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by Max R. Popenker
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ICQ:

CQ / M311 assault rifle (China)

CQ-M4 carbine

Typical receiver markings of CQ rifle

Caliber: 5.56x45 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 986 mm
Barrel length: 508 mm
Weight: 2.9 kg empty
Rate of fire: 900 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds

Chinese CQ rifle, as offered for export through NORINCO corporation, is a straightforward copy of the American M16A1 assault rifle. CQ first appeared during early 1980s, produced by Chinese state arms factories for export only. This rifle was made in both military (selective-fire) and civilian (semi-automatic only) versions. Recently, Chinese factories also copied US M4A1 carbine under the same CQ designation. This rifle is not used by PLA (Chinese army) or PAP (Chinese police), but apparently it has found some buyers in Asia; Iran makes a copy of CQ rifle as S-5.56.

CQ rifle operates exactly the same way as M16A1 rifle; it uses same two-part aluminum receiver, same direct gas action and same rotating bolt design. Magazines also are compatible. The only visible differences between CQ and M16A1 are different shape of pistol grip, handguard and buttstock.

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