The ruger is $400 more than the Norc , but it comes with Magpul sights. Sure, the Ruger has the theoretically better gas system.... But, the Norc does come with the traditional open sights, ambi mag release and ambi safety. What would you buy?
Ruger SR556 or Nork AR?
- Thread starter bazza
- Start date
I had a problem with a norinco. The bolt failed the firing pin could get stuck in the whole causing either light primer strikes or out of battery detonation. i sent it to north silva for warranty repair. All the did was a test fire and sent it back in its unsafe condition.
AR's are like 1911, basic ones like the Norks will work fine, but fitting, and finish, and quality of materials isn't there. There is a reason AR's are priced differently, and why some of the smaller boutique makers get lots of praise for the products they turn out.
Since you can hunt with it there in NZ, I'd say forget the Nork or Ruger and look at something nicer.
Since you can hunt with it there in NZ, I'd say forget the Nork or Ruger and look at something nicer.
300Spartans
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Canada of course
The Ruger if I was planning on keeping an AR type, the Norinco if I was planning on selling it down the road.
The Ruger SR556FB and SR556C models don't come with Troy Battle Sights anymore. They now come with Samson sights.
I would buy a norc, or something better.
I would skip the ruger, but that's just me.
My norc has had zero issues, and it's super accurate, and no malfunction in 1000 rounds.
Cant say that about the US made keltec that is not as accurate, fails regulary, and has a cheap plastic receiver that is misaligned to the bore. Oh well.
I would skip the ruger, but that's just me.
My norc has had zero issues, and it's super accurate, and no malfunction in 1000 rounds.
Cant say that about the US made keltec that is not as accurate, fails regulary, and has a cheap plastic receiver that is misaligned to the bore. Oh well.
Spend the extra money, the norcs are fine from what I have seen on the forums, but most guys upgrade to a better AR at a later date. My vote is for a core15, mine has functioned flawlessly for a couple thousand rounds, quality is excellent, wanstall has them. The norcs are not milspec, this is a bit of a hit against them. So if it is down to only a ruger or norc buy the ruger, you will not regret spending the extra money and getting a better rifle.
Well a few things to consider here. No doubt the Chinese ARs are cheaper for a reason but while I have not owned a Chinese AR I have owned 2 Chinese shotguns, a Chinese SKS-D, 2 Chinese M1As, and shortly a 9mm pistol. Both M1As, the SKS, and 1 shotgun I sold, as they went bang fine but they just did not do it for me.
Now my Grizzly 12.5" pump is a keeper but my point is I have one of those non main stream SGW ARs and I have had it for decades. It goes bang and never fails. My point is ask yourself how much are you going to shoot it and where. Most of us will do the legal thing and shoot at ranges, and most of those ranges are at 25/50 yards and are a waste when shooting 5.56.
Personally after what I have seen from my Reserve serving buddy's Chinese AR it is fine but it is a crap shoot with Chinese guns as not all shoot the same. I would by a Chinese AR, really check it out for fit/finish immediately test it out if it shoots and feeds well keep it if not send it back.
I bought a CMMG .22 rimfire conversion kit and use that more than expensive .223/5.56 at the range but will shoot off a mag of 5.56 for sh_ts and giggles once in a while.
If you have the money and know you will be happy being confined to expensive range shooting of 5.56 and will be keeping it forever then go all in and drop 1500.00 on a good one.
I spent 800.00 decades ago on my 11.5" CAR if shoots incredibly just love it and will never sell it.
One word of advice resist adding all kinds of bolt on crap Keep It Simple and practice! I bought a 10/22 to bolt all the new flat top crap on it but practise with my 10/22 at the range and farm as shooting an AR at a range gets boring fast!! It comes down to muscle memory so trigger time is a must.
Have fun and do your homework and make sure whomever you buy your AR from will support you if get a questionable one.
Randy
Now my Grizzly 12.5" pump is a keeper but my point is I have one of those non main stream SGW ARs and I have had it for decades. It goes bang and never fails. My point is ask yourself how much are you going to shoot it and where. Most of us will do the legal thing and shoot at ranges, and most of those ranges are at 25/50 yards and are a waste when shooting 5.56.
Personally after what I have seen from my Reserve serving buddy's Chinese AR it is fine but it is a crap shoot with Chinese guns as not all shoot the same. I would by a Chinese AR, really check it out for fit/finish immediately test it out if it shoots and feeds well keep it if not send it back.
I bought a CMMG .22 rimfire conversion kit and use that more than expensive .223/5.56 at the range but will shoot off a mag of 5.56 for sh_ts and giggles once in a while.
If you have the money and know you will be happy being confined to expensive range shooting of 5.56 and will be keeping it forever then go all in and drop 1500.00 on a good one.
I spent 800.00 decades ago on my 11.5" CAR if shoots incredibly just love it and will never sell it.
One word of advice resist adding all kinds of bolt on crap Keep It Simple and practice! I bought a 10/22 to bolt all the new flat top crap on it but practise with my 10/22 at the range and farm as shooting an AR at a range gets boring fast!! It comes down to muscle memory so trigger time is a must.
Have fun and do your homework and make sure whomever you buy your AR from will support you if get a questionable one.
Randy
Last edited:
I'd buy the ruger and get the trigger changed with timney or a geiselle.
It's a great firearm, good reviews.
T97 is my only Chinese rifle and it will be my last... I learned my lesson with that piece of crap.
But everyone here is on chinese kool aid so nobody cares about my opinion...
It's a great firearm, good reviews.
T97 is my only Chinese rifle and it will be my last... I learned my lesson with that piece of crap.
But everyone here is on chinese kool aid so nobody cares about my opinion...
All good opinions: I am heading to the dealer to look at the Norc today- I am leaning towards the Norc as it also comes equipped with a closed thumb hole stock- making it legal without having to buy an upgraded safe (open pistol grip stocks are "e" cat and require a higher spec safe than closed pistol grip stocks). Does that make sense? Of course not, but that's the law! The lower price would also allow for a trigger upgrade or optic. Now, will it shoot and be reliable? As long as I can get a rock solid warranty then I could be going Chinese over American. Unbelievable!!
Personally I'd probably take the Ruger and just deal with the fact that it has a piston. I'd guess warranty support would be better on the Ruger, even in NZ.
If you have DI options other than the Norinco, I'd look at those instead.
If you have DI options other than the Norinco, I'd look at those instead.
If it is just for punching paper, then the norc is all a person needs. If the AR platform was non restricted, then I would buy the best money could buy, but for one that will always be clean and never used in serious conditions, then why spend the money?
Last edited:
Good point- it will be used for paper and some sporadic goat/rabbit/magpie/turkey blasting. Accuracy is important, more so than cleaning ease. Reliability is certainly high as well- by all accounts the Norcs sound like excellent value- NEA AR's are the same price as Norcs over here.
