another one of those "norinco" uppers.  has anyone seen any documentation that norinco uppers looked like this?  if so, any idea how so many made it into preban commercial builds?

Were these norincos decent?they look funny but interesting I wonder if the were cast or forged.

i've never seen any reports of them failing.  they look really close to the early square forgings with the rebated lug and really straight forge lines.  i'm not sure if there's ever been any conclusive evidence that they were norinco's that were imported.  just speculation.  seeing as how norinco was banned by name and i don't think any of their m16 clones made it in before the ban, it makes me wonder how all these uppers made it in country.

the lack of a forge line on the cam pin cutout is inline with norinco.  i just don't know how all those uppers made it in.

This upper receiver came off an 80s Olympic Arms A1 clone rifle, it looks like a "CK" forging where the forge codes were ground off the carry handle.  Finish is anodized, color is black, pivot pin holes line up well on modern lowers but the slot cut in the threads for the barrel alignment pin was milled off center and the slot was enlarged with a file.  I didn't notice if there was a shim holding it in place but the barrel nut was a little tighter than finger tight.  In the bottom picture the blued big button forward assist came off a Sendra A1 rifle clone, and the blued sight screw came off the pictured upper receiver.

Olympic Arms / SGW AR-15 lower receiver.  A previous owner had filed the back faces of the mag well for some reason.  Serial was of the form "Z4nnn".

i don't think any of their m16 clones made it in before the ban, it makes me wonder how all these uppers made it in country.

Lionel,

Norinco.  Think they were available in  New Zealand as hunting rifles and Canada.  Not sure on dates or if available in Australia (screwed up gun laws).  Think some bro's had a couple.   I don't communicate much any more.  Used to ship Holley component carby's and some engine parts into Australia as repairs so they didn't have to pay 60% duty.  Never did firearms as customs did open.

Wonder myself how many are actually registered and how many were smuggled in depending on firearms laws.  Lot of smuggling down that way.  Bad guys usually have Elisco or Colt stashed and wouldn't want that rubbish generally.   I wouldn't buy one unless only thing I could get my hands on.  Think I've also seen some in military photos like Tiawan or such.  Probably not any worse than our low tier stuff today in reality.  

Wiki does have info but hasn't had Norinco info page up very long.  Could answer a few questions

Wiki says 500 imported into US in 1987  before banned.  Also says the Philippine, Iranian and Sudan pieces are Norinco clones.  Guess they couldn't get there hands on a real Colt or FN.  

I remember seeing one or two with the M-14 clones but fairly limited in numbers.  Thinking M-14 wasn't immediately banned but could be wrong.  Usually 2-3 at local funshows even today.  Could be the sames ones floating back and forth.   Price was right I guess for M-14 ($600-750) and $500ish for AR clone but at the time one could build a decent AR clone with all USGI except vendor lower for $400 with biggest expense being lower receiver when most BM or better was at $800ish.

Some like the M-14 for parts swapping foundation,  AR-15 clone was cheaply built as you probably know as well as anyone and kinda dedicated upper / lower pin up.  Didn't like to pin to milspec without filing if memory serves.  Sight was messed up too or didn't like USGI pieces.  The cast stuff has always turned me off.  Not like it's a problem just lots of better avenue's for less.  Surprised they aren't in every Walmart.

I've never fired one or really cared to.  I did almost pull the trigger on the M-14 a couple times just for price but was strongly urged against it by sellers whom I knew and they wouldn't even take my money.   They would take the coins of those they didn't know without any problems.  They told me they were pretty much junk.

Norinco supposedly cloned Parker Bros double barrel shotguns but I never could find one.  Saw a Norinco sales catalog one time showing them in it but that was about it.

Were these norincos decent?they look funny but interesting I wonder if the were cast or forged.

Sergio they are cast.  Guess some could be decent depending on flavor and twist for ammo availability.  I've read a couple Canadian reviews saying they are worth the $500-600 new but no more.  Heck next to the Pigmy most all look pretty good.

