[4] It can be distinguished from other AR-15 and M16 pattern rifles by its long, revolver-like pistol grip, somewhat rounded handguards, and the unique shape of its stock.

Other military uses of the Type CQ assault rifle have been reported within guerrilla and insurgent movements in the Southeast Asian area.

The most immediately recognizable distinguishing features that tell the Type CQ apart from an M16 rifle are its distinctive handguard and stock, curved pistol grip, and hooded front sight.

The CQ M311-1 was first available in the North American market in 1987, when only 500 units were sold before the import was halted;[1] reasons for this halt are stated to be several by many sources: the restrictions applied in the United States since 1989 (an import ban signed by George H. W. Bush on 41 types of military-style firearms in the aftermath of the Stockton massacre), a copyright infringement lawsuit from Colt against Norinco or an agreement between the two companies; however none of these claims can be supported by official sources.

The CQ M311-1 semiautomatic rifle was available in Canada until it was reclassified as a Prohibited Firearm on May 1, 2020,[9] while any further import into the United States still remains impossible due to restrictions that apply since 1986 and after other pieces of legislation passed in the 1990s and in the early 2000s.

The gun is also available in Europe (particularly Italy), where it is sold with a 10-round detachable clear plastic magazine manufactured in the United States by DPMS Panther Arms (this because the Norinco CQ M311-1 rifles and the DPMS Panther Arms products are imported in Italy by the company NUOVA JAGER srl).

[citation needed] This variant introduced in the year 2006 in several defense expos worldwide including the MILIPOL, is a copy of the American M4A1 carbine.

[11] A semi-automatic version of this carbine was available on the civilian market for sports shooters in Canada until their prohibition,[10][9] Italy,[12] Ukraine,[13] and South Africa.

[14] In the year 2003, the Defense Industries Organization of Iran began marketing the S-5.56 (Sayyad) rifle, an unlicensed clone of the Type CQ.

launched the Armada rifle in 2009, making it available to local government units and/or active law enforcement and military agencies in the Philippines and abroad.

The Armada is a select-fire rifle composed of two receivers (upper and lower) manufactured in forged aluminum, uses a 22 in (560 mm) barrel with a 1:9 right-hand twist (able to stabilize both M193 "Ball" and SS109/M855 variants of the 5.56mm cartridge), Norinco CQ-style plastic parts (grip, stock, handguard), flip-up rear sight adjustable for windage, front post sight adjustable for elevation, and feeds by STANAG magazines.

[21] The CQ-D is an export-specific automatic rifle of the CQ family, featuring upgraded Picatinny rails and foregrip and offered by the China Jing An Import & Export Corp.[22]