trailblazer02
US Veteran
Anybody own a Norinco handgun? if you do, what is your experience, good or bad?...parts availability, dependability etc.
thanx,
trailblazer
thanx,
trailblazer
Last edited:
Anybody own a Norinco?
- Thread starter trailblazer02
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I have a Norinco 9mm. It says 213 on the slide but certain things like the safety not being backwards lead me to believe it's actually a converted 54-1. It shoots with excellent accuracy and I really like the thinness of it but every once in a while when you pull the trigger the hammer stops just short of the firing pin. Still a very good plinker. It took a while to locate mags for it but I was able to. Over all I really like the gun and will always keep it. I just wouldn't rely on it as a carry weapon.
I transfered a Norinco .22 semiauto pistol for a friend some years back. A copy of the Walther Olympic pistol,,, TT-22 model I think is what Norinco called it.
We took it out and gave it a work out and though a bit rough around the edges,,especially the grips, it worked just fine and had no problems at all.
It was a used pistol with some wear but didn't seem to have suffered any problems from the normal use it had seen.
Definetly not in the same quality of fit & finish as an original Walther,,but then it was never ment to be.
It worked 100% reliably as it was intended to do w/ HS ammo.
We took it out and gave it a work out and though a bit rough around the edges,,especially the grips, it worked just fine and had no problems at all.
It was a used pistol with some wear but didn't seem to have suffered any problems from the normal use it had seen.
Definetly not in the same quality of fit & finish as an original Walther,,but then it was never ment to be.
It worked 100% reliably as it was intended to do w/ HS ammo.
I used to have a Norinco Type 59, which is code for Chinese Makarov. Overall it was right between my East German and my Bulgarian as far as fit, finish and trigger go. But in all honesty it was closer to the Easy German. Was a good shooter.
Some years ago, before everyone made a 1911 milspec, Norinco received a lot of praise for their 1911's as being an excellence base for custom gun builders.
Some years ago, before everyone made a 1911 milspec, Norinco received a lot of praise for their 1911's as being an excellence base for custom gun builders.
Chromedhearts
US Veteran
I had one of those Norinco 1911A1s. Liked it a lot, sold it to a friend who still has it and competes with it; he's upgraded the sights and the grip safty but otherwise it is stock.
canoeguy
US Veteran
In 1997, I bought a Norinco 1911 from a friend who needed money for rent, he had given it to Clarks Custom for their accuracy job, had Bomar Low Mount target sights installed, it was super accurate and reliable. I put over 15,000 rounds through it with "Zero" malfunctions. I hear they are made from a harder steel than other manufacturers.
Believe it or not my friend I bought it from called me up a few months ago and asked me to sell it back to him, so I did.
Now, I am a 100% revovler guy, the only semi-auto pistol I own is a Ruger .22/45....
I do own two other Norinco products, their .22 Military Training Rifle, looks like a German Mauser. The action is a copy of the CZ 452, it is also extremely accurate and reliable.
A friend gave me a Norinco ADT-22, another copy, this one of a Browning take down .22 auto rifle. Again, another great shooter.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Norinco product, for one thing, there are no "Liability" extras included, the triggers on their products are good, not stupidly heavy like the new rifles and pistols you buy today.
Believe it or not my friend I bought it from called me up a few months ago and asked me to sell it back to him, so I did.
Now, I am a 100% revovler guy, the only semi-auto pistol I own is a Ruger .22/45....
I do own two other Norinco products, their .22 Military Training Rifle, looks like a German Mauser. The action is a copy of the CZ 452, it is also extremely accurate and reliable.
A friend gave me a Norinco ADT-22, another copy, this one of a Browning take down .22 auto rifle. Again, another great shooter.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Norinco product, for one thing, there are no "Liability" extras included, the triggers on their products are good, not stupidly heavy like the new rifles and pistols you buy today.
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cmort666
Member
I've got a Norinco M1911. Its one of my regular carry guns.
I got it from a friend, who got it from his brother. The gun had some easily fixed issues when I bought it for $300. The slide, frame and barrel are top notch. The small internal parts were hideous garbage. When I pulled the mainspring housing I discovered that the leaf spring was bare metal and BRIGHT red with rust. The guy who works on my guns replaced what needed replacing and now it's 100%.
The first time I cleaned the gun, I sprayed Shooter's Choice spray cleaner inside the grip frame. When I went to put the gun down, I COULDN'T! The "GI" grips had melted to my hand! They appeared to be made out of something akin to polystyrene, like a model airplane. I replaced that crap with a set of Ajax fake ivories. It's a good looking gun now and I trust my life to it. It likes Hornady 200gr. TAP JHPs.
I got it from a friend, who got it from his brother. The gun had some easily fixed issues when I bought it for $300. The slide, frame and barrel are top notch. The small internal parts were hideous garbage. When I pulled the mainspring housing I discovered that the leaf spring was bare metal and BRIGHT red with rust. The guy who works on my guns replaced what needed replacing and now it's 100%.
The first time I cleaned the gun, I sprayed Shooter's Choice spray cleaner inside the grip frame. When I went to put the gun down, I COULDN'T! The "GI" grips had melted to my hand! They appeared to be made out of something akin to polystyrene, like a model airplane. I replaced that crap with a set of Ajax fake ivories. It's a good looking gun now and I trust my life to it. It likes Hornady 200gr. TAP JHPs.
cmort666
Member
Those were quite popular in the Cleveland area as starter bullseye pistols back when they were being imported.
