New to 1911's, Questions

[dak0ta]

Should I buy this 1911? New to the platform.

See posts 10-13 for pictures

Hi,

On a 1911 Commander, what is the purpose of a STI skeletonized hammer, Videcki trigger, ambi vs non-ambi safety (adv vs disadv?), and extended beavertail?

Also, flat or arched mainspring housing?

I have a Norinco model offered for $420 shipped that has all these features + a trip to the gunsmith to tune, tighten, trigger job, rebluing. Comes with 1 mag, brush, and case.

I heard that these guns are very good out of the box and reliable, but once tuned they rival even $1k 1911's in function/accuracy. Their barrels are chromed and the slides/frames are super hard steel.

 

[hatchetbearer]

Norinco's are a very nice 1911 to build off of, thanks to the hardened steel used in them, To answer your questions, A skeletonized hammer in conjunction with an extended beavertail is used to give you a higher, firmer pistol grip while simultaneously eliminating the bite from the hammer.

A videki trigger is just a longer trigger that allows you to use the pad of your fingertip to press the trigger better than a short trigger.

To me, an Ambi safety is a non issue, since I'm right handed, but if you're a southpaw, it makes it easier to operate.

a flat or arched mainspring housing is personal preference. It's the old school replaceable backstrap.

 

[Fishslayer]

The Norincos are approved by Clark for their .460 Rowland conversion. That tells you something about their construction.

I'm not a fan of the ambi safety but it's not a big issue to me.

Supposedly the arched mainspring housing makes you tend to shoot high. I dunno. Try 'em & see. I like the look.

 

[g_one]

The skeletonized hammer is 99% for looks; it supposedly makes things lighter but you'll never notice.

The ambi safety means there's thumb safety on the left side and right side of the gun, as opposed to just the left side. Personally, I'm right handed so I prefer only a one-sided safety. Looks better, and less chance of it getting flicked off when you're carrying.

I personally prefer an arched mainspring housing - they just seem to fit in my hand better. Here's a good picture:

 

[1911 guy]

Skeletonizing the hammer and trigger is done to speed lock time. Whether it's perceptible to someone like me is open for debate. I'm not a world class shooter. The theory being that the lighter parts move quicker under spring tension and the lighter parts aid in trigger jobs.

I have a skeletonized hammers because it's what was available in a non-spur type to fit my beavertail grip safety. The hammers are the original G.I. type.

The extended beavertail grip safety helps some shooter get a better firing grip on the pistol without skinning the web of your hand with the slide under recoil. I'm a fan, but don't view it as a requirement if you don't happen to need it. Everybodys' hands are different.

The flat versus arched mainspring housing is personal choice. Most seem to find the arched fits better. It was originally flat, but changed to arched to make the barrel sit higher in the hand because of many reports of low misses by early users in the military.

As for Norinco manufacture, they're plenty good. I sure as heck wouldn't sneeze at one.

 

[tuj]

flat or arched mainspring housing?

Highly personal. You should try to handle both to see which you like better in your hand.

 

[Patrick Gookin]

Skeletonized triggers are also lighter, making them less susceptible to trigger bounce, allowing for a lighter trigger pull.

 

[dak0ta]

It seems like most high end 1911's come with the flat main spring housing.

 

[Greg528iT]

It seems like most high end 1911's come with the flat main spring housing.

cause they are kewler. How about more traditional looking? cause rich guys who can afford high end 1911s have small girlie hands and they fit better?

Yeah I swapped out an arched main spring for a flat one..

 

[dak0ta]

Pictures

Here are some pictures the seller sent me. Please let me know if you find anything wrong with the gun or out of place.

 

[dak0ta]

And some more.

 

[dak0ta]

And even more.

 

[dak0ta]

Last few.

 

[cor_man257]

Congrats. I only know what I read about 1911s on the web. So, i obviously can't tell you what to look for. I can only tell you it looks good.

