[cleardiddion]

Big 5 in town has a after christmas sale of these for a 180 and I was thinking about getting one.
Does anyone here have any experience with these?
Is there anything worth noting about these, good or bad?

Thanks in advance!

http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal.com/big5/default.aspx?action=detail&storeid=2504041&rapid=0&listingid=-2092197252&offerid=

[rcmodel]

I think it's a Chinese clone of a Chinese Norinco 98 / 982, which is a poor copy of a Remington 870. Probably made in the same factory.

With guns, as well as many other things, you generally get what you pay for.

But on the otherhand, it's not much money, so you can afford to buy one and find out.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[MAX100]

Take it from someone who owns one. They are an excellent copy of the Remington 870 Express and very well made. They have a metal trigger guard the Express has a plastic one. All of the 870 accessories will fit them. The 870 barrels won't because they have a different barrel and mag tube set up. I now have more than a 1000 rounds through mine with no FTF or malfunctions what so ever and it is still going strong.

Take a look at the Marlin NEF Pardner Pump. They are made by Norinco also by Marlin NEF specs.

In this case you will get more than you pay for.


GC

[cleardiddion]

Thanks for the reply MAX100!
So do you think it would make a good general purpose/home defense weapon?
And what sort of ammunition does it like?

[MAX100]

After looking at the link you posted that is the same model as the one I have with the Ghost Ring sights. The ghost rings on it is very good. A good set of ghost ring sights alone would cost you over $100 and another $100 to have them installed. A Remington 870 that comes with a set of ghost rings would cost you at least three times what that gun is selling for. That's a deal on that shotgun, I would go for it.

It will make an excellent HD shotgun. Mine will cycle any 12Ga 2.75" and 3" ammo. I get good buckshot patterns with Winchester Super X 00 Buck 9 Plellet buffered shot. All shotguns are different so you will need to pattern test your particular shotgun. Try out different brands of buckshot but you will probably get your best tight patterns from Winchester, Federal or Remington buckshot. The best buckshot I have used in all of my shotgun is the Federal Tactical Flite-Control, but it is primarily a Law Enforcement round. Regular stores don't sale it but some police supply stores do. You may also be able to find it over the Net. The model # is LE133-00 (9 Pellet) and LE132-00 (8 Pellet). The LE132-00 8 Pellet is a reduced recoil round and it is very good for HD if you have a problem with recoil.

Federal, Remington and Winchester all make a regular low recoil buckshot round.

Any quality buckshot will work as long as it patterns well at 15 - 20 yards.



GC

[cleardiddion]

Thanks for the awesome help MAX100, really appreciate it!

[MAX100]

Read Dave McCracken's Thread Post Patterning 101 at the top of the shotgun page it is a very good read. He and others on THR know more about pattern testing a shotgun.


GC

[DonTron]

Some info from Rogmatt over at Shotgun World:

"...[Interstate] ... is a Norinco company. Norinco is owned by the Chinese Military in order to fund weaponry for Communist China. China has often boasted it has Nuclear weapons aimed at the US and could blow California into the ocean at any time. Hawk/Norinco guns are shipped to the US via COSCO (China Ocean Shipping Co.) another company owned by the Communist Chinese military to fund weapons for it's future plans. You can stop at any railroad crossing in the average American town and see box after box after box boasting COSCO on the side of it. As I understand it, their are no quality issues with these guns, although some people get a little concerned after knowing what their money is helping to fund. Just some info so folks can know the story of Norinco. A company owned by our enemy and funded by us."

[SDgarrick]

That said, I am definitely going to buy one.
I have long wanted a gun that i could drag through the mud without grimacing,
this may be it. Communist hatred aside, I'm willing to bet this gun functions as well or better than the 870.

[hawk shooter]

I took delivery of mine a couple of weeks ago. It is a great gun for HD. 870 accessories fit (see my post on the trouble I had installing an mag extension). I also installed a Vang oversized safety and am planning on buying a Mesa Tactical LEO M4 stock. I will then have more in accessories than I paid for the gun!
I decided against a side saddle in favor of Mesa's rear stock shell holder. Right now I have one of the cheap ATI M4 stocks on the gun to see if I like that type of stock and so far am pleased with the handling characteristics.
You have already gotten a great bunch of advice from the gentlemen on this forum. They will not steer you wrong.