[Tearlachblair]

I recently saw a topic concerning the '97 Winchester and, seeing I had some Qs of my own and didn't want to hijack the topic, I decided to start another one. :D

How available/affordable are the replicas in 12 gauge? Where can I find them? Are they good guns?

[Fred Fuller]

There have been several different 'generations' (seven, I think) of these clones. I'm not familiar with them, but were I looking for one I'd go to http://www.coyotecap.com/ , read up some and ask questions if necessary. Would likely buy the gun from him too, since he's been advising the Chinese re. design features on newer imports.

lpl/nc

[Hoppy590]

Norinco ( chinese Manufacturer) offers a version of the 1897 for around 400$

[EddieCoyle]

Norinco makes one. It's not bad, I have one and there's been several threads on the subject in the past.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=197221&highlight=Norinco
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=181593&highlight=Norinco
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=175057&highlight=Norinco
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=131279&highlight=Norinco


You can find one locally here:

http://www.galleryofguns.com/gunlocator/locatorstart.asp

[Slater]

The newer ones don't look too bad. I have one of the "Trench Gun" versions and it has walnut furniture. According to Coyote Cap (who works with the factory in China) this was sent to China from Missouri for this purpose.

Evidently, the earlier wood was pretty low-grade.