Get a Smith and Wesson or Ruger anything but Norinco, had to replace most everything on mine about to get a real one!
They are chambered in 5.56mm. I believe the newer imported ones say .223 on them for export/import reasons but are actually chambered in 5.56mm.
Here is all the information you could want on the topic...
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/5-56-vs-223/
Some manufacturers only mark .223, but are fine with 5.56 (CZ for example stamps 223, but says "All of our .223s will happily eat 5.56. Since our factory is in Europe, we build everything to CIP spec, which doesn’t differentiate between the two cartridges and just has the higher pressure as its standard.")
That being said, unless the manufacturer says that 5.56 is fine, stick to .223.
The Norinco ARs are all fine with 5.56 or .223
Having said that; Buy an American made AR instead.
S&W or DPMS are both solid choices. Same price as a Nork.
Norinco CQ-A are only made with 556 CHAMBERS.
Barrel can be stamped 223 but the chamber will determine.
It'S for export reasons I bet... looks less scary...![]()
own a CQa 10.5 and a Armalite M15A2 - the CQ has a better trigger and has less body wobble (and ambidextrous everything). Other than the SA bcg you would be hard pressed to tell the difference inside if you hid the trademarks.



























