Choice for first AR

[SteelCap]

My first (and current) AR is the Norinco CQ-A with the 14.5 inch barrel. Yeah, the finish isn't so great, it's rough around the edges and it stinks of communist Peking duck, but I still think it was the right choice for me.

First, the price is right at $699. And all that gucci kit bolts right on to it (yes, I dressed it up as if I was the international special forces operator, even though I drive a desk) and it still cost way less than a bare-bones brand name one.

Second, it's durable. I've got maybe 4500-5000 rounds of .22lr, .223 and 5.56 through it and it's still running strong and it has never failed me. There was one time when it failed to eject, and only because I neglected to clean her properly after about 1000 rnds of .22lr. I hosed down all the working parts with a little G96 and fed her few rounds of 5.56 and that sorted everything out, no problems since.

Third, it's accurate enough. I'm not a particularly good shot, but just about every time I put that little red dot on a target sheet up to 50 meters away and squeeze the trigger, a hole approximately 5.56 mm wide appears exactly where I wanted. I'd say it's accurate enough for my needs. My eyes are $hit, but I bet if I had magnification on my optics, it would accurately reach out further.

All in all, I'm happy with it. Yeah, it looks like a bag of $hit compared to the work rifle (Diemaco/Colt Canada), but after enough usuage, even the work rifle looks pretty rough. Rifles like this aren't meant to sit in the safe and look pretty only for the ranges, so I really don't mind that the finish on these isn't on par with the name brands, can't really complain for $699.

Would I ever buy a Colt or other such brand? Yeah for sure one day when/if I have that kind of money to throw that way, why not? The Norc is a good starter rifle, especially if money is a concern, but if you have butt-loads of dough, I don't see any problems with going for the brand name one either.

Thank you for this insight. I am in the same boat as the OP. I have been reading up on fireams and ammo....everything I read about Norinco CQA is solid and very reliable. One thing I just learned form your post is that it is possible to use a .22LR ammo? Did you have to do any mod? This will help me really firm up and narrow down my options.

 

[b_w.]

Thank you for this insight. I am in the same boat as the OP. I have been reading up on fireams and ammo....everything I read about Norinco CQA is solid and very reliable. One thing I just learned form your post is that it is possible to use a .22LR ammo? Did you have to do any mod? This will help me really firm up and narrow down my options.

You need a 22lr conversion kit

 

[Mister Donut]

Yeah, I've got a drop-in CMMG .22lr bolt and mag combo when I want to go on the cheap and feel like doing 26-round mag dumps. .22lr is filthy phucking $hit though, so be sure to clean your rifle thuroughly afterwards. The best is to swap the BCG back to .223/5.56 and tear a few off to make sure the gas system is cleared out.