Norinco is a piece of crap

[guest]

I have an .22 M16 copy of an M16 with a collapsable stock.

I bought it over 10 years ago and kinda forgot about it.

I also forgot WHY i bought it.. for plinking I suppose.

Anyways, I also forgot what a POS it is..

Anybody else have a Norinco 22?

They made a decent looking AK copy if I recall

[California Joe]

I remember thinking about buying one of their little K98 copy 22s a few years back. I was going to trick it all out like a sniper rifle for my son. I never did get around to buying it though. I wonder if anyone still makes them....

[Limeyfellow]

They have gotten alot better but the good quality Norincos are usually post ban and can't be imported into the US. There was a time in the 80s that we did get some tripey ones exported around the world.

[Jippo]

Generally Norinco weapons seem to be of exceedingly bad quality. Never heard any other positive argument about them but the price.


-jippo

[Paulinski]

Their M14 copys are quite good same goes for 1911's Plus they have forged receivers (frame) as opposed to cast orignals.

[B 2/75]

Backing up Paulinski's comments, many high-power shooters building an M1A prefer the Norinco receiver over the SA receiver, because it is forged rather than cast... Their tolerances are good, and they are worthy of a build gun. Their bolts, on the other hand...

[Limeyfellow]

Their M14 copys are quite good same goes for 1911's Plus they have forged receivers (frame) as opposed to cast orignals.

The ones you can get in Canada tend to get good reviews, but back when they were still importable to the US they had some problems with their fit and the use of soft metal. Some had a habit of developing a headspace problem after firing a few hundred rounds through it though that seems to be quite rare, but enough for some companies to make a profit upgrading the rifles.

[Taekwondo]

My experience with Norinco weapons (their AKM clones actually) are generally good, and strange enough most people I know are also generally satisfied with them. The Norinco AKM's chromed barrel inside makes it possible to shoot almost anything through it so it's at least a cheap way to shoot a lot if you're into such kind of things (who ain't?).

[Randomrokottaja]

"They made a decent looking AK copy if I recall"

The main problem with Norincos is the quality that varies a lot between fair - extreme bad. Pure luck to get a good one when purchasing.

I used to have one Norinco 56 but i gave it away as a present (i didn't bother to take price for it). The main reason was lack of use and one friend needed it more. My piece was actually luckily pretty accurate one but wooden parts were pretty crappy, somewhat bamboo-wood or something. I also replaced them to plastic DDR surplus parts and that made the weapon look like a DDR-AK.

It was quite ok rifle to be a half-priceless one but i don't miss it.

[Taekwondo]

"They made a decent looking AK copy if I recall"

The main problem with Norincos is the quality that varies a lot between fair - extreme bad. Pure luck to get a good one when purchasing.

It was quite ok rifle to be a half-priceless one but i don't miss it.


Well, you're one of us lucky bastards who land on a good one! :)

[Randomrokottaja]

Have notified that those overpriced crappy Norinco 56s have now disappeared from markets right after better AKs arrived in? :D

[Taekwondo]

Nah, people just started buying the cheaper ones. The Norincos were cheap once but got gradually more expensive and people voted with their wallets.

[Randomrokottaja]

Norinco's reputation isn't very good around here as you know. Think about the famous crappy NZ75 pistol, CZ's pirate copy. Pure piece of *censored**censored**censored**censored* but isn't stupid to ask for price... Business is business.

[bas]

From reading different US forums, the Norinco Type 56's are generally better regarded then the East European ones built with US receivers (which truly are a gamble).

I have a short barreled SKS and a Type 56 and have never had any complaints about either. For that matter have never heard of anyone else complain about them until now.

Joe, Norinco is still making those Kar98k .22s we can still get them over here.

[LtVacan]

I have 2 Norinco AKs in .223 from the 1980s that are great, reliable rifles. My Dad has a norinco SKS and a .22 sporter. Both are accurate and reliable. We've never had problems with any of them.

