ltwguns.com

Just wondering I've actually heard good things about them in the past but wodering what the pro's thought.

I saw pictures of a Norinco built by Don Williams on another board and it looked really nice, no surprise. I wouldn't waste my time with one unless you already own one and are looking to do something with it. There are better alternatives for a custom base.

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"Domari Nolo"

I actually just got 3 series 70 colt to work from but saw a Norinco and got it too just for the hell of it. My buddy made fun saying I was revisiting my 1980's gun show days.

Anyway I keep hearing nothing but good thing about them from guys who owned them and other just curious what the smith considered it.

I disagree here. they make a good base and can clean up nicely. The biggest attraction is the forged frame and slide

almost everything on mine was replaced other than the frame and slide. But, when I got mine, it was only a little over $300 delivered to my FFL.

Alex Hamilton of Ten Ring Precision did the work

Just an observation. Notice how many gunsmiths have responded? In the LEO circles we call that a clue. While the Norincos certainly are useable guns and reasonably priced. Would you be better off spending $300 on a Norinco or $600 on a used Colt then spending $1000 having it smithed? I would rather have a $1600 custom Colt than a $1300 custom Norinco. May function equally well but......

If price is an issue and your going to change all the components anyway start with a Caspian slide and receiver. Would be close to the $300 you would spend on a used Norinco. And you would be keeping your dollars in the good old USA.

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Gary Eastridge
http://www.randgfirearms.com

Gary

Very well put.

Best price is not always the best value.

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Be safe and keep the brass flying

Terry Peters

Do your research but you get what you pay for front end or back end
http://www.pt-partners.com
@ptpartners_tx

All you have to do is go over to the 1911 forum and do a search. There are some real beaut's posted there from Wilson Combat and EGW. From what I understand the internals are so so. But the frame, slide are of very good steel.

Yes, Gary's post was excellent - right on target!

Also, JMB 1911 and made in China is an oxymoron - at least IMO.

John

The finest steel in the world is useless if it's inconsistently dimensioned and finished to a mediocre level. Besides, we probably sold that steel to them, and for less money than one of our American companies could have bought it for

OK, I'll bite at it - I never had any self control anyway....

I've seen the Wilson Norincos. No, I can't explain why they built on them, but I know one thing - when someone's willing to buy one, they sell for a fraction of the price of a similar vintage Wilson product built on a Colt.

I feel a certain sense of responsibility to my customers, both today, and in the future. One small part of that responsibility involves assuring that they receive a fair deal today that doesn't turn into an albatross tomorrow. Folks who make good investments come back and make more. I'd hate to have someone out there trying to sell a gun he'd just spent serious money on, and wondering why everyone wants to lowball him.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

TR

Finally, I was waiting to hear Mr. Yost's remark. I was hoping for something akin to your pulp fiction quote (possibly the best thing I have read on the internet), but this will do.

I was waiting too...I knew Ted would have something to say about this subject. I'm just hoping he changes his mind about the signature Taurus 1911 I'm trying to get him build next for me

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Hard work pays off

Amen, brother Ted.

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"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb

CHECK OUT MY CUSTOM 1911 BLOG
http://thearsenalofdemocracy.blogspot.com

sounds good I got it as novelty really the colts are to get worked on. If I was concerned about price I would have gone the caspian route.

Just wanted to hear what a reputable smith had to say and now I know

Thanks for your input

I guess nobody would want this one then.

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthr ... hlight=egw

Rob thats a nice Norinco. But I think your missing the point. I send George lots of work. He gets lots of my dollars. I dont think he cares what slide he is milling on as his income depends on the work performed not what the work is performed on. Apparently you respect the work performed by the LTW smiths since your a member. Go to all their websites and check their galleries for a Norinco.

Kind of like riding a moped. Its as fun as a Harley but you wouldnt want your friends to see you doing it.

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Gary Eastridge
http://www.randgfirearms.com

Don't get me wrong, I respect the work done by all. Just kinda silly to tell someone that has Norinco it isn't worth it to build on, when it is. As is evident from George's work, one helluva nice defensive gun can be built on a Norc frame and slide, especially if you pick one up at a good price.

All that anyone said is that your smithed Rinco will not hold value like an equally smithed Colt or SA. If you are keeping the gun forever who cares..right. I don't think anyone is looking down on smiths that build on Rinco's either ...matter of fact I gaurantee no one was

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My future's determined by Thieves, thugs, and vermin
My rights are denied by Those least qualified
Everything's backwards In Americana

That speaks volumes.

I think several points are being missed. Most obviously, the original question may have been asked in the wrong corner of the internet. Kinda like showing up at benzworld.org and asking what everyone thinks of the new KIAs. I think the guys are trying to be polite, but the underlying message from those in the know is clear.

