Norinco Model 1897 are they legal

[Iron Chief]

I was trying to find the most current information on the Norinco Model 1897.

I read on a old SASS wire post from 2012 that they were not legal for regular SASS matches but could be usd in Wild Bunch.

Is this still true

 

Thanks

 

Iron Chief

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

The 97 has always been legal. What you are referring to is the 93/97. It is not legal for CAS but legal for WB.

[Deuce Stevens SASS#55996]

1897 yes , 93/97 No.

[Iron Chief]

OK thanks . That Helps

[Outlaw Gambler]

Iron Chief, as stated above the 93/97 with the larger cutout on the ejection port, is legal for wild bunch only. For your information there are lots of different model 97's that originated in China. The one your post references as the Norinco were the first ones and if you are considering one of these please look at the serial number and don't buy one without the first two digets starting with 06, UNLESS it has been worked on by a 97 gunsmith. The best ones to buy are imported by IAC and come with real walnut wood and lot better actions than the Norinco's. The new cowboy model by IAC is the best ever out of China. If you have any 97 questions please feel free to ask.

[Widder, SASS #59054]

Iron Chief, as stated above the 93/97 with the larger cutout on the ejection port, is legal for wild bunch only. For your information there are lots of different model 97's that originated in China. The one your post references as the Norinco were the first ones and if you are considering one of these please look at the serial number and don't buy one without the first two digets starting with 06, UNLESS it has been worked on by a 97 gunsmith. The best ones to buy are imported by IAC and come with real walnut wood and lot better actions than the Norinco's. The new cowboy model by IAC is the best ever out of China. If you have any 97 questions please feel free to ask.

 

Iron Chief,

 

I have 3 of the new IAC 97's and I also think they are good 97's right out of the box. I use 2 of mine exclusively in major competition matches and have lots of confidence in their performance.

 

Unless I'm mistaken, the NEW IAC 97's have a prefix of 'CB' in their serial numbers. Check em out.

 

 

..........Widder

[Joe Cross, SASS #13848 L]

Iron Chief, as stated above the 93/97 with the larger cutout on the ejection port, is legal for wild bunch only. For your information there are lots of different model 97's that originated in China. The one your post references as the Norinco were the first ones and if you are considering one of these please look at the serial number and don't buy one without the first two digets starting with 06, UNLESS it has been worked on by a 97 gunsmith. The best ones to buy are imported by IAC and come with real walnut wood and lot better actions than the Norinco's. The new cowboy model by IAC is the best ever out of China. If you have any 97 questions please feel free to ask.

 

My 97 is marked Norinco 97 on the left side of the barrel and IAC, Billerica, MA on the right side. Serial # is 010-28xx and has a nicely grained walnut stock; I bought it used from my FFL and have no other info on it. It's not as smooth as my M97 CB, but would like have it worked over so it is. Where does my serial number place it and will it benefit from a Coyote Cap makeover?

 

Thanks for any help....

Joe Cross

[Outlaw Gambler]

The 01's were some of the first ones made and they were problematic to say the least. Some of them needed Magilla the Gorilla to work the action. The tolerances were terrible, none were built with CNC machines, and they had some type of fake wood pained maroon. I don't know the condition of yours or if it has already been worked on. It can be made to run fairly smooth but never as smooth as the new CB97's.

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

Run your CB97. I wouldn't spend $200-300 tuning a 01 series 97. PS I had some excellent 00, 01, and 02's come through the shop. My wife won a lot of shoots with a 00 series 97, some were better than others.