Norinco upgrades

[davidenorth]

I am going to enhance my Norinco but have read something about the grip bushings being non standard. I would like to add torx head grip screws when I change grips. Will they screw in ok or do they need rethreading? I am thinking of making a faux MEU-SOC 1911 copy. It would be like how everyone has M4gery's over at AR-15.com. I know I can't make a exact copy but merely a cosmetic close match.

[Jim V]

The threads on the bushings where they screw into the frame are not the same as the originals, metric ore something. The grip screw threads are the same as designed by JMB. If you need to replace bushings, you will need to retap the frame, if you need to change grip screws, you just have to run the new ones in place.

[davidenorth]

I was wondering if anyone knows the dimensions of the original Norinco rear sight dovetail. I have seen the Chip McCormick drop-in rear sight advertised in magazines, would this work in my Norinco? :rolleyes:

[robertbank]

Yes it should but if I were you I would replace both front and rear sights at the same time. Have a 'smith dovetail a front sight for you. Using what you have will be enhanced if you paint the front sight with orange/red fluoresent paint. I did and it made all the difference in the world. I have gone to Novak front/rear on my Commander version and am going to have Heinie night sights installed on my A1 this fall.

The guns are great shooters in need of new sights and a trigger job. Beyond that it just becomes an issue of how much you want to spend.

Welcome to the world of Norks

[davidenorth]

$$$ Yes, how much to spend? I also want to have it parkerized as the finish is ok for now. Then, I want to get a beavertail installed, it just never ends does it?

[robertbank]

Nope!

It had to be for the love 'cause I don't see you ever getting your money back after all the upgrades. I have a Commander Norinco in for:

Novak Sights
Beavertail
Flat Mainspring Housing
Trigger & Sear
Trigger Job

Next to go will be a Norinco A1

Heinie NIght Sights
Trigger & Sear
Beavertail
Trigger Job
Flat Mainspring Housing

Then another A1

Colt Sights
Trigger Job

Bet I should the last gun more than the other two. Just got a Para SSP and it comes from another world and needs nothing!

Go figure!