NORINCO Type CQ
China North Industries Corporation · Assault Rifle · In Production · 1983
Also known as: CQ 5.56, CQ-311, CQ M311, Type CQ, Norinco CQ
Overview
The NORINCO Type CQ is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by China North Industries Corporation since 1983.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2900 g (102.3 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3360 g (118.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 987 mm (38.86") |
| Barrel Length | 504 mm (19.84") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Direct Impingement |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 991 m/s (3251 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1764 J (1301 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 457 m (500 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 900 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Fire Selector
- Features: Select Fire, M16 Pattern Receiver, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Bayonet Mount, Flash Hider, Forward Assist, Dust Cover, Carrying Handle With Rear Sight
Variants
- CQ-311 (Select-Fire Military) — Standard
- CQ M311-1 (Semi-Auto Civilian) — Civilian
- CQ-A (M4 Carbine Style) — Compact
- DIO S 5.56 Sayyad (Iranian Copy) — Licensed Production
Service history
Operators
- People's Liberation Army (Export Units) · adopted 1983 · as CQ 5.56
- Iranian Armed Forces · as S 5.56
- Cambodian Armed Forces · as CQ
- Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) · as CQ
- Sudanese Armed Forces · as CQ
- Philippine Armed Forces · as CQ
- Royal Thai Armed Forces · as CQ
- Afghan National Army · as CQ
- Djiboutian Armed Forces · as CQ
- Ghanaian Armed Forces · as CQ
Conflicts
- Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Yemeni Civil War (2014-present)
Production
Production years: 1983-present
Production numbers not publicly disclosed. Widely exported to over 18 countries across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Origin
Country of origin: China
Notes
The CQ uses a direct impingement gas system identical to the M16A1 and accepts standard STANAG magazines. The rifle features a 1:12 rifling twist optimized for the M193 55-grain ball round rather than the later SS109/M855 62-grain projectile. Iran acquired CQ rifles from China and subsequently produced their own copy as the DIO S 5.56 (Sayyad), which in turn became the basis for the KH2002 Khaybar bullpup rifle. The CQ-A variant features an M4-style carbine configuration with a shorter barrel and collapsible stock. The semi-automatic CQ M311-1 was briefly sold on the civilian market in the United States, Canada, and other countries before various import restrictions took effect. The rifle has been documented in use by the Free Syrian Army and ISIS forces during the Syrian Civil War.
Background
The CQ represents one of the most prolific examples of Cold War-era weapons cloning. China reverse-engineered the M16A1 without license from Colt, creating an affordable alternative for nations aligned with neither the US nor the Soviet Union. The rifle's journey from American original to Chinese copy to Iranian derivative to Iranian bullpup redesign (KH2002) illustrates the global proliferation of small arms technology across political boundaries.