Norinco CQ-311

[sgt.rock]

I have been having a hard time finding any info on what kind of furniature (plastic handguards) and buttstocks that will fit my CQ311. It is a regular looking, super plain-jane, 20"barrel carbine. It has the fixed carry handle.
The rear edge of the bottom round handguard was old and chipped away, now it has lost enough of the plastic from the edge, that when I take my hand off it, the bottom handguard falls off.
I bought a set of carbine replacement handguards, but , only 1 fit. I took the old handguards off and compared,(I apparently got two bottom handguards) because the little alignment tabs wont allow the top piece to be inserted. (I believe the top and bottom are different thicknesses at the point where its inserted under the metal under the front sight)
Can a simple or not-so-simple modern looking handguard with a piccatinny toprail also be used providing its the proper length? or is there differences in the newer M4's versus the older 311's as far as how the gas tube etc are located??? Meaning, are there different "alignment tabs" or no tabs???
I just want a working , stable handguard, but don't know what to do next.
Also, can I change out the old style fixed buttstock for one of those fancy adjustable stocks?
I am completely new to AR's (except ancient military service, and I didn't particularly care for them way back then) but, it's of no use to have the darn thing, if I cant get a simple handguard. PLEASE ADVISE ME as to any of my options. Believe it or not, there's not a lot of info out there for the old style Norc AR's. And they are certainly not catered to by many stores, seeing as they are probably the LEAST popular iteration of the AR platform.

 

[slicknick]

I put a set of A2 rifle-length handgaurds on my CQ-311 but had to file down the top tab at the front of the upper handguard until it fit. In the end I cut the damn thing right off and now have about a 1mm gap between my handguards at the front. There have been guys here on CGN who have fitted the railed UTG handguards as well (12" length) as well.

As for the buttstock, fixed A2 buttstocks will fit, but you'll need the longer screw to attach it to the buffer tube. I've put a carbine stock, buffer tube, spring and buffer in mine and it threaded right in without issue. It was the cheapo one from SFRC, if you are interested.

Hope this helps,

Nick

 

[slicknick]

Time for a ####ty cell phone pic. She's not pretty but sure does run.

Disregard the girly crap in the background, I may have a gun room in basement but the rest of the house is definitely the fiance's.

 

[Greenhorse six]

Slicknick,did you have your 311refinished?

Sgt.rock,you can have my old 311 handguards if you want,just pay shipping,p.m. Me if you want them.

 

[slicknick]

Refinished? Lord no, I'd have to turn in my Cheap Bastard Card if I did. The finish is actually kind of powder blue(ish) from the factory.

 

[Greenhorse six]

Hahaha, must be just the picture then,mine's got the same crapy pant job.

 

[sgt.rock]

Good news. After 20 minutes of cursing and wrangling the thing tonight, I got a super sharp pearing knife, cut off the three offending tabs, and "made er fit". It fits decently now for sure. I'll keep the handguards now as they are new and not falling off like the ones it came with.
NOW for the buttstock. Are the threads different on these than the newer M4 iterations? I've never replaced a buttstock on one , nor seen one changed, but exactly what is different between the two that keeps most manufacturers current offerings (piccatinny rails x1 or x4 etc, Adjustable buttstocks. Etc etc??? from being easily slapped on to give them a bit of a more current look? If its such a diverse platform, what is so different between the two.
I guess I'm asking , so I get an idea of what my limitations are for "fixing it up" a bit. Can I get a decent handguard/buttstock and have them fit without a gunsmith or too much fiddling? I'm only barely competent with a file/tools, and no smiths in this town to help. Any advice you guys are giving me is great. Thanks for listening.
Just want to have a hybrid of old and new.

 

[Deckard]

The threads for the stock are different, however you can screw on a CAR stock. I did ths for a bud. Use lots of oil and put lower in vise and protect it from marks. Screw in, take out and clean threads, repeat. The stock will cut new threads, but you have to clean out the metal it cuts. Perhaps in and out 8 times.