The Norinco 1911s, the few that are in the USA, are considered excellent candidates for building custom 1911s because they are constructed out of hard tool steel instead of the types of steel more commonly found in firearms construction. They hold up much better over time. However, some gunsmiths may refuse to work on them because the harder steel is more difficult to work with and puts more wear on their equipment. More than a few are also simply elitist.
Chinese Tokarevs are generally good, and come in two major varieties. The original Chinese Tokarev pistols were exact copies of the Russian ones and were briefly chambered in 7.62x25 before quickly being converted to 9mm. You won't find any Chinese Tokarevs in 7.62x25 anymore, but you can occasionally find unissued Chinese chrome-lined 7.62x25 barrels, which can be used on any other standard Tokarev (Russian, Polish, or Romanian) or to convert a Chinese back to 7.62x25.
The most common Chinese Tokarev variation has a 9mm barrel and bushing, and normal Tokarev-sized magazine with a spacer in the back to accommodate the shorter 9mm Luger round. There are no other changes, and they can easily be converted back to fire 7.62x25 merely by swapping the barrel, bushing, link, and magazine.
The less-common version has a shortened magazine and a spacer riveted into the back of the magazine well. If you're looking to buy a Tokarev, avoid this version simply because you lose the ability to easily switch calibers and lose access to the more common magazines.