I've got three Norinco 1911's. The first one I bought back in '92. I stripped it down and the only thing "Chicom" about it now is the slide and frame. The second was upgraded with a ramped and comped barrel. The third, I picked up today at a gun show. NNIB and bone stock. My experience with them is they are a good base to build on. The guts are a little rough but I've seen worse triggers on a C*lt 1911.
Class III
Class III
GatorFarmer
Member
They haven't been imported into the US for some years, so any gun you find is likely to be used. They are still imported into Canada. The Norinco 213 I had, a commecially made Tokarev copy in 9mm, was a relatively cheap gun. It was the first handgun I ever bought. The instructions said that it had an estimated service life of 2000rds, which raises an eyebrow when it comes to durability. People tended to turn their nose up at the Norincos back when they were common as dirt and cheap. These days some are rather sought after. The 1911s always had their fans of course and were once popular bases for custom options.
Snubfan44
Member
I have a Norinco 1911, as mentioned the slide, frame and barrel are great pieces.Mine has been upgraded, with fitted bushing, full length guide rod, mag well,extended mag release,new trigger and sears, and novak low mount sights.
This thing just flat out shoots, and is dead reliable.The best part is that I still have a little less the $550(canadian funds) tied up in it.
I also owned a norc m14 copy(never should've sold that one).It may have been a little rougher , fit and finish wise, than a springfield, but is made with a forged receiver , and chrome lined bore.Again very accurate, and reliable.
When they were still available at dealers , they ran right around $500 new, but the source has dried up, and now the used market is about the only place to find one.
I would buy another in a minute.
Scott
This thing just flat out shoots, and is dead reliable.The best part is that I still have a little less the $550(canadian funds) tied up in it.
I also owned a norc m14 copy(never should've sold that one).It may have been a little rougher , fit and finish wise, than a springfield, but is made with a forged receiver , and chrome lined bore.Again very accurate, and reliable.
When they were still available at dealers , they ran right around $500 new, but the source has dried up, and now the used market is about the only place to find one.
I would buy another in a minute.
Scott
safearm
US Veteran
A little off topic, but I have a Norinco copy of the Winchester 1897 shotgun. I got it before Norinco produced their version of the Trench Gun, so I installed a heat shield/bayonet lug from one of the surplus companies and sling swivels. Now I have a Trench Gun that goes well with my other militaria. The Norinco action is not as smooth as some other 1897s I've had, but the lock-up is strong and the wood is smooth and dense. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. I've also owned a Norinco 1911; is was fine as a shooter grade gun, better than the Rock Island Armory Phillipine imports.
I have 2 Norinco 1911s. I have reworked both extensively. I did have a problem with one of them. The tolerences were off and the barrel lugs did not mate well with the lugs in the slide and rounded off in front pretty badly. After a lot of measuring, and discussion with people who knew more than I did, I replaced it with a Springfield barrel I got from a gunsmith. I have shot it several hundred rounds since and everything appears to be okay. I like them.
Stevie
Member
I've owned a Norinco 1911, and two Norico 213 9mm Tok clones.
I still have own one of the 213 pistols for whatever reason.
The Norinco 1911 is a pretty decent budget .45 if you can find one. Fairly well made gun that compares favorably with the average production 1911 pistols in the price range.
The Norinco 213 pistols I've owned(still own one) are not in the same league as the Norinco 1911 pistols. These are a budget pistol, looking fairly well machined internaly, but rough/crude exterior polish, plus the slide stampings look to consist of letter/number stamps of differing fonts....and possibly hand stamped.
That said about the 213, they do tend to work well enough, and both of the examples I've owned were accurate. I'm keeping the one I still own, not that I'm particularly fond of it, but it is a cheaply bought, perfectly servicable 9mm pistol.
I still have own one of the 213 pistols for whatever reason.
The Norinco 1911 is a pretty decent budget .45 if you can find one. Fairly well made gun that compares favorably with the average production 1911 pistols in the price range.
The Norinco 213 pistols I've owned(still own one) are not in the same league as the Norinco 1911 pistols. These are a budget pistol, looking fairly well machined internaly, but rough/crude exterior polish, plus the slide stampings look to consist of letter/number stamps of differing fonts....and possibly hand stamped.
That said about the 213, they do tend to work well enough, and both of the examples I've owned were accurate. I'm keeping the one I still own, not that I'm particularly fond of it, but it is a cheaply bought, perfectly servicable 9mm pistol.
OP
trailblazer02
US Veteran
i appreciate all the responses & the info. you folks have provided.
Of all the forums i visit, you guys are by far the best.
trailblazer
Of all the forums i visit, you guys are by far the best.
trailblazer
buckeyeshooter1
Member
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I have a very high opinion of them. I own 3 and they function as well or better than the 'name brand' that they knock off.
S&WshooterFIN
Member
1990's I owned Norinco 1911 .45ACP
I reblued slide and hard chromed frame in gun smith
I reblued slide and hard chromed frame in gun smith
I had a Norinco SKS years ago. It was a good shooting gun. I seem to remember the wood had an unusual stain that was sort of purplish. Unfortunately I lost my job in 2009 and had to sell it.
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