1897 Trench gun clones

Walther_PPK

Walther_PPK

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With all the Repo 1897 shotguns on the market, more people than me must be making them into trench gun clones. Let's see em!

This took longer to make than I expected. That bayo lug/heat shield is not just a slip on component. The barrel has to be notched for the three screws. I got the Marstar verson so it came with a rubber recoil pad that I had to replace and surprise, surprise...Win 1897 buttplates don't fit. So I drilled new screw holes and added a (modified) buttplate from a Beretta A301.

Also had to inlay a hole for the rear sling swivel, BUT....it's done now and I love it.

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That looks so sweet, I'm seriously considering picking one of those up. Have you had a chance to shoot it yet? How's the overall fit and finish? I have yet to buy a Norinco and I've heard mixed things about them.
 
cantom said:
When the Chinese repops first came on the market, they had the heat shield on them. Not sure why they discontinued that.
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Me too, if they would just bring them back I'd buy two of them. It's what pretty well everyone in the market for 1897s seems to want.
 
pzkmpfw14 said:
That looks so sweet, I'm seriously considering picking one of those up. Have you had a chance to shoot it yet? How's the overall fit and finish? I have yet to buy a Norinco and I've heard mixed things about them.
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Fired about 40 rounds. All birdshot. It's very fun to shoot. This is my first 97 and I was wondering how the pump lock was gonna be like but you can't notice it when actually firing live rounds. The recoil is enough to unlock the pump lock after firing.

contact148 said:
how did you cut the front slot considering how thin the barrel is with the screw in choke?
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Even with the choke the barrel is not thin at all. I just used a chainsaw file to cut the 3 screw notches.
 
pzkmpfw14 said:
That looks so sweet, I'm seriously considering picking one of those up. Have you had a chance to shoot it yet? How's the overall fit and finish? I have yet to buy a Norinco and I've heard mixed things about them.
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I have owned 6 norks; two rifles and 4 pistols; all well made, all very accurate. I still have two pistols. If I was a shot-gunner, I would have one of these. I love the look of it!
 
pzkmpfw14 said:
That looks so sweet, I'm seriously considering picking one of those up. Have you had a chance to shoot it yet? How's the overall fit and finish? I have yet to buy a Norinco and I've heard mixed things about them.
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well

mine came from marstar a few years ago finish was excellent fit was excellent came with Turkish walnut stock so that was nice

the pump was VERY stiff inside the pump tube was VERY rough so I used a big brush wrapped in emery cloth in my drill and polished the inside of the pump that fixed that

I also found it would NOT feed the cheap challenger shells it would NOT eject them as the brass base would dent where the ejector hit it was the ammo fault not the gun I have approx. 200rnds through mine and it gets smoother with use

They are a PITA to field strip and clean poor designs as you need tools and a lot of time.....
 
here is mine


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pzkmpfw14 said:
That looks so sweet, I'm seriously considering picking one of those up. Have you had a chance to shoot it yet? How's the overall fit and finish? I have yet to buy a Norinco and I've heard mixed things about them.
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Two ranges days and 200 plus rounds down it I have no complaints and will only say I put lock tight on the action slide screw which comes loose even on originals as far as I have read and should be checked every now and again. since I planned on being rough with it lock tight seemed fine! Great 300$ spent!!
 
Did anyone else has issues fitting the bayonet onto the lug. I bought the heat sheild from parts for antique guns. Tried fitting the bayonet on to take some pictures but it was quite tight. Wasn't surprised figued I'd have some fitting to do. Just wondering if anyone else had same issue.
 
Was looking to buy a 590A1 Retrograde (because i love the look of the trench gun version they made) and didn't find them anywhere in stock and then i found this little Norinco 1897 Trench (More a Riot version) for 1/3 of the price... so just bought it today! Pretty sure it will not be as good (quality and fit and finish) as a 590a1 but it's the same price of a Maverick 88 so why not!

And since it was a shotgun used (the original Winchester not the Norinco..) in both World War for fighting tyranny... i found it was the perfect gun to buy with all what happening since 1st May... The "Trench Broom" was one of the most frightening gun of his time... so effective at trench clearing that German tried to make it prohibited during WW1... It's gonna be a fun gun for sure! And gonna be an awesome combo with my Lee Enfield!

And for sure, i'm gonna spend some money to make it a real "trench gun"!

Bonus point for Slam firing!
 
I have an original bayonet it fits snug but no issues. I also have a repo bayonet. It fits loose and rattles
 
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