norinco CQ-A

The finish on norcs isn't the greatest, but I love my cq. Never an issue with it. My 1911 doesn't have the best slide to frame fit, but barrel lockup is good and i've managed 3" groups at 20.
 
Norcs, DA and NEAs have been praised and ridiculed ad infinitum on CGN. As the OP said, you do get what you pay for.
Sometimes you get lucky and end up with a jewel of a gun but most times, you have to do something to them to make them reliable. Their only true advantage is price so you won't worry too much if you ding or break it.
With middle and top tier ARs, most times you get the jewel but, rarely, you will end up with a dud.
Do your research and look into mid level ARs like CORE, STAG, WW, Aero and DPMS. If the budget is tight, get the Norc. But at least, go in with both eyes open.
 
I don't think you can go wrong with a norinco for the price. You end up with a basic plain jane AR-15 that you can learn the platform on, while figuring out what the next one is going to be. Mine has been very reliable, accurate, and not totally ugly.:p

I know they get a bad rap sometimes, but consider that its a $600 gun, not a $2000 gun.
 
Mister Donut said:
I put about 5000 rounds through my CQ-A before I sold it to a friend who's own round count on it is up to 3000 and still going. The only reason I sold it was because there was a deal on a CC SA20 and I just needed a few more bucks. There was nothing wrong with the CQ-A, and there was no reason to sell it other than raising funds.
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Sold mine for the same reason. Tempted to get another as a beater/loaner.
 
84wh1 said:
No offence man, but that equates to about .5 MOA.....from a Norinco ar15......with iron sights................that's scoped handloaded bolt gun/ high end custom AR territory,
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My thoughts exactly and with so many shooters using quality rifles with quality optics struggling to make MOA on the Trinimon 100 Yd, challenge it's a real tough line to believe and at 200Yds. no less.

However you could be some exceptional shooter with incredibly great eye sight (you say your using irons to make MOA groups at 200yds. which is probably the hardest thing to believe in your claim) and in possession of an exceptionally accurate Norc. AR.


As for the Op's thoughts of a Norc AR; I've personally heard of good reliability as others here have claimed, yet the saying "you get what you pay for" rings loudly. Well at least that's how I feel every time I've handled a Norc AR.

If you don't mind the fit and finish and really want to keep your AR buy in low then go for it. There's little risk of losing coin if you re-sale on your investment providing you do not spend much on upgrades IMO. Personally I'd buy a basic Smith & Wesson (or other reputable American AR) for a couple hundred more, but that's me.

Cheers D
 
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my72jeep said:
I have a CQ-A I can put 5rds in loonie sized groupings from 200yrds. With iron sights.
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.5 moa with iron sights at 200 yards

this would would make you one of the best shots and firing one of the best AR here on all of cgn and perhaps all of canada, maybe all of north america.
congrats, its time for you to join the olympic team!
 
CQ-A is built like a tank. If you are all about a fancy finish look elsewhere. If you are all about a gun that just keeps running and is accurate with little maintenance then this is your AR.
 
Bolivar said:
Sold mine for the same reason. Tempted to get another as a beater/loaner.
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Haha, me too! I was thinking about picking up a 10.5in just so I can beat on it without worrying about scratching it up.

It's funny, I'll throw my C7 into the dirt, I'll toss it on the workbench, won't worry about dropping it or leaning it up against something that will scuff it up, even take it into the $hitter with me, but I'll baby SA20 like it's made of crystal.
 
edgeman said:
well I think that settles it,

I'm getting one!

thanks guys.
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CQa's may be the bastards of the AR family but you won't regret it. After app 3000 rounds, my norc has never missed a beat. No failures whatsoever! I've done a Blackgun and a CQB competition with it and will do more in the future.

This is 6 shots (handloads) with a Barska red dot at 50M.



And this is 56 shots at 200M on a B-27 target.



It's not .5 MOA like others......but minute of bad guy is good enough for me :)
 
mikethebike said:
.5 moa with iron sights at 200 yards

this would would make you one of the best shots and firing one of the best AR here on all of cgn and perhaps all of canada, maybe all of north america.
congrats, its time for you to join the olympic team!
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No not the best I know better, and to many restrictions in the Olympics, along with idiots.
 
BioPace said:
Ideal. Keep the number of RPALs growing and keep our Canadian LGSs in business.
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Honestly getting more and more ARs and pistol shooters out there right now is the most important thing we can do.
Whether its a Norinco shotter or a Noveske shooter, it really doesn't matter right now.
 
mikethebike said:
Honestly getting more and more ARs and pistol shooters out there right now is the most important thing we can do.
Whether its a Norinco shotter or a Noveske shooter, it really doesn't matter right now.
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I always wanted to get an AR, but I held off on getting a license because I thought I could never afford one. I knew that a US-made Colt M4 was $2,500 at the time and I'd have to wait a long time to save. When I heard I could get an AR for $700, I took the course right away and got my license. 20 something firearms later, I'm still loving the hobby, and God knows how many people I've influenced to get into it, all because of the CQ-A.
 
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