IAC (Norinco) Model 97 T Trench Gun?
Anybody have any experience with these model 97 reproductions? I've read some good reviews about them. The trench model is a WW1 replica of the Winchester 97 that has a bayonet lug and heat shield with swivels. They actually have hand rubbed American walnut stock and pump and seem to be an accurate clone to the original.
Regards, Don
Regards, Don
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I never saw a trench model but the ones I look at a long time ago seemed ok and could be slicked up some to make them smoother. 0 -
Unless they're much better than the clones of more modern designs that I handled, I wouldn't take one as a gift.
I sold 5 of either Rem 870 or Ithica 37 clones and 4 came back. After I completely disassembled and deburred 3 of those, they worked well enough. One was returned to the distributor for replacement. The replacement was acceptable out of the box making the total a 60% failure rate w/o further handwork.
I lost money on the deal since I didn't feel right in charging a customer extra to make a new gun work.0 -
I worked on 1 (not the trench mod.) and it was a total piece of junk. these are non-takedown models and the one I had you could unscrew the barrel by hand 0 -
To be honest, I bought one when they first came out only so I could put it in the gun cabinet alongside my other REAL trench guns just to round out the collection. I can say it LOOKS good but I have never shot it so I can't comment on that aspect. Just like the other Chinese "clones" I have, I don't expect them in any way to be like the real deal so my expectations are low for them....just "eyecandy"...nothing more. 0 -
I have handled and fired them and here's my impression:
The Norinco/IAC reproduction is not and will likely never be a true Winchester. But it doesn't cost a few thousand bucks, either. If you're looking for a "fun" gun, they're neat to have. The one I have has been tuned up and it's a blast to shoot. Nothing beats slam firing it!
But for anything important - and what "important" is depends on you - I would choose a more reliable pump shotgun like a Remington, Mossberg, or Benelli. Even tuned up, my trench gun repro is not reliable enough to be even my backup gun in an emergency situation. It's finicky on the ammunition and I can only imagine what the fit and finish are like on the trench guns that are straight out of the box.
I've heard the later production models are of better quality than some of the earlier ones, but since you don't get to choose which vintage you get, that's a small comfort.
PROS: Cool looking, affordable, fun
CONS: Not as reliable as other shotguns, fit and finish can be terrible
CONCLUSION: Get it only if you have the spare cash, can have a gunsmith finish it up, and are not looking to rely upon it for anything vital.
Hope this helped.0
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