***Question for other Hunters/Gun Owners***

[GratianGasparri]

I'm thinking of getting a new shotgun since my current one is a break-action single shot and a small calibre. While surfing the net I came across Norinco guns sold through Marstar Canada. Their URL is as follows:

http://www.marstar.ca/Norinco/longguns.htm

Most of the reviews I have come across on the net are very positive, but the prices still seem way too good to be true. Therefore I thought I would turn to my fellow FDers. Does anyone have any experience with Norinco or Marstar? If so, was it positive, negative, so-so, etc? What would you recommend?

Thanks.

GG

[goldhound]

I'm thinking of getting a new shotgun since my current one is a break-action single shot and a small calibre. While surfing the net I came across Norinco guns sold through Marstar Canada. Their URL is as follows:

http://www.marstar.ca/Norinco/longguns.htm

Most of the reviews I have come across on the net are very positive, but the prices still seem way too good to be true. Therefore I thought I would turn to my fellow FDers. Does anyone have any experience with Norinco or Marstar? If so, was it positive, negative, so-so, etc? What would you recommend?

Thanks.

GG

Buy the Rem 870 in guage of your choice and 24" "modified choke" barrel for upland birds or 28" in "full choke" for waterfowl and general use.

[Smaug]

I have some experience with a Norinco, not a shotgun, but their .762 (m14 copy). That rifle is solidly built and easy to clean, and if they build their shotguns with the same quality, they are probably okay.


I should say that it was my brother who bought the weapon from marstar, and he got decent service over the net. Mind you, he did not want to return the rifle or anything so, I cannot say how marstar is about its return policy.

[Madrod]

G.G.-- There are lots of opinions about Norinco firearms at www.canadiangunnutz.com . I agree with Goldhound that an 870 Remington will last a lifetime plus, and that for the about the same money as a new Norinco, you can buy a good used 870. Friends that own Norinco's seem happy with their guns but then again they seldom use them so it's kind of hard to see if they'll take the kind of licking that my Winchester and Remington have had to endure for over thirty years.

[EdS]

Marstar is tops to deal with. I've purchased a Norinco 1911A1, a FEG P9R copy, and their M14. All guns are soldly built, and quite decent, though finish is not pristine. The 1911A1 could use some finishing, and a trigger job. The internals are fine, but rougher than a comparable American, Belgian or Israeli firearm. You get what you pay for, but their guns are still quite good, for the money. <br>

[tree mugger]

I've had lots of Norinco's. None have been "dogs". I've never had one of their shotguns, but have heard nothing but good functionally. The finish isn't always the greatest but it seems that the worst that the detractors can say is "you get what you pay for".

My guess is that these people have much more expensive guns, and are little jealous/bitter that a $350 pistol is beating their $1000+ pistol in matches.

[GratianGasparri]

Thanks everyone! Just one small question. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but what does "trigger job" mean in the context of Norico guns? Thanks!

[goldhound]

Thanks everyone! Just one small question. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but what does "trigger job" mean in the context of Norico guns? Thanks!

That statement usually means that some more experienced shooters feel that the trigger pull is a bit rough or requires too much pressure. Easily fixed by a gunsmith.
Because you referred to a shotgun, and i recommended a Remington, (as opposed to a Chinese import with little time in the marketplace and unknown longevity or reliability) you should not be concerned about it. If you were talking a handgun or rifle for target or even hunting, it could be an issue, depending on your experience. If the "Norico" firearms are getting a reputation for "rough", "heavy", or "long" trigger pulls, it would raise a question in my mind about quality.

[tree mugger]

I think that for some reason people are expecting "match quality" triggers on Norincos. They are all pretty much copies of "Duty" or "Service" firearms and subsequently have heavy, and untuned triggers when compared to most commercial "sporting" firearms.

They are fantastic entry level firearms, and are also good platforms to customize and improve.

[Smaug]

Wow, I did not know there were so many gun nuts on F.D.


... and I am going to have to remind myself to stay particularly respectfull to Eds, he sounds like a well armed man

[styky]

Wow, I did not know there were so many gun nuts on F.D.


... and I am going to have to remind myself to stay particularly respectfull to Eds, he sounds like a well armed man

You must have missed our hunting recipe exchange last fall

[EdS]

Wow, I did not know there were so many gun nuts on F.D.

You don't know the half of it!

... and I am going to have to remind myself to stay particularly respectfull to Eds, he sounds like a well armed man

Heh heh heh... again, you don't know the half of it!! I haven't even told you about my BHP's, Inglis', Enfield 1943 "Tanker"... my long-gun collection is something else. I collect mostly "milsurp", military firearms from 1913 through 1960, primarily North American with an Israeli Mauser in the mix. No Soviet stuff - I have no interest in 7.62X54, nor 7.62X39. The American and Brit calibres are enough for me. <br>

[goldhound]

50 years of shooting, military, hunting, guiding, teaching firearms classes, etc. And i do not own any guns

[tinknee]

I'd suggest the Remington 870 for all around performance and bang for the buck if you will. I hate the reference of a firearm as a weapon. They are no more a weapon than a stick or rock that could exist for a million years and not harm a single thing. The one holding the object is the weapon or potential weapon. Norinko is a Chinese built firearm manufacturer and as such employ chinese workers forging scrap metal possibly from old nuclear reactor plants. The same places they use to make their cheap frying pans. On the other hand The Big Green is still made domestically and employ our own who in turn shop and live locally completing the circle of life in a better way I believe. Doing business with hostile communist foreign government arms makers is tantamount to high treason in some circles.

[MinorityReport]

I have heard both good and bad reviews on the norcs.I was dead against buying a Chinese made firearm,but for the price you can't beat em.
Lot's of guy's complain that the norcs need work right out of the box,but hell I spent 1600.00 on a brand new Para and it didn't work properly out of the box either.
For 300.00 how can a guy complain if the pistol needs a bit of tweaking?