Norinco CQ-A "AR clone" Review

lone ranger

lone ranger

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Well after shooting for 42 years I finally bought a 223 calibur rifle. I never thought much of the small round, I favoured 303, 308, 30-06 .
So I bought a Norinco CQ-A from Frontier Fire Arms...$699. came with 2 extra mags "great deal". I had a chance to put the CQ through a good test....TRI-Gun Shoot. It ran great, no ftf , zero problems. Used only Iron sights and had No problem hitting the round 10inch swingers @100 yards. It seemed to shoot as good as all the other AR rifles there. The gun did what it was suppose to and was a whoot to shoot. I really like it. Wished i would of bought one sooner. The only problem I had was with one of the Pmags "rivet was in wrong place" couldnt put the mag in with 5 rounds in it. Frontier replaced it No problem ...really great service and excellent warranty. Well there ya go,..thats my limitted knowlege and review. 2 thumbs up for the QC-A
 
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+1. I have never been a fan of the looks or style of the rifle but didn't want to get 'caught out' and never have owned one. (like when I ignored the prohib class about to be imposed years ago!). Out of the box at 60M after cranking the windage to the left I was shooting cloverleafs through iron peeps! Quite impressed. Actually a neat design too.
 
+2.

If all reliable, accurate AR's were $700 or less - there's no chance in heck they would ever get prohibited as too many amicable, common people would own them.
 
The Norcs are a great introduction to the AR platform - not as accurate as the high end guns, and not as pretty, but every bit as much fun and for the cost a terrific deal. I sometimes wonder if it wasn't for the Chinese supplying us with cheap guns, how many new shooters wouldn't be shooting. Between $400 1911's and Sig Clones, the $500 M305, and the $700 AR I think the Chinese have done more to get new shooters into the sport, and existing shooters to broaden their horizons than anyone else. In the long term, it might just be the Chinese who end up saving the shooting sports in Canada.
 
enefgee said:
The Norcs are a great introduction to the AR platform - not as accurate as the high end guns, and not as pretty, but every bit as much fun and for the cost a terrific deal. I sometimes wonder if it wasn't for the Chinese supplying us with cheap guns, how many new shooters wouldn't be shooting. Between $400 1911's and Sig Clones, the $500 M305, and the $700 AR I think the Chinese have done more to get new shooters into the sport, and existing shooters to broaden their horizons than anyone else. In the long term, it might just be the Chinese who end up saving the shooting sports in Canada.
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This.

You also forgot $150 M93's. My very first handgun. Also $150 Backpacker shotguns, $150 SKS's, and $400 870 clones.

I introduced at least 100 people to shooting with all of those guns (and several other Chinese one's - including my 2 CQA's) - including at least a dozen who have since got their PAL's and are heavy into shooting. I've got 6 guys really itching to try out my T97 when it lands - I think that will be the tipping point for 2 of them to get their PAL (although the CQA's were the guns that really started the fire for one, ex-military guy).

Thanks China - you've done more for shooting than the Conservative Party of Canada ever has.

I keep my sig as it is, because at $1500, the number of potential AR-buyers is MUCH smaller than the number of buyers at $700. The fewer buyers the fewer owners. The fewer owners, the easier for the government to steal the guns. It's just that simple.

I think Norinco haters are closet anti's, whether they realize it or not.
 
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I agree. Norc's are great and introduce many to what would otherwise be unaffordable hobby for many of us. Think how many less M14 owners there would be if the only option was US made? Thank you Norinco.
 
Steiner said:
I agree. Norc's are great and introduce many to what would otherwise be unaffordable hobby for many of us. Think how many less M14 owners there would be if the only option was US made? Thank you Norinco.
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And the T97 means that they're able to introduce a new and interesting product to our market. I have to infringe on their copyright, rip off their logo and put it on a t-shirt ;)
 
I recently received my 10.5" cq and I love it. To me the finish looks just fine, it is accurate enough, and it cycles beautifully. I certainly understand why someone would want a name brand with nicer finish and better components, but the cq is all I need. always laugh at those who slam Norinco owners for "giving money to the Chinese". Little do they know the keyboards they use to type their rants are likely made in China, not to mention most other things in their houses!
 
I have been eyeing up the 10.5" CQ-A for a while now. And I'm happy to say I will be purchasing one soon in the near future. I can't wait to finally add a rifle from the AR Platform to my collection! Plus I feel it will look right at home alongside my Norc 1911 in my range bag! :)
 
danoiwan said:
can the front iron sight triangle assembly be removed without cutting it off? I'd like to buy one, but would want to make it a flat top.
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Well, I attempted to remove mine last night, have removed a few from other AR's but this was the first Norc, left to right cause of the tapered pins...blah blah blah, anywho, after almost 2 hours of heating, grinding and using a mini sledge hammer managed to get the pins out.(and yes we were banging on the skinny end of the pins) Almost seemed like they had spot welded them in there. Hope you have better luck with yours.
 
chris8639 said:
Well, I attempted to remove mine last night, have removed a few from other AR's but this was the first Norc, left to right cause of the tapered pins...blah blah blah, anywho, after almost 2 hours of heating, grinding and using a mini sledge hammer managed to get the pins out.(and yes we were banging on the skinny end of the pins) Almost seemed like they had spot welded them in there. Hope you have better luck with yours.
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It can be a pretty nasty job for certain... but once you get it off and put on a low-profile gas block, you can dress them up pretty nice

 
I think whoever makes them presses them in using a hydraulic press (like a 20 ton) it's easier, and more secure to just take a dremel to the front sight tower, clean it up, and cover it up. There's not much point in replacing a rock solid fsb with an after market one that isn't as secure.
 
Norinco's are great rifles for money. 1500+ rounds on mine so far with no single issue. Good luck with yours!
here is mine by the way:)
97ca6562cb85.jpg
 
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