shorties-norinco or stevens?
- Thread starter ratherbefishin
- Start date
I own a Norinco, and have shot Savage/plastic-stock rimfires...do my impressions qualify? 
I like this rifle allot...but as simple/econo as Savage's can be, they're better-built than the Norincos. I've only ever shot Accutrigger Savages too, and those triggers are WAY better than the Norincos. I have no way of measuring it's trigger pull, but it ain't 7lbs. (what I've read the Savage shorty is)
The "devil is in the details" as they say. To really get an appreciation for how crudely-built the Norinco is, take a look at the quality of the machining, sharp edges, missing/thin finish... awful iron sites that don't work etc.~you get the impression. Having said ALL of that, I bought mine used for $175, put a nice, bright 3x vintage scopechief on it...eventually got a couple of CZ 5-round steel mags...and put thousands of rounds through it w/o a hitch in the last 7 months. Only "mod"...if you can call it that, was to polish the bottom of the bolt a little...really rough machining.
Can it shoot~for what it is, and what I use it for~yes. See bottom 4 groups of 3 shots, working left to right as I was sighting-in the scope.
Match rifle~hell no, but as a plinker...and rifle to hike around with, it's been awesome...and light. I look forward to trying to find some grouse with this rifle this coming fall.
Conclusion~I wasn't planning on using the iron sights when I bought this rifle, but if you are....get the Savage instead. Only real disappointment was how terrible the 10-round mag. that came with it was. Even with a disassemble, clean, polish, lube, reassemble...it would only cycle up to 3 rounds reliably. CZ mags are a must and as most of us know...they ain't giving those things away!
Hope this helps. If I could do it again...I'd probably still get the Norinco..unless the Savage had Accutrigger. Reason~better trigger, better build-quality, and cheaper mags. No regrets with my Norinco.
I like this rifle allot...but as simple/econo as Savage's can be, they're better-built than the Norincos. I've only ever shot Accutrigger Savages too, and those triggers are WAY better than the Norincos. I have no way of measuring it's trigger pull, but it ain't 7lbs. (what I've read the Savage shorty is)
The "devil is in the details" as they say. To really get an appreciation for how crudely-built the Norinco is, take a look at the quality of the machining, sharp edges, missing/thin finish... awful iron sites that don't work etc.~you get the impression. Having said ALL of that, I bought mine used for $175, put a nice, bright 3x vintage scopechief on it...eventually got a couple of CZ 5-round steel mags...and put thousands of rounds through it w/o a hitch in the last 7 months. Only "mod"...if you can call it that, was to polish the bottom of the bolt a little...really rough machining.
Can it shoot~for what it is, and what I use it for~yes. See bottom 4 groups of 3 shots, working left to right as I was sighting-in the scope.
Match rifle~hell no, but as a plinker...and rifle to hike around with, it's been awesome...and light. I look forward to trying to find some grouse with this rifle this coming fall.
Conclusion~I wasn't planning on using the iron sights when I bought this rifle, but if you are....get the Savage instead. Only real disappointment was how terrible the 10-round mag. that came with it was. Even with a disassemble, clean, polish, lube, reassemble...it would only cycle up to 3 rounds reliably. CZ mags are a must and as most of us know...they ain't giving those things away!
Hope this helps. If I could do it again...I'd probably still get the Norinco..unless the Savage had Accutrigger. Reason~better trigger, better build-quality, and cheaper mags. No regrets with my Norinco.
these shorties are obviously ''utility guns'' but why savage doesn't automatically put the accutrigger on them,I don't know-they even put it on their single shot youth model.Makes you wonder-are they less robust or prone to failure?Heavy triggers are my main complaint on new .22's and since there is a practical solution-theres no excuse for it.
I have both a brno.22 and a norinco[22 mag]and while its no match for the brno in finishing,it does the job,is accurate and the trigger isn't bad either.
A very practical solution to improving the regular sights is to simply weld a washer on the rear sight and turn it into a quasi ghost ring.A dab of flourescent nail polish enamel on the front sight helps too.Cheap and very effective.
I have both a brno.22 and a norinco[22 mag]and while its no match for the brno in finishing,it does the job,is accurate and the trigger isn't bad either.
A very practical solution to improving the regular sights is to simply weld a washer on the rear sight and turn it into a quasi ghost ring.A dab of flourescent nail polish enamel on the front sight helps too.Cheap and very effective.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Savage and Stevens are made by the Savage Firearms company and while both are somewhat economy guns, the Savage brand is the more expensive of the two. Savage brand rifles have higher range models with nice stocks and materials etc. So it is with triggers, the company fits the better Accutriggers on their more expensive Savage brand.
Accutriggers can be put on the stevens rifle, as I seen a CGNer do. Parts can probably be ordered from savage to do this.
The shortys were also advertised as a trapper's rifle. An adjustable trigger was probably considered an unnecessary luxury for the intent.
The shortys were also advertised as a trapper's rifle. An adjustable trigger was probably considered an unnecessary luxury for the intent.
''more expensive''?isn't the price on a basic plastic stock savage mk2 with the accutrigger about the same? since these are all assembly line manufactured-I can't see much diference in actual manufacturing cost to fit all their models with the accu trigger
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Its all about marketing. The Savage brand is more expensive than the almost identical Stevens brand...by a few bucks. The Accutrigger is the most obvious difference.
The Accutrigger probably costs a few cents more to produce, but they can sell the Savage brand several dollars higher.
The Accutrigger probably costs a few cents more to produce, but they can sell the Savage brand several dollars higher.
I see badger arms has the norinco backpacker with a bushnell 3-9 x scope for $259...
if I get one-it will be strictly for a grouse gun,average shots about 25 yards. I think you could fill the plastic stock with expanding foam,if you were careful not to overfill it.
if I get one-it will be strictly for a grouse gun,average shots about 25 yards. I think you could fill the plastic stock with expanding foam,if you were careful not to overfill it.
The Stevens line is the economy line so Savage drops the accutrigger.
With the turn of a screw a Savage 93F or Mark II with accutrigger can easily be taken to 2 - 2.25 lbs.
Out of the box my 300F shortie had a trigger pull of 7 lbs., which I think is unacceptable.
With shimming (see rimfire central site) and a bit of polishing I got the Stevens 300F trigger pull to 2.5 lbs. (didn't try and go lower than that).
The 13" Stevens is priced about $80 higher than the 21" barrel 300F.
With the turn of a screw a Savage 93F or Mark II with accutrigger can easily be taken to 2 - 2.25 lbs.
Out of the box my 300F shortie had a trigger pull of 7 lbs., which I think is unacceptable.
With shimming (see rimfire central site) and a bit of polishing I got the Stevens 300F trigger pull to 2.5 lbs. (didn't try and go lower than that).
The 13" Stevens is priced about $80 higher than the 21" barrel 300F.
Figured out today that the Norinco back packer can be easly reduce trigger pull by using a small flat head screw driver and reduce the amount of space between the trigger and the lower part of the reciever.
Just thought that you guys might like to know this info for all thoose do it yourselfer's.
Just thought that you guys might like to know this info for all thoose do it yourselfer's.
I have the norinco backpacker with a 3x9x32. out of the box it had an amazing trigger pull. Almost too light but I like it. Probably a fluke but iam not complaining. I get 1" to 1.5" groups at 50 yards on a good day. My set up without mags cost me 260$ which is still cheaper than the savage. And when looking at a savage you can get the full length barrel with the accu trigger and probably 2 mags for cheaper than the shorty with a ####ty trigger. My norinco has replaced my 10/22 as my main gopher rifle this year.