[Otsoa]

I remember thinking about buying one of their little K98 copy 22s a few years back. I was going to trick it all out like a sniper rifle for my son. I never did get around to buying it though. I wonder if anyone still makes them....


We are able to buy them up here in Canada. A few people have mounted scopes on them to make it a mini sniper replica and they say that while the accuracy isn't top notch, it still is pretty good for a .22. One can buy them up here for about $175-198 Cdn. However, due to the ban, you lads down south are s.o.l. The only option that you might have in order to get a mini sniper is to try to find an old German or Israeli Mauser .22 trainer and that is going to be a touch on the pricey side.

[jpg]

Their SKS, AK and 1911's are not at all crappy. BTDT

[BlackFlag]

my Norinco SKS is a great gun..especially with the ATI folding stock I have on it..shoots a pretty decent MOA at 100' yards...sure as hell beats my buddie's Yugo SKS.

[California Joe]

We are able to buy them up here in Canada. A few people have mounted scopes on them to make it a mini sniper replica and they say that while the accuracy isn't top notch, it still is pretty good for a .22. One can buy them up here for about $175-198 Cdn. However, due to the ban, you lads down south are s.o.l. The only option that you might have in order to get a mini sniper is to try to find an old German or Israeli Mauser .22 trainer and that is going to be a touch on the pricey side.

Hey, I only live aboot 50 miles from the Canadian border. :) But it'd probably be a bitch getting it back into the US.

[p51]

I’m sure they made (or still make) some crappy stuff, but I had an SKS once by them that worked just fine, and their M1897 trench shotgun is a very good copy. I use it at re-enactments and displays to keep my real one from getting any more wear. I’m very happy with it’s form, function and appearance.

[Randomrokottaja]

Norinco's SKS were good weapons. Never owned any myself but i have shot with my friend's one. Worse thing that they seem to be pretty rarely available today.

[sct1886]

The ones you can get in Canada tend to get good reviews, but back when they were still importable to the US they had some problems with their fit and the use of soft metal. Some had a habit of developing a headspace problem after firing a few hundred rounds through it though that seems to be quite rare, but enough for some companies to make a profit upgrading the rifles.
The mystery headspace problem was poorly heatreated bolts. It was common, not rare. They otherwise were nice rifles. My buddies shoots sub moa groups.

[sct1886]

Are you sure it is a Norinco? All of the .22 M16 look a like rifles I have ever seen were made in the Phillipines, and yes they were pot metal garbage. Most Norinco products are somewhat rough but relaible.

[BrigN96]

One of the best marksman in my club have made himself a .45 based on a Norinco frame.
He used to work in a gunshop so he were able to pick out the one piece of a shipment he wanted. Weeks of work and heaps of spareparts later, the 1911 shoots straight and looks like a beauty!

[jpg]

Supposedly the Norinco 1911 is the closest thing to an original WWII 1911 on the market. It's no Les Baer, but it can be very competitive for practical and action pistol matches.

JPG

[ABNINF]

I had a Norinco SKS for a few years, and never had any problems with it.

[gafkiwi]

Norinco's are pretty common in NZ and mosy the ones I've encountered were of reasonable quality (the stock and hand guards seemed to be the main let down) and shot quite well. Alot of the "Crap" ones you do find in NZ are due more to poor user care and maintainance than anything else. I've mainly encountered type 56s and 84s and a couple of sks's and the is a bit of after market bits and pieces available to "Pimp them out" to a good looking reasonably accurate firearm.
End of the day its more the skill of the "Nut behind the butt" than the weapons quality that matters most.

[Otsoa]

Hey, I only live aboot 50 miles from the Canadian border. :) But it'd probably be a bitch getting it back into the US.

Ya, that whole import ban on Norinco firearms that the States has would really put a crimp in your plans I think. Marstar here in Canada sells them but as you can see on their page with the .22 trainer http://www.marstar.ca/gf-norinco/22-JW-25A.shtm, they cannot ship them to American customer. Maybe there is a way around the import ban legally but I am not all that well versed in American import regs concerning firearms.

