Should I buy Norinco ?

Zombie Stalker

Zombie Stalker

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SW Ontario
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Before I even got my RPAL , I always wanted an M-14 and an AR . Now I can get both from Marstar as part of their package deal with the AK-74 Dewat .
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The thing is , I constantly see people on here with problems . They buy the Norinco M-305 and have problems with them right out of the box . The same with the Norinco CQB ( M-4 ) . There always seems to be extraction issues , or broken this or that . They have to return them to the seller or change op rods or other parts , etc.
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I don't want problems . I have Mosins , Russian SKS' , Winchester Defender - no problems ever . I go to the range , I blast holes in paper , I come home and clean them on the coffee table and watch the Blue Jays . Zero problems . I had an SVT-40 that was having extraction issues . I farted around with the gas system , cleaned the bore until it was spotless and still had problems with it . Gone , sold it at a loss .
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My point is , do I want these , or are they going to be more trouble than they are worth ? If you look down the threads in this section or the Black Rifle section , you will find people looking for advice , as they are having issues with their Norinco AR's and M-14's . Should I save my money and stick with what I have ?
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Thanks
 
I just purchased one, a few issues with it but i bought it expecting that. I was looking for a platform to build off and work on so it was a good choice for me. I think its luck of the draw on quality if your ordering online, if you buy one at a shop check it out and if it looks good should be a good right then. I vote yes for one though lol good luck in your choice!
 
Norinco rifles serve two main purposes in my opinion: one, they allow people to buy rifles that would otherwise be practically unobtainable and, secondly, they give people an opportunity to try a particular platform to see if they like it before moving on to a higher, more expensive model. If Norc M4's hadn't been available it is most unlikely I'd have a LRB sitting in my safe.

Marstar is good to buy from and have an excellent warranty.
 
I own a Norc and quite enjoy the value for the dollar. It's been 100% reliable and shoots well for my annual deer hunt and range excursions. The fit and finish is OK. I would recommend Norinco. I believe there are a lot of them out there and without Norinco many people would not be able to enjoy the sport as much as they do. They will always have haters but so will any brand. Unfortunately no matter what you purchase there will be members on here with negative comments but that's life. Chevy vs Ford vs a Dodge type chest puffing. Lol.
 
For the price point, you can't really go wrong. Since you already know some of the common problem with it, if you can accept it and know how to fix those problems then go for it! If you absolutely don't want any problems, then I will say good luck!
 
I own a DA Grizzly mag-fed shotgun (DA is Norinco branded for CanadaAmmo) and I love it, it's a heavy beast but has always worked for me. I would buy another.

Buddy of mine has a Norc tube 870 and it's a tank, can't stop it, also has a norc 1911 and it works very well.
 
One thing to keep in mind is that when someone buys an M305 or CQB, unboxes it, cleans it and starts blasting ammo through it with no troubles at all, they don't usually come here and post about it. There's no question that Norincos can have more than their fair share of issues, but if the majority didn't function fine out of the box it seems likely that vendors would be swamped with returns and complaints and would stop carrying them in pretty short order.

What we can generally assume is that buying a Norc involves taking on a higher than normal risk of a function-affecting flaw, and the almost certain probability of aesthetic flaws. The rewards for this risk are a significantly lower cost of ownership and/or a fun project for those who love to tinker.

If you'd rather pay a premium to avoid potential headaches or because you're a perfectionist about aesthetics then I wouldn't recommend buying a Norc. Nothing wrong with that, I usually take that route in other aspects of life, but I happen to enjoy project guns so that's an exception for me.
 
:rockOn:
Pop said:
One thing to keep in mind is that when someone buys an M305 or CQB, unboxes it, cleans it and starts blasting ammo through it with no troubles at all, they don't usually come here and post about it. There's no question that Norincos can have more than their fair share of issues, but if the majority didn't function fine out of the box it seems likely that vendors would be swamped with returns and complaints and would stop carrying them in pretty short order.

What we can generally assume is that buying a Norc involves taking on a higher than normal risk of a function-affecting flaw, and the almost certain probability of aesthetic flaws. The rewards for this risk are a significantly lower cost of ownership and/or a fun project for those who love to tinker.

If you'd rather pay a premium to avoid potential headaches or because you're a perfectionist about aesthetics then I wouldn't recommend buying a Norc. Nothing wrong with that, I usually take that route in other aspects of life, but I happen to enjoy project guns so that's an exception for me.
Click to expand...

