First AR, got it narrowed down. Thoughts Please

So I am buying a Norinco, what barrel length

  • 10.5" Hands down, why would you buy anything else!

    Votes: 19 16.5%

  • 14.5" Hands down, why would you buy anything else!

    Votes: 43 37.4%

  • For God sakes, Never buy a Norinco!

    Votes: 53 46.1%
  • Total voters
    115
P

Pancake81

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Hey Gang,

Well, I am finally going to buy my first AR. Been a gun owner for about 10 years, and owned/own some very nice guns. However, I do not have an AR :eek:

I have been doing my research and comparing it with my budget and it looks like I am going to be a norinco guy. A good shooting friend has one, and he (like most of you) has been happy with his purchase.

My question to you guys/glas is this. Should I get a 10.5" or a 14.5"? If you can, educate me on why you suggest one or the other (reliability, looks, cleaning... whatever) I would appreciate it.

Additional info that may help:

- Obviously a range gun: probably not going to shoot past 100 yards
- Wont be be pumping thousands of rounds down range, but a few hundred a weekend would be reasonable
- Going to purchase the Lucid HD7 sight for it


Secondly, what would your first mods be to the rifle
- Flip up Iron Sights
- Sling
- Quad rail...

Please feel free to post AS MANY photos of your rigs as you want to pursuad me :)

Any other "must know" first time AR buyer advice appreciated.
 
For what you want to do, 10.5 vs. 14.5 is all about looks and handling.

First thing I would do is cut off the front sight and install a free float fore end.
 
If you plan to upgrade the rail later on i'd just get a NEA. Any quality rail will be $160 - $200.

$699 Norinco vs $1050 NEA (with rail and excellent customer service) i'd get the NEA.
 
Like the two posters above me, I think the NEA would be a smart move but I understand your reasons for going with the Norinco. If I were you and wanted a Norinco, I would watch the EE and pick up a used one that probably has a few mods already. That would also take care of your barrel length decision ;)
 
Pancake81 said:
Hey Gang,

- Obviously a range gun: probably not going to shoot past 100 yards
- Wont be be pumping thousands of rounds down range, but a few hundred a weekend would be reasonable
- Going to purchase the Lucid HD7 sight for it


Secondly, what would your first mods be to the rifle
- Flip up Iron Sights
- Sling
- Quad rail...
Click to expand...

If you are only shooting 100 yards, get which ever one you like best. There will be no noticeable difference in accuracy IMO. I have "heard" that 10.5 gas systems are a harder on the rifle that the carbine length but I don't know.

The first thing I would buy is Pmags. They work really well, feed reliably. If you want to get rid of ammo faster, buy LARs. These are also handy when shooting from the bench cause they are short.

Flip sights - meh. The lucid has an auto off. You life will not depend on it. Keep a spare battery in your range kit. I'd be inclined to say don't bother but have a look on EE for a used rear if you keep the front sight tower or a full set if the tower goes.

Sling - will you ever be slinging the rifle or just shooting it at the line at your club. If you aren't going to use it, don't bother. If you are, their are tons of options. DO NOT TRY TO USE THE SLING THAT COMES WITH A NORC. They are major crappy IMO.

Quad rail - do you want to bolt stuff on the front? If not, don't bother....unless you want to. Customizing your rifle is part of the fun. If you do I would say opt for a FF rail while you are at it. I put a DD Omega 7.0 on my Norc and it too about 5 minutes. I don't really need a FF forend but....
 
Skip the Norc and support the home team. NEA will put you miles ahead and you'll actually be proud to own it. Anyone can scrimp $400 more dollars together, and even if it means you have to wait two extra months, it's a wait well worth it. Western firearms manufacturers have it tough even trying to compete at triple or more the cost of Chinese junk, and when the Chinese is only $400 less, you have to scratch your head and wonder. With NEA you'll get real warranty support, far better component quality, free float handguard, and the pride of owning something made in the West. Make the right choice. :)
 
Honestly, I would love to support the home team. It's not so much a having the money, as it is spending it. Fact of the matter is, I am actually trying to do a build on a budget (for the first time in my life).

