97 with a CLICK???

[Squib Kidd]

I just acquired a new to.me 97 Riot gun that has a quirk I do not understand.  It is an E model.  If I fire the shotgun normally, the slide will not come back unless pushed forward first (after the hammer falls) and I hear a click in the receiver.  However, it will slam fire like any normal 97. 

 

What's with the click and is it supposed to be there?  How do I get rid of it?

[Idaho Gunslinger]

This is normal for 97's. There is a split washer in the foreend and that click is you over coming that. I don't recall the purpose of it. 

 

During live fire the recoil will take care of that for you which is why you don't notice it. There are ways to modify/replace the split washer but I don't know that they are worthwhile. 

 

I thought both of my 97's do it but I just went and checked and my old B model made in 1899 doesn't seem to do it. My E model made in 1911 does though. 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

Depends on what you mean by “fire”.  If you are talking about dry firing the forearm should not come back without pushing it forward as there is an inertia release in the forearm.  If you are talking about live fire something is wrong.

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

97s should start with C.  B’s were 1893s.

[Idaho Gunslinger]

59 minutes ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

Depends on what you mean by “fire”.  If you are talking about dry firing the forearm should not come back without pushing it forward as there is an inertia release in the forearm.  If you are talking about live fire something is wrong.

 

50 minutes ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

97s should start with C.  B’s were 1893s.

I guess I'm getting senile in my young age... it is a C and I just assumed he was dry firing. I agree that if it is doing it during live fire there is something wrong.

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Click in the 97 action is the  action slide lock opening (getting out of the way) to allow the action to be opened with rearward pull on the forearm.   Sometimes holding the gun loosely (either on forward hand or the shoulder mount) can keep that action lock from opening on firing.   Sometimes it's due to a very light shotshell load.  Even can be due to a dirty action. 

 

The lock is designed into all the 97s to keep a shooter from opening the gun quickly while a hang-fire shell cooks off.  Recoil from firing a normal load pulls the forearm forward a short way, unlocking the lock and you don't even hear it over the muzzle blast.

 

If you have the action slide lock NOT opening on this gun with a factory level load and the gun held firmly, then, yes, the slide lock needs to be reshaped to open on normal firing.  Until it gets fit properly, you will have to remember to shove the forearm (slide) forward, then open the action.  Which can be frustrating.

 

Note: the helical spring in the forearm around the mag tube is NOT  what makes the noise.   It's normally a very light force needed to compress that spring, so I WOULD LEAVE THAT ALONE!   Fit the lock instead so it unlocks properly.. 

 

good luck, GJ

 

 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

OP, have you done a live fire test?

If not, you should. 

[Squib Kidd]

On 9/27/2024 at 4:39 PM, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

97s should start with C.  B’s were 1893s.

My 97 is an E

 

[Squib Kidd]

On 9/27/2024 at 4:27 PM, Idaho Gunslinger said:

This is normal for 97's. There is a split washer in the foreend and that click is you over coming that. I don't recall the purpose of it. 

 

During live fire the recoil will take care of that for you which is why you don't notice it. There are ways to modify/replace the split washer but I don't know that they are worthwhile. 

 

I thought both of my 97's do it but I just went and checked and my old B model made in 1899 doesn't seem to do it. My E model made in 1911 does though. 

My son noticed it and he shoots it.  I'll ask him.  Thanks!