Second, every maker of 1911's EVER has a loyal following somewhere. Daly's, RIA's, even Llamas. This forum is clearly and unapologetically devoted to the BEST in custom pistols, by the best in the industry. I doubt you'll convert many of the membership into diehard low-end 1911 fans

I should have bought a Norinco copy and stenciled the Phoenix Police Department rack number on it, instead of buying an original Winchester Model 97 riot gun. It would have saved me a lot of $$, and it's just like a Winchester. Oh well, live and learn!

Best regards,

SRT

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"... behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him."

I have a saying that maybe sums all this norinco business up. "you can polish a t@rd till it shines like a diamond but in the end its still a piece o' crap." Heck I'll build a gun on a Norinco and I might even date an ugly gal but you'll never see me out with one on my hip. I really hope someone puts the axe on this thread soon so we can get back to looking at like pretty blasters again!!!! So in summary if you want a CUSTOM NORINCO go for it its your money.

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"One thought he was invincible the other thought he could fly" well? "They were both wrong"
SIC VIS PACEM PARABELLEM

Well...ladies and gentlemen....I didn't spend over 7 years in the USMC and retire as a American Airlines captain to build on Norinco 1911's.

I work in my garage/shop. I will endeavor to buy components of USA manufacture from vendors in the USA.

I am in NC. I have witnessed the textile industry, the furniture industry and you can add your names of industry and products that are no longer in your community or state and are now manufactured in China. Somewhere, someone must draw a line in the sand, or in my USMC case, a "line of death" (in the Med). At what point does the bottom line become more important than helping a small mom/pop business stay in business?

I am not anti-China. I have been to China. They are hard working people and want the same things for their families that we do. BUT, they earn $40-100/month for their work. At those wages who can compete?

Thus, it is merely a matter of principle, nothing more. A Norinco will not cross my bench. FedEx your Norinco to Shanghi if you need a trigger job.

This is a deep subject for me and I've held off responding because, well, knowing myself, I was afraid I'd put too much time time into my response . Also I wanted to think carefully before typing because not everybody will agree, and that's completely fine by me-- I'm not offended by that and I hope that I don't offend anyone.

I have the utmost respect and admiration for everything and everyone Chinese-- except for the selfish, petulant, paranoid, red-handed government. I hate to make this a political thing but the Chinese government has a finger in every slice of Chinese industry, and a finger on some big, red buttons. Some high-ranking members of the Chinese military have been pretty loose with threats to push those buttons.

The Norinco 1911 is probably a sound one, although I've never handled one (not that I wouldn't-- I would, just haven't had the chance). After all, from what I understand, the Chinese MiG29 is as good or nearly as good as the original. The Chinese AK47, RPG, and PKM does well anywhere and everywhere it can be used against us or our allies..... they work OK and/or there are plenty of them being sold, with lots and lots of ammo to go with them.... without getting into Silkworm and Scud missiles. I don't think many of these are being or have been used to defend our troops, our allies, or democracy / human rights / freedom.

My intent here is not at all to berate anybody who has one, has worked on one or works on them, or wants one. Actually, I would say that no 1911 collection could be complete without one. Do I understand correctly that they are no longer available here? In that case I would say, snap them up with no worries about encouraging and funding a government that has some of our largest cities in its crosshairs.

Human rights violations, political dissidents being detained in violation of China's own laws, prisoners of conscience being used as slave labor, prisoners going on the operating table just prior to execution so that their organs can be sold, weapons of all types being pipelined to whatever goofball has the dollars, devious and unfair trade practices...... I'll do what I can to not support that. I reckon it costs me maybe a thousand or thousands of dollars a year..... and it's a drop in the bucket. And while it's easy enough to buy nothing or almost nothing with "made in China" on it, there certainly is a lot of stuff that it's impossible to check. I'm sure every Ford, Chrysler and Chevy has some components made in China. I bought some apple juice the other day for cryin' out loud.... made from conentrate "made in China". Right here in Michigan, which as I recall is the 8th largest apple producer in the world. Never thought I'd have to check that; I do now.

Several years ago, Michael Pillsbury wrote (or should I say edited) a book entitled "China Debates the Future Security Environment." It was published by the National Defense University Press. Unfortunately, they saw fit to snatch it from circulation fairly quickly. The book is a compendium of writings by Chicom Party members, interviews with some, and analysis by experts. It is a very dry read, but if you can find a copy, do read it. It might open your eyes more. Bottom line is that the Chinese are now (and have been for 25+ years) engaged in total warfare against the US in all spectrums (including some that you would not consider) except military conflict. As someone who has some bit of experience in that arena (is that obtuse enough ), I can say that I agree more than you could ever know.

I think this one has run it's course guys.

--md