Thoughts on a Norinco CQA as a first 223 rifle purchase

I can't believe this is still being argued. The great thing about any hobby is that people have the freedom to enjoy it in different ways and follow their own preferences. Does it really matter for 99.9% of Canadian AR users what brand they shoot?

This is the best response in this thread even though I know the poster was being sarcastic:
Have fun with your Norc.

Just buy what you want and can afford and go shooting!
 
Norcs are great from a price/value standpoint. However, to buy them NOW in 2017 they'd have to be around the $500 or less mark either used or new, for it to make sense. I've had several Norcs/DA ARs in the past and they all shot just fine, no issues. However, they are slightly out of spec so when you put aftermarket parts on, it'll take some fitting. The finishing is also not that good if you use conventional "standards" to judge it - machine marks... Uneven anodizing... Rough finishing... Uneven surface ... Little "details".

I picked up an US made "entry level" AR last year and all I can say is that the fit and finish definitely is A LOT better than any of the Norcs I've had.

If the US ARs were still around the $1k mark then it makes sense to get Norc ARs. Right now though? No.
 
Tim, you’re right. I just always felt that fact based information is the most valuable to be shared. I’ll leave it at that.
 
Last edited:
In all fairness I'd take that DA556 over the CQa if I had to pick between the two. I'd still take a S&W M&P Sporter II over both.

Me too unless it was a great deal on the used Nork. Better yet a used M&P LOL

What can I say, not lookin to spend much if I ever get another AR
 
Last edited:
He made a follow up video about it as well. Leg

So where is the video Stoner? I can only find two and it dies in the second. Maybe you should go and watch them again instead of going off old memories like I said in my last post.

Where are all these other examples of CQAs being reduced to dust?

ETA: so I watched another one of his vids. One about his Olympic, and it turns out that the Norc was literally his first AR-15. Why are you placing so much stock one persons comments that has little to no experience with an AR? Just because someone has a YouTube channel doesn’t mean that they know what the hell they’re talking about.
 
Last edited:
Norcs are crap. Grab one over a NEA some junk like that but really even a hobby grade m&p sport 2 is a better buy.

The real answer is literally save a few hundred more and buy a quality gun like a stag or a colt 6920 or something to that effect. Or if you find a good deal on the ee i have seen some lmt and bcms come on at great prices.
 
So where is the video Stoner? I can only find two and it dies in the second. Maybe you should go and watch them again instead of going off old memories like I said in my last post.

Where are all these other examples of CQAs being reduced to dust?

ETA: so I watched another one of his vids. One about his Olympic, and it turns out that the Norc was literally his first AR-15. Why are you placing so much stock one persons comments that has little to no experience with an AR? Just because someone has a YouTube channel doesn’t mean that they know what the hell they’re talking about.


That is your interpretation... Another twisting of events of data on the Norc.

You wanted an example I gave you one from a guy that buys guns in that budget sphere.

If you want too tell the world the Norc is "Just As Good" as a proper mil-spec Colt or any other brand that is an opinion, I won't agree because the data tells a different story, and is very absolute in final conclusion. R34skyline sums it pretty damn good as well.

If you really want one, well then great, but again I state in today's market I see little need for a Norc, and I personally wouldn't want for any real reason accept a training gun possibly and that is a stretch.

Also wasn't Norinco caught selling arms to quite a few bad actors already? That is just another reason why I wouldn't support there company.

As for my previous post I was actually sincere, go have a blast with it, I honestly don't care either way too much. It's a just a tool, if you get one for a great price on the EE well fine. Good for you just don't tell me that is the same as any other AR, because it isn't in the slightest accept appearance.

The only part I care about is the current market options, which are far better for a low budget AR today. So a "Norc" just doesn't make sense in almost any scenario in my mind.
 
My interpretation? What are you talking about? Did you even watch the vids you’re referencing? Because we’ve apparently watched two completely different videos. I’m going off of what he said, not some fuzzy memory from three years ago.

Nowhere did I state that a Norc was the equal to a Colt. Thats you twisting words, not me.

Would it be my first recommendation? I already said it wouldn’t be with current US prices. My first recommendation would be PSA Freedom series with the lower of your choice, followed by a S&W Sport II. After that the Norc would be a decent option unless you were going to build it yourself but then it likely wouldn’t be your first AR.

I would chose a Norc CQA over a Colt Expanse however.

The only reason I decided to say anything is because people like yourself are saying that Norcs are crap, garbage, etc.. without any supporting evidence. Come on now, you’ve mentioned these self destructing Norcs that are completely unsalvageable, where are the examples?

Is a Norc the end all be all? #### no. You’d have to be brain dead to think so. You’d also have to be brain dead to think that my standing up for it as a decent product at a decent price point is somehow equivalent to stating that it’s the equal of a 6920.

Civil Advantage seems to be stating that his Olympic is just as as good as a DD in his review of it just because both functioned normally. Is that your opinion as well?
 
Last edited:
My interpretation? What are you talking about? Did you even watch the vids you’re referencing? Because we’ve apparently watched two completely different videos. I’m going off of what he said, not some fuzzy memory from three years ago.

Nowhere did I state that a Norc was the equal to a Colt. Thats you twisting words, not me.

Would it be my first recommendation? I already said it wouldn’t be with current US prices. My first recommendation would be PSA Freedom series with the lower of your choice, followed by a S&W Sport II. After that the Norc would be a decent option unless you were going to build it yourself but then it likely wouldn’t be your first AR.

I would chose a Norc CQA over a Colt Expanse however.

