Norinco CQ-A / DA 556 10.5" finish

[PlanForPlanB]

Hello all, just hoping some of you know a little more about the Norinco CQ-A and/or DA556 than I do and can give me a little help. I am interested in the 10.5" barrel model but know they had problems with the finish (parkerized) in early production. I know there are 14.5" models which have a new annodized finish but I am unsure as to whether or not any 10.5's were made with the better finish? If so, is there any way to know by looking at them which is which? Any help'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[*MALICE*]

You may be confused.

Parkerizing is what you do to steel (ie. the barrel)
Anodizing is what you do to aluminum (ie. the receivers)

 

[PlanForPlanB]

All I know is the review I watched (Civil Advantage) called the old stuff that used to flake off Parkerizing. It may not be the correct term.

 

[PlanForPlanB]

All I know is the review I watched (Civil Advantage) called the old stuff that used to flake off Parkerizing. It may not be the correct term.

 

[FoxAlpha]

I had my 14.5 norinco for the last 5 years, bought new and not once did I have any issues with the anodizing or the finish on any parts. Since then she's gotten a hefty dose of krylon paint, but not because of a problem with the original finish.

 

[PlanForPlanB]

Ya I know the 14.5's have the upgraded finish, just unsure about the 10.5's

 

[enefgee]

The 10.5's came along a couple of years after the 14.5's - all of the 10.5's have a better finish than the early (14.5 only era) guns. The worst thing that happened with the 10.5's was that some of the extractor springs weren't up to snuff. This doesn't seem to be the case now.

 

[doc25]

I had one from Marstar when they went on special for $500 or so. Think it was last year. It was scratched/chipped during shipping. Best I could figure out is it was painted. Could not get clarification from Marstar. At best it was painted over anodized alum. The anodizing was not dark (was clear or maybe light bronze) underneath. No experience with the da.
As I understand it norinco does not make the firearms, but is a reseller. So maybe different lots get you a different product?

 

[enefgee]

If the finish is a huge thing for you, you can have it Armacoated and probably still be ahead financially - but I'd suggest that the way to deal with a badly finished gun is to run it hard, spend the money on ammo.