type 97 vs M4

5

55recce

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
112   0   0
So I took the family to see Rush in the big smoke and stopped by Lever Arms to check out the 97. Thought it was very cool but did not like the 1450 price tag. When it came down to 1150 I succumbed and bought the long version. A couple of weeks later Can Am made the big announcement but such is life...

Took it to the range today with a couple of buddies. Between us we have more than 100 years shooting experience and include time in the forces. Did some 100 yard accuracy work as well as some quick reaction drills against tin cans on the 25 yard range.

We all shot the 97 and the Colt M4 here are the conclusions:

Ergomics-Handling: clearly controls on the M4 are better. However the 97 has a long length of pull. Its compact size and longer barrel (giving higher muzzle velocity and considerably better lethality) make it very easy to handle. By comparison the M4 felt long and klunky. Overall I would pick the 97.

Accuracy - not much to pick between the 2. Both were giving 2-3 inches at 100 yards. The 97 seemed to be stringing vertically.

Sights - The Elcan on the M4 was far superior. The 97 scope has a very narrow field of view and the reticle is too fine for quick target acquisition. However with a standard rail there is no advantage to either.

Versatility - here is where the AR really shines and IMHO opinion beats out all else. Lots of different parts readily available and relatively cheap. Much better than anything else including Sig, Sl8, XCR etc

Seeing as the M4 and 97 are rumoured to be availble at a similar price sometime at the end of the year I feel this is a more interesting comparison than the expensive TAVOR.

Overall I would pick the M4 on versatility alone. The 97 is not far behind in shootability and definitely wins out on the look cool and cuteness factor.
 
For me, I want a plinking, hunting, bush gun, so these is no comparison between a Non-R 97A, and a restricted M4/AR15.
But that is just me.


How about a Rush review?:)
I was there too, good show, as expected.
 
55recce said:
So I took the family to see Rush in the big smoke and stopped by Lever Arms to check out the 97. Thought it was very cool but did not like the 1450 price tag. When it came down to 1150 I succumbed and bought the long version. A couple of weeks later Can Am made the big announcement but such is life...

Took it to the range today with a couple of buddies. Between us we have more than 100 years shooting experience and include time in the forces. Did some 100 yard accuracy work as well as some quick reaction drills against tin cans on the 25 yard range.

We all shot the 97 and the Colt M4 here are the conclusions:

Ergomics-Handling: clearly controls on the M4 are better. However the 97 has a long length of pull. Its compact size and longer barrel (giving higher muzzle velocity and considerably better lethality) make it very easy to handle. By comparison the M4 felt long and klunky. Overall I would pick the 97.

Accuracy - not much to pick between the 2. Both were giving 2-3 inches at 100 yards. The 97 seemed to be stringing vertically.

Sights - The Elcan on the M4 was far superior. The 97 scope has a very narrow field of view and the reticle is too fine for quick target acquisition. However with a standard rail there is no advantage to either.

Versatility - here is where the AR really shines and IMHO opinion beats out all else. Lots of different parts readily available and relatively cheap. Much better than anything else including Sig, Sl8, XCR etc

Seeing as the M4 and 97 are rumoured to be availble at a similar price sometime at the end of the year I feel this is a more interesting comparison than the expensive TAVOR.

Overall I would pick the M4 on versatility alone. The 97 is not far behind in shootability and definitely wins out on the look cool and cuteness factor.
Click to expand...

Great job recce! Question...what about the recoil? I know recoil on an AR is minor but I did note that the recoil on my shorty is less than on the AR I owned and with a much shorter barrel...your thoughts?
 
Recoil was pretty minimal on both. Its only 556!

However I think that the 97 felt better due to its compact size and concentration of weight closer to the shoulder. The M4 had a 6 position stock which even at its longest did not give as much comfort as the 97.

Sorry no photos. My 97 looks like everyone elses.

I bought at 1150 because it seemed a reasonable deal. (Comparable with an AR and only Storm, AR180 and CQ any cheaper). There was no suggestion at the time that any more were coming in (quite the opposite in fact), and Lever only had a few left. Sure I paid a bit more than Canam is advertizing but a bird in the hand.....
 
55recce said:
Recoil was pretty minimal on both. Its only 556!

However I think that the 97 felt better due to its compact size and concentration of weight closer to the shoulder. The M4 had a 6 position stock which even at its longest did not give as much comfort as the 97.

Sorry no photos. My 97 looks like everyone elses.

I bought at 1150 because it seemed a reasonable deal. (Comparable with an AR and only Storm, AR180 and CQ any cheaper). There was no suggestion at the time that any more were coming in (quite the opposite in fact), and Lever only had a few left. Sure I paid a bit more than Canam is advertizing but a bird in the hand.....
Click to expand...

