Norinco CQ 556 technical questions...last few questions to go!

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Okay, this will take a while.

Like most of you I've seen the famous AR-15 chart.

A lot of what's on there probably can't be answered very easily about the CQ556, but still...some of these can probably be answered by knowledgeable owners so here are the questions I would like to see answered, based on that chart's criteria:

1. Bolt...is it Mag-particle tested? I would guess random batch screenings maybe at best.

2. Bolt...pressure tested?

3. Bolt...shot peened or no?

4. Extractor Spring Insert...hard to guage I guess as who knows what specs the chinese are using. But is it the blue, 4-coil spring one, or the black, 5-coil, or the equivalent of which I wonder? NONE from the factory, BLACK from ARMSEAST - MikeK, Dangertree

5. Gas key staking...SOLIDLY STAKED - JeffMan

6. Bolt Carrier...FULL AUTO - Ian in Vic

7. Barrel Steel...any body have any ideas? I sure don't. Hammer Forged...of something.

8. Barrel testing...again I wonder if anyone knows the answer to this.

9. Chrome Chamber and Bore...YES

10. Rifling...1:9 - Ian in Vic

11. Chamber...5.56 - Ian in Vic

12. Feed Ramps...M4 FEED RAMPS - JeffMan

13. Front sight base...specific to the flat top upper or the standard rifle one?

14. FSB pins...TAPER PINNED - Ian in Vic

15. Finish under FSB...YES! Can you believe that one?

16. Handguard shields...single or double wall? SINGLE - JeffMan

17. Lower Receiver Extension Diameter...COMMERCIAL - JeffMan

18. Castle Nut...NOT STAKED - JeffMan

19. Buffer...STANDARD CARBINE - Ian in Vic

20. Fire Control Group pin diameter...0.154"?

21. The rear sight is obviously in the handle.

22. Warranty...well, the warranty is through the importer or dealer but obviously we'll just assume that Norinco backs everything they build 110% and will fly a team of starving, amputee orphan technicians to your shop to fix any problems you encounter.

Anyway naturally most of us here can't answer the MPI and Pressure test stuff but anything that can be checked off this list would be interesting to know. We could then compare the CQ556 to other ARs on a more direct, by-the-numbers basis. Assuming you put a lot of stock in the criteria espoused by the authors of the chart, anyway.

Well, thanks for reading and I'm looking forward to seeing some new information come trickling in. I will update the 22 points as I get definitive answers.

Well, down to the last few questions as I don't think we'll get data on the testing...

So the big questions remaining are:



are the FCG pins 0.154"

Is the front sight block the rifle or the F-stamp/carbine block

Is the bolt shot peened

Anybody?
 
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I have one question about the chart...

They chose a top of the line colt 6920 law enforcement model (currently going for as much as $1800 USD) and put it up against some of the more bare bones entry level offerings from the smaller manufacturers.

Do the cheaper colt sporters have the exact same features as the 6920LE? Or is this not an honest "apples to apples" comparison?
 
This post is retarded. If you want the quality of the Colt, cough up the $3,000 for it. If you want something that is a great value for what it offers, buy the Norinco. Jebus.
 
AdamO said:
This post is retarded. If you want the quality of the Colt, cough up the $3,000 for it. If you want something that is a great value for what it offers, buy the Norinco. Jebus.
Click to expand...

This poster is retarded...the goal is not to point out whether the Norinco is the equivalent of the Colt, the goal is to discover how the Norinco compares to a range of commercial ARs in a variety of respects. I own plenty of Norinco stuff and like it. I have owned a lot of colt stuff in my life, too. I am interested in the information for the sake of the information itself, not because I want to prove anything about either gun.

So I would say if you want something that is a great value for what it offers, forget ARs...get an education.
 
My guess is instead of dissing the Norinco ,a chart like this will show them to be a excellent value compared to the 3 grand colt product. If the Norinco shows a lot of the same good features but is missing out on some fit and finish and precision barrels etc you have much better chance of making an informed decision. My guess is if they are like the other Norinco products I would not want one of the first ones off the line but in a couple years once they have any glitches dealt with and enthusiasts have found the best ways of upgrading them with a bit of TLC they should be a excellent deal.

