This is not a really well known rimfire rifle, because few of them were made. As far as I could tell, the ones making it into Canada were originally made for an American outfit in the mid 90’s, but the Clinton import ban on Chinese weapons stopped this particular batch from moving into the US. Sold in New Zealand and Australia since, these rifles have recently been brought in by Canada Ammo into the Canadian market. Since information on these rifles is really old (late 90’s), or fairly recent due to the influx of new old stock into Canada, I thought I’d take a shot at creating an all-in-one review and compendium of all the useful info I could find all over on these rifles. The review will be first, and modifications/reference after.
Video Review of the Norc NS522
Norinco NS522 22LR Rifle Review: The most accurate rimfire for the dollar
Within a hunting application, accurate, yet still reasonably weighted rifles like this one are great when more accuracy is demanded. Headshots on squirrels at up to 50 yards is not really the domain of an inexpensive semi auto, and it’s even pushing the value priced bolt action 22’s. The difference between a stock Marlin or Savage bolt action, pretty accurate on their own, and an Anshutz or CZ, is apparent when well rested and firing good quality ammunition. But what if you have Marlin money, but want Anshutz accuracy? That’s the idea behind the Norinco produced, Anshutz 54 copy, NS522.
Some quick facts on the ones coming into market:
- 21″ cold hammer forged, spiral, bull barrel with target crown
- 7lbs, 3/4 oz (3.2kg)
- They’re coated in preserving oil and need a deep clean.
- 5 round magazine
- 3/8 dovetail round top, not drilled/tapped for scope mounts. Kind of a pain in the ass to get a rail for
- Similar, but not all parts compatible to the Norinco EM322
- Stocks on the newly imported Canadian ones are a bit of a hodgepodge fit, with poorly inletted bolt handle cuts, non free-floated barrels, and washers added on to fit
- They’re super accurate for the dollar (some capable of 1/2″ at 50 yards) This is the primary reason most look at this rifle, because it makes for a great silhouette rifle, or just plain fun for those who crave accuracy.
I had a hell of a time finding a canted base that’d work well on this rifle. The DIP Anschutz 54 25MOA rail can be coerced to work on the NS522. You’ll need to file it slightly to fit on the rails or just pound it on there. You’ll also need to relieve the back of the rail for bolt clearance.
After that work, you get a nice fitting, canted rail, with a nice ejection port in the right spot, and a bit of overhang rail in case you need it on the front.
What’s great about the Norinco NS522?
There are a few, really great reasons to buy the NS522: it’s cheap, accurate out of the box, and even more accurate with some mods. First, they used to sell for $199-250. Rimfires are mostly reasonably priced, until you get to match rifles. Accurate match rifles are much more expensive, usually starting with a ~$500 CZ, but quickly moving up to $1000-$2000 Anshutz or Cooper rimfires. So, for a low price, you’re getting a pretty accurate rifle. It’s when you start adding some of the modifications that things come together, because as they come from the box, there are several spots on this rifle that need work. If you’re not afraid of getting your hands dirty, this makes it a great project gun that will quickly become your most accurate rimfire. If you’d rather keep your rimfire stock and you want something very accurate, consider a CZ457.
What’s not so great about the Norinco NS522?
- Lack of parts availability
- Lack of magazines (don’t lose the ones that came with your rifle) **update 2022: you can use EM322 mags but they need modification.
- Ill-fitting stock: not so free-floated barrel, and the bolt handle channel is for a different style bolt handle.
Factory 5 rounder on the left, modified EM322 Scorpio mag on the right:
Summary
I’m getting consistent 0.5″ groups at 50 yards with quality ammo like SK Match out of a $250 22 LR that I modified at home. I opened up the barrel channel, added lamp screw pillars, bedded the action and bottom trigger guard (mostly because I had extra epoxy), smoothed & lightened the trigger components to just under a 2lb pull. This rifle is now my standard for testing 22 LR ammo. There are some tradeoffs, but for me, they’re worth it for the price/accuracy I’m getting here.
Pretty pictures:
Modifications for the NS522:
- Adding pillars to the stock (COMPLETE)
- Bedding the stock (COMPLETE)
- Opening the barrel channel to
betterfree float the barrel (COMPLETE) - Refinishing the stock (TOO LAZY)
- Polishing trigger internals to reduce catches and friction (COMPLETE)
- Changing out the trigger spring for a lighter one from a safety pin, hair clip, or other scrounged spring (COMPLETE: Used a 2″ long safety pin and bent it to match the factory spring)
- Smoothing the front edges of the bolt (COMPLETE)
- Redo of the crown if it’s off (UNNECESSARY)
- **New: 2021: Modify Anschutz 54 Action 25MOA scope rail to fit**
Stock Modifications
I’m going to include links below, and update with progress on my mods.
**Update June 3, 2014: free floated barrel, smoothed some trigger group components. Installed pillars, bedded trigger guard and bedded action. I ended up using the lamp threaded tubes to pillar as they had the most positive engagement to the stock.**
**Update Sept 13, 2014: Changed out factory trigger spring. Used a 2″ long safety pin to start, cut and shaped to roughly match factory spring look. Bolt slam and drop on rear of stock tested. Will need to fire lots of rounds to see if it lasts, but so far, it looks like it’s dropped the trigger pull weight to about 1 lb. Very fast mod, but only recommended if you can be careful and know how to test for too light of a trigger**
Stock bedding by “Father” from CGN: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1015638-Norinco-NS522-build-NEW-TRIGGER-UPDATE!!!
I also really like how parksb2 from CGN taped his stock off: http://i59.tinypic.com/ofrpj5.jpg
To pillar the stock, arwho from CGN used threaded lamp tubes, while some use brass 1/8 MIP pipe nipples, and others used pre-flared 3/8 brake line.
Opening barrel channel technique with socket and sandpaper: http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/ganderite/GUN%20COLLECTION/IMG_0164.jpg
Stock refinished: OD Green Krylon by boss351cleveland on CGN: http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg505/lunartech/DSC01516_zps9ddbe2b6.jpg
Will sent me a link to the User Manual for the EM322, which is somewhat similar to the NS522 and might be the best manual we have currently. http://marstar.ca/html/reflibrary/Manuals/norincoem332.html
Action Modifications
Father’s trigger polishing: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1015638-Norinco-NS522-build-NEW-TRIGGER-UPDATE!!!/page4
Trigger spring options:
- Pinch the factory spring to reduce tension
- Safety Pin (I used one 2″ long)
- Hair clip spring like sk8snwmx from CGN
Overtravel screw installation (4/40 set screw, nut & tap) : http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1015638-Norinco-NS522-build-NEW-TRIGGER-UPDATE!!!/page23
Father’s bolt/action smoothing: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1015638-Norinco-NS522-build-NEW-TRIGGER-UPDATE!!!/page7