T97.ca FTU initial impression

Looks really good. we just need a southpaw usable part now. Using a quick google search, it looks, dare I say, doable.

Anybody in the Calgary area willing to let me check out the T97's internals PM me please.
 
Wantabe_ Warrior said:
Looks really good. we just need a southpaw usable part now. Using a quick google search, it looks, dare I say, doable.

Anybody in the Calgary area willing to let me check out the T97's internals PM me please.
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Ummm just a few threads down from this one is a homemade shell deflector. That looks VERY promising for lefties. You should check it out. Here's a link

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1014961-Norinco-T-97-NOW-FOR-LEFTIES!!!!


Drifter Dave that FTU looks real good!! Just waiting on canada post for mine. Have you tried any other optics on it? Just for fit I mean. Wondering if you wanted to run an eotech or AR height optic if cheek weld is still ok? I find the cheek weld a whisker low as it comes new for my XXL head. Lol
 
This part is really very good quality - there haven't been any corners cut on quality, it integrates perfectly into the rifle, and it improves the handling of the rifle in a way that's very hard to explain until you handle it. The prototype I played with put the red dot in exactly the right spot for fast acquisition. Simply roll the rifle up while looking at a 'target' and there's the dot. The over all feel is actually better than a Tavor (but the ergos aren't nearly as good). It's sort of like a FAMAS, but more solid and again, with poor ergos. I can honestly see the PLA knocking this part off for troops who need optics and rails. That's something you can't normally say about an aftermarket gun part.
 
Have you tried any other optics on it? Just for fit I mean. Wondering if you wanted to run an eotech or AR height optic if cheek weld is still ok? I find the cheek weld a whisker low as it comes new for my XXL head. Lol
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Hey there, No I haven't run another optic, my others are mounted and sighted in on other projects :)
An AR height riser is going to be too high and ruin the whole point of the FTU if you ask me. I also have a massive cranium and found the irons a bit tight as well, but the TRS is ideal for height. You might try a Strikefire, which would be just slightly higher (and have a tacticool look). I know that M14.ca was running a small riser for a scope. I'd really urge you to keep it low: TRS-25, Aimpoint Micro, or a Vortex Sparc.

Any good retailer should let you test fit it on the gun, maybe that's the way to go for you.
 
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drifter dave said:
Hey there, No I haven't run another optic, my others are mounted and sighted in on other projects :)
An AR height riser is going to be too high and ruin the whole point of the FTU if you ask me. I also have a massive cranium and found the irons a bit tight as well, but the TRS is ideal for height. You might try a Strikefire, which would be just slightly higher (and have a tacticool look). I know that M14.ca was running a small riser for a scope. I'd really urge you to keep it low: TRS-25, Aimpoint Micro, or a Vortex Sparc.

Any good retailer should let you test fit it on the gun, maybe that's the way to go for you.
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Right on thanks. I've got a trs-25 set aside. I also have a sight mark Holosight(think eotech) and a flip to the side magnifier. I was hoping to run that set up for some magnification. Maybe a 1-4x scope in lowest rings possible.
 
An eotech would be pretty sweet.

That ambi mag release looks interesting. Details please:)
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There's about 100 threads on that. Break out the fab skills or wait for aftermarket. Or better yet, use the stock release it works damn fine.
 
Yeah the mag changes are getting better for me. I find just using the short pistol mag I just grab it by the bottom so that my hand is pointing straight up and hit the button with one of my fingers and strip the mag. Does kinda slow things stripping a mag that would drop free. But fastest way I've figured out for me to do it. Hopefully with the new lower we'll have a better set up.
 
I know t97.ca is looking at a release.
I've just gotten used to it, i hug the mag with my left hand while keeping my right hand on the pistol grip and the rifle on target. I dont usually wear gloves, so that helps. With practice its plenty quick.
 
I'm curious about the charging handle. For me, it's the weak link in the design setup. Your comments about it being hard to use only reinforce my suspicions. I'm interested to hear what you have to say about it after putting some rounds through the rifle. Everyone loves pics, the more you can share with us the better. cheers
 
After a couple hundred rounds today the charging handle has improved and is now smoother. Ive also added a bit of grease to the CH track which has helped a lot. I believe they've made the delrin truck a tiny bit oversize, allowing it to wear down to size. This is the right way to go in my opinion.

Sorry i don't have more pics at the moment, i was a bit disappointed in my groups today, need to try some half decent ammo, norinco bulk has not been great at range for me. Any suggestions on half decent .223 that isn't a dollar per shot would be welcome.

The feel of the gun is great and the ftu stayed very secure.
 
drifter dave said:
After a couple hundred rounds today the charging handle has improved and is now smoother. Ive also added a bit of grease to the CH track which has helped a lot. I believe they've made the delrin truck a tiny bit oversize, allowing it to wear down to size. This is the right way to go in my opinion.

Sorry i don't have more pics at the moment, i was a bit disappointed in my groups today, need to try some half decent ammo, norinco bulk has not been great at range for me. Any suggestions on half decent .223 that isn't a dollar per shot would be welcome.

The feel of the gun is great and the ftu stayed very secure.
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Thanks for the update Dave,
Is it shooting groups similar to before the modification?
How bad was it?
 
Basically 2" at 50 and all over the board at 100.
I had similar results at 100 before the mod, yes. Using the cheap Norinco stuff.

The difference now is, at 25 yards i can hold over slightly low and be on target, vs holding over really high with the optic mounted on the carry handle.

Im sure others will start posting their results soon.
 
I would love to see this FTU with some other optics on top. No offense to the OP, but the Bushnell has always put me off just by the sheer look of it (yes I know I am vain for choosing kit primarily on appearance... sue me)
 
Great work by a great Canadian manufacturer. It's still up in the air whether I'll be able to use this rifle a year from now so I don't wanna put more money into it until I find that out. Otherwise I'd have been on the pre-order list.
 
drifter dave said:
After a couple hundred rounds today the charging handle has improved and is now smoother. Ive also added a bit of grease to the CH track which has helped a lot. I believe they've made the delrin truck a tiny bit oversize, allowing it to wear down to size. This is the right way to go in my opinion.

Sorry i don't have more pics at the moment, i was a bit disappointed in my groups today, need to try some half decent ammo, norinco bulk has not been great at range for me. Any suggestions on half decent .223 that isn't a dollar per shot would be welcome.

The feel of the gun is great and the ftu stayed very secure.
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I had very good results with Fiocchi in my su16f when testing different brands. 1.5 or better at 100 yards from the bench. MFS and Norinco 3-3.5". I think the Fiocchi was about $30 for 50 rounds about the same as Hornady steel match.
 
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