1887 or 1897

TravAce

TravAce

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So Marstar has the Chinese 1897 and Canada Ammo has the 1887, i want to get one or the other for just a camp, truck and bush gun. I don't mind doing some fine tuning on either one but dammit i can't decide. Anyone want to sway me one way or the either? Any input would be most helpful thanks in advance.
 
The 1887 was a market failure even at the time. It just wasn't all that reliable. The feed mechanism was... A kludge to get around some patents and try and make it fit with the lever rifles that were popular at the time. It was redesigned in 1901, and eventually dropped altogether by 1920.

The 1897 was successful, and was produced until the late '50s without any significant changes. It was more robust and reliable by design, and was a favorite of the US military through 2 world wars, and some stayed in service into the Vietnam era.

So... The vagaries of Chinese quality control and production aside... I would take the 1897, by virtue of it being a fundamentally better and more robust design.

Others will chime in and point out how much of an idiot I am, so as with all internet advice, your mileage may vary.
 
Everything I've seen and read points to the 97 as being less finicky.

I'm wanting to hear from the guys who bought the Marstar '97 last year and what they think of it now, since I'm considering it.

So...basically: Tagged
 
I personally love my 1897 I bought from Marstar last Febuary. No complaints it was a little stiff at first. But now the action is pretty smooth. I personally enjoy the recoil of the not too long barrel. I also think the price is right, the slam fire ability is great.
Will
 
Big Will said:
I personally love my 1897 I bought from Marstar last Febuary. No complaints it was a little stiff at first. But now the action is pretty smooth. I personally enjoy the recoil of the not too long barrel. I also think the price is right, the slam fire ability is great.
Will
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So they retained the slam fire ability instead of wedging in a trigger disconnect? I wasn't sure (although I hadn't looked into it too hard). That's good to know.
 
TravAce said:
I have a original model 12 im turning into a trench gun to fill that void. This is for a cheap steel safe carry everywhere gun
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My original comment still stands .......... would still fit your intended need well and after it's all said & done you'd own a real Winchester not a Chinese clone wannabe of questionable quality. I've owned 2 Norinco's in the past, couldn't sell them off fast enough and swore never again but then that's just my personal bias. Whatever works for you but I was always told buying quality only hurts once. YMMV :cheers:
 
Ive got a dominion arms 1887. Has allways worked fine for me it just likes to be wracked hard. Never had a jamb or issue other then one type of specific highbrass green shell buckshot i had for some reason would not fire from it but it could have been the ammo. Its a pretty fun gun and i hage mine for woods walking as its so short. Useless with birdshot but slings slugs fairly accurately.

Even so having said that i still would look for something made better and more reliable then norinco junk if i knew i was going to be in potential dangerous situations.
 
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Original 1897's are 60 - 100+ years old with unknown histories. I think it may be a toss up between those and new norcs unless you can find one in exceptional condition for a decent price.

Should maybe check out a US CAS site for opinions, since both are sold down there.
 
Mark-II said:
Original 1897's are 60 - 100+ years old with unknown histories. I think it may be a toss up between those and new norcs unless you can find one in exceptional condition for a decent price.

Should maybe check out a US CAS site for opinions, since both are sold down there.
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FAIL!!! Norincos are POS compared even to a 100 year old Winchester 1897. I have a couple of 100 year old Win 1897s and they're still better than a brand new Norinco clone.
 
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