I wonder if Norinco would ever do a Mini 14 ,mini 30 ,mini 5.45 style rifle? I bet they could do a good one.
 
Unsub said:
My guess is instead of dissing the Norinco ,a chart like this will show them to be a excellent value compared to the 3 grand colt product. If the Norinco shows a lot of the same good features but is missing out on some fit and finish and precision barrels etc you have much better chance of making an informed decision. My guess is if they are like the other Norinco products I would not want one of the first ones off the line but in a couple years once they have any glitches dealt with and enthusiasts have found the best ways of upgrading them with a bit of TLC they should be a excellent deal.

I wonder if Norinco would ever do a Mini 14 ,mini 30 ,mini 5.45 style rifle? I bet they could do a good one.
Click to expand...

That is my guess as well. I do not think this list will be particularly unkind to the Norincos...I think there will be unresolved questions about their testing process but other than that I suspect we will get an interesting picture here.
 
I'll tell you what I know from owning one:

The gas key is properly done while the buffer tube castle nut is not.

The feed ramps look M4.

The handguard is single wall (I think)

The buffer tube is commercial

no idea about the bolt MPI although my bolt has markings that look laser etched (not electric pencil markings but actual digital markings of some sort - not hand stamped or man made)

The finish on mine is roughly on par with that of my Stag and the various Canadian Colts that I've seen/ operated.
 
Front sight block appears taper pinned - definitely NOT roll pinned. Chamber 5.56mm. Barrel 1/9 twist (hammer forged). Bolt F/A type.
 
Cool, I have updated the specs...

So far it is looking better than DPMS and Olympic, although that is not saying much. If we could get all the questions answered I wouldn't be surprised if it came in next to Stag or CMMG on the chart.

Not that the chart is necessarily the be all end all of AR rankings by any stretch...there is no provision for just plain ####ty manufacturing of parts. If you had a B1159-E steel barrel with 1:7 rifling it would give you full marks even if the barrel had a 90 degree bend in it and only one groove on the rifling!

So take it for what it's worth...a tool for comparison but not the only tool!
 
Can anyone tell if this is single or double (It looks double to me, but I haven't had the handguards off since the day I got it)

DSC00805.jpg



Oh yes, and the barrel is a true M4 taper under the handguards.
 
Funny, I've seen commercial manufacturers not stake the butt stock tube nut, use roll pins for the front sight, have crappy finish, not put in gas tube split pins, not stake the gas tube on the bolt carrier, have the wrong springs in place in various locations, not torque on the barrel nut properly, not torque on the flash hider properly, have very sloppy fit between the upper and lower, use the wrong pistol grip screw, ect ect ect, no one seems to mind paying $ 2500.00 plus for all of these flaws but pay $ 900.00 and its a problem? I just can't explain, who gives a poop if anything on this rifle is milspec, how many people on this board are actually going to use this rifle, or one from any other manufacturer, for real work, better yet, how many of this type of rifle from all manufacturers actually get shot at all? I won't quote a percentage, but I bet there are a number of AR's floating around that have never been used, only posed with!!

Scott
 
:agree:
I bought mine to plink - who really wants to scrape the *ss off a $2500 gun? No chance of my targets shooting back, but if a $2500 rifle fell out of the van on the gravel at the range I'd be p*ssed at myself. It amazes me what you get for your $900 - it's as close to 'the real thing' as I need.

PS. the target doesn't know how much you paid.
 
m39a2 said:
who gives a poop if anything on this rifle is milspec, how many people on this board are actually going to use this rifle, or one from any other manufacturer, for real work, better yet, how many of this type of rifle from all manufacturers actually get shot at all? I won't quote a percentage, but I bet there are a number of AR's floating around that have never been used, only posed with!!
Click to expand...

Agreed. This is what I was getting at, when the OP called me (personally) retarded, and suggested I invest in an edumacation.
 
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