Norinco CQ 5.56
- Thread starter DustinStorms
- Start date
You will find many mixed opinions on these boards regarding said rifle. There's usually a topic every few weeks, if you don't get any info here try the search (for what it's worth). Lots of bickering, inevitable ChiCom bashing, but when you sort through it: the bottom line I have gathered is they are cheap to buy, decent mechanics, very poor finish. Maybe a good starter, but I think you can usually find a decent used Bushy (or similar B-grade AR) for a few hundred more on the EE...
The Norinco CQ's are great guns for the money, I've put about 1000 rounds through mine with no problems whatsoever, and with the price Marstar is going to be charging for them there is no other AR out there, new or used, that can even come close to the Norincos.
I owned a the CQ556 and also a stag arms Ar15.
The finish on the Cq isn't the greatest, but for about $500-$600 less than the Stag it is a great gun. The CQ performed flawlessly and was a good rifle. Overall I didn't find a huge difference in the accuracy, the stag may have been a little better. For the price difference go with the CQ and by a bunch of ammo or accesories.
If its your first AR buy the cq556, and down the road a little you can buy some aftermarket parts, and end up with a nice/more afordable AR15.
The only reason i sold my CQ556 is im getting out of the restricted rifle game as I don't make it to the range much anymore.
The finish on the Cq isn't the greatest, but for about $500-$600 less than the Stag it is a great gun. The CQ performed flawlessly and was a good rifle. Overall I didn't find a huge difference in the accuracy, the stag may have been a little better. For the price difference go with the CQ and by a bunch of ammo or accesories.
If its your first AR buy the cq556, and down the road a little you can buy some aftermarket parts, and end up with a nice/more afordable AR15.
The only reason i sold my CQ556 is im getting out of the restricted rifle game as I don't make it to the range much anymore.
I've researched these rifles a little bit, theres definitely no beating the price. I'm concerned about all these comments that people make about the finish.
What is it about the finish, what does that mean, can you be more specific? No one really ever is. Does it look like it was painted with a can of black spray paint? Is it parkerized (I read so but often it sounds like not from people who have used them). Do they scratch up or wear off and look like ####? What IS the issue with the finish exactly please and thanks!
Side question, if anyone knows any Canadian companies that either stock NOVESKE or can *reliably* get their products in a *timely* manner, please let me know
What is it about the finish, what does that mean, can you be more specific? No one really ever is. Does it look like it was painted with a can of black spray paint? Is it parkerized (I read so but often it sounds like not from people who have used them). Do they scratch up or wear off and look like ####? What IS the issue with the finish exactly please and thanks!
Side question, if anyone knows any Canadian companies that either stock NOVESKE or can *reliably* get their products in a *timely* manner, please let me know
The finish on the receiver and upper housing is (on mine) quite uniform and doesn't look bad at all - that said there are some typical Norinco machine marks here and there. The parts that attach to the upper (handle, gas tube, sights etc) were in many cases spray painted black, and the finish on the safety, mag release etc, can be a bit funky. Mechanically, they function very well indeed, mine shoots slightly under 2 inches at 100 yards and has never hicupped at all. In fact the biggest issue I've had with mine is keeping it fed.
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Amen to that
Its a tough call, to be honest I really don't like rifles that have a crappy finish. I really like a high quality feel overall. I've seen LMTs being sold by Questar that were a similar config to the Norc CQ-A being advertised by Marstar. They were affordable-ish, but still 2x the cost of the Norinco. I'm getting the feeling that ordering one would be fine, because if it was not what I wanted, I feel like it could be resold and there would be a demand for it.
What I really want is a high quality LMT or Noveske with a free float rail over the barrel that doesn't cost an arm and a leg (definitely do not want to crack 2K). Might just be a dream
Whats the best place to view used AR's online in the Canadian market?
Check out the gunsmith section of the forum. There are a few methods to choose from.
There haven't been many of the CQ's on the EE so I'm inclined to believe purchasers are happy with them.
What I really want is a high quality LMT or Noveske with a free float rail over the barrel that doesn't cost an arm and a leg (definitely do not want to crack 2K). Might just be a dream
I want a Ferrari for the price of a Honda.
Amen to that
Whats the best place to view used AR's online in the Canadian market?
The Black Rifle Equipment Exchange on this site is filled with ARs
