Why no Italian 97s?

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

I am asking this out of genuine wonderment.   While there are Italian options for reproductions of the Winchester 87, there are no made in Italy recreations of the 97.   This, I find curious.  The 97 seems to be more popular in our game than the 87, but there are far more options for getting the lever shotgun than the pump one.

Why is that?   It's the 97 that much more expensive to produce?  I woulda thought it would be the other way around.   Also, just based on what I see on the range, there seems to be more of a market for the pump gun, and yet, that's not what's available.

I am gonna assume that there is a factor or factors that I am unaware of, or don't fully understand.   

Does anyone have any information about why this is so, or at least a logical theory based on known data?


 

[Horace Patootie, SASS #35798]

I haven't heard of an Italian made 87.  Who in Italy makes one ?

Horace

[PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L]

14 minutes ago, Horace Patootie, SASS #35798 said:

I haven't heard of an Italian made 87.  Who in Italy makes one ?

Horace

 

CHIAPPA

[Horace Patootie, SASS #35798]

19 minutes ago, PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L said:

 

CHIAPPA

Oh yes. Totally forgot about that one !

Horace

[Kid Rich]

I would think if you just counted the parts in a 97 as opposed to an 87 in would become apparent that the 97 would be much more expensive to produce.

kR

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Short answer - BECAUSE.  Not help to the OP I know, but it's Saturday and it's raining.   Even at this point in time, there are probably around a Half Million '97s in the back of a lot of closets.

[Rough 'N Ready Rob]

10 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

 

Short answer - BECAUSE.  Not help to the OP I know, but it's Saturday and it's raining.   Even at this point in time, there are probably around a Half Million '97s in the back of a lot of closets.

What he said. The Chinese make them, I wouldn't own one. I have repaired a number of them but don't like them.

     I hear this,  you have to own three, yes I own a number of them, ownly because I like them.

 I have been shooting the same 97 all my cowboy shooting days, affectionately called Good and Ugly, replaced a few ejector springs, with a little maintenance they will run for ever. 

  Have a pard that has had a number of the Chinese ones, one was a high dollar one, had nothing but trouble, got him to buy a real 97, he has never gone back.

[Whitey James]

I thought I saw a video with Mike Harvey of Cimarron talking about this very subject. As I recall he has made a few attempts with Uberti and it came down to costing too much for the quality he wanted.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

For what it's worth, here's my "97 journey."

Number 1.   Winchester with cut barrel to 20"  My first primary main match shotgun.   Overall excellent mechanical condition.
Number 2.  Winchester with 30" full choke barrel.   I got it cuz I wanted to have one with a long barrel.   Liked it so much, it became my primary main match shotgun, and it get's a lotta fun comments due to the for our game, unusual barrel length.  It shoots and functions properly, but it a bit worn compared to Number 1.
Number 3.  Norinco Trench gun.   My father bought it for me as a gift when I commented on how I thought they were cool.   Never had any problems with it.   Once shot a Wild Bunch match with it, with a fixed bayonet.   Got a lotta laughs. 
Number 4.  Norinco 93/97.   Figured I could never get a real 93, and this was a good approximation.  I have found it to be a well made gun.
Number 5.  Winchester 93.   I actually FOUND one!   It is in excellent mechanical condition; I don't think it's been fired all that much.
Number 6.  Winchester Black Diamond Trap Model.   I was very surprised to find this one for a reasonable price.   Again not been shot all that much and in very, very good shape.   It is my current primary main match gun.

I've found these guns to be well made.   I guess I am just lucky that I've not had the problems others have mentioned.

For 87s I have a real Winchester, and a Chiappa in "Terminator" configuration.   I find the Chiappa to be just as good as the Winchester, right out of the box.   Granted, the Chiappa is much more expensive that other options, but you do get what you pay for.

I wish there was a replica 87 with a long barrel, and a fixed, full choke.   The closest I know of to this is a 26" one with with choke tubes from Chiappa.   

It sounds like perhaps the reason there is not an option for an Italian 97 is that the market is saturated enough to meet demand, and it would be too expensive for one to be made there.

Surprising, but understandable.

[SnakeM]

Had 97s, never felt cowboy to me.  It was originally allowed due to the "wild bunch" idea and the lack of traditional modern replica shotguns.

[Deuce Stevens SASS#55996]

It’s all about the numbers. Think about the cost of a Uberti ‘73. Now quadruple the number of parts and try to keep a shotgun that gets slammed around made out of Italian steel. The rifles alone are basically a chasis to build a gun out of. An Italian made ‘97 would easily eclipse $1800-2000 and STILL need work. 

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

On 5/9/2026 at 6:32 PM, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

For what it's worth, here's my "97 journey."

Number 1.   Winchester with cut barrel to 20"  My first primary main match shotgun.   Overall excellent mechanical condition.
Number 2.  Winchester with 30" full choke barrel.   I got it cuz I wanted to have one with a long barrel.   Liked it so much, it became my primary main match shotgun, and it get's a lotta fun comments due to the for our game, unusual barrel length.  It shoots and functions properly, but it a bit worn compared to Number 1.
Number 3.  Norinco Trench gun.   My father bought it for me as a gift when I commented on how I thought they were cool.   Never had any problems with it.   Once shot a Wild Bunch match with it, with a fixed bayonet.   Got a lotta laughs. 
Number 4.  Norinco 93/97.   Figured I could never get a real 93, and this was a good approximation.  I have found it to be a well made gun.
Number 5.  Winchester 93.   I actually FOUND one!   It is in excellent mechanical condition; I don't think it's been fired all that much.
Number 6.  Winchester Black Diamond Trap Model.   I was very surprised to find this one for a reasonable price.   Again not been shot all that much and in very, very good shape.   It is my current primary main match gun.

I've found these guns to be well made.   I guess I am just lucky that I've not had the problems others have mentioned.

For 87s I have a real Winchester, and a Chiappa in "Terminator" configuration.   I find the Chiappa to be just as good as the Winchester, right out of the box.   Granted, the Chiappa is much more expensive that other options, but you do get what you pay for.

I wish there was a replica 87 with a long barrel, and a fixed, full choke.   The closest I know of to this is a 26" one with with choke tubes from Chiappa.   

It sounds like perhaps the reason there is not an option for an Italian 97 is that the market is saturated enough to meet demand, and it would be too expensive for one to be made there.

Surprising, but understandable.

Cimarron make a 26” 87

[watab kid]

i had two winchesters - a 1909 full choke, and a 1911 , cylinder bore , i traded the 1909 to a friend for a double i wanted and cut my 1911 - i have the kit to make it a trench gun as well as the correct bayonet , ill probably set that up as i dont often shoot that for SASS 

[Bladesmith, SASS 113085]

I saw this today and thought it might be relevant to the conversation. It appears Cimarron is anticipating releasing a ‘97 replica in approximately six months. 
 

 

[Equanimous Phil]

10 hours ago, Bladesmith, SASS 113085 said:

I saw this today and thought it might be relevant to the conversation. It appears Cimarron is anticipating releasing a ‘97 replica in approximately six months. 

 

Would be awesome if they get in production!!

 

Is "his manufacturer" probably Italian (Uberti, Pietta) or does Cimarron also work with Turkish, Czech, Japanese, Chinese etc. suppliers?

[Bladesmith, SASS 113085]

@Equanimous Phil I don’t know the answer to that myself. If they mentioned where the manufacturer they are working with is located, I didn’t catch it in the video.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

China

[Equanimous Phil]

10 minutes ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

China

 

At least, they may be affordable ...