Brief IAC/Norinco M97W Range Report (with a few pics)

[Snowdog]

I had the chance to take the IAC M97 (Winchester 1897 Riot shotgun clone) to the range today to check the patterns with my favorite defense load and of course for function.
This shotgun did great and the felt recoil was actually a bit less than I was led to believe and no more than my Maverick 88. The "clack-clump" noise was a bit more pronounced with the M97W than the Maverick 88, but I haven't any issues with this.

The range tested was at 10, 15, 20 and 25 yards. The realistic defensive range in my particular circumstance is around 5-10 yards, though it was fun to see what kind of spread I'd get at further distances.

The only issue I came across besides a stiff action was one where if the action wasn't cycled properly (stopped in mid cycle or whatnot), the shotgun ran the chance of trying to feed the next shell while the current shell was on the bolt gripped by the extractor but not yet chambered. This would essentially lock up the action until one of the shells is freed up by either pressing the next shell back into the tube magazine or prying the current shell off the bolt. I couldn't get this malfunction to occur when pumping the action properly, but if there is hesitation on the part of the shooter, I can see how this might happen.

The loads used were Fiocchi high velocity 2 3/4" 27 pellet #4 buck (12HV4BK) which of course worked just fine as always. I did get a chance to also fire a few Federal 1oz slugs, Federal "reduce recoil" 00 buck and Winchester 1 1/8oz #7.5 shot.

I'm no photographer, but here are some quick pictures I decided to add of the patterns and such.

Here's the M97W (still a bit dirty from the range) with the Fiocchi #4 buck in the foreground


Here's a closer look at the Fiocchi 12HV4BK load


The 5" pattern on the left was at 10 yards with the right being a 9" pattern at 15 yards, both using 12HV4BK


The pattern on the left was at 20 yards with the right being at 25 yards (and only 3 pellet strikes)


Below are the results of slugs that had a remarkably similar POI and shot pretty much point of aim. Left was at 20 yards, right at 25 yards.


Below is the result of a single Winchester 2 3/4" 7.5 shot shotshell (U127) at 25 yards. Though hard to see in this picture, it seems to me this peppered the paper but with enough coverage to perhaps bag small game at this range from a M97 with cylinder bore.


Here's the mystery patterns by Federal reduced recoil 00B. The pattern on the left was at 15 yards whereas the pattern on the right was at 20 yards. What's the mystery you ask? Count the number of pellet strikes on the 20 yard pattern. I thought these were 9 pellet loads. Each paper was shot once and extracted immediately after and before the next firing. Possibly one of my 12 pellet magnum shells snuck into my box for reduced recoil? However, the recoil didn't feel any different. I am still at a loss how this could possibly happen, but here you go.

 

[ReloaderFred]

You have to remember that the 1897 was designed by John M. Browning well over a hundred years ago. Even though your gun is new, it's still the basic 1897 design, so it's meant to be worked "with vigor". As you found out, if you don't work it hard, things don't clear as they should. If you want to see them worked "with vigor", go watch a SASS match and see how fast they can be singly loaded and fired..

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Fred Fuller]

Good report, Snowdog.

The IAC '97 clone I just got last week was described as a 'period correct' piece- meaning it was made like the original in all respects. That means it has no disconnector, which is a real reminder to watch your trigger finger discipline with this one. In short, it will slam fire- that is, cycle the fore-end with ammo in the magazine and a finger on the trigger, and you get a BOOM! when the bolt goes home.

The 'safety' on these guns (as with all of them) really is between your ears...

lpl

 

[Snowdog]

Back in those days, people were likely more safety conscious and possibly used their brains more than we do in today's litigious society. I was figuring the primary mechanical safety was halfcock, where the shotgun can't be pumped or fired until the hammer is drawn back to fullcock. I don't have any misgivings about this nor do I about the slamfire issue (since I don't engage the trigger until I'm ready to fire), but I wouldn't doubt some have been surprised to say the least.

I don't see myself intentionally using the slamfire ability since it seems to be an inefficient use of my ammunition and likely ineffective to somewhat as well without some degree of practice (which I don't plan to, slamfire that is).

Before purchasing the Norinco-made IAC M97, I did my homework plenty. I researched both the original designs and the quality issues of Norinco/IAC. This is when I read of the need for "vigorous use" when operating the action. Some 1897s (both Winchester and Norinco clones) exhibit a specific malfunction when it seems others don't as readily. Pointing out any malfuctions I experienced was to reinforce the idea for those intending to purchasing one of these Norinco clones that they indeed come with the good AND the bad of the original design.