$399 Norinco 1911 -- buy or pass?

I believe that's fair market price for what you're describing. As you probably know, Norinco 1911s were regarded as excellent platforms for race guns. They are considered by many in-the-know as having excellent steel and heat treatment.

Personally, I would pass and opt for a new Springer if I were in the market for another 1911. However, if you're looking for a Norinco you'd be wise to grab it if it's sound; they're not exactly easy to find these days.

Should I get it or pass? Will I be able to get my money back if I sell it?

Click to expand...

Unless there's something seriously wrong with it, you'll likely break even should you resell with patience.

I'd buy it

good to great steel usually. with 8 mags I'd say this is a buy. Can be tough to get a smith to install sights sometimes, tough to work on those ChiCom slides.

I'd buy it provided there were no discernible problems.

Buy.

Hell yes. I wish there are more Norinco 1911 in US before the trade ban. And that's is a very good price consider the current market price.

I would buy one for that price.

Talk him down to $398.00

Here in Canuk Land Norc 1911's are readily available and cheap to boot.

Got a plain jane 1911A1 that was lightly worked over by a decent smith. It sits in the safe as my go to gun. Plenty accurate and not ultra tight (IMHO a 1911 should be able to function dirty and feed/fire what ever you feed it). All in all I've got 450 in it.

For a comparison, I've also got a Colt Combat Elite that got a lot of parts and work done to it. Match bull barrel with comp, full length guide rod, loads of other smaller parts all tightly fitted and smoothed. She's a dream to shoot, great trigger and accurate as all hell.

Back to back shooting shows the Colt shoots tighter groups but that could be due to the Colt's smoother trigger, better target sites with a longer site radius and match barrel. She's real pretty but a PIA to takedown.

All in all, got more than double into the Colt over the Norc.

Is the Colt functionally worth double the Norc? Not IMO but neither are going anywhere soon.

Strong buy.

I would ocnsider it carefully.

That's a decent price for a good gun. I've had one since new in '93 or so before the ban. I've got plenty of other Colt and other, "better" 1911s, but that one somehow always finds its way into the nightstand drawer or holster in the woods. It works well, and with low dollars in it you don't worry about wear and use.

Stock they were very GI - low sights, short trigger, etc. Most have been modded to some degree by now. It will not feel as nice as a Colt or be as smooth, and it takes a little bit of work to put a nice trigger in them (perhaps that's already been done). But they are solid and a decent introduction to the platform.