Norinco left hand shooter

[Wolverine1970]

Purchased new Norinco 1911A1 pistol. I'm left hand shooter so I have to change thumb safety ambidexterous type. Anybody have experience STI Extended Thumb Safety 1911 Ambidextrous Blue and Norinco? Does it fit? Also question magazine release button. Left hand shooter only possibility is use trigger finger to release magazine. It seems that mag catch is quite stiff. Any good advice to make it easier to handle?

[vito]

Hello. I don't know with your Nork, but STI ambi fits easily with a Nork unless one does not change its stock sear. But then it might require a bit of tweaking. Mind you, check the size (diametre) of the hammer and sear pin. My Nork had a slightly undersized (thinner) hammer and sear pins which caused the hammer to slip and drop at its halfcock after changing to an ambi safety (even then the safety is up and locked). You might initially blame it to the stock sear and end up changing the whole ignition parts (which I did). :o
You can also practise flicking your right thumb to release the single side thumb safety. I'm also a lefty.
You can change the mag catch spring easily. Check with Wolff Springs. Kindly use appropriate tools, lest you mar it. Honestly, the stiff mad catch spring will soften with time especially if you do mag change exercises often. (My cents worth.)

[Dave Waits]

I would recommend installing a Kimber Ambi. You don't have to modify the grip as it uses an extended hammer pin with a mushroom to ride inside the rightside lever. Much tighter, lasts alot longer.

[kenhwind]

I've used the STI ambi-safety and was unimpressed, but this is my opinion.

I've never used the Kimber but its design is very much like the original KINGS, and that makes it a good choice IMO.