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Building a " Trench Gun"

dolfan
I want to build a clone trench gun. I plan to use a Winchester M-97 12 ga. The 30" barrel model is cheaper and fairly common. They are in the $400-$500 range for a decent one.

My question: What is the best method to cut the barrel to 20" and how do you install the a repro heat shield/bayo lug? Is it a direct "bolt on"? On site that sells them states "gunsmith installation recommended" Does it involve tapping?

An original is way beyond my means and I don't want to buy a cheap Norinco look a like. Thanks for the advice.
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • forthhorseman
    Once again I totally agree with quickdraw67. As a an avid fan of Cowboy Action Shooting and great guns in general, I would hate to see a real shootable 97 that isn't really a trench gun get cut up and made into one.

    The Norinco 97 Trench gun is an exact reproduction of the WWI Winchester 12ga. exposed hammer pump trench gun and can be for under $400.00. There's a few of them available in Gunbroker.com auctions. I've seen one up close and they're nice. Like quickdraw67 says, they have the U.S. and exploding bomb markings on them just like the originals.

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=36190698

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=36151403

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=36226268
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  • dolfan
    forthhorseman & quickdraw, thanks for your replies.

    What is the barrel size used for cowboy action shooting?

    I may give up my butcher job, but I definitely want to get a M-97.
    My budget is no more than $500.
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  • beachmaster73
    dolfan...I'm with the other guys on this one. A clone is a clone is a clone. You can get the Norinco and have a ball with it although the quality really is no where near as good as the original. The Norinco will put OO downrange without problem. I still shoot my original 1897 trench gun...but I don't think I'd be taking it to cowboy action shooting events. If you email me I can give you the name of a really great 97 trench gun guy that has done right by me over the years. Beach
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  • forthhorseman
    I think the thing that's nice about the Noricos is you can shoot them all day long, even wear them out at less than $400.00 and not feel at all bad about it. Norinco makes both the regular Win '97 pump in a couple barrel lengths and they make the trench gun version with the barrel shroud and bayonet lug. I'm seriously thinking about getting one of each.
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  • surbat6
    For authenticity, you could leave the M97's barrel long (they favored LONG barrels for shotguns and rifles in the 19th century, figuring improved power and accuracy due to the longer tube).
    I totally agree with the previous posts regarding butchering your M97 to make an imitation trench gun. Even a good modification would reduce its value. A "few" years ago you could pick up Model 97 Winchesters for less than a hundred bucks. I paid $105 for mine back in '78. Now try to find one in working condition for less than $300.

    "I think of my gun as a tool for converting worthless human garbage into valuable fertilizer." John Dollar in the novel "Bridge City" by Fred Rexer
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  • forthhorseman
    quote:Originally posted by dolfan

    forthhorseman & quickdraw, thanks for your replies.

    What is the barrel size used for cowboy action shooting?

    I may give up my butcher job, but I definitely want to get a M-97.
    My budget is no more than $500.




    I've seen CAS shooters with Norinco 97s in 26" and 20" but I'd say the majority of Norinco 97s seem to be the 20".
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  • v35
    Trench gun styles are inappropriate for cowboy shooting since they only date back to WW1 even though they're hammer guns.
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  • forthhorseman
    quote:Originally posted by v35
    Trench gun styles are inappropriate for cowboy shooting since they only date back to WW1 even though they're hammer guns.


    Yeah, we sort of got off subject and started talking about the standard Win 97 (non-trench gun) barrel lengths, especially the non-trench gun versions of the Norinco 97.
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