What he said, exactly. Gotta love Norcs.........or not.:HFU:
 
Zombie Stalker said:
.
.
Before I even got my RPAL , I always wanted an M-14 and an AR . Now I can get both from Marstar as part of their package deal with the AK-74 Dewat .
.
The thing is , I constantly see people on here with problems . They buy the Norinco M-305 and have problems with them right out of the box . The same with the Norinco CQB ( M-4 ) . There always seems to be extraction issues , or broken this or that . They have to return them to the seller or change op rods or other parts , etc.
.
.
I don't want problems . I have Mosins , Russian SKS' , Winchester Defender - no problems ever . I go to the range , I blast holes in paper , I come home and clean them on the coffee table and watch the Blue Jays . Zero problems . I had an SVT-40 that was having extraction issues . I farted around with the gas system , cleaned the bore until it was spotless and still had problems with it . Gone , sold it at a loss .
.
.
My point is , do I want these , or are they going to be more trouble than they are worth ? If you look down the threads in this section or the Black Rifle section , you will find people looking for advice , as they are having issues with their Norinco AR's and M-14's . Should I save my money and stick with what I have ?
.
.
Thanks
Click to expand...

if you're watching the blue jays, I can assure you that you do indeed have problems :p ;)
just kidding, lol
 
ipscgraz said:
To the OP

If you buy one, buy one you can get your eyes and hands on first.

This will cut down on about 60% of the issues you read on this forum.

If you can, have a M305 experienced buddy go with you. This will remove more uncertainty.
Click to expand...

Great advice here! Lots of expertise around this forum. Take advantage of the help here because many of us have been on this journey for a while. It's all a great adventure, that's if you like tinkering. If you don't like to tinker then start with a Springfield Armory M1A and head upwards from there! :D

Cheers and keep helping the nooobies,

Barney
 
Ok, I have a question not to thread jack. If I was going to buy one from a store, what am I looking for to make sure it will run well ? Im a big fan of iron sights from 25-300 yards and with southern Ontario hunting conditions irons fit into hunting as well as target shooting perfectly.
 
I think you would be well advised, when buying a Norinco, to think of it as a project.

You'll probably get a good one without any issues - but you may get one that needs some TLC.

But TLC is good, it helps you learn all about the project and become more competent on the subject matter, right?
 
If you're in the market for a m305 and know very little about the platform and what to look for (like myself) I would highly recommend looking for one that has gone thru Barney's hands (aka. Testicle Teacher:)).
They may not be cosmetically perfect but mine has run flawlessly….I just have to work on the grade 4 math to shoot the irons out past 100yrds:)
DSCN1294_zpsa276e61c.jpg
 
johNTO said:
If you're in the market for a m305 and know very little about the platform and what to look for (like myself) I would highly recommend looking for one that has gone thru Barney's hands (aka. Testicle Teacher:)).
They may not be cosmetically perfect but mine has run flawlessly….I just have to work on the grade 4 math to shoot the irons out past 100yrds:)
DSCN1294_zpsa276e61c.jpg
Click to expand...

"Testicle Teacher?...Freudian slip?
 
ZS, if you don't mind tinkering, the M14 is GREAT! I absolutely LOVE mine, which I bought from Marstar!

I've listed the things I have done to it before, but here it is again, hope I don't forget something...

Hungry Clinic
Couple gas shims
USGI fiberglass stock
match oprod guide rod
rear garand sights, windage & elevation
sparrowhawk dummy selector kit to fill in the USGI stock & look bada$$

It never skips a beat & it is so fun to shoot! I'd recommend you GO FOR IT!!!

Cheers
Jay
 
This is only my opinion so take it for what it's worth.

I bought a Norinco CQ-A as my first AR-15.
I took it apart and screwed around with it replacing this and that.
Freefloating handguard, low profile gas block, magpul furniture etc.
I got to learn on the platform then I went out and purchased better quality AR's such as Stag and Noveske.
I realized that with the money I spent I could have bought something like a Daniel Defense that was on sale recently for $1,000 and had a much better product.

On the other hand I bought a Norinco M305 specifically because I wanted to screw around on a rifle without touching my $2,500 Springfield Armory M1A National Match.

For the $400 it cost me at the time or whatever they go for now they are really the bargain of the semi auto world besides the SKS.
You can go to one of Barney's (aka Hungry, Tactical Teacher, Testicle Teacher, etc) clinics for $40 and learn how to tune one up for little to no money.

I would buy the M305 and spend a bit more for a real American AR-15.
 
I just bought on. The bolt lugs are evenly worn on both sides. THe barrel is properly registered and the sights on straight. The rifle cycles normally, the fired case measures 1.633 at the shoulders with a hornady cartridge head space gauge. My groups average about 5 inches at 100 meters which is good for an M14 battle rifle as the standard of ordnance is 7 inches at 100 yards. The receiver is forged and in better spec than a USGI issue Springfield at 2000 plus bucks. The USGI receiver is cast. What more can I say. I probably got a good one, U can get a very bad one. U pays yur money and U takes yur chance, unless you can have eyes on before u buy the rifle.
 
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