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Posted: 4/11/2026 5:17:32 PM EDT
[Last Edit: RevolverRO][Edited]
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So, around 1999 I started Cowboy action shooting and joined SASS. Started off with a couple of Uberti revolvers, a Stoeger coach gun, and a Rossi 92. Later got myself a pair of Vaqueros, got a really nice CZ hammer double, and eventually found a really sturdy original Winchester 1897 and had it rebuilt fur competition by Coyote Cap. Several of the local clubs would do a ‘Saturday Swap Meet’ and sell all kinds of stuff, from boots, hats, all sorts of gun related stuff, and guns themselves. Around 2005 I picked up a giant ziplock bag of gun parts, a Norinco 1897 that had been taken apart and was missing a few parts from what the seller told me. He only wanted $150 bucks for it so I snapped it up. At the time the stock and pump were coated in some weird thick reddish paint, looking something like those red ska’s that came from China in the nineties. No wood grain visible, just thick reddish paint paint with some sort of clear overcoat. I stripped the paint off (there was a thick white primer under it as well) and there was some sort of old 1940’s school desk looking wood underneath. I threw a few coat of linseed oil on it and it looked a lot better. I put the project on hold when Hurricane Katrina hit South Florida, and we ended up moving soon after. Got busy with life and raising a family. Five kids and a divorce later and this spring daughter and I were moving into our new home. Cleaning out one of the sheds and I unpacked a ton of old gun stuff. Found the barreled action to the Norinco 97 and a week or so later I finally found the bag with the assorted parts. Pleasantly surprised there wasn’t any rust to speak of. Inventories the parts, missing a carrier pin and a few screws. After a few eBay purchases I sat down and started assembling it today. One original screw might be stripped, but I got everything together and honestly while it’s not as smooth as my competition Winchester, it’s a pretty nice shotgun. No buttplate—I had a kick-eeze recoil pad in a box I was gonna put on it but the rubber had deteriorated, so I threw a leather shotgun butt cover on it. Attached File |
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Next to to my Winchester (18 1/2 inch barrel w/tru choke tubes). The Norinco is 20”, cylinder bore. Thinking about turning it (the Norinco) into a trench gun. Attached File |
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These are great I have a few - But when did the Norinco's start going for more than originals? This is a gun that needs more current production! I'd expect Cimmarron to make a "wild bunch" version as they do 1911s and 1887 shotgun. Last two legit Winchesters I bought were cheaper than Norinco's in the same market ! If you shoot a lot maybe Norinco's are preferred vs more wall hanging? I recently went into a shop and purchased a 1931 Winchester Factory Riot in excellent shape $599. A month later the same shop has a Norinco in excellent shape >$800!?? |
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Originally Posted By RevolverRO: Next to to my Winchester (18 1/2 inch barrel w/tru choke tubes). The Norinco is 20”, cylinder bore. Thinking about turning it (the Norinco) into a trench gun. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/95225/IMG_3410_jpeg-3745836.JPG Just FYI, 1st WW trench guns were solid frame like your Norinco, 2nd WW were takedown. The heat shields are different, so you'll want a 1st WW pattern. And you'll need a M1917 bayonet, though I think the Brit ones fit and clearly you're not concerned about the manufacturer. 
