My Norinco Type 97 Shorty - Range Report Post # 80!!!!

[Clobbersauras]

Just picked up a Type 97 shorty and thought I'd post some pics.

I's just over 24 inches long!!

Here's a pic of the dual grips - the thing on the upper left is a thumb rest...

Here's what it looks like in my hands...it balances well (point of balance about an inch behind the rear pistol grip).

Action and mag well...

Front sight - adjustable like SKS...

Rear sight..paddle wheel style with three range settings...

Muzzle break, gas booster (or so I've read), and gas adjustment switch....

Overall Impressions....WORTH EVERY PENNY!! This thing was built to piss off Liberals!!! Easily the best quality Norinco I've owned. The tupperwear stock is comfortable and well done with no sharp edges. The sights are decent - the trigger is a little odd (mushy with lots of take up but not overly heavy) but I'm sure it will be fine once I get used to it.

The mag release is the worst part of this rifle. But I think with practice I will learn to operate it reasonably quickly. Mags are launched out of the well when you depress the button. I might try using my right hand to make mag changes as the forward grip is so close the balance isn't affected by using my right hand, at least that is what I have noticed so far. The 10 round pistol mag I picked up works perfectly in it.

Came with two 5/30 mags and a manual...all metal parts were wrapped in oil soaked burlap. It points very well and the balance is excellent.

Range report in a few weeks

 

[Bitterman]

Neat!

 

[shawn357]

Outstanding! Thanks for the pics!

 

[dave_t73]

Definitely will draw stares at the range. What's the status on that thing? restricted? Where'd you get it?

 

[RobAK]

Cool pics Clobbersauras!

 

[b-wingpilot]

Get that little beast to the range, and be sure to piss off the leftist fudds

 

[jimy]

Great picture. Thanks for showing. I hope your range report will soon follow.


SW

 

[RobAK]

A quick question for you, does the "Muzzle break, gas booster" come off, or are you able to get in there to clean it without removal?

 

[micSarfati]

Very nice!! Whats the barrell length on it? restricted or non?? Will defenatly catch everyones eye at the range

 

[Clobbersauras]

A quick question for you, does the "Muzzle break, gas booster" come off, or are you able to get in there to clean it without removal?

Yea it comes off for cleaning. There is a little sping loaded pin at the back of it that you pull on then it twists off...I haven't cleaned it yet but it looks pretty straight forward from the manual. The gas regulation switch is opperated by pressing a button on the front sight pilar, then you simply move it to the position you want. I haven't measured it yet but I believe the barrel is 12.5. The sights are actually qiute good, I just hope they are easier to adjust than my last three SKS's. I still have the tool though.

 

[apu]

Very nice!! Whats the barrell length on it? restricted or non?? Will defenatly catch everyones eye at the range

The regular length type 97 is restricted, so this will be just as restricted, just be happy it's not prohib.

 

[Clobbersauras]

Definitely will draw stares at the range. What's the status on that thing? restricted? Where'd you get it?

Sorry - missed your post. It's restricted and I got it at Lever Arms in Vancouver.

 

[koalorka]

I like it, great review. So, how much and where?

 

[Polyshot]

The regular length type 97 is restricted, so this will be just as restricted, just be happy it's not prohib.

Good thing is that it isn't restricted by name but by the length of the barrel......

If Marstar is managed to bring in the SAW version it'll sell like the hotcake!!

Although I still hope that Norinco will increase the barrel length a bit for the standard version....

 

[Deckard]

Can you shoot it lefty for me?

 

[Clobbersauras]

Ok guys - so I took it all apart tonight. It sure comes apart slick!!!! Pop the pin in the butstock and everything just basically pulls out. Pulling the gas piston and gas booster was simple. Everyting looked to be finely machined with much less tool marks than any other norinco I've owned. The best way I can describe the internals: well thought out and robust. I would say that the internals looked better built than the VZ 58 I owned and miles ahead of the CQ-311 (Norc AR clone) I had (which I had ZERO problems with).

The barrel is 12.5 inches long. Everything was covered in a fine layer of oil and the piston and gas regulator had some kind of grease on it. I wiped it all out and sprayed it all down with G96.

Deckard - I shouldered the gun lefty and my chin was about a half an inch from the back of the ejection port. I'm a big guy (6' 2") and even when I got my eye way up close to the sight I could just feel the ridge of the port on my chin. I will try a few rounds lefty for you next weekend but if I catch brass in the teeth I'm hunting you down

Can't wait to put this thing through it's paces!!!!!!!

 

[dave_t73]

Nice grab. I'm impressed. Be sure to update us with a range report.

 

[Deckard]

Well don't risk it then. I always intended to put a moulded plastic hood on it anyway. It would go over top and wrap around the back of the port.

 

[svt-40]

Rebarrelling to a non-restricted should be fairly simple, and that way we can get rid of the butt ugly grenade launcher

 

[matty]

I would definitely wear a full face shield before attempting to shoot left handed with this rifle.................