holster). He bought it off a forum member here. I would like to own one myself.
Depending on your budget and tastes there is a wide variety of 1911 style pistols to choose from and they all basically do the same thing.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I always thought that the gun was made to be an utterly reliable center mass at 25 yerds gun. Was never meant to be finely machined to almost zero tolerance. Kinda like a plow mule rather than a thoroughbred . It ain't the fastest around the track but it will get you there. Seems like most of the problems with them come when you try to make them a one hole at 50 yard gun rather than what it was meant to do. Course I'm just a newbie at the 1911 thing having only purchsed my first within the past couple of months, but as long as I can hit 5" plartes at 25 yards, I'm a happy camper.
I believe that a more accurate description is that it was designed to be mass produced with interchangeable parts, so that any frame, slide, barrel, and bushing could be put together without fitting by a gunsmith. The fact that this results in loose fitting guns is a result of the manufacturing requirements of the times, not by intentional design.
A loose gun does not mean that it is reliable, nor does a tight gun mean that it is unreliable. If it is built CORRECTLY, it can be tight, accurate, and utterly reliable.
I guess that means we'll have to throw away our computers, cell phones, TV's, stereo's, and go buck naked.
How will we ever be able to surf this Forum? 
Last edited:
JcMack
Member
I agree with all of this. Although the Springers I've had seem prone to rust including the stainless ones. I want a gun that's rollmarked not laser etched. If you do your research and pick a Colt that's properly priced, your gun will maintain it's value. Unlike most of the competition.
ColbyBruce
Member
Norinco pistols are not bad guns. AO pistols have increased in quality since Kahr took them over. Even back in the day, the three older AO's I owned worked fine, but the metal finishing was poor to terrible.
SW CQB 45
Member
I will throw in my $19.11.
Most high end gunsmiths will only work on
Colt
Springfield Armory
which says alot about those brands.
I believe Springfield Armory has the best customer svc and warranty in the business.....example,
A brother officer bought a used Springfield Armory 1911 45 from another officer who I know bought used in a local gun store. The officer brought me the gun and said could I help by showing him how to take apart and clean it. I immediately noticed the non factory extended slide lock lever and the plunger tube was coming off. I called Springfield Customer Svc and gave them the info. They immediately emailed me a return tag and the gun was shipped Monday afternoon with a letter indicating to call for a credit card to replace the slide lock lever with a standard factory unit. Friday afternoon (same week), the gun arrived back to my office, fixed plunger tube (looked replaced) and a new slide lock lever (no charge). talk about service!!!!!!
A buddy recently got a Colt Rail gun to carry on duty. He brought it over as he wanted to borrow my sight tool for night sight install. I was impressed with the new Colt gun except for one area.....the edges on the Colt with knife cutting sharp.
I like my 1911s to be fast handling without of the fear of cuts or abrasions. I feel I would get cut with the Colt if I did a quick grab out of the holster. but its STS, so a file and some 320 paper will make it right for me.
There are many brands and I cannot give you any guidance on SW as I am not a fan of the external extractor on a 1911. I like to be able to remove my extractor and clean without have to drive pins in and out.
Kimber....I also cannot give you any advice, but I have read so much negativity about customer service and its a roll of the dice if you get a good one out of the box as opposed to one that has constant issues. I have read alot that the original Kimbers are the desired ones and that will require research to determine what those are.
I once owned a Les Baer HW Monolith which I considered to be the most accurate 1911 I ever shot and owned. Out of the box, it ran 100% and accuracy was incredible with 230 ball. I bought the Monolith only to be different and it was not allowed in the shooting sports I was playing back then and I still am kicking myself for not buying a PII as I would likely still own it.
My current stash of 1911s consists of
Custom Colt 45 (used in competition)
Colt OACP (plain clothes duty carry)
Custom Springfield Armory MC Operator (uniformed duty carry)
Bone Stock Springfield Armory PX9130LP (silly 9mm fun gun used in competition)
Custom Springfield Armory 9mm 5" PPC (competition)
STI TargetMaster 6" 9mm (competition)
STI Trojan 5" 9mm (should arrive next week for competition)
Depending on what you want to do with this gun: defense, target, carry, and maybe competiton
I would step up from a GI model to either a Loaded or save a little more and get the STS TRP. you will basically need to do nothing to the TRP but shoot it and if there are any issues, Springfield will take care of you.
if the 20LPI checkering is too aggressive for you...take a stone to the checkering to de-point it a little. TRP will cost you a little more, ok alot more that a GI, but I think based on upgrades and if you bought a GI and you want upgrades....the TRP will already be there.