I was asking because I wanted to point out that the type 97 actually has a weighted lever at the back of the rifle that is supposed to reduce felt recoil. When you take it apart next time have a look at the butt stock...it's the thing that swings back and forth...interesting design.
 
T-97

Well I went into Levers the other day with my wife and there was a gentleman named Jeremy that was very helpful he let me fondle the T-97 and I liked it,
I do not like the rail system though and hope there is a pic. type rail that can be adapted. My wife bought the rifle for me and it is being mailed to me as I live way out in the valley. I also have an 11.5" Ar that is unfired so I decided on the longer version of the 97. If anyone knows of a rail replacement let me know please. I plan to flog the 97 for a Can. Am non restricted when they come in.
That way I can take it up to the property with out any worries.
I don't like the fine reticle in the optics for the 97 and if I get a rail will go with something other. Mind you when you switch on the electronics the reticles yellow hue is kinda nice and easier to pick up. Hate the safety but if lugging it around with an empty chamber one only needs to crank the operating handle.

Something has to be done with the mag release as if is awkward as hell. Tactical mag changes are gonna be a chore. Some one will come up with a better system I'm sure. Anyhow what a wife, I wonder what she has in store for me lol !!! Will let you know how it runs when it gets here.
Latter
 
Jack Brock said:
Well I went into Levers the other day with my wife and there was a gentleman named Jeremy that was very helpful he let me fondle the T-97 and I liked it,
I do not like the rail system though and hope there is a pic. type rail that can be adapted. My wife bought the rifle for me and it is being mailed to me as I live way out in the valley. I also have an 11.5" Ar that is unfired so I decided on the longer version of the 97. If anyone knows of a rail replacement let me know please. I plan to flog the 97 for a Can. Am non restricted when they come in.
That way I can take it up to the property with out any worries.
I don't like the fine reticle in the optics for the 97 and if I get a rail will go with something other. Mind you when you switch on the electronics the reticles yellow hue is kinda nice and easier to pick up. Hate the safety but if lugging it around with an empty chamber one only needs to crank the operating handle.

Something has to be done with the mag release as if is awkward as hell. Tactical mag changes are gonna be a chore. Some one will come up with a better system I'm sure. Anyhow what a wife, I wonder what she has in store for me lol !!! Will let you know how it runs when it gets here.
Latter
Click to expand...

Google "Real Sword type 97 mount"..it's airsoft but it's CNC'd aluminum...I have one on my shorty and I've had no issues so far.
 
One more addition to the evaluation.

Last night I stripped and cleaned both weapons. Despite the advantages of the gas piston in the 97 I found it much more complex to strip and clean and you have to remove the scope in order to get at the gas piston for cleaning. You also have to be very careful with the trigger bar on the 97 as it is a little tricky to get back in place and vunerable to damage if you don't get it right. I would not like to have to strip and clean the 97 on a dark night in Petawawa or in an OP at Yakima. The M4 wins again here being much easier to strip and clean.

Overall the M4 is a far more practical firearm than the 97.

The 97 does win out on look cool and handling but thats about all IMHO.
 
55recce said:
One more addition to the evaluation.

Last night I stripped and cleaned both weapons. Despite the advantages of the gas piston in the 97 I found it much more complex to strip and clean and you have to remove the scope in order to get at the gas piston for cleaning. You also have to be very careful with the trigger bar on the 97 as it is a little tricky to get back in place and vunerable to damage if you don't get it right. I would not like to have to strip and clean the 97 on a dark night in Petawawa or in an OP at Yakima. The M4 wins again here being much easier to strip and clean.

Overall the M4 is a far more practical firearm than the 97.

The 97 does win out on look cool and handling but thats about all IMHO.
Click to expand...

Non-restricted doesn't count for anything? (referring to the 18.5"+ version, of course)
 
55recce said:
One more addition to the evaluation.

Last night I stripped and cleaned both weapons. Despite the advantages of the gas piston in the 97 I found it much more complex to strip and clean and you have to remove the scope in order to get at the gas piston for cleaning. You also have to be very careful with the trigger bar on the 97 as it is a little tricky to get back in place and vunerable to damage if you don't get it right. I would not like to have to strip and clean the 97 on a dark night in Petawawa or in an OP at Yakima. The M4 wins again here being much easier to strip and clean.

Overall the M4 is a far more practical firearm than the 97.

The 97 does win out on look cool and handling but thats about all IMHO.
Click to expand...


You don't have to take the scope off to get at the gas piston and you really don't have to detal strip it every time you clean it. All you have to do to get at the piston is rotate the gas adjustment valve fully right and pull it out...there's no need to remove the scope.

The piston just falls out after you remove the gas regulator:
Type97review033.jpg

Type97review032.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom