Got me a "Rinko" .45 today!

[ronjohn]

I went to the local Gander Mountain yesterday on my usual scouting rounds and came across this 1911-A1 made by Norinco:
http://webpages.charter.net/ronjon/norinco%201911a1%20post2.jpg
So I placed a hold on it and went home and spent last evening researching these babys. As you might already know, Clinton put a ban on anymore further imports of firearms from China that exists to this day.

The consensus on this board shows me that these are all forged steel parts and chromed barrel and very closely copy the WWII Ithaca 1911-A1s. They have gotten quite a reputation for reliability and seem to be a real value among 1911s these days. A lot of the guys appear to be buying all they can get ahold of going for $350 - $500 range at this time.

Well, my Gander Mtn. is still using the 2002 Blue Book of gun values when they set their prices so they priced this one for only $249.99!

I took it home today after using a coupon for $10 off any purchase over $50 that I had, and also a charge card points reward for another $25 off - So my OTD price was $214.99 + Tx!!!

Here is the first thing I did with it:
http://webpages.charter.net/ronjon/norinco%201911a1%20post1.jpg
...always do that to clean/lube/inspect. All was very well with the internals - I am very impressed with the quality and it holds up to the quality of my Sistema, my Springfield Armory WWII GI, and my 1918 Colt 1911 in my collection of .45s.

Here are a couple more pictures of the two sides (the picture at the top of this posting and these two were all taken after I did my detail strip/clean and put it back together).
http://webpages.charter.net/ronjon/norinco%201911a1%20post3.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/ronjon/norinco%201911a1%20post4.jpg

Ron :D Whatcha' think?

[S&W1911 Owner]

Nice! Are the last two characters of the serial number really XX, or did you Photoshop it? All in all a nice looking pistol.

[ronjohn]

Nice! Are the last two characters of the serial number really XX, or did you Photoshop it? All in all a nice looking pistol.
I always edit the last two digits to "xx". It's said to be good form when posting on the internet :o Ron

[jok]

Very nice looking Nork you have there Ron. Looks very neat. Tell us how it shoots after you go test it. Enjoy your Nork. Thanks
________________
jok

[John]

You said you paid for it? At 215$ I would call this a steal!

[robertbank]

Great looking pistol. She will shoot I am sure. Based on US prices you got a real buy. Best I have read on any of the forums in some time.

Stay Safe

[raw52]

Welcome to the forums and congratulations on a good purchase at a great price !!! You also take some nice pic's.

As you read thru the forum post on Norinco's, from day one (June 4, 2004) to current, these are one tough pistols.

Let us know how she shoots when you get that far along.

Regard, Rich

[ronjohn]

You said you paid for it? At 215$ I would call this a steal!

Not only that, but I got a 90 day warranty too - most of my collectible guns come as buyer beware only!

I also get 5 x the price in CC reward points, where each 2500 points gets another $25 gift certificate @ Gander Mtn.

I also got 2 insulated Gander logo car cups and a Gander shooting cap free with it.

http://webpages.charter.net/ronjon/GanderGoodies.jpg

raw52 - thanks for the welcome! I am already a member on most of the other gun collecting boards (including 1911.com) because I am a compulsive gun collector! And thanx for the pic complement!

robertbank, jok, S&W1911 - Thanx for the complements, I'll be sure to append here when the MN weather lets me get a chance to put her thru her paces at the range.

Ron

[robertbank]

Now it is one thing to rave about your price but now we hear about all the free stuff! If I were you I would go out and buy a Loto ticket...LOL forgot to add welcome to the Board and the world of Norks. You likely will find the gun could use a good trigger job and decent sights. I find the mil-spec sights tough to pick up quickly for playing the games but certainly adequate for encounters of the unfriendly kind.

Take Care and stay Safe

[ronjohn]

Took the Norinco 1911A1 out to the range today (35 degree weather - best you can expect in MN in Jan.).

This baby shoots better than any of my other '11s!

Shot 100 rounds, never a failure.

Here is my best (offhand) target of the session:

http://webpages.charter.net/ronjon/Nork1911A1.jpg

Whoops, I think I should have measured centerpoints instead of outer edges of the farthest spread holes so it would actually be 2 1/4", but you get the picture.

I'm VERY pleased with this piece!
:D

Ron

[robertbank]

NIce target. You will get tired of telling guys with high end guns that your lowly Nork feeds everything and is accurate. While I can't do it an friend of mine on this board can shoot 100 rounds through a 4" circle at 25 yards with the mil-spec sights and no trigger job.

Off to the range and it is about 33F here so I can relate to your temperature fun. Going to give my HiPower and CZ a run today. Don't want to hunt for my .45acp brass in the snow.LOL

Stay Safe

[ultimo]

@ronjohn,

hey buddy how do you compare you other 1911's with your newly purchase Nork in terms of its weight? is it true that Norinco are mouch more heavier because of its forgedsteel body as to others?

tnx

[SharkZF6]

Took the Norinco 1911A1 out to the range today (35 degree weather - best you can expect in MN in Jan.).

This baby shoots better than any of my other '11s!

Shot 100 rounds, never a failure.

Here is my best (offhand) target of the session:
<snip>
Whoops, I think I should have measured centerpoints instead of outer edges of the farthest spread holes so it would actually be 2 1/4", but you get the picture.

I'm VERY pleased with this piece!
:D

Ron
So much for changing the sights...nice job! It's almost as accurate as my 3-inch Kimber...sorry, I couldn't resist ;)

[raw52]

Nice Shooting !!

You did well, have a Nice Proven Shooter at a Great Price, that will outlast the grand children.

I admire you for taking the chance on your purchase. You have just gone full circle of what non-owners don't know.

Keep us updated if you plan on any mods, or maybe you will keep it bone stock and have well deserved bragging rights on your find.

Regards,

Rich W

[ronjohn]

@ronjohn,

hey buddy how do you compare you other 1911's with your newly purchase Nork in terms of its weight? is it true that Norinco are mouch more heavier because of its forgedsteel body as to others?

tnx
Here are the weights of the four I have. (Each with an empty mag inside):

Going clockwise from the upper right: Norinco 1911A1 = 2.75; Sistema 1911A1 = 2.60; 1918 Colt 1911 = 2.30; Springfield Armory 1911A1 G.I. = 2.30 lbs.

My son's 1991A1 Colt (not pictured) weighs in @ 2.25 lbs)

http://webpages.charter.net/ronjon/1911s%20four.jpg

So you're right - The Nork is the heaviest.

HTH

SharkZF6,
"It's almost as accurate as my 3-inch Kimber...sorry, I couldn't resist"
You forgot to factor in my less than stellar shooting ability. :)

raw52,

"Keep us updated if you plan on any mods, or maybe you will keep it bone stock"
As a gun collector, I plan to leave it clean but bone stock, :D

Ron

[poppy]

Thanks for the great reports and pics. I too wondered if my Nork was heavier than others. If anyone wants to know what my Norinco and Sistema look like, just refer to the above. poppy

[SharkZF6]

SharkZF6,
"It's almost as accurate as my 3-inch Kimber...sorry, I couldn't resist"
You forgot to factor in my less than stellar shooting ability. :)
LOL. Sure Ron, wink-wink/nudge-nudge, everyone knows you're a ringer... ;)
BTW - nice guns :)

[ronjohn]

You likely will find the gun could use a good trigger job ...


I just measured the trigger pull - it's 3.25 Lbs!

So much for the need for a trigger job. :p

Ron

[robertbank]

If it is crisp and 3.25 lbs then somebody beat you to it I would guess. Mine all broke with not much effort but had some creep and were gritty. In any event saved you a few bucks that is for sure.

Stay Safe