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Originally Posted By RevolverRO: The price of Enfield bayonets is insane, never mind the price of legit US manufactured ones. Some cost more than an original 97 (non-trench) but too expensive unless you need to mate it or its your thing. I spend a lot on guns, but rarely so much on a bayonet. |
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When I got my M97 from the pawn shop the first thing I did was sit down in the floor and take it apart. Absolutely the most small pins, screws, springs, etc. of any gun I've ever taken apart. I had moments when I thought I wasn't going to get it back together at all (that was back in 1978 or 79) and I vowed I'd never take it apart again. Honestly, the Auto 5 was easier to get back together and had less parts. Or the Auto 5 went back together so easy it seemed like less small parts. |
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No disconnector. When I put the gun back together I was having trouble, the hammer kept falling when I’d close the pump and the bolt locked into place. I had replaced the sear and trigger with original Winchester parts. Dimensions were a hair larger and the over travel screw behind the trigger wasn’t allowing the sear to reset fully. To adjust the over travel screw you have to remove the buttstock. Pulled the stock, turned the screw pack one full turn and everything worked as it should. It’s a decent shotgun. I wish they still imported them. With all the other crap we bring in from China, they should be able to have something like this come in at a decent price point. |
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Originally Posted By RevolverRO: No disconnector. When I put the gun back together I was having trouble, the hammer kept falling when I’d close the pump and the bolt locked into place. I had replaced the sear and trigger with original Winchester parts. Dimensions were a hair larger and the over travel screw behind the trigger wasn’t allowing the sear to reset fully. To adjust the over travel screw you have to remove the buttstock. Pulled the stock, turned the screw pack one full turn and everything worked as it should. It’s a decent shotgun. I wish they still imported them. With all the other crap we bring in from China, they should be able to have something like this come in at a decent price point. I didn’t understand that was part of the fun until recently, same for the Ithaca 37. Have fun. |
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A trench gun without a bayonet is nekkid......... Winchester take down converted with Remington bayonet , the original bayonets are stupid expensive and only going up. The bayo is a 1917 marked 1918 with scabbard and it cost me $275 a few years ago.   
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The Trench guns look great - The only detriment is the handguard is so heavy it throws off the balance of a well balanced 97. If you have a handy riot configuration - they swing a lot easier - But these trench guns are kind of to the point most are for fun range time and historical look and not a bedside defense gun. Although - I'd love to see the reaction of a home invader held at gunpoint with a 1917 bayonet sticking out : ) |
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I'm always amused by someone who buys a factory pump gun w/ a heat shield or puts a heat shield on a pump gun w/o a bayonet lug. What's the heat shield for? Your non-dominant hand goes on the pump til it's time to reload. The heat shield is for grasping the barrel w/ your non-dominant hand during bayonet fighting - if you don't have a bayonet lug, you don't need a heat shield. |
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Originally Posted By M1A4ME: When I got my M97 from the pawn shop the first thing I did was sit down in the floor and take it apart. Absolutely the most small pins, screws, springs, etc. of any gun I've ever taken apart. I had moments when I thought I wasn't going to get it back together at all (that was back in 1978 or 79) and I vowed I'd never take it apart again. Honestly, the Auto 5 was easier to get back together and had less parts. Or the Auto 5 went back together so easy it seemed like less small parts. I had a similar problem with a Broomhandle Mauser. Took a year or so to get it back together. |
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Originally Posted By backbencher: I'm always amused by someone who buys a factory pump gun w/ a heat shield or puts a heat shield on a pump gun w/o a bayonet lug. What's the heat shield for? Your non-dominant hand goes on the pump til it's time to reload. The heat shield is for grasping the barrel w/ your non-dominant hand during bayonet fighting - if you don't have a bayonet lug, you don't need a heat shield. I like building some as replicas for sure and they are fun to shoot and play with - I personally think a 97 can be a handy home defense shotgun even today - Trench gun not so much. In Vietnam we saw movement towards practical shotguns like the 77E with a recoil pad, no shroud or bayonet lug. I still love trench guns and buy /replicate them. I'm on the fence on converting a 1941 Winchester Model 12 cut to riot (it was originally a full choke) later cut to 20". I am thinking of doing the conversion from a riot cut down to a Trench. Its not intended to pass as original just fun. But The model 12 riot handles so nice without a heat shield. Its a great gun to shoot as is, but I don't have a Model 12 Trench Replica in the heard - I got the gun for a song because someone had spray painted it, but it had a nice blue underneath the crappy spray paint. |
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Originally Posted By RevolverRO: Next to to my Winchester (18 1/2 inch barrel w/tru choke tubes). The Norinco is 20”, cylinder bore. Thinking about turning it (the Norinco) into a trench gun. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/95225/IMG_3410_jpeg-3745836.JPG Do it......... |
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Originally Posted By RevolverRO: The price of Enfield bayonets is insane, never mind the price of legit US manufactured ones. I snagged a nice one awhile back that had sat on Ebay forever...............guy knocked off a good bit when I bought it. I sent a Winchester 1897 that had been cut down to Bull Creek Armory and soon I will have a trench gun |
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