IAC 1897 vs Maverick 88

[Snowdog]

I just purchased an IAC/Norinco 1897 and can't help but wonder just how strong the action of these shotguns are (in light of the design and/or Chinese manufacture).
Currently, the only other shotgun I have is a Maverick 88 as I've never really had much interest in shotguns until recently.

I suspect the 1897 has a steel receiver while the Maverick has some kind of alloy receiver. Would it be safe to say the Maverick, despite it's alloy receiver, has the stronger action of the two being of a modern design and American make?

Also, are there any 2 3/4" loads I should avoid for this 1897 replica due to either it's design or Chinese manufacture or is it up to par for all factory loads?

Thanks in advance

 

[ReloaderFred]

Before I purchased my first original Winchester 1897, I used a borrowed Norinco Model 1897 shotgun for matches for about a year and a half. I put about 1,000 rounds or so through it and it remained tight. It's still being used in matches and that particular shotgun has proven to be a good one.

I don't know about shooting a steady diet of full house 00 Buck loads, or slugs, through one, since I only shot one once loads of 7 1/2 shot through the one I borrowed.

From what I've seen of the Chinese import 1897's from both Norinco and TTN, the quality varied from gun to gun. Quality control isn't a concept the Chinese seem to understand very well. Lou Smith went to China three different times for TTN and on the last trip he took all the 97's they had out to the range and shot them, inspected them, and passed about 200 of them. He segregated the guns into two stacks, acceptable and unacceptable. When he went back to the factory the next day, the guns were all in one stack and the Chinese plant manager said there were no unacceptable guns........ TTN has since stopped importing the guns and I'm not sure where they ended up.

As for the Norinco guns, they stopped making them a couple of years ago, and all the guns on the market right now have come from their warehouse. Davidson's has them listed for $299.95, wholesale.

I know I didn't answer your question, but that's because I don't know the answer, but I do know a little of the history of the Chinese guns.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[cyclopsshooter]

the maverick is mossbergs bottom of the barrel- you might trade both of them in on a 500A- then you will have nothing to worry about

 

[Snowdog]

Thanks for that bit of history, Fred. I got the idea that QC was "iffy" with the Norinco 1897's but a little less so with those marked IAC. I've been wanting one to play with since I first saw them in a Shotgun News years ago. When I heard the supplies could be drying up, I had to jump on one (from SOG for $319).

My bump-in-the-night choice will likely still be a handgun (though the Maverick stays loaded with #4 buck) but if this 97W proves to be reliable, I might just use it for the go-to if a shotgun is needed.

the maverick is mossbergs bottom of the barrel- you might trade both of them in on a 500A- then you will have nothing to worry about

LOL, well that ain't going to happen!

 

[ReloaderFred]

Snowdog,

I shoot with Lou Smith, who is considered to be one of the leading experts on the 1897 Winchester. We went to the SHOT Show together two years ago. He doesn't hold the Chinese in high regard for their quality control. He told me that some of the guns were very good, but others from the same plant were far less good.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Snowdog]

I ordered mine from SOG yesterday, so I can only hope mine turns out to be one of those "very good" specimens. Time will tell, I suppose. I will keep my hopes up, however.