Hello all, I've really been looking to start/continue my WW2 collection anyways I'm thinking a win 97 will be next but I really don't want to shell out $1200+ so I was thinking about the norinco 97T trench gun copy but I've heard alot about Their cc in the early years but now some people say they are great others say they are garbage. I really haven't found any newer reviews either most from 05-06 so I thought a new review was in order. Does anyone have a newer norinco? If so what do you think? Would you buy it again? What all do you use it for? Although I love beautiful guns I do not want a safe queen I shoot all my guns and this will be no different whether it is a Winchester or a norchester I would most likely use this gun for almost everything from skeet to deer to birds, and yeah I know it won't be the best at everything but hey who wouldn't want to go pheasant hunting with a trench gun hahaha.
Norinco 1897 trench gun opinions?
- Thread starter b money
- Start date
I can't speak to the trench gun copies, but I bought one of the riot gun versions a couple of years ago. So far it's done just fine, and I've enjoyed it. All I've done with it is play around with it on the range and use it to demonstrate the evolution of the slide action fighting shotgun from time to time. I would definitely buy it again - I wanted a Model 97 for a long time but didn't want to pay the $$$ for an original '97 riot, nor did I want to hack up an original '97 sporting gun.
Keep in mind it's a CYL bore (unless something's changed since I got mine), and don't try to push your range on game further than you can get clean kills. With deer, if you use buckshot, try some of the new Federal Premium loads with plated pellets in their FliteControl wads. It should do as well as you can shoot it with slugs too, try some Brenneke KOs (the non-sabot kind). Those work well in every shotgun I've tried them in so far. http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item.aspx?PID=85694&w=PQ+JDyOLrQE=
I think Federal is loading some birdshot loads now with FliteControl wads too ( http://www.federalpremium.com/products/shotshell.aspx ) and that should give you more 'reach' for second or subsequent shots on Pheasants, though I don't know how much wingshooting with a short barrel will bother you.
Try loading a conventional load in the chamber that will give you a more open pattern at closer range, and try the FilteControl loads in the magazine for followups. That used to be the way we managed changing pattern sizes out of a single barrel fixed choke gun, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth
- just change loads/shot sizes. It worked about as well as a double barrel with different chokes in each barrel, when it was done right. Pattern the thing, of course, to see how the different loads work at different ranges. At least you'll have the extra weight of the heat shield to help you keep the gun moving in a swing . That'll help make up for the short barrel, at least some of the way. Just be careful of the bird dog, if you have one.
Happy shopping and Stay Safe,
lpl
Keep in mind it's a CYL bore (unless something's changed since I got mine), and don't try to push your range on game further than you can get clean kills. With deer, if you use buckshot, try some of the new Federal Premium loads with plated pellets in their FliteControl wads. It should do as well as you can shoot it with slugs too, try some Brenneke KOs (the non-sabot kind). Those work well in every shotgun I've tried them in so far. http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item.aspx?PID=85694&w=PQ+JDyOLrQE=
I think Federal is loading some birdshot loads now with FliteControl wads too ( http://www.federalpremium.com/products/shotshell.aspx ) and that should give you more 'reach' for second or subsequent shots on Pheasants, though I don't know how much wingshooting with a short barrel will bother you.
Try loading a conventional load in the chamber that will give you a more open pattern at closer range, and try the FilteControl loads in the magazine for followups. That used to be the way we managed changing pattern sizes out of a single barrel fixed choke gun, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth
- just change loads/shot sizes. It worked about as well as a double barrel with different chokes in each barrel, when it was done right. Pattern the thing, of course, to see how the different loads work at different ranges. At least you'll have the extra weight of the heat shield to help you keep the gun moving in a swing . That'll help make up for the short barrel, at least some of the way. Just be careful of the bird dog, if you have one.Happy shopping and Stay Safe,
lpl
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The trench guns are the best of the bunch. I have a third gen 97(not a trench) and it's a very good shooter just has crappy wood. The trench guns have American Walnut stocks. The Norinco's have better steel than Winchester ever thought about using. Go for it you won't regret it. The naysayers are those that hate anything Chinese.
oneounceload
Moderator
I wouldn't - they have no balance and their handling characteristics for upland hunting basically suck
If you want it as a range toy, have at it, you can also use it to stretch barb wire fencing when it needs repairs as well
I get to work on a lot of the new crop of Chinese shotguns. All in all, they are pretty good, but rough!!! The Chinese 1897s are rough but solid. Effort required to operate the action was tremendous at first, but by the time I was done it was pretty slick. Had to recut the sear, trigger pull was about 11 lbs, got it down to 6 lbs pretty easily and left it at that. Polished the bore, it was pretty rough too, but it cleaned up nicely. The stocks are too fat through the comb, but oh well.
