Norinco M97 Trench Gun

S

Slater

New member
Supposedly Norinco is producing copies of the old Winchester 97 "Trench Gun", with heat shield/bayonet lug for the M1917 bayonet. Haven't seen one myself, but how's the quality on these? Always liked the old "trench broom", and a decent quality repro sounds tempting.
 
The design may be sound, but I suggest you research "Norinco" and "Clone shotguns" a bit to see some good reasons why NOT to buy one.
 
here's my experience so far....

i bought one as part of a raffle at the NRA Banquet and Plastic stock was cracked on a brand new gun....

a buddy gought one as a part of his Cowboy rig and the first time he shot it and pumped it---the nut holding the forearm pulled out of the threads.......plastic stock was also cracked......

if you buy one give it a good lookover....especially where stock joins receiver.........Dick
 
None of the ones I've seen have plastic stocks. The early models had some sort of mystery hardwood and tended to crack in the same places as the original Win 1897s. There were also problems with the metallurgy of the internal parts and rough assembly/finishing. The QC has improved in the latest generations due to input by American gunsmith known as Coyote Cap. Look for his posts on the subject on the SASS board. He slicks up both Norinco's and Win 97s for smooth and reliable functioning in CAS competitions. He has declared the recent models fit out of the box, though he recommends adjusting the mainspring tension to balance smooth cocking action with reliable ignition. He believes that the Norincos will stay tuned longer than the originals due to the fact that the metal of both the frame and internals is much harder.

Some 3rd and 4th generation models come with real walnut stocks, in case Chinese Mystery wood isn't your thing. The blueing and finish look better with each new generation too.
 
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I really want one of these, but can't bring myself to get one. Quality issues and where the money goes gets in the way.
 
I'm waiting to see one in the Trench Broom config. Hopefully it will take the bayonet like the real deal. Should be interesting, although sales might be limited due to the heatshield not being very cowboy-esque. Perhaps WWI buffs/re-enactors will take shine to it. Despite the fact that I own modern shotguns, the standard model keeps calling to me when I go to gunshows. Maybe I've seen The Wild Bunch and The Untouchables one too many times.
 
Where the money goes is enough for me.
Won't buy one.

On a statistical base of one, I don't think much of the lifetime warrenty either. Friend had one of their small bore rifles, broken extractor, no longer in production, no replacement available. He had one made and offed the gun.

Sam
 
Some 3rd and 4th generation models come with real walnut stocks, in case Chinese Mystery wood isn't your thing.
Click to expand...

Buyer Beware! Norinco is installing the new walnut stocks on first generation guns (the crappy ones) and putting them on the market. If you want a Norinco '97, it's best to educate yourself on the serial number ranges of the various generations.
 
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