How much truth to quality Norinco AR's?

[Joejojoba111]

http://securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/2000/2033.htm
http://securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/1500/1560.htm

"Also Note on the Norinco CQ-311. Only five hundred ever manufactured. This was in 1989. As the story goes Colt got a hold of a few early examples, in '89, and feared two things first the quality of the product, and second the ability for Norinco to mass produce millions of copies thereby swamping the market. Colt worked out a deal with Norinco to stop the production of the AR-15 clone. Hence Norinco makes licensed copies of the 1911 and were provided all tools dies and metallurgy for the 1911."

This does appear to be true, can anyone find flaws in it?

My guess it that one part of the article that could be picked is the claims of quality, I think that Walmart proves that the second fear was genuine. All in all I wonder if the quality was as high as it says?

 

[444]

Based strictly on internet rumor, I would say it isn't true.
I am pretty sure that Norinco manufacturs an AR15 right now.

 

[Gewehr98]

When the Norinco 1911's first hit the market...

Word was they were reverse-engineered from USGI WWII Colt/Remington-Rand/Ithaca/Singer/Union Switch & Signal 1911A1's that remained left-over in theater after the end of the war. It would explain why their dimensions and pin locations are so consistent with the USGI guns. No need for Colt to provide drawings and documentation, and the patent/copyright for the 1911 had long since expired.

 

[justsurvivingincalifornia]

At one time PRC was activily planing a invasion of Taiwan (ROC). China(PRC) had always considered Taiwan to be a rengade province of sort. They have try to take back/invade/capture Taiwan several time in the past.

Most still belive they still are planing to take over Taiwan.

The 1911 clone as well as the M14 clone were part of a plan to invade Taiwan. Their plan was to have a large group of special operation unit Armed with the correct looking equipment. Taiwan is the only other country out side of the US to manufacture the M14 as their standard rifle.

note:Norinco M14 are cheap clones which do not compare to US or Taiwan made one, but they would function long enough to establish a beach head.

 

[vanfunk]

I think most owners of Norinco M14's would have to disagree with the assessment that they are "cheap". The receivers are drop-forged and in-spec, the barrels are chrome lined and accurate. They are headspaced for NATO 7.62x51 and thus come up long on SAAMI gauges, but that's A-OK for surplus ammo usage. There is some verity to the claim that the bolts are soft(not all are soft, but clearly some of them are), and many owners have had them fitted with USGI M-14 bolts to clear the issue. In fact, a Norinco or Polytech M14 fitted with GI parts makes a darn fine rifle (although my personal opinion is that they're OK as they are). I love my 52XXX SA M1A, but I'd also love to add a Chinese M14 to the stable if I could find one locally for under 700 bucks. Inexpensive, yes, cheap, no. Same with the 1911A1's. I'm not sure I buy the theory that China wanted to equip an invading army with US look-alike arms - I'd need alot of convincing to see where that would possibly make sense. That they have contemplated invading Taiwan for years is not in doubt, but they would certainly use their own weapons. China has had a prolific arms export industry since WWII and have had great success selling arms. I think the M14 and 1911A1 copies were for export only - not local military - and they have been quite successful at selling them in many countries.
vanfunk

 

[PAC 762]

FYI- This month's small arms review has a write-up on the norinco ar.