norinco m4 upgrades, suggestions

brit84

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Hello,
ive pre ordered a marstar m4 and have already thought about switching some things on it. I would appreciate suggestions on what to look at getting. Would like things that require little work or modification.

1) forend rail- something i can mount a vertical front grip on.

therefore also a forend vertical grip

2) Trigger -hear its a good upgrade to do, have read the other posts about this.

3) new grip, ergonomic preferably for long thin hands. ive not liked the stock grip on the ARs ive held.

4) red dot sight- i assume this would mean having o chop off the front iron sight if it doesnt detach. Interested in both zoom and non-zoom types.


thanks for the help!
 
Hello,
ive pre ordered a marstar m4 and have already thought about switching some things on it. I would appreciate suggestions on what to look at getting. Would like things that require little work or modification.

1) forend rail- something i can mount a vertical front grip on.

therefore also a forend vertical grip

2) Trigger -hear its a good upgrade to do, have read the other posts about this.

3) new grip, ergonomic preferably for long thin hands. ive not liked the stock grip on the ARs ive held.

4) red dot sight- i assume this would mean having o chop off the front iron sight if it doesnt detach. Interested in both zoom and non-zoom types.


thanks for the help!

1-No clue.

2-I wanted to change it at first, but I got used to it and it cleaned up after 2k rounds.

3- The standard grip is pretty good; mind you I have large fat hands.

4- I have an Etoch cowitnessed to the front sight, with a Yankee Hill "clicky" BUIS. Works nice, although I would have liked more rail on the reciever due to it being a tad crowded. You might also want to look into an Aimpoint. I have no experience with the Aimpoints but people that like them, like them a lot. Sorta like a Ford vs GM thing.

I don't know about Aimpoints but if you have visual problems then you may have issues with the red dots being "pixelated"; in my case it looks very blurred. Glasses + stock kind of works, but the cheek weld is a little more interesting.

This clearly is not an "operator" or target rifle set up like some of the other folks have on here, but it works.
 
I suggest you swap the lower for a an armalite lower and then swap the upper for a LMT upper :D

Yeah, I had an Armalite lower under my Norc upper but now I just run the Norc as a unit - works the same. Back to reality -

1) You have 3 choices:
A) you can get sections of Pic rail that attach to the standard guards
B) you can get a non-float rail that replaces the guards (Troy makes them) but you might need to play a little to get them to fit
C) you can get a free float rail that gives you a continuous top rail, just about everyone makes them, many require that you cut the Delta ring off.

2) I did and I think it's a fair bit cheaper than 1000 rounds -it'll improve your shooting from the start

3) I went with a Hogue, but the Ergo is better if you have large hands (almost anything is better for large hands)

4) I went with a Millet DMS 1-4X it has a doughnut reticle that is illuminated and it's about half the cost of anything else - $300ish (I've got an Armalite mount an despite the fact it's quite low haven't had any issues with the FSB getting in the way)
 
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Here is what I have done to my NORC m4:
1) NcStar Quad Rail system, drop in design, no gunsmith required. Vertical Foregrip from NcStar as well.

2) Trigger - didn't touch it, it is bit heavy pull, but it is not too bad even compares to my COLT AR trigger.

3) Grip - Didn't change it, thought about it, but the OEM one worked just fine.

4) red dot sight- Tried it, didn't like it (OK for 25 yards), removed the handle, add an AR Riser then installed a tactical 3x9x40 mil-dot scope, then it is 1/2 inch group fun at 50 meters.
 
1) A Stag upper
2) A Stag lower

:stirthepot2: I couldn't resist. That being said it's fantastic that an AR rifle is offered in this price range. They look to be excellent for the price.
 
1) A Stag upper
2) A Stag lower

:stirthepot2: I couldn't resist. That being said it's fantastic that an AR rifle is offered in this price range. They look to be excellent for the price.

thanks all!

again, im getting this rifle since its cheap and something to learn the ar platform with before spending more.
 
after a full weekend worth of shooting, the standard a2 grip nobby hurts my princess hands. so I switch it to magpul moe. I also dislike the stock so switched to moe stock. for rails, I just used utg drop in rails. china part for china gun. =) I had a troy stubby vert grip kicking around so I put that on. you'll prolly want to change your sling setup. I put an ambi sling plate on mine as well. If you don't want to spend the coin on replacing your trigger or the springs, you could just put automotive polish paste inside your trigger bits and pieces, and do like a billion dry fires (slip someething soft where the hammer drops. then thoroughly clean it.

for red dot, any of the big 2 will be fine.
 
Bargain Basement

I suggest you swap the lower for a an armalite lower and then swap the upper for a LMT upper :D

I hope you are kidding.....The whole idea of buying a Norinco M4 is to have the feeling of handling a real Colt M4, for $699. Sure, there are many options aside from Colt, that cost less than a Colt, but the cheapest is double the price of the Norinco. Ask anyone who has a Norinco firearm if they are happy and they will say, "For what I paid, it's great!" For most people that is the primary issue, value. I have a S**T-LOAD of firearms and have been shooting for 40 years...Holy Cow, am I that old?...(Am I an expert?....no. Do I know a good reliable gun from a piece of junk....yes.) From my experience, they are a great choice for someone with a limited budget. Most Norincos are so closley cloned to the originals, that the parts fit perfectly, so parts are not really an issue. But back to the original question about modifications...I wouldn't spend a dime. Enjoy the feel, the look, the savings and shoot it till you can afford a better one. I've always wanted an AR15 style rifle and I have ordered one of those $699 deals. Only problem now is, it's taking so long to arrive, I'm stuck paying the HST!
 
What are you going to use it for? Don't waste your money on doodads that contribute nothing to the shooting you will be doing.
A low powered scope might be a good idea, if you want something other than the issue iron sights.
Spend some money on ammunition and range time, then decide if any changes are appropriate.
 
ill be starting with iron sights, i do want the railand vertical foregrip.

beyond that im not planning much except maybe a red dot or low power scope.

Will be used for fun and maybe one day, 3 gun matches
 
So can you just put an Eotech 512 right on the rail under the handle or is there another piece needed for co-witness?

Yankee Hill Machine makes an Eotech riser that gives a clearer view with the Eotech. I seem to remember it raises the 512 .300 inches. I prefer it to just mounting it on the receiver. I use a YHM rear backup sight. Original front sight with a HiViz post.
 
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