Norinco Back from the 'Smith!

[daysleeprx]

I posted this at m1911.org as well, but I thought I'd share with my fellow THRers too. =)

Just picked up my Nork from the smith today. Very excited! All the work was done by Ed Vandenberg of Houston, TX, and is as follows:

-Ed Brown Hardcore Hammer
-Ed Brown Perfection Sear
-Ed Brown Perfection Disconnector
-Ed Brown Grip Safety
-Ed Brown Thumb Safety
-Ed Brown Sear Spring
-Wilson Combat trigger
-Wilson Combat flat MSH
-All springs replaced with Wolff
-Ejection port flared (he was going to lower it as well, but he said after measuring it that it didn't need to be done).
-Entire gun reparkerized
-4.5 lb. trigger job

I was going to replace the sights, but when I ordered all the parts from Brownells, the ones I wanted were out of stock. So I'll do that at a later date.

And of course, the obligatory bad pics (excuse my cluttered desk!)

 

[GunNut]

Nice.

How does it shoot?

Stev

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

A Norinco?

Wow.

 

[daysleeprx]

Just picked it up tonight, so I haven't had a chance to wring it out yet. However before any of the work was done, this was the most accurate gun I owned, so hopefully that didn't change.

 

[capbuster]

thankyou for sharing. I too own a norinco and have been most pleased with it.

 

[ShelbyV8]

Norinco 1911A1 built in China banned from import by Clinton. All parts forged steel, better quiliaty steel than US steel. At the time of the ban Wilson bought up quite a few for his custom guns. They can still be bought in Canada but can't be brought into the US.

 

[batoy1911]

Twin Brother

Here's mine. Changed the internals and barrel. I also had the sharp edges on the frame smoothed out.

 

[Old Fuff]

Obviously a lot of work and money has gone into this gun. But one thing you didn't mention is, "did the gunsmith check the headspace?" Some Norinco's have a serious headspace problem that requires a barrel replacement. Your pistol may look alright, and shoot fine (for the time being) but none of this means the headspace isn't excessive, or moving in that direction.

 

[History Prof]

Shortly before he died, my oldest brother gave me one that he said was a young beginning gunsmith's "graduating project" or something along those lines. It is a tack driver. If the one I have was one of the guy's student projects, I'd love to see some of his professional work. BTW, my brother lived near Houston. I wonder if it might be your gunsmith....

 

[daysleeprx]

I wonder if it might be your gunsmith....

that would be really neat!

 

[batoy1911]

Headspace

But one thing you didn't mention is, "did the gunsmith check the headspace?"

My original Nork barrel has a "safe" headspace but the lower barrel lug was too far forward that it was being stopped by the link on recoil. I changed it out before the link even showed visible signs of stress. Glad I did it 'cause I didn't have to buy a new link for my new barrel.

And BTW, my Nork barrel only contacts the slide on lug#2. May not have taken long before the headspace became dangerously excessive due to barrel setback.

Guys, listen to Old Fuff and have someone who knows check your gun's headspace before trying to beat it to kingdomcome at the range.

 

[Steve C]

Here's my Norinco. The barrel was replaced with a Springfield barrel as the Norinco barrels are reputed to be soft, the trigger was worked to 4#'s, the grip safety was replaced with a beavertail type, the hammer was replaced with one by STI. All the springs where replaced and of course so was the gip panels. Its a very accurate shooter.

 

[Detachment Charlie]

Impolite Question

I just have to ask, how much do you have invested in that Norinco now?

 

[Steve C]

Only about $480 for mine. Pistol was $278 used after tax. $180 in parts and gunsmithing. $20 for the grip panels at a guns show.

 

[Detachment Charlie]

Now, that's cool.

 

[HSMITH]

Ed Vandenberg is a darn good gunsmith, and fully understands headspace. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Detachment Charlie said: I just have to ask, how much do you have invested in that Norinco now?

Bill Wilson did plenty of work on Norinco's. The frames were built from solid materials.

daysleeprx said: I was going to replace the sights, but when I ordered all the parts from Brownells, the ones I wanted were out of stock. So I'll do that at a later date.

Tasteful final product.

What sights are you having installed?

 

[270Win]

Here is my Wilson/Norinco:

It's a gem!

 

[daysleeprx]

What sights are you having installed?

Wow, totally forgot about this thread!

I actually got to shoot it for the first time this past weekend, and let me tell you...the gun is deadly accurate with the tiny little GI sights! I repainted the dots with some white nailpolish and they really stand out now. I'm tempted to just leave everything be since it all works so well for me.

I love this gun. The favorite of my modest collection.