norinco 97

[PT1911]

I recently traded into this very interesting gun... I know it is a copy of the winchester 97 that was eventually converted into a "trench" gun and used extensively in WWI WWII vietnam, and into the gulf war.

I have also seen that several "cowboy" shooters will own both a classic winchester and the norinco, use the winchester for shows and the norinco for practice. it seems like a very solid gun with an interesting, though biting, action. Personally i love the idea of a pump shotgun with a hammer (all the benefit of a single or double with greater capacity). I greatly enjoy shooting it, and would appreciate some input by the members of THR.

 

[Gunfighter123]

I have had two Norinco 97s --- the first was a 26" full choke --- very good gun but a little long for SASS {cowboy action} where you have to shoot thru window/door frames etc.

The one I have now is the shorter barrel and is much better for CB shoots.

Either way -- you may/will need to have a few things done to them such as a trigger job , smoother action , stock cut back , and a recoil pad installed.

Do a search at SASSNET.COM for a pard called Coyote Cap -- he is a Wiz at both repo and original 97s.

I also had a 1903 WIn. 97 Black Diamond Trap gun that I used in CB matches ---- I started getting "spooked" about useing a 100 year old gun that was seeing more shells fired in one day then it had seen in one year of hunting etc. -- So I thought a New 97 , made with modern steel etc. would be a smarter choice.

 

[PT1911]

I can see why you opted for the newer gun, I would like to get the original as well one day, but I will still shoot this one more.. I will definitely look into having in it midified in the ways you suggested... I will say the experiences I have had with it have been great... One of my favorite guns to shoot...

 

[Gunfighter123]

Hiya PT ---- I was a FOOL and sold the 97 Black Diamond --- I doubled my money but now I look back and wish I still had it !!!!!!!!

http://www.coyotecap.com/index2.htm


Check out Caps site.

 

[PT1911]

I appreciate the link.. and would have loved to have had that gun... i

 

[Bill B.]

On the Norinco 97's there are several different generations of them imported. They did several different things to make them work better and improved the quality of the wood as they went on. If I am not mistaken Coyote Cap was actually hired by them to help them make improvements to their version of the 97. Though some like the solid frame 97 better I still like the balance of the takedown 97 better. Both are excellent shotguns!

 

[Gunfighter123]

Bill ---- you are correct that Cap was hired to work on Norincos. He actually went to China a few times to help wth tooling etc. --- He also was authorized by Norinco to replace any 1st generation 97s with brand new 2nd & 3rd gen.

From my understanding , all the 97 Trench guns ARE NOT 1st gen. guns.

Edit ---- any first gen. 97 will have wood that looks like "cardboard" ---- never seen any with a hint of grain etc.

 

[PT1911]

well... I am not sure what generation mine is.. I know the wood is very nice... and the gun seems to be extremely well put together... it isnt the military version but is the shorter one...barrel about 4 inches longer than the tube...

 

[Gunfighter123]

PT --- if it works I would not worry about it --- I don't think there are many 1st gen. Norincos still out there --- you can call Cap and tell him your ser. number and he will tell you what gen. it is.

My Cap gun is 2nd from the top

 

[PT1911]

thanks again.. to both of you..I believe mine is a second generation...