FWIW, I worked on a new Stevens copy of the Ithaca 37 last week, and the trigger pull was literally off the charts (maxed out my trigger pull gauge that goes to 15 lbs). Recut the sear, smoothed it all up, trigger pull was 9 lbs but crisp. Not the prettiest shotgun ever, but very functional.
FWIW, I worked on a new Stevens copy of the Ithaca 37 last week, and the trigger pull was literally off the charts (maxed out my trigger pull gauge that goes to 15 lbs). Recut the sear, smoothed it all up, trigger pull was 9 lbs but crisp. Not the prettiest shotgun ever, but very functional.
Was a time a 97 riot gun was my only shotgun.I used it pheasant hunting with good success.Accept you aren't going to make long shots.With a dog,or on corners,or working plum bottoms,or even with a gang sweeping fields,some birds will hold or fly by fairly close.I figured I did not need the long range pellet energy,I needed pattern density.I would get heavy1 1/4 oz loads of 7 1/2 s.It does not hurt me to say"Too far" and hold fire.I don't want to wound any.But when they are in range,you can shoot fast and slap them down.9 hits with 7 1/2s at 35 yds is as deadly as 4 hits with 5's at 45 yds.
the rifleer
New member
My thougth is this- Authentic trench guns are fairly rare, are expensive, and are not something you want to blast away with thousands of rounds just for fun with.
The cheap norinco guns; howerver, are perfect for this. That said, go for it
The cheap norinco guns; howerver, are perfect for this. That said, go for it
I probably should have stated that I have other shotguns and barrels for pretty much everything I plan to do, I would probably just take this shoty out once or twice for each animal just to say that I took it out it will by no means be a primary game gun, I will guarantee it will see a ton of range use from slugs to buck to informal clays with friends. none the less I want it to perform mechanically 110% the short barrel and cyl choke won't bother me a bit
It will do that. The early 97 Norinco's were rough and had some problems but they've gone thru several changes during the manufacturing run. The trench guns were the last to be produced so they have always been top notch with good wood and flawless internals. The only problem with my 97 is the crappy wood. It wont even take a refinish and look decent. I keep saying I'm going to put real Winchester wood on it but always seems like I need something else more.
oneounceload
Moderator
7.5 are not the right ammo for pheasants; try to use the right ammo
AFAIK they're still being made. China can't import them directly but IAC imports them. There's one NIB on Gunbroker for 450.00 http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=236367804
and a used one that started for 325.00 http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=235773568
and a used one that started for 325.00 http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=235773568
The trench gun repro is still listed on the IAC website - http://www.iacshotguns.com/99t.html . There's a list of their distributors at http://www.iacshotguns.com/contact.html . Or you can contact them directly at
IAC
6G DUNHAM ROAD
BILLERICA, MA 01821
PHONE: 978-667-7060
FAX: 978-671-0023
I wanted the riot gun repro, not the trench gun, so it wasn't a case of not being able to find a trench gun when I got ready to buy - but I hope you find what you are looking for.
lpl
IAC
6G DUNHAM ROAD
BILLERICA, MA 01821
PHONE: 978-667-7060
FAX: 978-671-0023
I wanted the riot gun repro, not the trench gun, so it wasn't a case of not being able to find a trench gun when I got ready to buy - but I hope you find what you are looking for.
lpl
One Oz,when I use a shotgun with a choke on pheasant,I use mostly #5's,usually Fiocchi's,and they work just fine.For normal pheasant hunting,I agree,7.5's are small,and would lack penetration at range.However,with a cylinder bore and hi velocity 1 1/4 oz loads,and short ranges,I got excellent results.The pellet count gives pattern density,close range keeps the velocity.
Been there,done that,got the tee shirt.It ain't wrong if it works.BTW,I do not claim to be a great birdshooter,but I do not use very many shells because I do not have a problem holding my fire.I realize every bird that gets stung will probably die.I don't believe in wasting them.
Birds holding to a point,or holding birds in cover,flushed by moving slow and pausing,can be busted while still climbing for altitude.
I do not shoot 40 yds with a cyl choke.That would be a bad idea with #4s,as you likely would not get more than 2 or 3 pellets on the bird.Even with large shot,a low pellet count is not reliable.
Been there,done that,got the tee shirt.It ain't wrong if it works.BTW,I do not claim to be a great birdshooter,but I do not use very many shells because I do not have a problem holding my fire.I realize every bird that gets stung will probably die.I don't believe in wasting them.
Birds holding to a point,or holding birds in cover,flushed by moving slow and pausing,can be busted while still climbing for altitude.
I do not shoot 40 yds with a cyl choke.That would be a bad idea with #4s,as you likely would not get more than 2 or 3 pellets on the bird.Even with large shot,a low pellet count is not reliable.