fighting 1911?

[horge]

Wasn't it the CD/Armscor pistols that didn't accept drop in GI parts, unlike the Norinco, due to slightly different build specs?

No, you're thinking Llama, perhaps.
The Armscor guns take drop-ins just as well as other "mil-spec" brands.

Just seem to recall some discussion about this in the past. I know the very soft steel came up.

It isn't as hard as older-batch Norinco's steel, but I wouldn't call it soft.
All this talk about forgings vs. castings is misleading anyway, as the
quality of the heat treatment (post) is a bigger factor.

Norinco GI's cost about US $290 over here, are widely distributed, and sell well enough, but are prone to requiring smithing to make reliable: very rough-finished, sometimes crooked internals. Armscors also retail for about US$290, but outsell Norincos almost 4 to 1 and generally work right out of the box.
Long view, I'd probably get a Norinco and drop serious dime on having it smithed. But for an everyday tool, I'd get an Armscor and leave it stock.


horge

 

[1911 guy]

Armscor/RIA and parts

The pistols will accept any GI part, but like any 1911, there's no such thing as "drop-in". I'm not sure about older pistols, more than five or six years, but all newer ones interchange.

 

[1911Tuner]

Rand

Did somebody say...Rand?

 

[shooter.45]

Kimber Warrior no external extractor Series I great gun so far the one I have is great the finish is holding up very well. And its a great shooter. Worth every penny.