Norinco CQ-A M4 vs. Colt M4 .22lr

Danimal247

Danimal247

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
38   0   0
Location
Toronto, ON
Looking for some advice ... I know this isn't comparing apples to apples being .223 and .22lr, but I happen to like both of these rifles and think there are positives and negatives to each one.

The question is, if you could only purchase 1 which one would it be?


I like the Colt M4 .22lr because it's cheap to feed, is well built with a nice finish, and holds 30 rounds

I like the Norinco CQ-A M4 because it's a larger caliber and equivalent in most aspects to a $2000+ AR (AKA = awesome deal)
 
I have the Norinco CQ 556 (not the new CQ-A). Works great. Bought a Spikes Tactical .22lr conversion kit from Questar for it, and it works very well indeed. Seems to like Federal .22lr ammo.

CMMG also makes a .22lr conversion kit, which Questar also carries.

Both the Spikes Tactical and the CCMG kits are around $300.

Changing between .223 and .22lr is a matter of swapping out the bolt carrier group.

That would be my choice. Best of both worlds, IMHO.
 
jer_vic said:
I have the Norinco CQ 556 (not the new CQ-A). Works great. Bought a Spikes Tactical .22lr conversion kit from Questar for it, and it works very well indeed. Seems to like Federal .22lr ammo.

CMMG also makes a .22lr conversion kit, which Questar also carries.

Both the Spikes Tactical and the CCMG kits are around $300.

Changing between .223 and .22lr is a matter of swapping out the bolt carrier group.

That would be my choice. Best of both worlds, IMHO.
Click to expand...


Great information! Thank you! :)
 
Thanks, can you post up some pics of your Norinco with the .22 conversion?

For some reason I really like the Colt version ... maybe it's the Chinese stigma of the Norinco that has me worried
 
Danimal247 said:
Thanks, can you post up some pics of your Norinco with the .22 conversion?

For some reason I really like the Colt version ... maybe it's the Chinese stigma of the Norinco that has me worried
Click to expand...

Ya I'd kinda expect that the Norc could very possibly require some fitting to get it to work with the .22 conversion, not that that's bad... just a bit more work to be aware of.
 
rtracer13 said:
Ya I'd kinda expect that the Norc could very possibly require some fitting to get it to work with the .22 conversion, not that that's bad... just a bit more work to be aware of.
Click to expand...

Unless either the rifle or the conversion kit is out of spec which I doubt, there shouldn't be any "fitting" to be done. Although there are reports of conversion kits to be picky on ammo.

If you choose to buy a dedicated .22lr I'd suggest looking at the Smith & Wesson M&P22. The Colt, which is made by Umarex is hard to disassemble and doesn't work in any way like an AR. The S&W gets way better reviews and sits in the same price range.
 
Honestly, Norcs are not the same quality as other brands, yes I have a few myself and every time I post something neg about them, I get an infraction, but that stuff is Chinese made and cheap, cheap.

Also, you cannot compare a .223 caliber to a .22.


May I ask what guns you have so far?

If nothing, just start with a cheap SKS.
 
Either way - that rifle is restricted. If you are considering a 22 on an AR platform, and want to go non-restricted - maybe consider a Ruger SR-22.

I got one....with a monster magazine on it....if nothing else, it is an inexpensive solution to an itchy, and eager trigger finger.
 
Well I purchased a Sig P226R 9mm but I am waiting for my card to come in to start the transfer, but as of right now I have no guns.

I don't like the SR22, looks like crap to me unless it's modded to resemble an AR.

S&W MP15-22 looks like it has an issue with the extractor blowing - would rather not wait for it to be repaired so I'll pass on that for now.

And the SKS is not something that I am interested in right now.

I might just pick up a Ruger 10/22 in black synthetic with a stainless barrel, but that Umarex looks pretty cool and I bet it's a lot of fun dumping 30 rounds at paper
 
Are you after form or function?
I would suggest an SKS and a crate of surplus 7.62, cheap to shoot and you can learn the basics of marksmanship on a center fire rifle without breaking the bank.
As far as an AR/ rim fire variant goes, I would suggest a norinco. Its a cheap entry level AR that will run most ammo and aftermarket parts. Once you decide to move up to a name brand AR you shouldn't have much trouble reselling it on the EE.
As for .22lr, the base 10/22 is the best option IMHO. Endless supply of after market parts to make it look the part of an AR and its non restricted. I have not read nor heard any thing about the SW extractor blowing out except for your post, and have it seems there are more cons then pros to the Colt.
I'd say go with the norc, but grab a SKS or 10/22 and a lot of ammo first.
At the end of the day you'll end up with more then one of them sitting in your safe.
 
I'm a form meets function (but has to have both) type of guy ... it has to look good and work good, if it's missing one of those categories it's cut!

SKS falls out of the first category for me!

I think the Norinco is probably the best bet, and like you said I can sell it off if I don't like it over time
 
80% of everything coming into this country is Chinese. Take of your shirt and read the label lol. Don't listen to people telling you Norcs aren't good quality, fact is you can buy two of them for less than one of anything else:





Danimal247 said:
I'm a form meets function (but has to have both) type of guy ... it has to look good and work good, if it's missing one of those categories it's cut!

SKS falls out of the first category for me!

I think the Norinco is probably the best bet, and like you said I can sell it off if I don't like it over time
Click to expand...
 
get a Mexican AR :p

I'm into quality and looks, my last gun is the Norinco M4. If you new to AR's and haven't played with the top of the line machines. You should be pretty happy with the CQ-A. it's a great value in Canadain market even tho I bet it cost them fraction to make it of what we pay for it.

.22 upper sounds like a great idea! I was thinking of a 7.62x39 upper but it'd cost a bit more.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom