If Norcs are a cheap crap, what does that make NEA?

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voncosbies

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I've had a burning itch. I love the incredibly reliable Norc CQB-A, it can't hit sh!t, but mine never had a single problem, not to mention it's cheap! My problem is, it's Chinese and with Canadian options available I felt like I wasn't supporting my fellow countrymen. So I bought an NEA....... Which pooped the bed after less than 50 rounds. The bolt tore itself apart, specifically the key broke it's bolt apart. NEA couldn't offer an explanation. They were quick to fix and ship it back, but offered no additional compensation.

I guess it could be worse, but if I had stayed with Norinco, it would have been much better for half the price. It's sad that made in Canada just means more money. I'm very sad that more and more this country is more about making a bunch of cash and less about quality and customer service.
 
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There are lots of threads on here talking about dubious NEA quality. It really is a shame because it would be nice to have a quality Canadian made firearm that does not run into the thousands like Colt Canada's AR15s. You should have picked up one of IRG's AR specials - there have been lots lately in the 6-700 dollar range (Palmetto State, Bushmaster, etc). I picked up an NEA stripped lower from SFRC for $65, but believe me, I wont be using anything else from NEA (apart from maybe the sripped upper).
 
I hear ya! I actually went to the gun store not too long ago with the intention of buying an NEA to replace my Norc, asked the guys behind the counter if NEA had the kinks worked out yet. They kind of hesitated and said they still get a lot of them coming back for warranty. Really sucks because I want to buy Canadian as well and really wish NEA would pull their sh&t together. I ended up going with a Daniel Defense instead, great rifle. My Norc has never let me down ever, just wanted an upgrade.
At least Colt Canada is in the market now, too bad they cost $2k plus..
 
Apart from the roll pins coming out. I liked my NEA just fine. 600 rounds without a hickup and sold it because I had to not because I wanted to.

All ars, loose the NR vs R battle.

It was replaced with a also reliable T97.
Only thing NEA is really guilty of is putting things on the market that need improvement. Letting the consumers be the test bed for that improvement.
 
voncosbies said:
I've had a burning itch. I love the incredibly reliable Norc CQB-A, it can't hit sh!t, but mine never had a single problem, not to mention it's cheap! My problem is, it's Chinese and with Canadian options available I felt like I wasn't supporting my fellow countrymen. So I bought an NEA....... Which pooped the bed after less than 50 rounds. The bolt tore itself apart, specifically the key broke it's bolt apart. NEA couldn't offer an explanation. They were quick to fix and ship it back, but offered no additional compensation.

I guess it could be worse, but if I had stayed with Norinco, it would have been much better for half the price. It's sad that made in Canada just means more money. I'm very sad that more and more this country is more about making a bunch of cash and less about quality and customer service.
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Sounds to me like you got excellent customer service.

I think the newer NEA stuff is supposed to be a lot better now. I have a build I did that I used an NEA upper, lower, and BCG with a custom 300 Blackout barrel and while I haven't run more than a couple hundred rounds through it yet the rifle has functioned perfectly and I have no complaints so far. The machining is nice and the finish is smooth. I like the looks of the billet parts as well. I don't think billet is better but it's nice to have something a little different. I have 5 AR's and I really like the looks of the NEA upper/lower with the Troy Alpha rail I put on.

Even with their problems I would still pick NEA over a Norinco any day of the week. At least if you do have problems they are right there to back up their product and get you the parts you need.
What would you get from Norinco if you bought one and it crapped out 200 rounds later? Nothing, you would be told by the retailer there is no warranty with Norinco and that if you want you can buy new american made parts and hope they fit the sometimes off spec Chinese rifle. Then if they don't fit you can try to find a gunsmith that will touch a Chinese rifle. The couple that I know won't go near one. Basically just say you can't fix junk and they don't want the liability of working on something they can't trust not to blow apart a couple hundred rounds later. Not saying they do blow up regularly just that a smith doesn't want his name associated with a product he doesn't believe will last.

What exactly were you expecting for additional compensation besides new parts? Did you want a hug and some free ammo? Quick and friendly replacement of affected parts is as good as it gets.
If you buy a new car and it breaks down do they give you additional compensation or do they just fix the car and send you on your way?

Good luck, Hopefully that's the last of the problems you will have.
 
SFRC sells lots of NEA and I believe Ryan has said publically on this forum he has had very few issues.
 
NEA doesn't seem too open to constructive criticism, or to improving QC. Can't help a company that won't help themselves...
 
patjohnw said:
Apart from the roll pins coming out. I liked my NEA just fine. 600 rounds without a hickup and sold it because I had to not because I wanted to.

All ars, loose the NR vs R battle.

It was replaced with a also reliable T97.
Only thing NEA is really guilty of is putting things on the market that need improvement. Letting the consumers be the test bed for that improvement.
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You sure you're not referring to the new Remington R51?....:stirthepot2:




Hitzy said:
NEA doesn't seem too open to constructive criticism, or to improving QC. Can't help a company that won't help themselves...
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Again, modern-day Remington?...:nest:
 
Dlask arms corp pretty much out performs NEA on every level.
Canadian manufacturer as well.
 
Decivox said:
There are lots of threads on here talking about dubious NEA quality. It really is a shame because it would be nice to have a quality Canadian made firearm that does not run into the thousands like Colt Canada's AR15s. You should have picked up one of IRG's AR specials - there have been lots lately in the 6-700 dollar range (Palmetto State, Bushmaster, etc). I picked up an NEA stripped lower from SFRC for $65, but believe me, I wont be using anything else from NEA (apart from maybe the sripped upper).
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Should have done your research beforehand..

TDC
 
jdman said:
I have been hearing this song and dance for about 3 years now.....it Is getting pretty old
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Have there been a lot of parts failures lately? Or are you just bringing up memories from a couple years ago? Let it go, it's not healthy to dwell on the past.
If they were still making consistent crap don't you think they would be out of business by now with all the free parts they give out for warranty? Every problem I've ever heard of has been taken care of quickly with simply sending out new parts with little to no questions asked.
You condemn a Canadian company trying to compete in a large market just because they went through some growing pains. If you don't like them then don't buy one that's your choice but unless you have personally experienced problems with their recently produced products then why are you bashing them.
There are a lot of guys out there that have thousands of rounds through their rifles and have had no problems.
Sure there are higher quality AR's out there but NEA has brought a good rifle to the market at an affordable price. They are Canadian and stand behind their product with great service.

IBTL
 
I bought my NEA used, I now have almost 4000 rounds through it with out problems. It seems to me the number of problems has been exaggerated by drama llama's stirring up drama. But maybe I just got lucky.
 
skoal said:
with the deals coming in lately there is no reason to gamble with a nea or buy a norc.
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Then where can I find a reliable 20" barrel AR for $700 that's not Chinese? I sold my 14" Norc M4 1to help pay for a SG542, but my old Norc shot 2moa with a 4x scope. You can pay thousands for something that's less accurate.
So if Norc is cheap crap, that makes everything else expensive crap!

No NEA rifles were dissed in the making of this post;)
 
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