Didn’t know that
I won’t buy any Norinco because of the company’s horrendous ethical violations. Those violations are detailed in Norinco’s Wikipedia entry, and include illegally importing and selling 2000 fully automatic weapons to undercover agents posing as Mafia in 1994 (and offering mortars, anti-aircraft missiles, and other weapons) and selling “missile-related goods” to Iran in 2003, which led the Bush administration to impose a two-year ban on Norinco imports. Besides all that, any money spent on Norinco guns goes directly to China’s military industry.
July 21st, 2006 at 10:31 am
Long before all this became known, I had bought a Norinco 1911A1 clone. I will say I found it superior to Colt’s in every way that counts. Though all Colts part will fit it, they are not held to as strict a tolerance and would lower the quality of the pistol. I really wish Norinco was an acceptable source because I would like to have several more of these. Alas, that is now out of the question, regardless of governmental actions.
July 21st, 2006 at 11:29 am
I too have a Norinco ninteenereven, and it’s a good pistol. Unfortunately, I thought the mere possession of a Kuhnhausen book and a Dremel made me a gunsmith and I uglied it the heck up. But it’s still a good shooter.
Check out the RIA 1911s for a good/cheap base 1911.