Mumbles Marble Mouth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Lower Mainland
Black rifles. Something I thought I could never afford. Even the cheapest non-restricted rifle was clocking in at over two thousand dollars and two thousand dollars is way out of budget for myself and probably many others. I was split between the Kel Tec SU-16 and Type 97. With a simple routine check up at my favorite sporting goods store, Gone Fishing of Nanaimo BC, turned into me coming home with a Type 97. I didn't feel good at first, putting a thousand dollars down unexpectedly like that. However, I had my tax returns coming in soon and I just couldn't wait to take 'er home. Just a note for those reading this, It's not EMEI. I took one good look at the logo with EMEI and quickly realized it was Mt Emei as the logo. Its pronounced Un-May. Geography WTF!
So a week after purchasing the rifle, I can finally use it and on a beautiful day no less! Thank you China for giving me such a beautiful day!..... Sorry about that. This rifle seems to be getting to me. The other day, in the grocery store, I just kind of shouted out loud, "I fight for China!" As embarrassing as it was, it came out like that on its own. Seems to be a side effect from owning this rifle. I hope I haven't become a sleeper cell or something. Anyways, I always have a standard test that I run on all new firearms I receive. I start from 25 meters and work my way out. Standing shots first, bench rested after. Only 3 shots at a time to not over heat the new barrel during break in. Once I hit 100 meters, that's when the 5 shots begin. I have here, 3 different kinds of ammo to test the rifle out with. The ammo used today was; MFS 55gr HP, Barnual 62gr BT FMJ, and American Eagle 55gr BT FMJ. By the end of the day, 120 rounds were fired though the rifle. 40 of each kind.
So at first, I tired 25 meter shots, standing, with that weird post sight. I actually really like that post sight. Why? Because you get back on target soooo much faster than with the standard sights. However, It seems to me that this post sight is only good up to 25 meters. Seems to be an indoor/hallway kind of thing. I tried 3 times to hit something at 50 meters with these sights and no luck. At 25, no problem. This was 3 shots of MFS taking my sweet time and then later on in the day, I tried 5 rapid shots of American Eagle. 4 hit out of 5. The sights work very well if this is what they're intended purpose is.
With the 100 meter sights on, and from the standing position, I tied 3 shots of the Barnual. It seems as though the sights are hitting almost where I'm aiming. After this, I tried 50 meters bench rested. I quickly found out which ammo shot the best out of this rifle from that point on.
The next 3 targets are at 50 meters from the bench rested position. I wasn't impressed at all with the MFS. As a reloader, I kind of did the ladder method with this ammo, Fired all three, found out which ones shot the best, and then investigated further on other targets to see it the groupings were constant. Barnual and American Eagle were both really well but I received inconsistent groupings with the Barnual. This same inconsistency is witnessed with my M305 and SVT 40. Sometimes I get really good groups, sometimes I get god awful groups.
Now at 100 meters, 3 shot, from the bench rested position, I found that the American Eagle and Barnual were both the best but from previous targets, the American Eagle was much more consistent. Again, the MFS is out to lunch.
Now this is where the American Eagle really began to shine! 5 shot group under 3 inches!. The Type 97 really does have some potential. I wonder what it would be like with a scope. I bet, If you could work up reloads for this rifle, 2moa is probably achievable. Hell, 2moa is probably achievable with just putting a scope on it with this American Eagle. Since this rifle isn't pleasant to the brass cases, I don't intend to make any reloads for this rifle. I might use cases that are ready to be retired after their next shot (or two since I worry this rifle will have case head separation with cases that are ready to be retired) to make reloads for this but until then, Its going to be American Eagle factory loaded ammunition. The MFS again is terrible, and this time, the Barnual is just as terrible. American Eagle is defiantly the most consistent.
Conclusion
This rifle is so much fun. Aside from the safety being where it is, which doesn't bother me since I don't ever use a safety, and the mag release which I quickly figured out that releasing the mag from behind the magwel with your left hand works best. That way worked best for me but my friend at the range today couldn't get it to work for him and his favorite way was to release the magazines with his right hand. It seems you have to be a bit resourceful with this rifle in order for you to get around the ergonomics. The trigger also isn't anywhere near as bad as other people say it is. I also found out today, that the safety only needs to be turned a quarter of the way from fire to be engaged. For those who like using a safety, this makes a quick and easy snap into fire instead of a fill rotation.
The rifle may be ugly, but it quickly becomes pretty awesome when you start shooting it. I had some FTF with the LAR mags and the USGI magazine but for some reason, after a few rounds going though those magazines, all failers stopped. Never did I get a FTE or a jam. The original magazine that is serial numbered to the gun worked flawlessly all day. Something funny to note. I realized the serial numbers to my M305 and Type 97 are the same, other than the year digests. What are the chances with that!
If you're thinking about buying a Type 97, do it! Best thousand dollars I could spend on a rifle. China has been generous to sell use these Type 97.... dammit, I did it again. China will remember you for your sacrifice.... FFS! Anyways, the last pictures are done by my friend. While I was out setting up targets, He decided to make some gun ####. He is somewhat of a photographer and took some really nice pictures. He has no firearms but I took him out shooting and he fell in love with my M305, in which he claims belongs to him.... I bought it, I buy the ammo for it, I store it, but for some reason, it belongs to him?.... how does that work? Anyways, enjoy the gun ####.
Oh yes, and one of the best things about the Type 97,
No clean up required!
Holy sweet baby Jesus! It took me 4hrs to write all this crap up! Hope you enjoyed it.