All this purple makes me wonder if my 2 pos over-sized buttstock tube came from one of them. The pic isn't that great but it has a purple hue to it.

Possible ultra rare lower. Stainless lower on ee.

Wow!  Coolest thread on here in awhile.  I should dig out my PWA M16A1 clone, complete with PM upper, Saco? barrel and plastic bits and a really ugly pistol grip (Choate?) Came with Colt M16 BCG originally but the chrome where the bolt goes was uneven so I got rid of it.

I've been wanting to change it to an IDF Menusar clone.

That is an odd looking mag catch, is it welded?

Whew!  Thank GOD!



 

 
It's unusual...

I assumed early aftermarket.











There are early domed catches and a handful of dimpled catches... but this is the first one I've seen with a nipple.




 

Here is a Rock Island Armory-marked lower (made by Sendra) on a 603 build. When I found the rifle at a gun shop it had an eclectic mix of very old parts (early 60's Colt barrel) and newer ones (A2 slip ring and forward assist). The upper is a GI contract unit made by Martin Marietta.

Anybody know who might have made the oversized 2 pos tube I posted?

Olympic arms made some

The LSO A1 Stow-away is seriously THE best AR grip ever made.

Thanks, I had two and sanded one down enough to fit a buttstock. I think I'll keep and eye out for a buttstock for this one instead doing that again.

some early non-standard spec lowers i like

Advanced Armament M15





Palmetto Armory (SGW/Olympic Arms) Billet Lower

Hey guys,

I acquired what looks to be a pre-ban very early model DPMS A-15 rifle. Serial number is # 1,170. The lowest I have seen serial number wise for this type or rifle is 4,7XX. Mine is 1,170. I don't know much about this rifle so any info would help.  thanks!

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah301/Docmaster14/Safe/image.jpg1_zpsd1r6mofk.jpg

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah301/Docmaster14/Safe/image.jpg14_zpskvovzopl.jpg

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah301/Docmaster14/Safe/image.jpg13_zpsvtn90wst.jpg


http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah301/Docmaster14/Safe/image.jpg11_zpsxwhz239t.jpg


http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah301/Docmaster14/Safe/image.jpg1_zpsd1r6mofk.jpg

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah301/Docmaster14/Safe/image.jpg7_zpsegamhuus.jpg

A  diverse USA 556 collection  should also include a Bushmaster Assault Rifle and an AR180 along with the oddball AR15 clones.

I have one like that, with a 4-digit serial number. Looks almost sand-cast.

I've thought about seeing if DPMS would like to swap it for a new one and put it in their collection or whatever.



       




 

Post pics

Lone Star Ordnance hand guards

A local enthusiast has owned this carbine for years.  Lower is a cast DPMS, upper looks like something Olympic Arms pieced together.  I was in a rush so I didn't have a chance to go over details.  A former Olympic Arms employee says the circle imprint on either side of the upper receiver is an Olympic Arms thing.  (On the right side it ends up being where Colt proof marks are placed)  The upper looks like it was painted black, then painted gray.  

i've seen the circle impressions but never knew what they were.  interesting.

nice find, is it preban? my bushmaster looks just like it.

That lower is basically a J-15 Esental Arms.
Very interesting.
Thanks for sharing

Yep, Essential Arms sold their tooling to DPMS.  When DPMS started making cast lowers, Essential Arms had to stop.

I just noticed your post, I'll try to make some "live" image tags in my reply.








That looks really nice, it could sure use an A1 upper on it though!    Interesting color cast on that upper receiver.  I don't know much about A2 stuff, are there proof marks on the receiver?  What markings are on the barrel?

Here is a C7 style upper receiver that was probably made by Olympic Arms due to the circle marks near the front of the receiver.  Photos courtesy of member delfino.

Sorry this isn't an A1 profile upper, but this shows the Olympic Arms tooling and the round marks at the front of the receiver.  I am told the round marks are made during the machining of the charging handle slot.

I've never seen an upper with a "U" forge code.  Wonder who makes that?