lobo9er
Member
97 or 87, purpose would be tromping around the "back 40" in the winter. think the reproductions can taking a beating?
1897 or 1887 reproduction
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bushmaster1313
Member
I have nothing against Chinese slave laborers.
But IMHO:
Buy American Guns
Shoot American Ammo
But IMHO:
Buy American Guns
Shoot American Ammo
ReloaderFred
Member
Of the two, I'd get the Model 97. The Model 87 can be tricky to load. I shoot with several people in SASS who use the IAC reproduction Model 97's and they're shot a lot. They seem to be holding up just fine.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
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lobo9er
Member
I buy plenty american when I can. There isn't much in terms of firearms these days and not one that makes a '97 or '87. Affordable USA made shotguns my choices would be mossy or rem right not to meny others made in the USA. And now some mossy stuff is made in mexico. So Unless I buy used my choices are limited but thank you for your 2cents
bushmaster1313
Member
I would go with the 1897:
This one looks good but is missing an action screw:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=181377272
This one looks good but is missing an action screw:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=181377272
oneounceload
member
Why would they need to take a beating? No gun case?
My '87 runs fine, it was a bit rough out of the box but a good cleaning and working the action solved it. And by rough, no worse than mid-range pumps I'm used to.
There isn't an equivalent in the market if that's the gun you want, and fit/finish are on the high end for Chinese guns. It's not amazing but it's not awful either.
I would not want to use the '87 as a field gun - it's a complex assembly and if you get wet/snow/etc as a winter field gun, you're going to be hating the detail strip to reoil and dry it off.
There isn't an equivalent in the market if that's the gun you want, and fit/finish are on the high end for Chinese guns. It's not amazing but it's not awful either.
I would not want to use the '87 as a field gun - it's a complex assembly and if you get wet/snow/etc as a winter field gun, you're going to be hating the detail strip to reoil and dry it off.
Red Cent
Member
That 1939 M97 would sell for up to $400.00 at a cowboy match if the missing screw is all that is missing and it functions.
I've got the '87 and it works beautifully. I love the loading from the top, and as a lefty, it helps out a great deal. The cycling of the lever action is crisp and solid, there's no need to baby it, and in fact you oughtn't be too gentle with it as it needs a firm and forceful hand to work the mechanism. The only complaint I had with it is the finishing is prone to easily develop rust spots if you don't take care to wipe it down immediately after going out into moisture. I'd say you could buy the '87 model with confidence, especially if you're a fan of lever actions. IF you prefer the manual of arms for a pump though, go with the '97.
I've handled one or two 87s. They handle like sewer pipes (I shoot at flying things) and I wouldn't want one in the snow (there's a big snow hole on top and everything about it is asking for rust).
1897s can be nice wingshooters, but I don't see the point. They're certainly not any nicer than a $225 Mossberg 500, which is a better gun in the snow for a few reasons.
Now if you want a neat-o toy, and practical applications don't really matter, get whatever you want. I shoot with a guy who picked up a real 97 for under 200 bucks. Finish is worn, but it's all there and works great.
1897s can be nice wingshooters, but I don't see the point. They're certainly not any nicer than a $225 Mossberg 500, which is a better gun in the snow for a few reasons.
Now if you want a neat-o toy, and practical applications don't really matter, get whatever you want. I shoot with a guy who picked up a real 97 for under 200 bucks. Finish is worn, but it's all there and works great.
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lobo9er
Member
all good points thanks! The beating for the most part would be dropped in mud and snow possibly (hopefully not, but it hapens), getting snowed and rained on. Also may be brought camping so cleaning may not happen directly after getting wet. Would be shooting at woodchucks in the warmer months, coyotes in winter possibly, and starling are another that can find resident else where. Mostly ply wood targets though. I'm watching that auction see where it goes. A mossy isn't a bad idea'r either but the 87's or 97's look like they maybe a good time. The 87 sounds like snow may not be its best friend? Hoping at end of summer to make a purchase and another shot gun can never hurt, with 2012 right around the corner and all 
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lobo9er
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Rotten Starlings.
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