Norc 1897T, anybody have one? What's the dope on these?

Thresher

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Thinking of getting the 1897 trench gun, I've always wanted one and I don't want to wait untill my uncle passes his original to me especially since It's in the kind of shape where I don't think it should be shot, it's too valuable for that when the norc clones are available. Thanks guys.
 
I've got the 1897. Don't have the trenchgun version (no bayonet mount or heat shield on mine). So far it's holding up okay. Only have maybe 50 rounds through it (mostly 00 buck and slug). No malfunctions yet. So far I'm happy with my purchase.
 
Had a 97T. Heat shield was sharp and it cut the tips of your fingers when pumping the gun. All of the screws were soft. Just touch one with a screwdriver and find out. Shot 18" low at 20 yards. Looked cool but was a piece of sh--. Buy the Mossberg with the heat shield and long mag. just my two cents.

cheers Darryl
 
1897 Trench

I have had mine for a year now and abuse it quite often. Just throw it in the back of the jeep. I like the sear disconect and pump it as hard and as fast as I can. The slam fire is a nice feature, I put skate board abrasive tape around the pistol grip it really grabs your hand. Mine shoots Winchester slugs to point of aim at 50 yds and does a nice job of it. I have run about 100 rounds of #4 buck through it and 125 rnds. of no 8 through it a week ago. It has given me good service and is my beater. I have an 1100 tactical on the way and a 870 with the adapter and M4 stock on my 870 with a surefire forend. Yes the heat sheild is sharp but have not cut myself on it. I have replaced the stock on my Norinco trench with real walnut as the other wood cracked. But that is the only repair. The stock cracking was my fault when I butstroked something. Thought I was in the trenches lol !!!! I like the Trench Broom. ::)
 
norc trench

Its not the ###iest piece of kit I own but it works just fine. Past posts are very true it has sharp edges, rough castings that may smooth up after 50years, the wood is not the best quality but once again for 350.00 bones it will do the job. Bought mine through marstar
 
Get an HP9-1, more accessorizable and will last quite a while longer.
Plus most parts are interchangeable with Remington parts!
 
Better yet, get the real thing. The Winchester 1897 is one of the finest firearms ever designed and produced. 'Course I would expect nothing less from John Browning - the most famous and competent gunmaker the world has ever known. If you don't accept that as a fact, just let me know, so I can put you on my ID ten T list.

Personally, I would never pass up an opportunity to buy an 1897 (norinco excepted). The only question is what condition is the gun in and, therefor, at what price? There are very few out there in poor condition and those only because they were abused. But even those are good parts guns (again, at a fair price).

If you can find a trench model (they're getting harder to find every day) you've got most of what you need at about the same price and a piece of history thrown in for free. More importantly, these things are built to last centuries - literally. The only thing missing from your wish list is the pistol grip. IMHO pistol grips have no business on a shotgun, anyway. I wish I hadn't said that, because it'll probably anger some, but it is the way I feel.

Have fun shopping around. That's a big part of the fun:D .

SS
 
sixty9santa said:
Get an HP9-1, more accessorizable and will last quite a while longer.
Plus most parts are interchangeable with Remington parts!

Question- For the price, why not buy a real Remington? They're not much more...and they're the real thing.
 
cantom said:
Question- For the price, why not buy a real Remington? They're not much more...and they're the real thing.

Mostly because the Norc has the old WWI trenchgun feel to it.

I bought one a few years ago from Marstar which I only recently sold as I came into a 1942 original. The Norinco smoothed up alot with use and a bit of loving gunsmithing to work down some of the worse rough patches. I found with slamfire/tactical use the heat shield would work its way forward along the barrel until the mag tube disconnected. I didn't really fix the problem before I sold it. Other than that it was a great gun. Alot of the folks I shoot Cowboy Action with have the regular 1897 and everyone thinks they are great (which is a loaded question, if they didn't like them they wouldn't have them anymore and I wouldn't have asked in the first place!)
 
cantom said:
Question- For the price, why not buy a real Remington? They're not much more...and they're the real thing.


Well, the price of a Remington Police with a 14" is in excess of 1000$, new and if you can find one.
The Norinco HP9-1 was a nice compromise for the budget minded student!
 
I chose the Norinco 97 over a Winchester 1897 for the simplest of reasons. I can drop my Norinco 97 on a concrete floor and not cry (well, not much). I wanted a *97 style shotgun, but I wanted the versatility of choke tubes. Being a bit of a history nut I have problems with the thought of modifying a gun that is 60-100 years old. The Norinco? It went to the gunsmith a couple weeks after I got it to have the fixed choke bored out, barrel threaded and the action cleaned up. I get a scratch on the finish? Not happy, but it's not like it's an heirloom.
 
Bittermansbro said:
Mostly because the Norc has the old WWI trenchgun feel to it.

I bought one a few years ago from Marstar which I only recently sold as I came into a 1942 original. The Norinco smoothed up alot with use and a bit of loving gunsmithing to work down some of the worse rough patches. I found with slamfire/tactical use the heat shield would work its way forward along the barrel until the mag tube disconnected. I didn't really fix the problem before I sold it. Other than that it was a great gun. Alot of the folks I shoot Cowboy Action with have the regular 1897 and everyone thinks they are great (which is a loaded question, if they didn't like them they wouldn't have them anymore and I wouldn't have asked in the first place!)

The Norinco HP1 is the Remington 870 clone. I know we're mixing up apples and oranges...I was thinking about the price of Remington Express shotguns when I said they're near the same price. I wasn't aware a Remington Police 14" shotgun is a thousand...:eek:
I agree, slamfire is cool.
 
kinda OT here, but, is there any Canadian (or Ontario) source for a rubber recoil pad to replace the plastic on the butt of the 97? I've got one of those "over the end of the butt" recoil pads, but want something that I can screw onto the butt and leave alone.
 
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