Let say the 1911 is not for you and you have the TRP....the market is looking and wanting TRPs.
again my nineteen dollars and eleven cents.
good luck
Most high end gunsmiths will only work on
Colt
Springfield Armory
which says alot about those brands.
I believe Springfield Armory has the best customer svc and warranty in the business.....example,
A brother officer bought a used Springfield Armory 1911 45 from another officer who I know bought used in a local gun store. The officer brought me the gun and said could I help by showing him how to take apart and clean it. I immediately noticed the non factory extended slide lock lever and the plunger tube was coming off. I called Springfield Customer Svc and gave them the info. They immediately emailed me a return tag and the gun was shipped Monday afternoon with a letter indicating to call for a credit card to replace the slide lock lever with a standard factory unit. Friday afternoon (same week), the gun arrived back to my office, fixed plunger tube (looked replaced) and a new slide lock lever (no charge). talk about service!!!!!!
A buddy recently got a Colt Rail gun to carry on duty. He brought it over as he wanted to borrow my sight tool for night sight install. I was impressed with the new Colt gun except for one area.....the edges on the Colt with knife cutting sharp.
I like my 1911s to be fast handling without of the fear of cuts or abrasions. I feel I would get cut with the Colt if I did a quick grab out of the holster. but its STS, so a file and some 320 paper will make it right for me.
There are many brands and I cannot give you any guidance on SW as I am not a fan of the external extractor on a 1911. I like to be able to remove my extractor and clean without have to drive pins in and out.
Kimber....I also cannot give you any advice, but I have read so much negativity about customer service and its a roll of the dice if you get a good one out of the box as opposed to one that has constant issues. I have read alot that the original Kimbers are the desired ones and that will require research to determine what those are.
I once owned a Les Baer HW Monolith which I considered to be the most accurate 1911 I ever shot and owned. Out of the box, it ran 100% and accuracy was incredible with 230 ball. I bought the Monolith only to be different and it was not allowed in the shooting sports I was playing back then and I still am kicking myself for not buying a PII as I would likely still own it.
My current stash of 1911s consists of
Custom Colt 45 (used in competition)
Colt OACP (plain clothes duty carry)
Custom Springfield Armory MC Operator (uniformed duty carry)
Bone Stock Springfield Armory PX9130LP (silly 9mm fun gun used in competition)
Custom Springfield Armory 9mm 5" PPC (competition)
STI TargetMaster 6" 9mm (competition)
STI Trojan 5" 9mm (should arrive next week for competition)
Depending on what you want to do with this gun: defense, target, carry, and maybe competiton
I would step up from a GI model to either a Loaded or save a little more and get the STS TRP. you will basically need to do nothing to the TRP but shoot it and if there are any issues, Springfield will take care of you.
if the 20LPI checkering is too aggressive for you...take a stone to the checkering to de-point it a little. TRP will cost you a little more, ok alot more that a GI, but I think based on upgrades and if you bought a GI and you want upgrades....the TRP will already be there.
Let say the 1911 is not for you and you have the TRP....the market is looking and wanting TRPs.
again my nineteen dollars and eleven cents.
good luck
Last edited:
Most high end gunsmiths will only work on
Colt
Springfield Armory
Some would disagree.
Have been contemplating a Norinco for a while and, in searching for information, found this among others:
Before and after pics(Norinco) - 1911Forum
Scroll down to the 'major' dissertation by 'GPotts' incl. what custom .45 'smiths recommend to work on. (And what some won't work on re: not quality of steel, but cost of cutters )
There's probably a greater discrepancy of opinion re: the 1911 and its derivatives than any other weapon; most of it scattered about by readers of opinions offered by gun writers who are themselves paid to say much of what they do say.
