My roommate sold me his Cqa as he has the genuine colt M4 and never runs it. Aside from needing a new spring and detent for the takedown pin it's good to go. I should mention he let it go for the low-low price of $350. Hah, sucker.So what should I do with it? It's my first AR. Should I keep it stock and run it hard? Do I strive for a budget build? Do I attempt the ultimate accuracy build? Thoughts and links to parts appreciated!
Bargain on Norc CQA
- Thread starter WolfeMan
- Start date
Throw an aimpoint pro or a vortex strikefire if that's all the budget allows for. Get some good mags and a case of 556 and run the piss out of her. I wouldn't go the accuracy route. It's an AR, expect to get "minute-of-badguy" accuracy. If your not in a hurry to add parts to it, keep an eye on the EE. Parts come and go for a lot cheaper than retail.
Have fun, shoot tons, learn the platform and later on think about a build. By then you should know what you like or need and be able to make an informed decision as to upgrading. The Norcs are good entry-level ARs, but I wouldn't want to spend anything significant on one trying to turn it into something it isn't.
Tarrantula
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Parts unknown
Get some good mags and ammo and blast away, and go from there if need be. Mine needed a extractor spring upgrade to run smoothly but since then she has been a dream
onetwentyish
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Central AB (AKA Northern Texas)
You should sell it to me and make a profit of $25. 
Then go have a beer on me...
Then go have a beer on me...
Appreciate all the advice. Based on what I've read I think I'll do a bit of tinkering to learn the platform and focus on cheap, somewhat cosmetic upgrades (handguard, stock, etc.) Already have a bunch of LAR mags and surplus 5.56 so I guess I just need to shoot the thing! As a side note I'm considering adding a low profile gas block and removing the A2 sight. After all, I could always use the low-pro on my inevitable next AR.
If you have the $350 go out and buy it, you can't get into the AR platform for any cheaper. Seeing as how you already have LARs and 5.56 there's absolutely no reason for you not to get it at that price.
also if you find out the AR platform isn't for you, you can probably sell it and get your money back pretty quick. That was my reasoning behind my first AR being a CQ-A, just over a year later, I've kept it. It's just that much fun to shoot.
If you decided to keep it, I'd suggest for the first little bit run it as stock, until you can sort out what you like and not like about it, then you can start spending money on it on the parts that personally bother you, I wouldn't go all out right away and replace the grip, stock, charging handle, hand guard, etc until you have a better idea of what's going to work best for you.
As for optics you have lots of options, I'm running a strikefire on mine which is decent and the price is right but I've been looking at the holosun offerings too, the one that has a solar panel really has my attention as you can run it without batteries, so buy the rifle now and then take your time with accessories those aren't going anywhere.
also if you find out the AR platform isn't for you, you can probably sell it and get your money back pretty quick. That was my reasoning behind my first AR being a CQ-A, just over a year later, I've kept it. It's just that much fun to shoot.
If you decided to keep it, I'd suggest for the first little bit run it as stock, until you can sort out what you like and not like about it, then you can start spending money on it on the parts that personally bother you, I wouldn't go all out right away and replace the grip, stock, charging handle, hand guard, etc until you have a better idea of what's going to work best for you.
As for optics you have lots of options, I'm running a strikefire on mine which is decent and the price is right but I've been looking at the holosun offerings too, the one that has a solar panel really has my attention as you can run it without batteries, so buy the rifle now and then take your time with accessories those aren't going anywhere.
Runningfool
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Keep it stock and have fun with it. If I were you I would strive for my own place and attempt to not have a roommate.
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Wolfeman, just shoot the hell out of that thing!!!!
For $350 you canNOT go wrong.
I would suggest cutting off the front sight if you want to go low profile, as it's well known that Norinco somehow managed to make the front sight block all but impossible to remove without cutting. I've left mine alone just because of this.
You don't have to spend a whole lot of money on that Norc, a halfway-decent optic (Vortex Strikefire as suggested), decent magazines, and lots of lubricant will keep it running smoothly. If you've got any time on a hunting rifle, you will HATE the Norc trigger. I replaced mine with an ALG Defense trigger and the difference is remarkable. IMO a good investment for about $80.
Welcome to the AR club!!!!
For $350 you canNOT go wrong.
I would suggest cutting off the front sight if you want to go low profile, as it's well known that Norinco somehow managed to make the front sight block all but impossible to remove without cutting. I've left mine alone just because of this.
You don't have to spend a whole lot of money on that Norc, a halfway-decent optic (Vortex Strikefire as suggested), decent magazines, and lots of lubricant will keep it running smoothly. If you've got any time on a hunting rifle, you will HATE the Norc trigger. I replaced mine with an ALG Defense trigger and the difference is remarkable. IMO a good investment for about $80.
Welcome to the AR club!!!!