[Roy Batty]

I've been looking at the M14 copies at Marstar. I would like to know if they are the same measurments and dimensions as the origional? I ask because I would like to look at upgrading the stock ( maybe the MacMillan ). Also anyone got any ideas for a good collapsing / folding stock for m14s?

[Pulsar]

My NORINCO Makarov clone is the most reliable pistol in my collection, I have yet to experience a single malfunction after more than a thousand rounds with various ammo brands and reloads.

My Beretta Cougar and Glock 22 already blinked 8 and 3 times respectively.

Maybe I got lucky with this one.

[ABNINF]

The Makarov is a good pistol. The only complaints I've ever really heard about them, were from the Russians fighting here in Afghanistan and it's lack of knock-down power. I've got a Russian one by the way.

[I_hate_posers]

Their M14 copys are quite good same goes for 1911's Plus they have forged receivers (frame) as opposed to cast orignals.
Have you ever heard of their barrells burning out faster than usual. Also, will a McMillan bros. stock fit, or are there mods that have to done?

[Paulinski]

Have you ever heard of their barrells burning out faster than usual. Also, will a McMillan bros. stock fit, or are there mods that have to done?

The M14/M305 are really popular (here) They are very accurate out of the box (small mods like op rod guide and shimming the gas cylinder) tightens the groups even more and its usually all thats needed.

Some people go to the extend of installing USGI bolt, gas system and Douglas and similar quality barrel to make it into tack driver at 500 yards.

But 1 to 1.5" at 100 yards groups through irons are very respectabe and easy attainable with stock or near stock Norinco's

There are numerous ppl here with thounsands of rounds down norinco barrels without any premature wear. The general complaints are poor stocks (soft mystery wood :) ) and messed up rear sight (usually replaced with national match or USGI rear sights)

From what I heard all stocks fit (socom etc). At $399 they are a deal and a half. Try 2K plus for SA 14 with a cast receiver.

My friend has one and I can't wait for bit more warmer weather to burn some SA surplus :)

Further the Norinco 1911A1 pistols are also great both the .45 ACP and 9mm versions. Local gunsmiths buy them by crates and tune them. 3-4lb trigger, general smoothing and adjusting, full lenght guide rod and better sights (Novaks)

I have one and its great it doesn't compare to my STI in fit and finish but it goes bang every time and is quite accurate. Plus all of the standard 1911 parts fit (Wilson Combat etc etc) so additional tweaking is easy.

The chinese are realy learning their gun building trade. Each time new batch of M14's comes into the country the machining and overal finish are better that previous shipment)

[I_hate_posers]

Not that I have any, but would M14 20 rd magazines fit. Like I said, I don't have any because that's illegal.

[Paulinski]

Not that I have any, but would M14 20 rd magazines fit. Like I said, I don't have any because that's illegal.


Yes any M14 mag will work - We have to get them pinned to 5 rounds as per our gun laws here.

[gaijinsamurai]

As has been mentioned before on this thread, the quality of Norincos can vary a great deal.
I've owned two, a MAK-90 and an SKS. Both were of very good quality, especially the SKS.
I've also seen Norincos that were of shoddy construction, so the buyer should inspect the weapon himself before buying one.

[Paulinski]

More Norinco info

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105556

[deagle]

no offense, but if PLA don't complain, they must be good weaps. There are mixed reviews about m4, m249's but that don't mean theyre useless ... or are they ? open to interpretation based on individual i guess. But a coupla million no complaints to a few complaints, lol

[I_hate_posers]

I don't think they're allowed to complain!

[n.ignomo]

If you want cheap but still reliable, get a Zastava. Otherwise, you have good old but still best CZ and Anschutz. I tell you CZ 452 Vermint, plus 4x32, plus silencer, is kinda fun towards pigeons.