All in all, to me there is only one 1911 and even it seems to have been (continually?) compromised beginning in the 80's. The rest are imitations which may be the highest form of flattery but scarcely meet the standards and integrity of the original. I think that same 'intergrity' left us with the demise of our steel mills and related ways of life.
Colt
Springfield Armory
Some would disagree.
Have been contemplating a Norinco for a while and, in searching for information, found this among others:
Before and after pics(Norinco) - 1911Forum
Scroll down to the 'major' dissertation by 'GPotts' incl. what custom .45 'smiths recommend to work on. (And what some won't work on re: not quality of steel, but cost of cutters
)There's probably a greater discrepancy of opinion re: the 1911 and its derivatives than any other weapon; most of it scattered about by readers of opinions offered by gun writers who are themselves paid to say much of what they do say.
All in all, to me there is only one 1911 and even it seems to have been (continually?) compromised beginning in the 80's. The rest are imitations which may be the highest form of flattery but scarcely meet the standards and integrity of the original. I think that same 'intergrity' left us with the demise of our steel mills and related ways of life.
SW CQB 45
Member
I am basing that information on what I read on high end gunsmith web pages when I used to frequent looking for a "smith" work.
OP
novalty
Member
What are opinions on the Colt Combat Elite XSE? As compared to the S&W 108282 1911?
Right now my biggest concern is generally customer service, as the Colt is a used gun, and am not sure how their customer service would be. I have had excellent experience with S&W.
Right now my biggest concern is generally customer service, as the Colt is a used gun, and am not sure how their customer service would be. I have had excellent experience with S&W.
Last edited:
Got to shoot my friends Les Baer yesterday and that is a really nice pistol, I had not shot a 1911 in at least 10 years (own only revolvers) and it had a great trigger and I was able to get a really nice group with it. A really nice pistol
ColbyBruce
Member
"Colt Combat Elite XSE"
My son had one of these a few months ago. It was a nice gun, but he traded it toward something else as he thought I was going to give him my LW Commander. He was wrong.
My son had one of these a few months ago. It was a nice gun, but he traded it toward something else as he thought I was going to give him my LW Commander. He was wrong.
Badkarma 1
US Veteran
The 1911
Like many here I've owned quite a few in my years of buying and trading guns. My first that I bought at the tender age of 15 (my Dad signed for it) was an old Ithaca 1911-A1 surplus, a good piece that never did work right!
From there is was on to Colts and Norincos. Every Colt I had save one "enhanced" Combat Commander, worked as long as I used Wilson mags!
At present I own 2; a 70 series Combat Commander and a Delta Elite, both are hard working RELIABLE friends! I am looking for a "workhorse" 1911 myself and am studying those Phillipine made .45s with great intent!
Now about the Norinco; It was a reliable workhorse that NEVER let me down! Wish I still had it!!had a few Paras too and for the most part they do run.
So here's how I rank 'em Colt, Norinco, and Para.
I have no familiarity with the S&Ws and as for Springfields well let's just say "try before you buy".
Like many here I've owned quite a few in my years of buying and trading guns. My first that I bought at the tender age of 15 (my Dad signed for it) was an old Ithaca 1911-A1 surplus, a good piece that never did work right!
From there is was on to Colts and Norincos. Every Colt I had save one "enhanced" Combat Commander, worked as long as I used Wilson mags!
At present I own 2; a 70 series Combat Commander and a Delta Elite, both are hard working RELIABLE friends! I am looking for a "workhorse" 1911 myself and am studying those Phillipine made .45s with great intent!
Now about the Norinco; It was a reliable workhorse that NEVER let me down! Wish I still had it!!had a few Paras too and for the most part they do run.
So here's how I rank 'em Colt, Norinco, and Para.
I have no familiarity with the S&Ws and as for Springfields well let's just say "try before you buy".
Brian48
Member
I dunno about other brands in it's class, however I have the sku@108284, which is essentially the same gun as the 108282, only with bo-mar type adjustable sights. It's a great gun. Accurate, reliable, durable, and relatively maintenance free. Next to my early '90s Colt Gold Cup, it's my favorite 1911 in my collection.
Similar threads
- Locked
Sold/Withdrawn
WTS 1911 Kimber Clackamas, Colt's & Dan Wesson
