How does the norinco model 213 work?

At least moderately well. It is a recoil operated semi auto pistol. Parent gun was the Tokarev TT-33. The trigger releases the hammer, strikes firing pin, firing primer. Recoil of bullet being fired makes slide recoil, extracting and ejecting fired case. Recoil spring stops slide, reverses movement, picking up and chambering a fresh cartridge.