NORINCO Model of the 1911A1

Seller Description For This Firearm

The Norinco "Model of the 1911A1" has a pretty interesting backstory because it's one of the most famous Chinese-made copies of the classic Colt 1911 ever imported into the United States. The pistol was produced by Norinco, a massive Chinese state-owned defense company established in 1980. Norinco manufactures everything from tanks and missiles to civilian sporting firearms.During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Norinco began exporting firearms to the U.S. market, including their faithful copy of the U.S. military M1911A1 pistol. The official rollmark famously reads:"MODEL OF THE 1911A1".

Back in the early 1990s, a Colt Government Model was expensive. A Norinco 1911 could often be purchased for hundreds less while still being an all-steel .45 ACP built on the classic GI pattern.
The guns gained a reputation for:

Forged steel frame and slide
Chrome-lined barrel
Excellent durability
Near-USGI dimensions
Compatibility with many aftermarket 1911 parts
Low price compared to Colt or Springfield Armory pistols

The "Railroad Steel" Legend

One of the most repeated stories is that Norinco used steel made from recycled railroad rails.

Nobody has ever produced definitive factory proof of this, but the rumor has existed for decades. What is true is that many gunsmiths found the frame and slide steel to be unusually hard and durable, making them popular foundations for custom 1911 builds.
In the mid-1990s, U.S. restrictions on Chinese firearms imports largely shut off the supply of Norinco handguns. As a result, no new Norinco 1911s entered the American market

no box and one magazine is included

UPC	ECOM00587487
Action	SEMI AUTOMATIC
Barrel Length	5" BARREL
Caliber	.45 ACP
Capacity	7 ROUNDS
Finish	BLACK