Which budget 1911 would you get - Norinco or Filipino?

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Min

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Debating between an old Norinco 1911, known to be made of 5100 series forged steel (very hard) for frame and slide, or a newer 1911 by RIA or Metro Arms, with good customer service and warranty.

Budget is around $500.
 
if the norinco works, you don't need a warrantee. I have a RIA and love it, but have had to use the warrantee (with great service)
 
Min said:
Debating between an old Norinco 1911, known to be made of 5100 series forged steel (very hard) for frame and slide, or a newer 1911 by RIA or Metro Arms, with good customer service and warranty.

Budget is around $500.
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If you plan on building it up to a big bore blaster the Norinco is a better frame to do so with. RIA is also a great clone and the closest I have seen to actual JMB design specs. Ivan and Arnel at RIA are super guys to deal with for parts and repairs. That's coming from a pistolsmith and 1911 builder.

Metro is in no way affiliated with Armscor in Manila. Two totally separate companies.

Regards Pappy
 
It depends on how you want to use it. The RIA tactical is a good buy makes a good shooter that should hold up well beyond how many rounds most people will put through them.

The Norinco is a good shooter very durable and is a better base to build a custom gun. A plus for me would be that unlike the RIA the norinco can be used with a 460 Rowland conversion.
 
A Wilson Combat rep told me that they do not work on Norincos anymore, but they will consider refinishing one.
 
For 500 bucks get a Springfield Mil-Spec or Para GI Expert. I would go with the Springer.
 
Thanks for the update. I know there was a time Wilson would only work on Norks and Colts.

I would not keep a Para is someone gave it to me.
 
I own and regularly carry a standard grade Norinco M1911. The slide, barrel and frame are first rate. The internal parts and grips were crap. I bought it used from a friend. The first time I cleaned it, I went to put the frame down and COULDN'T! The Gunscrubber I'd used to flush it out had melted the grips to my hand! They appeared to be made of something akin to polystyrene. I had some problems with the hammer "following", so I pulled the mainspring housing to look at the leaf spring. The spring was BRIGHT red with rust. Apparently it was just bare metal. My smith replaced the trigger mechanism parts and I replaced the melted "GI" grips with Ajax fake ivories. It's got a ball gun legal 4lb. pull. It's now 100% and looks good with the new grips. I frequently carry it concealed. It's reliable, controllable and accurate, with both 200gr. Hornady TAP and Speer 230gr. Gold Dots. I greatly prefer the 200gr., but the last time I needed carry ammunition I couldn't get ANY.

The RIAs have a decent reputation. I think they're similar in manufacturing quality to the Norincos, albeit with better small parts. I saw my smith do a "trigger job" on one by forcing the hammer forward. That rounded off the burrs on the hammer and sear. Probably took a pound or two off of the trigger pull. As with the Norinco, slide, frame and barrel are first rate. I suspect that you'd do a lot less "replacing" than "tuning" with the RIA.

Before I got laid off, I was looking at .38 Super RIAs. I still intend to get one since the next most affordable .38 Super M1911 is probably going to run me a minimum of twice what the RIA will.
 
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Wilson's website may say that they work on Norincos, but it does not list Norinco as an approved pistol on the work order sheet.

To confirm it, I just called Wilson Combat and spoke to a Greg, who confirmed that they do not work on Norincos anymore. I did not ask him about refinishing them.
 
Silent Bob said:
Wilson's website may say that they work on Norincos, but it does not list Norinco as an approved pistol on the work order sheet.

To confirm it, I just called Wilson Combat and spoke to a Greg, who confirmed that they do not work on Norincos anymore. I did not ask him about refinishing them.
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Norinco hand guns are on the list of import banned items that our wonderful government has elected to give birth to. That is the only reason Wilson has taken the position on the matter after they were reminded of the banned import guns from China!

Now is there any chance to get back on topic or does this thread go into the black hole mental gymnastics and bragging rights of gun ownership types.
 
Just got off the phone with Greg. He confirmed my suspensions.They will not work on Norks anymore because the 5100 series forged steel of the frame and the slide are too strong. They will eat up the milling equipment and they destroy bits.

Most people are going to change the sites out on a custom gun. When they came out with their nighteye sights http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_sights_ne.asp tons of people were sending in Norks for service and Wilson was destroying their tools and could not recoup the cost of damaged Equipment.

This IMHO speaks volumes to the hardness and quality of the Norinco steel.

Norincos are being brought into the country as we speak. They are coming from Turkey under the name IAC Regent. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=149699044
 
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I have never handled a Norinco, so I cannot comment on them, but I will say that I really like my RIA. I think it is a great 1911 pattern pistol for plinking. I picked mine up for $385 shipped from Belshire Hardware on gunbroker.
 
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