The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Bought this from a good friend while visiting Virginia back in the spring. Pretty much beat to death and unsafe to shoot due to the butt stock being cracked and split. Bore looked like new inside so I decided this would be a good winter project. I always like to pick up a couple older guns to work over during the snow days when you can't get outside much. New bluing added and a butt stock that looked like it was carved out with a chainsaw to start with... I know it's no longer considered a antique but it's safe to shoot and I love it so that's all that matters to me.

John Browning designed shotgun, the best there is.

I had a 1920s 1897... was nice, but sold it since there was an issue with the takedown lockup. Wasn't anything other than being worn down, but rather have something working right. I could separate the halves, but to reinstall the barrel... I really had to play with inserting the magazine tube.

My route... got an IAC 97. Still a Browning design, but didn't face 90+ years of use. For a design as complex as the 1897, a new shotgun, even Chinese built, is a great choice for a shooter. For shotguns, I prefer shooters than collecting. I tried going into collecting with that basic 1897 (standard barrel/choke, in 12 Gauge; most common variation), as "Trench" guns are commonly faked. Real ones are a little out of my price range, as well. [emoji6]

Got the real trench gun, it's not a collectable, I still use it for the purpose for which it was intended, protecting my ass.

Very nice. [emoji106]

Love Model 97's!

Everyone who shoots my 97 cuts their hand with the bolt. It was named "the blood gun" recently. I warn everyone before they shoot it but they all get bit by the bolt.

tailgunner67 wrote:Everyone who shoots my 97 cuts their hand with the bolt. It was named "the blood gun" recently. I warn everyone before they shoot it but they all get bit by the bolt.

I've shot mine 3 times so far and watched really close each time... Looks way to close for me and my hands are not large either, nothing I'd want to speed shoot with that's for sure.

With the Winchester theme I just picked up this 1909 model 1894 30-30

I speed shoot mine regularly, and I do it with the 00 buck loads I normally keep in it, never had any problem with the bolt. I do wear leather shooters gloves when I shoot but nothings torn up my gloves either.

Very nice rifle, thanks for the pictures.
Jim, I've sen your hands and they're a bit larger than mine. I'm busting some clays this weekend and we'll see how it works out.