The Stag 1R is $1550.
http://www.armseast.com/store/index.php?p=catalog&parent=16&pg=1
A Storm converted to NR will cost the same or slightly more. $1000-$1100 for the Storm and $500-$550 for the NR barrel including gunsmithing and re classification.
AR Pros: Handles better. Is a true black rifle. Excellent ergonomics and just a great all around rifle. Tons of add ons etc to turn the rifle into exactly what you want. Easy to add optics to with the flat top (They all have flat tops these days).
AR Cons: Restricted. Cost of .223/5.56 ammo these days is getting brutal. Most shooting ranges won't let you shoot these inside or on the pistol range.
Storm Pros: Can be converted to Non restricted. Cool looking, very accurate and the controls are all in the right place. Balances well and fun to shoot. Uses much cheaper 9mm ammo. You can shoot it indoors, or on a pistol range. The pistol range is actually a big advantage because many have hanging metal which is a ton of fun to shoot. Also indoors during the winter is nice.
Storm Cons: Polymer (I don't mind this but some do), The range of the 9mm round is limited. Those bunny ears making mounting optics a pain. IE scopes etc. CQB style optics seem to be fine, Although Eotech is too wide at the base and can interfere with the charging handle if you have it back. The trigger is decent (A bit heavy but not too bad) but unlike the AR you can't swap it out for a better one. Lack of add ons and modularity. The strap along the stock to the pistol grip looks cool and meets US rules but it interferes with function such as the magazine release.
Another consideration: You lose the 10 rounds and have to go back to 5 but.... you may wish to consider the CZ-858. It's less expensive than both, handles well, non restricted and shoots cheap ammo. It's a decent rifle and it'll get you shooting while still giving you a cool gun at a very good price. The lack of mounting choices for optics is a big minus (basically an iron sight only firearm) but otherwise it's a lot of fun. Just another consideration to get you out there.
The Norinco will do the trick as well. I don't know much about them. My concern with them is they won't hold their value, and with the cost of .223 ammo these days, you'll put a heck of a lot more in money through ammo than the gun is worth. Ultimately the $550 difference between the Norinco and the Stag is nothing in the long run. It cost the same to feed a cheap gun as an expensive one if they are in the same caliber. I prefer to run a lot of ammo through .22LR, 9mm, and 7.62x39. The .223, .308 etc get a lot less trigger time and are usually shot at the end of the range trip to keep costs reasonable.
I have always liked/wanted a Stag Arms AR15 but I can't pay the $2,000.00 for it PLUS more money needed for optics, rails, for grips and ammo the feed it. So I am think of getting a CX4 Storm in 9mm which is about half the cost of .223 ammo and I already shoot 9mm in my M&P. I also eventually want get it re-barreled with a non-restricted length bull barrel (how much does this cost?). How far could I shoot this accurately.....before and after the re-barrel? What are your thought on this rifle? 
