Norinco Type 97 - Yay or Nay?

I was going to say save your money for the Tavor, but now I see you already have one. If you just want another 5.56 bullpup, I say go for it. It's no Tavor, but it's a nice rifle, I thought the level of quality was actually pretty good on mine. Depending on your budget there's also the XCR, or the M305's if you're looking for a bit of a project.
 
I love mine. I love iron sights. I can shoot it as well as my AR. I've never had a jam, its always cycled great. I don't understand why others cant seem to use the sights. They sure work great for me.
 
I have the ftu and I love my t97. Its a decent calibre and its non restricted with the ability to run LAR mags. What other NR rifle can you get in the price range with the ability to do these thing. Yes its not the best ergonomics but mag change speed really that import when your out plinking?
 
S1de8urnz said:
Faceline

You are my new hero. You actually own a M17!?! Im super jelous.
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Bought it stock, on gunbroker. Had it sent to K&M for the mods and then had it shipped up. It has a Bushnell 1-4x illuminated scope, an A2 flash hider and an AFG2 now. It's the same one that TVPP posts pics on of from time to time. I bought it a year ago, but by the time I got it in my hands I think dilligaf had his for a week or two.
 
fenceline said:
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The M17 looks like a projector screen cassette...
 
BeaverMeat said:
The case that holds the screen and spring loaded retraction mechanism that "rolls up" the screen.
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Well it is a piece of extruded aluminum. Runs much like an AR for ergonomics. Mag release, charging, bolt catch. Quite nice actually. I enjoy it. Quite accurate too with the 21.5 inch barrel, but shorter overall than my 9 inch SBR ar15. The NR part is awesome too.

If I had to choose either or, I'd pick the m17s over the t97. It wins in accuracy and ergos. Cost is about the same, but the type 97 is easier to mod given m14.ca is canadian, and km is in the US and can't export parts alone. If you want a modded m17s, you need to plan it out before import or buy it pre modded.
 
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NAY, in my opinion the T97 is a disposable rifle. There is no warranty and there are no parts available.
If it was a clone of something then it wouldn't be as bad since parts would be available, even if they needed a little fitting at least you could buy something and get your rifle working again if something did break. Now all you can do is buy another one and use the first one for parts.

It is a cool rifle and the one I shot was surprisingly accurate but considering you need to cut the top off and add a $400 FTU to a $900 disposable rifle making it a $1300 Chinese built rifle with no support I would pass.
If it was priced similar to an M305 or M4gery I would be more willing to pay for one.
Did they ever stop making them with 1.5 gas ports? Or have people quit caring? Even if it doesn't affect function it does show just how little attention goes into them during assembly and how little quality control there is.

Just like everything Norinco, you never know what you're getting till you open the box. Their ammo is the same thing, it usually goes bang but there is no consistency from one case to the next, and every once in a while it goes boom.
 
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I carry my T97 with FTU with me on snowmobile as a coyote gun. It's fun and has been reliable. Installing the FTU and a decent 1-4.5 scope on it has made it even better. The biggest downfall is the crappy iron sights as mentioned. Installing the FTU is a worthwhile upgrade.

With regards to the price point only you can decide if you think its worth it. Some people pay gross amounts for dewats so it's a matter of what you want and NOT what others think.
 
&;$) NO based on north sylva's customer service. Deny, delay, and then delete.
Simply no spare parts can be found anywhere, and no warranty either. You are on your own.
 
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