Norinco 1911a1 questions sights barrel work

[cwdotson]

getting another Norc after selling my first some years ago. Does anyone know of any good illuminated sights that are relatively easy to install or, in the alternative, a good smith who would do the necessary work on these. Also anybody good with matching an aftermarket barrel and bushing

 

[FL-NC]

In all honesty, you may want to leave that gun as-is. First off, unmolested it may be of some interest to those who like them, as they are no longer imported. Second, the cost of having dove tails professionally cut, the cost of sights, and installation. I would look at some of the nicer Rock Islands with dovetails already on the gun.

 

[cwdotson]

In all honesty, you may want to leave that gun as-is. First off, unmolested it may be of some interest to those who like them, as they are no longer imported. Second, the cost of having dove tails professionally cut, the cost of sights, and installation. I would look at some of the nicer Rock Islands with dovetails already on the gun.

Thanks, but I prefer the materials of the frame and the internals over the RIA. As for someone else's interest, not an issue-don't plan on selling one that I get worked up. Cost may exist in installing sights, and if cutting needs to be done, it may be hard to find a smith game to do so, given the hardness of the steel. I'm hoping cutting will not be necessary, at least to any degree, and I am almost certain I've read statements to that effect in the past. But the sights have gotta go...

 

[Klint Beastwood]

Well the gunsmith aside, you’ll probably need novak cuts...if you can find a staked and standard dovetail sights with tritium or the likes, besure to post it.
Next, that front sight is staked more than likely...so that will have to get broke off.
And hopefully the gunsmith can get those sights and fit them properly in height so that the poa matches with the top of the dot or whatever/wherever you are trying/want it to do. if not it sometimes might have a vertical issue usually low.

I’ve had a few 1911 projects.

 

[wally]

That "cheap commie steel" sure seems to break a lot of cutters I milled a 1911 dovetail into my TTC so I could mount a Burris Fastfire -- it was a job!

I don't think you can get better sights without milling front and rear dovetails, the Norinco stock sights are "taller" than the standard GI sights, but I don't think they match anything in common use.

For sight work a good place to start is Novak's or Dawson Precision.

 

[Klint Beastwood]

I’ve had a lot of problems with cutting Novak sights where a steaked front site...then again my gunsmith skills are nothing to write home about. I feel like it’s harder to get the right leveling of the cut...if that makes sense? Level being like...a bubble level..

 

[cwdotson]

That "cheap commie steel" sure seems to break a lot of cutters I milled a 1911 dovetail into my TTC so I could mount a Burris Fastfire -- it was a job!

I don't think you can get better sights without milling front and rear dovetails, the Norinco stock sights are "taller" than the standard GI sights, but I don't think they match anything in common use.

For sight work a good place to start is Novak's or Dawson Precision.

Thanks!cwd

 

[highlander 5]

I had a Norinco long ago and a standard 45 auto barrel and bushing was a drop in. The original barrel looked like someone made it in their cellar.