Tell me about the Norinco 98.

[Hammerhead6814]

I've googled that name before posting this. Apparently 870 owners say that the Norinco 98 is crap and the barrel between it and the 870 is not interchangeable. Norinco 98 owners swear it's every bit as good as the 870.

So what I'm hoping to find here is:

Is there anyone who owns BOTH the Norinco 98 AND the Remington 870? What is and is not interchangeable between the two? Is there any significant difference?

If you do not own either, please do not post. This thread is to sort out the here-say from the truth.

 

[MAX100]

This topic has been covered so many times. Use the search above there is plenty of info available from many threads posted. Type in: Hawk 982, Pardner Pump or Norinco 982. Google search will turn up a lot of info also.


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[DAVIDSDIVAD]

To be fair, MAX, he asked a fairly specific question, not just "which one is better."

 

[Dave McCracken]

Which is better?

870.

Why?

Proven track record.

Availability of parts, aftermarket addons and service.

The Chinese copies may or may not be decent shotguns. I've heard it from both ends.

However, the 870 is the standard by which all other pump shotguns are judged.

The sole advantage of the copies are price.

The 870's price, broken down on a cost per use basis, runs way less than $.001 per shot.

HTH....

 

[MAX100]

They are all very well made shotguns. It's all good.

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[MAX100]

To be fair, MAX, he asked a fairly specific question, not just "which one is better."

I have written several reviews on the NEF Protector & the Hawk 982 that I have posted on several forums. It's very easy to find with a Google search. It has all of the info you would want to know about the Hawk 870 style shotguns.

Is there anyone who owns BOTH the Norinco 98 AND the Remington 870?

Yes I have owned both & the NEF Protector which is the same shotgun.

What is and is not interchangeable between the two?

Everything is interchangeable but the barrels because the barrel lug rings are in different locations on the barrels.

Is there any significant difference?

Only when compared to the 870 Express

Hawk 98, 981, 982 & Protector offers

*Lower Price
*Ghost ring sights on 98 & 982 - bead sight on the 981 & Protector
*Machined extractor, Ejector & Aluminum Trigger Guard
*Parkerized finish
*5+1 capacity & 6+1 if you drill the mag tube dimples out.
*Thicker receiver & stock
*98 was the first imported and later became the 982 because they upgraded it a little and they added the 981 which has bead sights. They have been in the US for about 11 years. No problems reported and are well know for being very reliable and a very solid utility shotguns for home defense. Many that were calling them junk years ago now own one. They have become very popular and sale out fast when in stock.

All of this info is available in my review and I have posted it many times here @ THR in threads on the Hawk shotguns.


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[Hammerhead6814]

Yeah Max100, I've ran into your threads. In fact, I'm pretty sure that every thread I've found when googling (I tried that several times) "Norinco 98" had at least one post from you in it.

But was meant for people who own both, something that wasn't clear until now.

EDIT: Here is an issue that you say is solved MAX100: http://forums.gunboards.com/showpost.php?p=685475&postcount=37

According to this guy he can use 870 barrels in his Norinco 98. Is what he's saying possible?

 

[MAX100]

My Norinco will accept the 870 barrels but you must use the 870 mag cap that has the little ball on the cap face to tighten and lock the bbl. The Norinco cap is different on the lock-up.

What he wrote above is incorrect.

According to this guy he can use 870 barrels in his Norinco 98. Is what he's saying possible?

The barrel ring is located about 3.25" higher up on the Hawk 98 barrel. You could possibly make spacer to fill the gap. The H&R NEF Pardner Pump barrels are drop in fit on the 98, 981 & 982 shotguns. The PP is made by Hawk Ind also. The Pardner Pump barrels are hard get unless you own a PP shotgun.

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[Snowdog]

If one were to fire 10,000 various shells through both a Remington 870 and a Norinco 981/982 and neither experienced a failure, the Norinco model would still be seen as inferior by many simply due to where it was made. Go figure. Ideally they would distinguish between some form of mechanical inferiority and a distaste due to some societal reason but most use the term quite generally it seems.

For resale, parts availability and prestige, I haven't a doubt the 870 wins hands down. For value, that's another story. I guess that's why my collection has both US name brands and foreign/ChiCom alike. I recognize a good value and have yet to regret any firearms purchase. Heck, the Norinco SKS carbines I bought new in the 90's resold in the past few years used for around quadruple what I paid.

Having said this, Lord don't let the IAC/Norinco M97W I have on order be a lemon.

 

[Hammerhead6814]

I'm still stumped. If I get the 98, I'll never get to use this 870 barrel I've had laying around (a left over from an 870 I sold). If I go for the 870, I'll pay another $100.

Hey MAX100, how hard is it to find replacement 98 barrels? You mentioned it may be possible to fit an 870 barrel to a 98, how exactly would someone go about this? What's this "spacer" you are talking about and how does it work?

Yes, I'm lost on shotguns. I've not had one since the last 870, which I miss dearly but would like to avoid paying $300 for a used one.

 

[MAX100]

The Pardner Pump barrels will be a drop in fit if you can get your hands on one.

I would look around for a use 870 if you want a shotgun to pull double duty and use the 870 barrel you already have.


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