Norinco Dark 40

**Big Jake** · 14-10-2015, 07:28

A good mate of mine received his Dark 40 on Friday and on Saturday he shot with it in a club match.

The gun just ticked over and ate all ammo fed to it. I managed to shoot a few rounds through the gun and was quite impressed with the balance and handling of the firearm.

For someone looking at getting into IPSC and in particular the standard gun division this would be a great purchase if funds are limited. At under R7k you get the gun and 2 mags and from what i hear additional mags are about R350.

This is a 1911 platform so parts are freely available so upgrades shouldnt be an issue.

The gun seems to be a direct copy of a Caspian and while maybe a little rough I am sure it will make a fine shooter.

Has anyone else had experience with the Dark 40>

**shooty** · 14-10-2015, 07:46

Many years ago the Norinco 1911a1 was freely available.
And was considered a winner. Cheap and made out of what everyone said was old railroad tracks.
Incredibly hard steel. Alot of gunsmith did not want to work on it. Due to hard steel.

**BigT** · 14-10-2015, 08:11

Just need to find a capacity solution

**Big Jake** · 14-10-2015, 08:13

Originally Posted by BigT

Just need to find a capacity solution

Yes I agree at the moment he manages to squeeze in 15 rounds .

Working on changing the follower , spring and boot.

**Psychosis** · 14-10-2015, 08:36

Originally Posted by BigT

Just need to find a capacity solution

this ^

**bronxlive** · 14-10-2015, 08:42

Won't the Para-Ordnance or STI mags fit?

If so I know of guys that manage 19 round capacity with Para's.

**Psychosis** · 14-10-2015, 09:14

Originally Posted by bronxlive

Won't the Para-Ordnance or STI mags fit?

If so I know of guys that manage 19 round capacity with Para's.

From what I understand, the Dark 40 isn't as much of a high-cap as other high-cap 1911's... in that the grip is substantially narrower than it's counter-parts (STI's, Para's etc)... and that the others will not fit.

**Samizat45** · 14-10-2015, 09:33

Originally Posted by Big Jake

The gun seems to be a direct copy of a Caspian and while maybe a little rough I am sure it will make a fine shooter.

I think it is rather a copy of the Para-Ordinance and if so then 18-19 rounds in the mag is easily done with aftermarket base pads, followers and probably springs.

**BigT** · 14-10-2015, 09:39

Originally Posted by Samizat45

I think it is rather a copy of the Para-Ordinance and if so then 18-19 rounds in the mag is easily done with aftermarket base pads, followers and probably springs.

Nope. Guys have tried.

**Tigerbarb** · 14-10-2015, 11:04

Norinco with all the upgrades that Rescomp have will set you back R 15 k + .
CZ Tactical Sport will be R 20 k +
STI will be R 35 k +
Last price on a Bul R 14 k without any extras
If you wanted a pistol for Standard class IPSC and dont have 35 k what will be a good choice ?
Do you start with a Norinco and add all the bits to get it up to scratch or spend the extra on the CZ .