Norc AR15 clones

O

ollie

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Can any of the AR gurus give me the skinny on norinco 311's(that's the AR clones right). Are they total junk, or acceptable as an entry level AR? I want to get myself an AR and I'm not picky about brand names. Is the Norinco worth my time and money, or would it be a waste and I should just eat KD for a few more months to get a real one? Are all parts interchangeable(say, to start out with a norc and gradually add nicer components, like upper and guts)...
 
They are good shooters, but bad finish and furniture. This is not just an opinion as I tested buddy's 311 a lot. It is better to save up and build a brand name AR as it keeps more value.
 
The 311 is, IMHO, the best made clone they ever made. Finish is ####ty paint, much like the ####ty paint used on the VZ58's.....and people don't mind paying $600 for those. 311 is very accurate, functions 100%, and as mentioned is an A1 clone (A1 sights, skinny barrel, oval f/a, no shell deflector,etc). A1 furniture drops right on and is cheap too boot, and looks right. A2 furniture looks wrong on this rifle and I would avoid it. I had one for a while, nothing wrong with it at all. Gunnar has it now and likes it as well.
 
thanks for the heads up. I am debating between a 311 and vz858...Big boner for the old style M16's with the mattel traingular handgaurds, I like the price and I'm not fussed about the finish, but the restricted bit is a little off-putting. VZ858's from what I gather are not the most accurate(comparitively) but I'm a sucker for the AK look, and taking it pig hunting would be lots of fun.

Coin toss, methinks. Or maybe wait a few months, and magically AR's will become non-restricted? A guy can dream!
 
I think they are alright. But you do get what you pay for.

Mine functions 100% and A2 furniture went in with small amount of manipulation. Also I temp painted mine black and it looks alright.

I got mine years ago for 500bucks new. i am not sure if anyone has any of these new anymore but I have seen them listed here for 6-7hundred used.
 
Wild West in west ed has some as well last time I was there.

The 858 is accurate. I dropped a caribou with one the other day at about 75 - 80 yards no problem.

D_
 
Does anyone know how accurate the Norinco dimensions are? What I'm asking is, can I take any AR part and swap it on the Norc? I'm not saying that I would, but I might consider buying one if I knew that I could swap parts out down the road.

Which parts can be swapped? -Trigger mech?
-Barrel?
-Buffer Tube?

You get the idea, if anyone knows then I'd appreciate your help.

Anyone know the twist rate? I'm guessing 1:12 since it's A1 style.
 
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The dimensions are close but not quite the same.I have an 11.5" build based on a Norinco 311 lower.The DPMS parts kit fit fine,with the exception of the selector,which has a bit of play in it,and the trigger had some minor clearance issues.The threads for the buttstock tube are different as well..No issues fitting the upper though,it fit perfectly and is nice and tight.
If I was to choose,I'd go with the 858 over the 311.Non-restricted is a bonus,though no complaints with my VZ58 either..It's your choice..R..
 
Nork AR-15

I believe Lever Arms in Vancouver still has some as well:

www . leverarms . com / Rifle%20Index. html

(look Ma, no hotlink!)
 
I would think that you could easily chase the buffer tubes with a buffer tap and fix that issue. As for parts, the Norinco LPK is as good as anything else out there short of match grade stuff. I'd leave that alone.

I'd be tempted, if I owned one, to bead blast the whole thing and have someone like Dlask re-annodize the receiver.

DEFINITELY these look best done up as an A1 clone and you're not going to get anything comparable for the price IMHO.

FWIW, I run Colt, Armalite and Dlask AR's, don;t even own a Norinco. But I've played with a few and I think they are a great AR-entry vehicle for the price point.
 
It is better to save up and build a brand name AR as it keeps more value.
Click to expand...

C'mon now:rolleyes: . The guy said that he wanted an entry level AR. What better than the 311? I've owned Colts...I still own a DPMS A-15 although it's set up for long range with a heavy barrel...and I've owned 3 CQ-311's, all set up differently. You can't get more bang for the buck especially when all 3 were the price of 1 Colt:eek: . As cheap as the 311 is, I've never had one malfunction on me at a match. Lots of my Colt shootin' buddies can't say the same:(

p.s. sorry if Colt feels undully bashed. They're good guns too:D
 
If all you plan on doing is shooting, it is hard to be the Norc 311, I say scrounge up USGI furniture, I'll donate a pistol grip and fly at 'er, I'd buy a Norc 311 over any "commercially available domestically produced AR variant".
 
I've been wondering about this too. I had been using a C-7... for a while and then picked up a CQ-311. (literally.) It felt light and toy-like in my hands compared to a real military rifle. I wondered about its reliability and ruggedness. Could you use a CQ-311 for "serious" use?

I was offered a scoped Mini-14 as new for $700. A CQ-311 is, what, $750. I wonder what would be the better deal.

I prefer a flattop AR so that it can be easily scoped. That's what's prevented me from getting a CQ-311.
 
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