Temptation struck again with Tenda's recent promo of the NR15s and JW15s. I already tried a couple of JW15s, they were fine as long as you resigned yourself to using CZ magazines, the originals were pretty unreliable and difficult to fix. The NR seems to be an updated version with a few minor changes:
1. The magazines are a straight stick style, 9rds
2. The safety is oriented differently than the JW15 safety, but similar mechanism.
3. The stocks are different designs - one conventional sporting (or sproting), and the other a thumbhole.
4. The bedding system is different, with action screws at the front and back of the receiver held in with dovetailed lugs.
5. Threaded barrel 1/2-20.
6. The firing pin is a 2pc affair.
There are probably some other details, but the basic rifle is the same. It seems the machining and production standards are considerably higher than the most recent JW15s. The trigger mechanism is the same Brno 1 or Mauser style, unfortunately Norinco didn't decide to try and copy the Brno 2/CZ 452 triggers. It's OK though. I ended up getting one of the thumbhole stock versions. It's very solid and fits well for shooting. The comb is a bit higher too, so better when scoped.
Did a range test today and didn't have any issues - the feeding, firing, extraction, and ejection all worked perfectly. Tried 3 magazines, they all worked great.
It took quite a few rounds before the barrel seemed to settle in and give some OK groups. You don't expect a $200 Norc to give you CZ (or even Savage) accuracy, so no surprises there. Still, after about 250-300 rounds, the accuracy took a significant jump up from the start. I haven't (and won't) borescope it, but usage definitely improved accuracy. It seemed to like Eley Club, SK Std+, S&B Cdn Match, and CCI Blazer. The last couple groups with CCI Std seemed to improve quite a bit too.
If you're looking for an inexpensive 22, pretty hard to beat these guys, at least when on sale.
1. The magazines are a straight stick style, 9rds
2. The safety is oriented differently than the JW15 safety, but similar mechanism.
3. The stocks are different designs - one conventional sporting (or sproting), and the other a thumbhole.
4. The bedding system is different, with action screws at the front and back of the receiver held in with dovetailed lugs.
5. Threaded barrel 1/2-20.
6. The firing pin is a 2pc affair.
There are probably some other details, but the basic rifle is the same. It seems the machining and production standards are considerably higher than the most recent JW15s. The trigger mechanism is the same Brno 1 or Mauser style, unfortunately Norinco didn't decide to try and copy the Brno 2/CZ 452 triggers. It's OK though. I ended up getting one of the thumbhole stock versions. It's very solid and fits well for shooting. The comb is a bit higher too, so better when scoped.
Did a range test today and didn't have any issues - the feeding, firing, extraction, and ejection all worked perfectly. Tried 3 magazines, they all worked great.
It took quite a few rounds before the barrel seemed to settle in and give some OK groups. You don't expect a $200 Norc to give you CZ (or even Savage) accuracy, so no surprises there. Still, after about 250-300 rounds, the accuracy took a significant jump up from the start. I haven't (and won't) borescope it, but usage definitely improved accuracy. It seemed to like Eley Club, SK Std+, S&B Cdn Match, and CCI Blazer. The last couple groups with CCI Std seemed to improve quite a bit too.
If you're looking for an inexpensive 22, pretty hard to beat these guys, at least when on sale.
