quote:

It could be that the parts I need are sitting in a bin around the corner, owned by a fellow who's just dying to walk a newbie through a project. You never know. "See that guy fumble-fucking that '97 on that last stage? I helped him put that thing together out of a box of parts and some shit I had sitting around on my bench for the last forty years or so!"

That's the best kind of project right there !

Following this to see the end result. I like that you're going to make it your own and not go down the not quite right trench gun clone rabbit hole.

To be fair, I get why people suggest I build a trench gun clone out of it. If someone really wanted one, and didn't want to buy a Norinco, this would be the perfect candidate: It's the solid frame, and it's already been refinished, so the collector value is low. That said, the only reason I can see going that route is if I really wanted a trench gun in the first place, and I don't. It's far more appealing to me in the early configuration, and since it can be finished up that way, to me, that's what it's really perfect for. If someone wanted a shotgun that would look perfectly at home at a SASS shoot, a trench gun clone ain't it, and neither are the later production legit 1897's, since they look very different. This is starting at a place you can't get really get to from there.

quote:

Originally posted by am94pm:
Get a hold of Squibber @ SQUIBBER'S OLD WESTREN GUN REPAIR 97's Are My Huckleberry.
shop- 520-568-2852
email - oldwestrepair97@gmail.com

Oh boy! Y'all are gonna love this one. So, I had just straight up emailed him directly off of this. He emailed back and said a phone call would work best. I've been busy.

Tonight, I'm looking around at local SASS affiliated clubs, and on SASS' site, there's a listing for one of the ranges I go shooting at fairly often, and their point of contact is none other than Squibber himself.

I guess maybe a phone call would work, or I can arrange a time to get him to look it over and give me an opinion. I'm over here laughing. It really is a small world. It's an hour's drive, but I've made that drive a dozen times in the last year and a half.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:

Oh boy! Y'all are gonna love this one. So, I had just straight up emailed him directly off of this. He emailed back and said a phone call would work best. I've been busy.

Tonight, I'm looking around at local SASS affiliated clubs, and on SASS' site, there's a listing for one of the ranges I go shooting at fairly often, and their point of contact is none other than Squibber himself.

I guess maybe a phone call would work, or I can arrange a time to get him to look it over and give me an opinion. I'm over here laughing. It really is a small world. It's an hour's drive, but I've made that drive a dozen times in the last year and a half.

Awesome. I hope you can actually meet up with him, he is a great guy. I want to get one of his built 97s. Also coming here the end of February will be End of Trails, which is the world championship for SASS. It will be held at Ben Avery. There may be some 97 parts floating around there.

quote:

Originally posted by am94pm:
Awesome. I hope you can actually meet up with him, he is a great guy. I want to get one of his built 97s.

Yeah, after a little looking around, seems like he might be the Bruce Dow of 1897's. I'll make it a point to follow up with him. Looks like about $100 to have him look over my shotgun, less of a bench fee if I have him do the work. I think it'd probably be worth it to at least get his opinion on it.

quote:

Originally posted by am94pm:
It will be held at Ben Avery. There may be some 97 parts floating around there.

Well, I guess I need to go to spectate that. Should be an awesome time!