norinco-97

tootall said:
Be patient, my good man.
I'm working on it.:)
Click to expand...

As promised, a short review.:)

DSCF1558.jpg


I am keeping it short, as I am going to write a more detailed review for the new CSSA magazine, and i dont want to "scoop" myself.

Blair, (Dr. Van Nostren here on CGN) works at Lever Arms in Vancouver part time. I contacted him about gettting together for a photo shoot and live fire session.
He came out to our monthly Tac rifle event today, and we were able to check out the Type 97 afterwards.

It seems well built, although it certainly lacks a few niceties, such as the mag release button looking like a bit of an afterthought.
It shot well (at short range, admittedly), and the trigger was better than expected. It had a long pull, but it was quite light, and no creep or squeekyness.
Only right hand ejection, no way to fire from the left shoulder.

Buy a CSSA membership for more details!

DSCF1550.jpg


Thanks to Blair H and Kin Chung of Lever Arms
 
Wait for the magazine!

OK, I'll be nice.
I don't know, the first ones that came in were just a test few. No official word yet on price
 
Also had a chance to shoot the 97 today (Thanks tootall and Dr. Van Nostren). Great rifle in 5.56. I can only imagine that they will be a good price as with all Norinco products !!!

Great stuff :)
 
I forgot to look at the mag-release yesterday... I wonder if it couldn't be swapped, or, an ambi-mag release installed?

It was definitely a fun gun... I'd get one as well if the price were right :D
 
Man, those double taps sure look like more fun with the 10 rounders. Shoulda had 1 in the chamber for 11 tho :D.

-Jamie M.
 
I just watched again Pretorian's vid posted on Tavor's thread and it made interesting comparison with 97. Looks like 97 is far less controllable. I think its too heavy combined mass of gas piston and the whole group. Reminds me Kalashnikovs, they are all like that. Or maybe its 97 beeing way too light. Or muzzle break isn't good enuff. Or shooter... Someone will have to have two guns in his hands and give us review. My heart with Tavor for now.

here's link to Pretorian's video, skip suppressed part and watch shoulder fired with no suppressor. Muzzle doesn't move at all - I love that.

http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/Almani-Test/abm.wmv
 
Last edited:
The problem is that the safety is at the rear of the butt. This is going to be a problem in 3-gun match. You might have to load first, and only make ready ( charging the rifle) when the timer starts.
 
This is not really a report,
but I'll say my opinion about different features on this gun.
Excuse my camera, the oil spots, etc.

First, the sights.

Front sight is not the folding type as on the "sniper" version.
It is hooded and assembled on a dovetail.
97a_114.jpg




The scope mount is in the channel of the carry handle.
It is quite strong, but requires the scope to have
the maching part.
I don't know if it is the same as the system used on the Type 88.
97a_152.jpg


The rear sight is at the rear end of the carry handle.
I like the concept of the rear sight, it would have been cool to see it on AR's
instead of the 2 peeps which you have to flip back and forward.
It is a "wheel" (like a paddle-wheel) with 4 sights:
one post and three peeps. The peeps are marked on top: "5", "3" and "1".
Position is secured by a detain pin and can be flipped from sight to sight back or forward without reaching a stop.
AR should have had this like 50 years ago.

97a_153.jpg

97a_154.jpg

97a_155.jpg

97a_156.jpg


However, because it is a bullpup, the rear sight is too close to the eye.
IMO it should have been mounted at the front of the carry handle.
Yes, the sight radius would have been shorter,
but the operator would be able to achieve a faster and better focus.

Edit: This post has been edited by Deckard, the Undercover Moderator.
 
Last edited:
Thanx for the Vid tootall.
What did you pay for your restricted version?
And are you selling yours? :D

ilovepotatos said:
So what makes it so much better than say, a FAMAS?
Click to expand...

For starters Canadian citizens can own them, as for the rest it would take pages to describe the technical details.

greentips said:
The problem is that the safety is at the rear of the butt. This is going to be a problem in 3-gun match. You might have to load first, and only make ready ( charging the rifle) when the timer starts.
Click to expand...

Practice. :D
 
Last edited:
The trigger has a pretty long take-up.
I did not mess with it yet, but I would like a short take-up for rapid fire.

The safety is on the left side of the gun, at the rear (by the shoulder pad)
and accessible by left hand.
97a_142.jpg


The mag release push button is on the right side,
you can see it at the tip of the thumb in the pic.
I find it accessible by the right hand thumb
or by the left hand index, but you may find easier ways.
I think an ambi can be adapted. I did not try it yet.
97a_105.jpg


Notice to people with certain tendencies on CGN:
Before you start flaming and blaming,
the mag in the pic is LEGAL.
Just to piss off the leeches who always start shyte on this forum,
I should have left them guessing if it has
internal pin (spacer) attached to the plunger or floorplate,
dimple on the left side,
rivet in the front or whatever.
The reality is that it is not a AR mag,
it is a mag for a manual repeater (pump)
and it does not fit the AR receiver. End of notice.


The gas system is something very nice.
I think I posted long time ago about this.
First, the volume of gas is adjustable by a little lever
at the front of the gas block (3 positions).
I used to like that on the FN.

Some AR's aftermarket gas blocks have that feature.
I love when I can cut off the gas:D
97a_123.jpg

97a_122.jpg

97a_121.jpg


The short stroke piston system kicks ass as well.
Forget piston AR's and weird things.
This solution is all common sense
and something that a lot of other piston operated guns should have adopted.
Piston forward:
97a_111.jpg

Piston all the way back:
97a_119.jpg




97a_108.jpg

97a_110.jpg



The flash hider is pinned on the barrel.
The gun accepts AR bayonets (M9 and such).
97a_139.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom