Type 97 Gen2 unboxing

[Dsiwy]

Weather has be on and off today and decided it was a great day for a new gun anfingbanana:

So I just picked up this very nice T97 Gen2 from SFRC and very pleased on the improvements made to the Gen2 version. It's not perfect but definitely better than the Gen 1.

The Good
-Ambi Mag catch
-Low profile rail
-fit & Finish
-M4 style feed ramps
-Ambi cocking handle
-Trigger is great after reset "chrisp, light with a perceived break point"
-No drill mark in barrel

The Bad
-Safety still sucks
-Mag well is still tight
-Cocking handle is polymer
-No perceived break point on trigger pull "first shot"
-No manual bolt catch



Left side

Right side

Bottom

Sights
The folding sights are not as bad as everyone says, it's all steel and similar to most AR style sights. You can adjust for both elevation/windage and they feel solid with no movement when deployed. I do find the sights a bit tall and not a huge fan of the sight picture.

Front sight "Up"

Front sight "Down"

Rear Sight "Up"

Rear Sight "Down"

Cocking Handle and Rail
The cocking handle can be switch to ether side, by remove the rail and unscrewing the set screw. The cocking handle assembly is polymer and hopefully it will hold up The Rail is very well made will little to no machining marks. One very important note, I recommend Blue Loctite on the cocking handle and both rail screws.

Barrel/Chamber
The Barrel is still the same old 1/7 twist, parkerized, Chrome lined barrel and chamber. Thankfully there is no "oops" drill mark in the barrel and the T97 now has "M4 style" feed ramp finally

Mag Catch/Safety
Finally a mag catch that make sense, It's not perfect but much better than the old style. My only complaint is the ridge on the receiver can get in the way of the mag button. On a few practice mag changes, the ridge prevent my thumb from full depressing the mag catch. Oh BTW the Safety still blows!

Observation
I notice safety design feature, the barrel extension shields the shooter on the left side of the gun. If the gun did blow up, the shrapnel would be mostly towards the right. So in saying that, I would not recommend trying to shoot this left handed, even if you make a brass deflector.

Detailed Strip
Every part looks very well made and finished

Cleaning Kit
The cleaning kit is found in the grip and is pretty well thought out.

Extra Stuff
It all comes with a crap mag, oil bottle and paper work.

 

[KND]

Thanks for the review, I might pick one up as a truck gun. I really love the 1st gen but without a proper rail to mount a 4x optic is really disappointed. The old age is really suck for iron sight.

 

[onetwentyish]

I dont think anyone had a problem with the folding sights on the Gen 2, as they are a complete rip off of very expensive ($500) KAC sights. The only concern was the quality and if they were airsoft.

The Gen 1 irons on the other hand are more than a little wonky how the front post doesn't necessarily sit in the center in the hood once properly zeroed.

 

[tootall]

Mag Catch/Safety
Finally a mag catch that make sense, It's not perfect but much better than the old style. My only complaint is the ridge on the receiver can get in the way of the mag button. On a few practice mag changes, the ridge prevent my thumb from full depressing the mag catch. Oh BTW the Safety still blows!

It took me a moment to realize that you covered the S/N with an Allen key. I thought that was an extra ridge!

Thanks for the review and pics!