My take on everything Chinese. There is no meaningful branding of Chinese products shipped to the USA. Past tense, for gun but for anything today.
In contrast, if you buy a a gun that says S&W on the frame you can expect a certain quality level. Not best or worst, but S&W is a pretty well understood. On other hand kahr represents a different level of fit, finish and QC and again you should not be too surprised, unless you dont do your home work.
Norinco, means nothing to me. the guns could come from anywhere. there is now and never has been a brand name that stood for anything in china. Good, bad or medium is it all a big unknown. I see this with so-called harbor freight tools. One day rock solid next day swiss cheese! I believe if there ever was a Mercedes of toasters in china, some shop would be counterfeiting the brand and we still would not know. It is like wild west country, anything goes.
Under rated! There is no rated. Total crap shoot and dont think you are so smart to get a good gun. Maybe,... or, Dumb luck more likely. Or low cost, yea - low cost - all day long. Is buying a lottery ticket under rated?