After I partially field stripped it and cleaned the crap (oil and metal shavings) out of the bore and action I decided that the forearm was not flimsy feeling or anything like it. the actionbar (yes only one) looks to be about 1/6 inch thick. so it is pretty beefy. The reason why i thought it was flimsy feeling upon first handling it is that i am used to the forearm of the 870 which has no play in it at all until conscious force is applied rearward. The norinco 97 has alot of play in it until it is cocked and ready to fire. Once it is cocked the lockup is as tight as my 870.
The partial fieldstrip i did involved removing the headshield/bayo lug and the magazine tube cap and the magazine tube spring. I didn't take it down any further because as someone else sighted.. it is a very open design and cleaning was easy and did not require a full field strip.
The action is still pretty stiff and new feeling, i suspect is will smooth out upon firing it this weekend. I felt no noticeable hangs or hitches while cycling it once it was reassembled and oiled up. The only snag i felt in the action is when i press the bolt release button and do not forcably manipulate the forearm. If the forearm is not manipulated with a conscious effort and a fair ammount of force the bolt and shell lifter some times snag half way out. Once more force is applied, however, the action cycles perfectly.
The finish is a nice dark blueing that reminds me of the black-blueing of the earliest 1911s. It seems to be not very durable however. My shotgun was brand new and when i took it out of the plastic at the pawn shop and cycled the action a few times i noticed the finish already wearing away on the mag tube. In the shotgun's defense I am very heavy handed with my weapons. I've had to scrape off wood residue left on my 870's mag tube from the torque i put on the forearm during firing. It is not a conscious thing, i try not to but some times i just get caught up .
I will continue to post more as I spend more time with this shotgun. I am very interested in it and i know others must be.
oh eyah.. price OTD: $342.98
The partial fieldstrip i did involved removing the headshield/bayo lug and the magazine tube cap and the magazine tube spring. I didn't take it down any further because as someone else sighted.. it is a very open design and cleaning was easy and did not require a full field strip.
The action is still pretty stiff and new feeling, i suspect is will smooth out upon firing it this weekend. I felt no noticeable hangs or hitches while cycling it once it was reassembled and oiled up. The only snag i felt in the action is when i press the bolt release button and do not forcably manipulate the forearm. If the forearm is not manipulated with a conscious effort and a fair ammount of force the bolt and shell lifter some times snag half way out. Once more force is applied, however, the action cycles perfectly.
The finish is a nice dark blueing that reminds me of the black-blueing of the earliest 1911s. It seems to be not very durable however. My shotgun was brand new and when i took it out of the plastic at the pawn shop and cycled the action a few times i noticed the finish already wearing away on the mag tube. In the shotgun's defense I am very heavy handed with my weapons. I've had to scrape off wood residue left on my 870's mag tube from the torque i put on the forearm during firing. It is not a conscious thing, i try not to but some times i just get caught up .
I will continue to post more as I spend more time with this shotgun. I am very interested in it and i know others must be.
oh eyah.. price OTD: $342.98
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