GaryK
Member
I recently bought a nib Norinco and have been using it as a platform to learn how 1911s work. I hope to put together a low cost shooter that fits me. So far I have done the following:
1. The barrel bushing was way oversized and the ID was out of round. I measured the slide at .700 and the barrel at .580. The closest drop in bushing I was able to find was one from Ed Brown with a .699 ID and a .581 OD. It went in and worked fine. The groups have shrunk measurably and the gun is a lot tighter.
2. I added a .200 slide stop.
3. I installed a long trigger. Short triggers don't work for me because my hands are too large. It took a bit of work to get it so that the bow didn't drag on magazines but I got it done. I did have a problem with the trigger occasionally dropping to 1/2 cock but remembered reading in Tuner's troubleshooting tips to slightly bend the center leaf of the sear spring forward. This corrected the problem.
4. I installed a standard thumb safety. I don't like the GI type safetys that come on Norincos. It dropped in and works well.
I have been fortunate in finding a gunsmith that specializes in 1911s that has a lot of takeoff parts. If you like stock parts, ask around, many smiths have a box full of them that they will sell cheap. Sometimes you can find Colt parts. My next step is to add a Commander style hammer. Does anyone have one that they are willing to sell? I am looking for one with the regular (not elongated) hole. I understand that I will have to have it fitted along with a beavertail. This is a work in progress but I am having fun and learning a lot as I go along. I am fortunate in that the gun functions well with no evidence of poor barrel fit, etc. I have been watching the wear patterns. The barrel has light wear marks completely around where it contacts the bushing. There is no evidence of the barrel hood hitting the slide or wear on the barrel lugs. It comes into battery just like my other 1911 which I had Chuck Rodgers fit the barrel. Judging by the wear marks the sear seems to be making even contact with both sides of the hammer. The extracter holds a loaded round snug but not overly tight when the slide is removed. Is there anything else I should look for? Thanks, I am learning a lot here.
1. The barrel bushing was way oversized and the ID was out of round. I measured the slide at .700 and the barrel at .580. The closest drop in bushing I was able to find was one from Ed Brown with a .699 ID and a .581 OD. It went in and worked fine. The groups have shrunk measurably and the gun is a lot tighter.
2. I added a .200 slide stop.
3. I installed a long trigger. Short triggers don't work for me because my hands are too large. It took a bit of work to get it so that the bow didn't drag on magazines but I got it done. I did have a problem with the trigger occasionally dropping to 1/2 cock but remembered reading in Tuner's troubleshooting tips to slightly bend the center leaf of the sear spring forward. This corrected the problem.
4. I installed a standard thumb safety. I don't like the GI type safetys that come on Norincos. It dropped in and works well.
I have been fortunate in finding a gunsmith that specializes in 1911s that has a lot of takeoff parts. If you like stock parts, ask around, many smiths have a box full of them that they will sell cheap. Sometimes you can find Colt parts. My next step is to add a Commander style hammer. Does anyone have one that they are willing to sell? I am looking for one with the regular (not elongated) hole. I understand that I will have to have it fitted along with a beavertail. This is a work in progress but I am having fun and learning a lot as I go along. I am fortunate in that the gun functions well with no evidence of poor barrel fit, etc. I have been watching the wear patterns. The barrel has light wear marks completely around where it contacts the bushing. There is no evidence of the barrel hood hitting the slide or wear on the barrel lugs. It comes into battery just like my other 1911 which I had Chuck Rodgers fit the barrel. Judging by the wear marks the sear seems to be making even contact with both sides of the hammer. The extracter holds a loaded round snug but not overly tight when the slide is removed. Is there anything else I should look for? Thanks, I am learning a lot here.