T-97 first impressionns

I'm debating pulling the trigger on one (pardon the pun).
I got to shoot a buddies a ways back.

Built like a tank, compact, reliable, sturdy and has weight to it, simple, shoots good cartridge that is widely available and relatively cheap.
The only things holding me back are the fact that it costs almost $1K.

People complain about the sights, I found them fine. Hard to mount an optic as well from what I hear but it's a sloppy battle rifle, irons are what it was made for :rockOn:

May have to sell a rifle or two to pick one up :D
 
lone ranger said:
I finally bought a brand new T97 from Frontier Fire arms. I know I'm coming a little late to the party and probably not going to tell you anything you don't already know about it.
Why did I wait so long to buy one?.....I LOVE it. I like everything about it. Its well built, functions 100% and its very accurate. Right out of the box and to the range...I never had to adjust the sights at ALL. I brought my" sks sighting tool" and my targets and 80 rounds of ammo. I figured it would take me a while to dial it in. The first shot at 50 yards landed right in the middle of a 5 inch circle !! Just using the iron sights it comes with. I LIKE the carry handle too.! I tried all my mags in it and they all worked..zero problems. I've seen videos of people having Mag issues ...."I really don't understand it" I never encountered any problems.
I had a chance to shoot the Tavour yesterday and I liked it a lot,...it set the bar high for the T97. to tell you the honest truth.."I find them basicly the same, ..they feel the same, shoot the same , I don't favour one over the other LOL. "I do the the carry handle"LOL. I have owned a Just Right carbine in 9mm &45, as well a High point 45 carbine, and a Keltec SU 16, And I choose this T97 over them by far. Its a FUN gun and non restricted. 14 rounds on tap with a BW mag.
I don't plan on doing anything to it....just trotting through the bushes and shooting it. 10 out of 10 !!
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Thanks for the review! I had the chance to shoot a Tavor the other day and it was awesome ... glad to hear the T97 is comparable (and 1/3 the price!). Looking for a fun NR ... beginning my savings jar today!

Edit: Who has these in stock right now ... ?

6Gun
 
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I feel, even though I love my T97, that its not even close to the same gun the Tavor has to offer. The ergonomics of the Tavor is something to behold. However, I'll gladly tote my T97 for a 1/3 of the price.
 
I've owned a Tavor and the brutal trigger pull and use of plastic everywhere inside were an issue for my cold use requirements. I was too afraid to shoot a 2500 rifle in really cold temps because I also doubted CanAm's ability to get replacement parts.
My T97 is way better quality than I expected
1:the safety isn't an issue for me as theres no way for it to get bumped when the rifle is slung; Its right where I leave it; I can count on that.
2:the finish on the parts is top quality, no Norc M4 spray can finish.
3: the rifles main components are metal; those that are not could easily be fabricated from metal; should something break.
4: at first I thought the mag button was in a bad spot, but if you reload with your right hand; you can keep your mag pouches on the right too; and maintain your point of aim with your left hand... Works for me.

My only issue (and its a big one) with the rifle is that the flash hider appears to be way off center. Im getting it duracoated and having a t97 flat top put on at the same time so it will have to come off anyway so I don't care; but it would definitely be an issue at longer distances.
 
Just for the cold weather comment, but a member here (Ardent maybe?) did some pretty extreme cold weather testing with a Tavor and it held up flawlessly.
I would love to buy a T97 but being a lefty I'm not really looking forward to getting brass in the face constantly and I definitely can't afford a Tavor.
Has anyone tried/seen/built a shell deflector for the T97 that makes it a little more lefty friendly?
ViktorF said:
I've owned a Tavor and the brutal trigger pull and use of plastic everywhere inside were an issue for my cold use requirements. I was too afraid to shoot a 2500 rifle in really cold temps because I also doubted CanAm's ability to get replacement parts.
My T97 is way better quality than I expected
1:the safety isn't an issue for me as theres no way for it to get bumped when the rifle is slung; Its right where I leave it; I can count on that.
2:the finish on the parts is top quality, no Norc M4 spray can finish.
3: the rifles main components are metal; those that are not could easily be fabricated from metal; should something break.
4: at first I thought the mag button was in a bad spot, but if you reload with your right hand; you can keep your mag pouches on the right too; and maintain your point of aim with your left hand... Works for me.

My only issue (and its a big one) with the rifle is that the flash hider appears to be way off center. Im getting it duracoated and having a t97 flat top put on at the same time so it will have to come off anyway so I don't care; but it would definitely be an issue at longer distances.
Click to expand...
 
took mine to the range yesterday evening. There was others there, and I let them try it. First impression was- what an ODD rifle. Ive never held or shot one before...& I dunno........"
After they shot it,..it was "where can I buy one" & "its NON restricted,..really?" They where putting it up against their AR's open sights at 100 yards. Everything the AR hit,..the T97 hit as well. Dead even competition .
 
hms11 said:
Just for the cold weather comment, but a member here (Ardent maybe?) did some pretty extreme cold weather testing with a Tavor and it held up flawlessly.
I would love to buy a T97 but being a lefty I'm not really looking forward to getting brass in the face constantly and I definitely can't afford a Tavor.
Has anyone tried/seen/built a shell deflector for the T97 that makes it a little more lefty friendly?
Click to expand...

T97 now for lefties:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1014961-Norinco-T-97-NOW-FOR-LEFTIES!!!!?highlight=t97+deflector
 
ViktorF said:
I've owned a Tavor and the brutal trigger pull and use of plastic everywhere inside were an issue for my cold use requirements. I was too afraid to shoot a 2500 rifle in really cold temps because I also doubted CanAm's ability to get replacement parts.
My T97 is way better quality than I expected
1:the safety isn't an issue for me as theres no way for it to get bumped when the rifle is slung; Its right where I leave it; I can count on that.
2:the finish on the parts is top quality, no Norc M4 spray can finish.
3: the rifles main components are metal; those that are not could easily be fabricated from metal; should something break.
4: at first I thought the mag button was in a bad spot, but if you reload with your right hand; you can keep your mag pouches on the right too; and maintain your point of aim with your left hand... Works for me.

My only issue (and its a big one) with the rifle is that the flash hider appears to be way off center. Im getting it duracoated and having a t97 flat top put on at the same time so it will have to come off anyway so I don't care; but it would definitely be an issue at longer distances.
Click to expand...

A member here left his tavor outside for several hours in -32 weather. Sprayed water in the action to freeze and on the safety and mag release. The gun worked flawlessly.
 
I was in TnT Guns in Regina a couple of days ago and was surprised to see 2 new T97's in stock, one of which was already equipped with the FTU. When I first spotted it I assumed it was a used gun, but the guy was adamant that it was brand new and came in equipped as I saw it. Just under $1500 as I recall. Is this done by the importer?

Has the issue with drill damage to the bore across from the gas port been corrected with the newer guns? Or was it always just a few isolated cases?
 
Still no issues with my two. I was shooting it with the HK sl-8, and Tavor last weekend, and it got the most trigger time of any. Shooting it back to back with the Tavor is an eye opener. That Tavor trigger is completely unacceptable. Beyond belief, how long and heavy it is. Don't bother shooting for accuracy until it's changed, it fights the idea.

The type 97nsr trigger, on the other hand, is odd, but fine. A long, light, consistent single stage, with a slippery release point that almost surprises you.
 
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