1911's

[logansackett]

This will seem dumb to those of you in the know, but thats why I'm here, to learn. I have a Norinco 1911 cause I got it cheap, I have not had any problems with it so far. I wonder, do aftermarket products fit all the 1911's, triggers,hammers,thumb safties etc.? Does anyone else have the Norinco and what is the general concensus?

[AARTY]

Is this Norinco new and does it have any literature with it, i.e. specs data? Some of the older Norinco's were very good and very reliable, I had a friend who's Norinco had over 15,000rds through it (10+yrs ago) and never missed a beat barring ammo and magazine related problems. But I was also helping out in my gunsmith shop when he took in one that had less than 10rds through it and those were problematic.
Most of the US manufactured 1911A1 clones are within the same specs, give or take, of the original specifications. Foreign made 1911A1's are a whole different ball of wax unless they were produced from and on Original Colt tooling and specs there is going to be a variance sometimes huge. Back to your question, most any after market part you get like a trigger, hammer, or anything that deals directly with the operation of the firearm should be performed by a competent gunsmith.

[jim]

I concur, the early Norinco's were good pistols. The newer units tend to have problems

jim

[SingleStack45]

Most all aftermarket parts will work in your Norinco...but as with most 1911's...they will most likely require minor fitting... best done by a gunsmith...but not beyond the ability of someone with mechanical aptitude and the willingness to learn.

[cubcadet]

Hey AARTY ,
I have a Sprigfield Armory . 45 auto, and had to replace the barrel. I went to Gun Parts, in West Hurley for a replacement. Turns out, I bought a knock off parts kit, probably Norinco, and with a little light fitting of the lug area, and some throat and ramp work, works perfectly. Have you ever just thrown *a new part in a gun, and it went in just fine, and functioned well? Never happened to me.

[Florida_boy]

A lot of part have to be fitted to any 1911 regardless of the maker. Most should fit your Norinco. Try it ans see.

[AARTY]

Cubcadet, You purchased a SA 1911A1, which 99.7% of the time is totally Milspec in its dimensions and goes through a fairly rigid QC process. LoganSackett bought a Norinco of questionable quality, the differences between his situation and yours is like apples and oranges. The intent of my statement was that some of the Norinco's were not MilSpec and after-market parts needed heavy modification. Not knowing the extent of LoganSackett's mechanical aptitude or his knowledge of firearm's mechanics I gave my answer based on my experience. To answer your question, no I have never dropped a cheapo parts kit into a 1911A1 and have it work without any fitting. I have put in competition parts like Compensaters, springs and guide rods in without any fitting.

[Pitdog]

Even 'drop in' parts can require fitting, but overall are about as easy as a snap together model kit. However they can really improve accuracy and function, just not as well as quality hand fit parts.
Odds are good drop in fit parts will got into your 1911 Norinco, just avoid anything in Brownells that is 'gunsmith fit' unless you are taking it to your local handy dandy gunsmith.
Try it, you will know quick wether it will work or not. If you do have an old one, the steel is actually VERY good.
Good luck and- Good Gunsmithing!