Just Won a Norinco 1911A1!!! Now What???

[crago]

Howdy ya'll:
I just won a slightly used Norinco 1911A1 and would like to try and get some info about it.

First off, I know squat about 1911A1's so I'd like to get some info on assembly/disassembly, care, and handling.

Where can I get parts for it in the U.S. I don't like the sights that are on it and would really like to swap them out. Can a novice replace the sights or does it take an experienced gunsmith -- FYI, I swap out the sights on my Glocks all the time without problems.

I'm a lefty -- is it possible to get accessory parts to accomodate those of us in our right minds -- ;-).

Finally, a technical question. I've noticed that when the hammer is cocked, that I can pull down the safety and it will force the hammer forward, but not all the way. What's the deal with this -- is that normal??? will that cause the weapon to fire??? Obviously I haven't fired it yet because I want to be fully aware of how to properly use it and troubleshoot any possible problems.

Thanks,

Butch

[knight0334]

If you can tinker with a Glock, then you'll find the 1911 a cake walk. ....its gotta be the simplest semi-auto ever designed.

No, that is NOT normal for the weapon. Have a gunsmith look into it. Do not attempt to use it before having that checked out. ...not kidding.

Parts can be found by doing a google/yahoo search for "1911 parts".

You can get an ambidextrous for it, but thats about it..

If the sights are dovetailed, you can probably change them yourself. If the front sight is the staked type, you may want a smith to change it out.


And BTW, congrats on the win..

[John]

I do not understand you people, you instruct a newbie to do a google/yahoo search for 1911 parts, yet, all the info he/she needs is right here, in this site.

My dear Butch, scoll all the way to the top of this page, and find a link saying "The M-1911 Organization". Click there and a drop-down menu will apprear. Select "The M-1911 Pistols Home Page" and spend some hours reading. All the info you want is in there.

As for parts for lefties, there are ambidextrous safeties you can install, there is a lefties magazine release button, but for a long time, I haven't seen a lefties slide stop.

As for your sights, the rear one can be replaced with a taller one easily. But you will find that the front one is not as easy, since this is probably a stake-on sight. That means that you need to have at least a dremel to remove the existing one, and a sight staking tool (I am sure Brownells should have these) to stake the new one on.

Since you will be taking the pistol to your gunsmith, maybe you should left that work to him as well.

Rgds and welcome aboard.

[knight0334]

Sorry, never noticed parts info here. my bad.

[John]

It's not in here. This is the Forums Site, where we discuss 1911s, ask questions and in general have some quality time. The info is in the ... encyclopedia-like site, which is called "Home Page". Together, the Home Page and the Forums Site, make M1911.ORG.

Rgds

[Ric4509]

Crago - Here's the link for disassembly http://www.m1911.org/full_striping.htm
That can also be found in m1911.org.

As far as when the hammer is in full cock, thumb safety engaged in the safe position(up) and you disengage the thumb safety to fire position(down) you said the hammer follows but not fully. That means something is wrong with the thumb safety. Try this - hammer full cock, safety on, squeeze the trigger and see what happens. The safety should remain in the safe position and hammer stays at full cock. Please report back your findings.

Rick

[crago]

Thanks to everyone for your help. I was able to find the resources on M1911.org that showed me how to do full function check. Unfortunately, it looks as though I either have a faulty thumb safety and/or sear.

So, it's off to the gunsmith. Again, thanks for all your assistance.

Ciao,

Butch