Is that a peice of wood? Seems out of place. If it is wood, I have looked at 1911s online for a few years now planning my purchase (Im pretty picky) and never seen that. But somewhat who knows what they are talking about will be along to give you the low down. Good luck with the purchase.

 

[dak0ta]

Yes that's the part that is kind of irking me. I believe it's the metal in that part of the slide didn't take up bluing very well.

 

[9mmepiphany]

It looks pretty nice.

I'm used to beavertail grip safeties being wider, but there is nothing wrong with that one...having the speed bump checkered is a nice touch.

A skeletonized hammer is one with the lightening hole cut in it. What separates the STI one is the square profile of the hammer.

The Videcki trigger means that besides the lightening holes, the trigger is made of aluminum and likely has a overtravel adjustment.

The thumb safety looks like a Brown from the contour of the paddle. The plate seems to have been correctly beveled to the contour of the frame.

The extractor has an interesting color to it, but it seems clocked properly.

The front sight is a little short for my taste, but likely works fine with the stock rear sight.

Norincos really are known for their toughness...they are tougher than any Colt form that age.

Generally, this seems like an outstanding deal

Edit to add: I guess you guys are talking about the extractor. Yes, it is metal. It looks like it was hardened differently from the rest of the gun...I'll bet it holds up forever

 

[dak0ta]

Thanks, the guy selling said the gun costs about $700 with the rebluing and gunsmithing, but since it's my first handgun he's charging $420 shipped (Norincos don't appreciate too much even if you add stuff). It would cost me $350 + shipping + tax to get a regular Nork GI model without the gunsmithing and aftermarket parts (Canada). He bought it used and fired about 50 rounds through it, functioned fine for him. The mag is new he says. If I don't like it, I can send it back minus shipping.

Looks like I'm joining the handgun and 1911 party. I guess you guys need to suggest a good 9mm soon too

I guess the extractor doesn't really bother me as long as it works.

Is it only the frame and slide that are forged? Are the small metal bits cast by Norinco?

 

[9mmepiphany]

Is it only the frame and slide that are forged? Are the small metal bits cast by Norinco?

I don't know for a fact, because I never cared enough to look into it, but I doubt that any cast parts originally came on a Norinco...certainly not by Norinco and fewer than you'll find on any domestically manufactured 1911 for less than $3k.

Now the add-on parts...could very likely be cast, certainly the trigger, grip safety and thumb safety

 

[Flt Simulation]

Here is my Gold Cup 'Enhanced' (.45 ACP)

The nice thing about this Colt is that it already came from the factory with many of the items some people will change out in there 1911s at a later date.

... 'Elliason' Adjustable Rear Sight, Undercut Front Sight, Flat-Top Slide, Flat Mainspring Housing, Wide Groove Adjustable Target Trigger, Extended Grip Safety, Elongated Hammer, Lowered and Flared Ejection Port, Beveled Magazine Well, etc

The downside to some people is that this gun is a 'Series 80' which has the the new firing pin safety system, which guards against an accidental discharge should a loaded pistol be dropped onto a hard surface ... some folks just don't like that new feature (which is not found on the earlier Series 70 guns).

Anyway, just another 1911 to consider.

 

[dak0ta]

I figure this will get me a solid first handgun that I can use to learn how to shoot one reliably. Down the road once I know how to shoot and what I look for in a pistol, I can upgrade as necessary. But as a student that just wants to get into handguns, I think this fits the bill, plus the upgrades and tuning has been done already to make it reliable. I can sell it later for about the same price if I decide to.

Once question, do Government model magazines also fit in Commander models? And in general, do Government parts fit Commander parts except the barrel?

 

[9mmepiphany]

I think it is a good starter gun...much better than a comparable RIA, which I think is an outstanding value...and is perfect for what you want to do with it.

I wouldn't be too anxious to sell it either, it would be a perfect base gun for a custom build...for you or someone else.

Yes the Commander accepts full size magazines. I highly recommend the McCormick Power Mags