M97 clone???

[Domino]

I have seen some M97 clones in shotgun news, of which I believe are made (or imported, not really sure) by Norinco. There is no denying the "cool factor" of the old trench gun style, it compares with the 1911 in that way. My question is that I myself would probably not buy the Norinco clone but why is no one else making one? I think may have grabbed an M97 over my 870 if one had been available. I myself would not be interested (in paying for) a collector item but just a shooter to have fun with. Just my opinion, if anyone has anything good or bad to say about the Norinco clones please let me know.

 

[kudu]

No one is making a domestic 97 because the you cannot compete with the chinese on labor costs.

Even then from what I have hears the fir and finish is pretty rough on some of them coming out of china.

With the prices of old 97's out there I wonder if a gun company could produce a limited run of these guns for $500-$700 or more and make money on them..... Just my rambling on, must be catching it from sm.

 

[carpettbaggerr]

No one is making a domestic 97 because the you cannot compete with the chinese on labor costs.

Except no one was making any before the Norincos were imported. And Norincos aren't imported anymore, but no one else is manufacturing them.

It's not competition, the manufacturers just don't care.

 

[Gunsnrovers]

Norinco's are coming in under a different name. Coyote Cap is selling them. Still very big in CAS. Another Chinese make is made for and imported by TTN Inc. They also make a Colt 1887 SxS Reproduction. Reportedly, the TTN's are superior in quality, fit, & finish to the Norinco's.

The Chinese shotgun market is alive and selling. Evidently, quality is improved. I'll still keep my original take down though...

 

[MrAcheson]

Except no one was making any before the Norincos were imported.

The problem is that 1897 is an old gun originally made using old methods. Much like the 1911, it is designed to be constructed with lots of labor intensive hand fitting. The reason no one makes one domestically is that modern designs are just as functional and can be made cheaper. What has brought them back onto the US market is cheap foriegn labor to take care of the hand fitting and their use in the Cowboy action niche market.

 

[carpettbaggerr]

Well, American companies sell tons of 1911's. If the manufacturers wanted to, they'd sell a lot of 1897's too -- even if they cost more than the Chinese imports. But they're not even trying.

 

[MrAcheson]

Enough to justify retooling? Compared to say the sales of Mossberg 500s or Remington 870s? I really doubt it. Would you buy a $800 pump shotgun instead of $200 one, when there is nothing additional to recommend it except for history? The 1911 is still around because of the trigger, the ergonomics, and the history. When all is said and done, there isn't anything else like it history or no. Can that be said of the 97 winchester? No not really.