Frag Out! Magazine

556 556 : East M4 East M4 First thing first, it seems that cal- ling it the Norinco M4 is not right as the importer claims that CQ-A 556 rifle, the Chinese clone of US M4 assault rifle, was manufactured by "Workshop Number 2" (but who knows where it is). In June 2023 a huge load of these AR-alikes was imported to Poland. BTW, about ten or so years ago, these rifles were actually available in Poland but under the Norinco brand (and it was slightly different, as the lower receiver and bolt carrier were com- pletely MIL-SPEC, CQ-A is slightly different). At the moment of writing the MSRP of the rifle was around 800 EUR (and sometimes even cheaper) which makes it probably the che- apest AR-style rifle available in Po- land. Many potential buyers are cu- rious what it is worth. Let's find out. CQ-A 556 The CQ-A 556 rifle is essentially a clone of a plain M4 assault rifle with flat top upper receiver, detachable carrying handle with A2-style sight and quad-rail handguard with four Picatinny rails on all sides. The rifle is approx. 3.3 kg and 787/883 mm long (stock retracted/stock exten- ded). The 14.5 inch chrome-lined cold-forged barrel has Government profile, 1:9 twist and 1/2-28 thread with A2-style muzzle device atta- ched with standard washer (not crush washer). Barrel is also pho- sphated. The gas system is carbi- ne-length and the gas block has a typical A-Frame Front Sight Base IT'S FINALLY HERE. THERE WERE RUMORS, DECLARATIONS AND SPECULATIONS ABOUT IT. SOME WERE SAYING IT WILL SHOCK THE GUN MARKET IN POLAND. AND IT REALLY DID. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PROBABLY THE CHEAPEST AR-15 RIFLE IN THE MARKET (AT LEAST POLISH). THE CQ-A 556 STRAIGHT FROM THE MIDDLE KINGDOM. S T O R Y B Y : M I C H A Ł S I TA R S K I P H O T O : M I C H A Ł S I TA R S K I FIREARMS

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