Realistically I would love to finish up under the $1000 mark, taxes in, accessories on (this does not include a case of ammo). Unfortunately, that kind of takes NEA out of the running. Hell, it takes everything else out of the running, limiting me to Norinco. As much as I would prefer the NEA in all aspects, it's just not in the cards for this build. This is also my first AR build, so don't want to go balls deep into something I am not even convinced I will love/keep.

The Norinco's are cheap, and I will probably buy off the EE. If I don't like it, I should be able to re-coop 95% of my cash (if not all). I have snooped around for NEA's on the EE too, but not many of them out there, and certainly not in my build budget.

As excited as I am to do this build, I also have other shooting obligations that are expensive, hense restricting my budget.

But... I appreciate all the input coming in and am stoked to get this underway
 
NEA will have resale value, the Norc won't. There is most of your $400 back if/when you sell it. you will get 90% back on the NEA & only 50% back on a Norc, just ask EE...

Get the more accurate 14.5" barrel. This has a benefit at the range while the 10.5" really doesn't. Accuracy is better value than looks & compactness. As others have said, you can only shoot at the range with it.

Alternatively, you could coin up for a XCR which can be carried through the bush and comes off the list an a few days...
 
AWOL said:
NEA will have resale value, the Norc won't. There is most of your $400 back if/when you sell it. you will get 90% back on the NEA & only 50% back on a Norc, just ask EE...

Get the more accurate 14.5" barrel. This has a benefit at the range while the 10.5" really doesn't. Accuracy is better value than looks & compactness. As others have said, you can only shoot at the range with it.

Alternatively, you could coin up for a XCR which can be carried through the bush and comes off the list an a few days...
Click to expand...

aww XCR two only downfall is the cost of it and the weight of lugging it around
 
AWOL said:
NEA will have resale value, the Norc won't. There is most of your $400 back if/when you sell it. you will get 90% back on the NEA & only 50% back on a Norc, just ask EE...

Get the more accurate 14.5" barrel. This has a benefit at the range while the 10.5" really doesn't. Accuracy is better value than looks & compactness. As others have said, you can only shoot at the range with it.

Alternatively, you could coin up for a XCR which can be carried through the bush and comes off the list an a few days...
Click to expand...

Well, I figure if I buy from the EE I can get a great deal. Plus, it only drops in price once really, if I decide to sell it I should be able to get close what I paid.

I've read lots about the XCR's, and they seem to have there problems. Going in the bush with it doesn't appeal "that" much. If I am in the bush, I am hunting, or carrying for protection. Nothing against the XCR, but it wouldn't be my first choice for either. Just looking for a range toy
 
There are a lot more 14.5 Norcs out there, and they are more reliable. There can be an issue with the 10.5 inch uppers - apparently some of the extractors (or ejectors depending who you talk to) are oversprung (or undersprung, depending on who you talk to). Additionally the 10.5's have only been available for a relatively short time. The very first batch of 14.5 Norcs had terrific uppers, that's what I would look for.
 
Shooter ----/ said:
For what you want to do, 10.5 vs. 14.5 is all about looks and handling.

First thing I would do is cut off the front sight and install a free float fore end.
Click to expand...

i agree about the front site and free float. after waiting way too long for my NEA to come in i decided to go grab a Norinco 10.5 instead, and so far its looking pretty good. just waiting for my papers to come into Reliable Gun so I can take this puppy home. it should be a fun little blaster and if i break it, at least i wont be out too much coin.
363455f2.jpg
 
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mhowarth said:
Get the Norinco. Cheap, reliable, and sure to make you smile.

14.5" looks pretty bada$$, and the more accurate of the two.
Click to expand...

There is no reason for a 14.5" barrel to be more accurate then a 10.5 especially at 100 yards the only difference you will get higher velocity with the 14.5 but for only 100-300 yards that really doesn't matter so go for the one you like the feel of
 
pbr streetgang said:
i agree about the fron site and free float. after waiting way too long for my NEA to come in i decided to go grab a Norinco 10.5 instead, and so far its looking pretty good. just waiting for my papers to come into Reliable Gun so I can take this puppy home. it should be a fun little blaster and if i break it, at least i wont be out too much coin.
363455f2.jpg
Click to expand...

Are those irons off set?
 
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