Joy is fading.... My Norinco barrel lugs

[DanM]

Well I traded around and ended up with a nice looking Norinco 1911 at the Hickory show. It was presented as unfired with box and all accessories and papers. I was very happy with the trade. Well I got it home and field stripped it under good light, it had powder residue in the grooves, no big deal. I got it to shoot. It hadn't been fired enough to make any wear marks on the slide rails, hammer, or feed ramp, so I was still happy. Put about 50 rounds of my cast SWC reloads through it with no problems. Made nice groups, and hit to POA. Now I am feeling the joy.
Yesterday, I was reading about the Norinco problem that causes peening of the barrel lugs. Deceided to check mine, and durn if mine didn't show some lug battering already. The joy is fading fast.
What is really necessary to fix this problem? Do I really need a new barrel?
What is the least I can do to make it right?

[John]

Yesterday, I was reading about the Norinco problem that causes peening of the barrel lugs.

I didn't know there is such a problem with the Norks. Can you please point me to where you read about it?

[DanM]

OK....look in the stickys, third from the top: http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=12638 About half way down the first page is a picture posted by 1911Turner. Discussion goes on from there. Now I am afraid to shoot it. Don't want to make it worse....

[John]

Oh yeah! Now I remember!

I think my wife is right when she says I have Alzcheimer (is that spelled right?). :D :)

I guess I should move this thread to the Gunsmithing forum, easier to get Johnny's attention there.

[1911Tuner]

What is really necessary to fix this problem?

A new barrel and possibly peening/swaging to lower the frame rails.


Do I really need a new barrel?
What is the least I can do to make it right?


See above.

[Lubaloy]

Those Norkie barrels may be triple hard chrome plated for a good reason!
Hard candy outside, soft chewy inside.
:o

[1911Tuner]

Hard candy outside, soft chewy inside.

That seems to be the case...among other things. The first couple dozen Norincos that i looked over impressed me to no end...and shortly after, I started seein' barrel problems at the the rate of about 1 in 5...and it usually centers around vertical lug engagement and setback/deformation of the licking lugs...with attendant headspace problems. In the ones that had good vertical specs, it doesn't happen for a long time...but let the depth get below .040 inch, and it's not a matter of "IF." It's a matter of "WHEN."


I have to wonder why the Chinese used such good, tough steel for the rest of the gun...and cheaped out on the barrel material and specs. Odd...

[bushka]

could be the reason they are priced right,maybe figgering most people would upgrade the barrel eventually ??