Nightcrawler
Member
I plan on getting a Norinco 1897 "Trench Gun" one of these days; I find it ironic that the Chinese would be the only ones to come up with the idea of reproducing this classic shotgun, despite the increasing popularity of "vintage" designs.
Of course, you don't see Winchester or Remington making too many Coach Guns either, despite the popularity of CAS. Most coach guns come from Russia, China, or other places.
ANYway, the 1897's slide release button is on the right side of the receiver, just below the hammer.
But there's another button, the "shell release" button, that's on both sides of the receiver.
I'm a little fuzzy on what purpose this serves. You don't have to push it each time you fire, do you? I'm assuming that after you initially load the shotgun, you push it to allow the shells to be chambered. Does it function as a magazine cutoff, then? If so, how do you turn it back on, that is, get the magazine tube to STOP releasing the shells?
Thanks.
You know, though, as near as I can tell, the combat shotgun has improved little over the past 106 years. Take an 1897 reproduction, make it out of modern steel. Ad a recoil pad to the stock, and maybe an M1 Garand type safety to the trigger guard (since it lacks a manual safety). Add ghost ring sights (I think it could be done, though it'd look weird), and maybe extend the magazine tube (doing so wouldn't necessarily interefere with the bayonet mount). And, while you're at it, make it take M16 bayonets instead of 1917 ones. Maybe add synthetic furniture and a sidesaddle.
Then, you'd have a 106 year old design with all of what are considered the best features of a modern combat shotgun.
But, even as is, I wouldn't feel the least bit underarmed with an 1897...
Of course, you don't see Winchester or Remington making too many Coach Guns either, despite the popularity of CAS. Most coach guns come from Russia, China, or other places.
ANYway, the 1897's slide release button is on the right side of the receiver, just below the hammer.
But there's another button, the "shell release" button, that's on both sides of the receiver.
I'm a little fuzzy on what purpose this serves. You don't have to push it each time you fire, do you? I'm assuming that after you initially load the shotgun, you push it to allow the shells to be chambered. Does it function as a magazine cutoff, then? If so, how do you turn it back on, that is, get the magazine tube to STOP releasing the shells?
Thanks.
You know, though, as near as I can tell, the combat shotgun has improved little over the past 106 years. Take an 1897 reproduction, make it out of modern steel. Ad a recoil pad to the stock, and maybe an M1 Garand type safety to the trigger guard (since it lacks a manual safety). Add ghost ring sights (I think it could be done, though it'd look weird), and maybe extend the magazine tube (doing so wouldn't necessarily interefere with the bayonet mount). And, while you're at it, make it take M16 bayonets instead of 1917 ones. Maybe add synthetic furniture and a sidesaddle.
Then, you'd have a 106 year old design with all of what are considered the best features of a modern combat shotgun.
But, even as is, I wouldn't feel the least bit underarmed with an 1897...
