I recently bought a Norinco 1911A1 .45ACP.

Despite being a cheaply made Chinese model it shoots well and I've had no problems with it. In fact it's becoming one of my favorite handguns to shoot.

The only issue with it is the magazines (Which are also pretty poor quality) Sometimes the follower spring gets stuck halfway down when it's loaded and it's a pain to get back up, so I'm looking for a couple of decent aftermarket mags.

Does anyone have any recommendations, or know the best place to look?

-Cheers

try chip mccormick mags as they are one of the best for 1911's

McCormick or Wilson.

The Norinco is one of the best 1911 clones made. Too bad we can't import them any longer, but used ones are around and can represent a heckuva buy.

Concur on the McCormick (old Shooting Star) or Wilson, and would add Mec-Gar.

CD

You might consider buying a Wolff mag spring, for a few bucks and see if that helps, before spending $30 or so on new mags. Just a thought....

First thing I do when building a new pistol or having bought a new one is to change out the mag or the mag "guts".

This, with the Wilson brand. I had minor feeding problems with my Kimber(EDC weapon) when I first got it. I bought a few of the Wilson 47D mags and they worked fine but if you replace the "guts" in a mag that has a well made body,the FTF's will usually go away.

While your at it,make sure the rest of the functionality stuff has been done,commonly known as a F&B(fluff and buff). -----pruhdlr

Sounds like a poor-fitting follower !!! Like Pruhdlr said...Don't need to change the whole, just the guts.
HD1

Thanks guys! I'll give Wilson and McCormick both a look. Unfortunately, I can't just replace the guts of the mag as the baseplate is tacked in place, and I'm pretty sure with my ham-fisted approach I'd just do more bad than good if I tried to remove it!

Once again, thanks!

There is still away to remove the follower and spring. Depress the follower and then insert a nail trough on of the top holes unto the spring. Follower then can be remove after tension is off, then remove nail and spring comes out. (bit harder to explain)

CD

There is still away to remove the follower and spring. Depress the follower and then insert a nail trough on of the top holes unto the spring. Follower then can be remove after tension is off, then remove nail and spring comes out. (bit harder to explain)

CD

Once you get the follower and spring out, you might try polishing the interior of the mag, especially the weld seam at the back.

Wilson, McCormick and Pachmayer all make excellent magazines. The Wilson seven rounders are probably the best.

I have 1911 mags from a few different sources. Their mag springs are definitely different, and not all interchangeable.

I had a couple "GI Surplus" mags from a gun show. they were the worst, and I threw them out. I got a couple of cheap SS mags that didn't feed well, but, after I filed/stoned the followers they didn't bind anymore and now work well.

My best ones are the ones that came with my Chas Daly, and they were made by Mec-Gar.

Also, one really does have to learn how to take the mag apart, because they do have to be cleaned inside sometimes. They can accumulate grit & crud that hinders their operation. CDiver, I thought your instruction was pretty clear.

Cheers guys! I really appreciate the help!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvXqJJuuDwA

Not the best video - but it illustrates the process well.

The Norinco 1911A1 is a great gun and one that a lot of builders like to use for custom guns. They take any standard 1911 magazines and like others have said Wilson and Chip McCormick are good ones.

My Custom Norinco 1911 A1 with wilson magazine.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f191/fyimo/Norinco1911Custom.jpg

If you can get the OEM mags to work that is great. I use the Chip McCormick Power Mags in my duty gun. No issues at all with them and they are usually a little cheaper than the Wilson mags.

Kimber Pro-tac mags aren't bad either, and they'll save you some cash over the Wilson's. Though if you can afford the Wilson's I'd also recommend those.