Norinco CQ

Go Back to Assault Rifle

Go Back To Weapons Home

	Weapon: Norinco CQ Type: Assault Rifle Country of Origin: China Year Adopted: 1980 Caliber: 5.56x45 NATO Action: Select Fire Overall Length (mm): 1000.0 Overall Length (in): 39.37 Weight (kg): 3.00 Weight (pounds): 6.61 Effective Range (m): 400 m Effective Range (yards): 437.45

The Norinco CQ is a Chinese-produced clone of the American M16 rifle, developed in the early 1980s for export markets and non-NATO-aligned militaries. The design closely mirrors the original M16A1, featuring a direct impingement gas system, 5.56x45mm NATO chambering, and a 20-round or 30-round detachable box magazine. Externally, the CQ maintains the distinctive triangular handguard, fixed carry handle, and straight-line stock design of the early M16 models, though it is also produced with some modifications tailored for specific customers.

Production of the Norinco CQ began in the early 1980s, with Norinco targeting countries that could not purchase U.S.-manufactured firearms due to political or economic restrictions. While precise production figures are not publicly available, the CQ has been exported to numerous countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Variants of the CQ include a carbine-length model with a shortened barrel and collapsible stock, which is similar in concept to the American CAR-15 family.

The Norinco CQ has seen extensive service in a variety of conflicts, often in the hands of both state and non-state actors. Its notoriety comes from being one of the most widely distributed M16-style rifles outside the influence of Western arms manufacturers. While the CQ is often criticized for its inferior build quality compared to original M16s, it is praised for its affordability and functional reliability in adverse conditions, making it a popular choice in regions with limited defense budgets or logistical constraints.