Could you help a newbie

powdergun

powdergun

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I'm definitely not new to long guns or handguns but I've never owned an AR. Looking at all the options out there it seems that a decent rig looks to be around that 1500 to 2000 mark for the rifle.

I've noticed that norinco makes a couple or AR type rifles for a lot less. I've used some Norc handguns and they worked fine but are the AR rifles reasonably dependable and accurate for that type of gun ?

No plans on joining any SWAT teams:D just looking for a toy for the range to burn up a few rounds plinking at 100 yards or less.

All opinions and suggestions welcomed


Thanks
 
ColassalEntry said:
This topic (norinco AR's) has been BEATEN TO DEATH.
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Really? Anger? I was hoping this would give you ideas for more threads like rimfire bear defence:(

Sorry, no derail intended, what's important to you? Price/quality/buy Canadian? I own none, have shot 2 Norks and an LMT, IMO you git watcha pay for. Used name brand sounds like a good idea. I'd like to think my first one will be NEA...
 
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I don't have much experience myself but definately purchasing a used brand name is the way to go (thats what i did haha). I have handled 2 NEA rifles and both of their triggers were bloody heavy. Ive also heard about QC problems for the first batch so i would hold off until they get everything fixed.
 
Bolivar said:
So WHY will the OP be happier with a "Name Brand" than a Norc.
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Resale value, for starters (Norc lowers are worthless). Plus when the OP wants to start making modifications (and he will with an AR - that's half the fun) - he'll find that there's mil-spec, commercial spec and then barn-spec... By the time you replace all the stuff on a Norc to improve it you'd have been money ahead buying a used/low-round RRA or LMT. NEA offers a low-cost alternative to a Norc - and you'll certainly have less problems with it (not to mention the pretty impressive warranty that seems to accompany it).

Most "name brand" ARs come with upgraded stocks, grips and hand guards - so while you're usually paying a bit more - you're also getting something that's has some decent upgrades already. And when buying a used one, you almost always get any upgraded components at a discount for what they would cost newly installed.

At the end of the day buy what's within your budget. Just remember that you'll be spending a lot more on ammunition than you ever will on the firearm.
 
Meh, I've only owned one Norinco AR15, but I bought it for nothing and sold it for nothing. It was a CQ311, and that was the rifle that started my love of the AR15 platform. If you're not sure about getting into the AR15 game, there's nothing wrong with buying a $700 rifle and selling it for $650, or trading it for something else entirely.

That said, would I own a Norinco CQA or M4gery AR15? No, but that's because it's a 14.5" barrel, and not because it's a Norinco.

If you're only range plinking out to 100 yrds, you'll be fine with just about anything. If you want to complete, that's a different story.
 
Perhaps the best for a newbie is to buy a Norc used rather than new. That way resale value is pretty damn close to your initial investment. I missed out on a used one last year by about a day and that cost me an extra $100 plus tax.

As for add ons, which ones don't work with the Norc. I know that handguards can be a ##### (except for free float) and I personally had a failure with a BAL lever. Other than that, everything I have bolted on has fit and worked.

As far as no good for competition, where do Norc fall apart there? They seem to go bang every time. The barrels are not match grade but a lot of ARs are not match grade either.

Maybe I am a bit lucky with mine but I really can't say it has let me down. That is one of the reasons I can't justify selling it to fund a NA name brand rifle (I admit I am tempted, just for my new toy cravings)
 
I know what to look for in regards to bolt and lever guns etc.. when buying. What are some key questions that need to be asked when buying an AR ?

You know the situation. Fellow says 100 rounds or less fired out of a rifle with a badly eroded throat. Sorry for any dumb questions but AR's are uncharted territory for me. My only experience was with a bushmaster at the range one day. And man that was fun:D
 
Bolivar said:
As for add ons, which ones don't work with the Norc. I know that handguards can be a ##### (except for free float) and I personally had a failure with a BAL lever. Other than that, everything I have bolted on has fit and worked.
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Where to start... hand guards for certain, grips you'll need a dremel, BAD levers don't work and most PMAGs won't lock the bolt back after the last round (you'll have to use the more expensive EMAGs or stick with metal ones). Internals such as the trigger and BCG I think is throwing good money after bad, but that's just one opinion.
 
A lot of what you're hearing is the same stuff you'd hear if you'd asked about a Norc 1911. I've owned lots of Norc firearms over the years, SKS's (several), AK's (2) M14's (3) 1911's (3) Tokarevs (2) and one lonely Norc AR. Of all of them, straight from the box I had 1 problem, and 1 issue - neither of which was with the AR. I found the CQA to be reliable (with all mags - even the hated Norc ones), accurate enough - 2 inches at 100m with me shooting, and a sh*tload of fun to shoot. Can you get a "better" AR for more money, um yeah, that's not even awkward in our society - but if you want an AR to play with, get the feel of and find out if you want to get more serious about it, the Norc can't be beat. If you want to run PMags, I had no issues with them. I had an MOE stock on it, a float rail, various mounts and optics and even a "better" LPK - all worked. Interestingly, non worked better than the stuff that came on the rifle. After a couple of thousand rounds I sold it, for a reasonable price, and having thoroughly enjoyed it. There's a tendency here on CGN to suggest that 'everyone' "needs" a $4,000 rifle and a $2500 handgun to take to the range once or twice a month to shoot for enjoyment. I personally don't see it that way, I mean if you can afford it, by all means enjoy, if your means are more modest, the Norcs are great toys.
 
Bolivar said:
Pmag eh? Personaly I've never had an issue but my sample of one is not proof of all. Never read about Pmag
-Norc issues either but I'm still new to the game. I will take your word for it. I also had no issue fitting MIAD grips or the Magpul polymer trigger guard.
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Yeah, Magpul snuck a subtle follower change in that was just enough to cause a few issues with select Norc's. Norc's have notorious issues with hand guards and the occasional issue with grips (the grip issue can and does vary, though).
 
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