Trying to find info on my new shotgun

Russ McCrae · April 23, 2009, 10:31:23 AM

Well, new to ME. I picked up a Norinco '97 at a gun show the other day and the serial number behind the hammer is "00038". I know it's a Ho Chi Min made firearm

, I wasn't to happy about that but for the price and just getting into the sport it was a steal until I can find me a better one

. SO question is, are these a continuous numbering and I got one of the first 50 or do they switch every year???

Thanks for any info,

Russ

Two Rivers Marshal · April 23, 2009, 10:00:23 PM

I have one as well, felt the same as you bout the Ho Chi Min, but you have to work within one's budget. Had mine for a year or so now and after one of my pards sanded a few of the rough spots, it works great. Cant help alot with the serial numbers, but mine is in the 300's so one could guess that they are continuous.

Have a good one

TRM

Russ McCrae · April 23, 2009, 10:21:26 PM

Well I got access to a '37 1897 I just can't bear to cut 12" off the end to make it short enough to use! This one was only $300, and the bluing was good and few nicks in the wood. I shot it the other day and if it ain't CAS'ing it's going to be a hog control gun on the Ranger

Dirty Brass · April 24, 2009, 10:49:22 AM

Quote from: Tricky Ol Russ on April 23, 2009, 10:21:26 PM
Well I got access to a '37 1897 I just can't bear to cut 12" off the end to make it short enough to use! This one was only $300, and the bluing was good and few nicks in the wood. I shot it the other day and if it ain't CAS'ing it's going to be a hog control gun on the Ranger

Not to steal a thread, but thought I'd comment on this. I recently acquired a '04 1897 for 2 bills, but it needed wood. Just finished cutting it down, adding wood, and cleaning it up a bit - I always cringe when the hacksaw comes out

Looks OK though - we'll be shooting it soon (with short-shells) Nice thing about the repro's - they have 2 3/4" chambers!

Russ McCrae · April 24, 2009, 06:59:19 PM

Your not stealing at all, in the case of my '37 1897 the sentimental value is more than my want to shoot it CAS. I saw some orginal '97's at the same gun show but they would of took twice what they were worth to fix them up to compete.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · April 24, 2009, 08:55:35 PM

I have three '97s. 1908, 1918, & 1953. The 08 had a Weaver version of the Cutts Comp on it. Cut it to 22" but had a "thin-wall" choke put in. It was good, but when I shot the others at 30" full choke they were deadly! My best matches ever!

Here is why I lobby actively against cutting shotgun barrels.
1. decreased efficiency, poor pointability and poor patterns, and I've never felt slowed down by a hunting length gun.
2. decreased value, especially on original guns that are a diminishing resourse.
3. decreased ulility, when you'd like to go hunting or potting clays.

Dirty Brass · April 25, 2009, 07:51:16 AM

All valid points Sir Charles. Everyone has their own preferences. In the case of the one I got, it was for the sole purpose of a project gun. For what I laid out for it, I'm quite satisfied with a chop job. I don't think it was going to give me a great return on my money once altered in any way, even including new wood. I personally think the shorter barrels swing much faster when in the brush, bird hunting or bunny chasing, but as you say - one must shoot fast, as accuracy diminishes at longer distances. Mine serves as a toy, a wall hanger, a show piece, and an occassional shooter - plus the fact that is IS an original Winchester. Probably only important to me, but then I'm the one spending the money on it, so it's all O.K.

I also have one 30" gun, two 28" guns, a 26" gun, so if need be, I can still "reach out and touch" a target.

Russ McCrae · April 25, 2009, 08:32:44 PM

Sir C pretty much summed it up why I got this new one, it would be pointless to chop my orginal '97 and lose the only long range dove whacker I got (It too has the full choke)