The only reason I decided to say anything is because people like yourself are saying that Norcs are crap, garbage, etc.. without any supporting evidence. Come on now, you’ve mentioned these self destructing Norcs that are completely unsalvageable, where are the examples?

Is a Norc the end all be all? #### no. You’d have to be brain dead to think so. You’d also have to be brain dead to think that my standing up for it as a decent product at a decent price point is somehow equivalent to stating that it’s the equal of a 6920.

Civil Advantage seems to be stating that his Olympic is just as as good as a DD in his review of it just because both functioned normally. Is that your opinion as well?

This is just twisted.

But the fact you just stated you would take a Norc over a Colt Expanse?? I'm perplexed.

Norinco M4 is not a decent price for the price they are currently charging, nor was it ever a good price for that barrel which will only last 10,000 rounds for a plinker, and most likely need the whole upper replaced on 5rd mags.

See MuskokaJoes previous post a few pages back.

The rest I'm not even going to waste my time responding too.
 
Last edited:
LOL, I guess by that logic the Palmetto State Armory PA-15 must be the same as the Knights SR-15 because it's "made" in the USA too... That's the closest you can come; citing a product description for a different rifle and saying - "It's made in China too"... LOL, well at least there's some value in your post for the OP. If he goes with the Dominion DA556 he can at least deal with CanadaAmmo's decent customer service if it doesn't work... In all fairness I'd take that DA556 over the CQa if I had to pick between the two. I'd still take a S&W M&P Sporter II over both.

Now you lost your credibility totally. Everyone on this forum knows that DA556 and CQA are made by same company. Only difference is DA556 has pencil profile barrel and CQA has Goverment profile barrel. You better get some knowledge first before increasing your post count.cheers
 
Now you lost your credibility totally. Everyone on this forum knows that DA556 and CQA are made by same company. Only difference is DA556 has pencil profile barrel and CQA has Goverment profile barrel. You better get some knowledge first before increasing your post count.cheers

For all we know they might not be even made in the same factory. China North Industries is a massive state owned organization with numerous locations. Again the specs for the DA556 as ordered spec’d by Canada Ammo don’t necessarily translate over to the QCa. Not to mention the description at CanadaAmmo is limited at best. Again that’s the thing with these rifles, there’s no real way to know what it is you’re getting. That’s what many here have said all along, both in this thread and others. Threads you’ve posted in and hopefully read.
 
Last edited:
For all you know they might not be even made in the same factory. China North Industries is a massive state owned organization with numerous locations. Again the specs for the DA556 as ordered spec’d by Canada Ammo don’t necessarily translate over to the QCa. Again that’s the thing with these rifles, there’s no real way to know what it is you’re getting. That’s what many here have said all along, both in this thread and others. Threads you’ve posted in and hopefully read.

So, you mean to say that Norinco use different metallurgy and manufacturing process for these almost identical rifles??
It is actually NOT.
 
Hello Again

Since I originally posted I`ve been reading the posts here and I have to say even with my Very Little knowledge on the topic, I see the talks have taken a sharply Left turn.
No need for arguments how about just stating the basics of the AR platform, why you like a particular one or why you don`t. Remember I am a Newb to this catagory and a USED rifle for me is the starting point, price is also a factor, cheaper is good to learn on and have fun with. Not to have it in the gunsmith`s shop more than in my hands is also on my wish list.

Thanks for your replies But lets try to keep it on my original post please.

Thanks
George
 
So, you mean to say that Norinco use different metallurgy and manufacturing process for these almost identical rifles??
It is actually NOT.

No, what I’m saying is who knows? That’s the point. Neither the manufacturer nor the retail outfits here have really bothered to pass on to the consumer this information. There’s no real way to know what you’re getting. Again, That’s not to say that they haven’t worked for people... I’m just saying, as it stands claiming that the norc is forged, and has a CHF barrel, because the da556 does or is claimed to have is speculation at best. There seems to be many contradictory tidbits all over the net as to what the material and specs of the CQa rifle are. Who’s to say what’s true and what’s not? You? Me? That’s my point. And be that as it may, there are many other options in a similar price range that don’t come with that ambiguity...
 
Is this wrong to say- that every AR under $1000.00, is exactly the same.


Take it out to the range and shoot it as often as you can. It doesn't matter which brand, but the less money you spend on rifle (especially your first one) the more money you have for ammo and range time.


I bet you'll own a dozen of them, on and off over the years. Buy it, shoot it, and if you don't like it, then just put it on EE for 125% of what you paid for it :)

I owned a norc, and I will buy another one.
 
George, all the other crap aside you can rest assured that a Norc CQA will work without issue if that’s what you choose to purchase. No need to tinker with it except to maybe install aftermarket furniture.

Buy some decent quality mags (Delton are GTG) and some rounds and have some fun.
 
OP:

It's a matter of affordability. If you can only afford to spend $500 and are dead set on an AR - then get a Norky and enjoy it. They are quasi mil spec reliable & capable rifles. I've had one, and it lasted me well over 10k rounds before I replaced the barrel. The initial investment as a starter rifle is well worth it IMHO.

If you can afford to spend $200-$300 more, then there are quite a few US assembled/ made ARs currently in the market that I would recommend you buy instead. They are a slight step up in quality and in some cases, accuracy as well. Functionally the same tho.

For me, when buying my first AR - I was looking to spend as much as I could on ammo so I went with the cheapest reliable one I could find knowing full well that I will be spending many times it's purchase price in ammo costs.
 
Back
Top Bottom