1897-93 pumps with hammers.

[fowler]

I allways had a soft spot for the proven 97 riots and trenchguns. I was able to pick up one of the 7th generation 1897-93 clones from Interstate arms. This hybred is very well made compared to the early importguns. Walnut stock blued steel with a smooth action. Proof tested by White labs at 40,000psi pressure without blowing barrel or rec. New made Rems and Brownings blew at 25,000psi and real winchester 97,s at 19,000psi Factory loads are 7000-11,000psi. The steel is military ordance grade machinegun steel. Very tuff and hard. Tryed to ream one for choke tubes and had to go to carbide cutters on the hi-speed lathe to turn it for choke tubes. The Rems and brownings,winchesters are easy and fast to turn and ream for tubes. But this 93-97 interstate was one tuff barrel to turn!! I understand there no longer imported. I like the slam action and oldtime looks and effectiveness.

[Nalapombu]

Hey,

I also LOVE those 97 shotguns and will get one at some point in the future when I get done with other gun priorities.

I seen an early one from IAC and it looked absolutely HORRID! I doubt I would've given $50 for it. Then maybe a year or so later in the same shop there was a really nice looking 97 sitting on the counter. I went to check it out and it was beautiful and functioned great. Boy I wanted that thing. When I looked at the box I was surprised to see that it was IAC! Someone at the factory must've figured it out and decided to make a good looking shotgun. I didn't have the money at the time or I would've had it. About 2 weeks after seeing that 97, I went back in the shop and he had a 97 TRENCH GUN version and it was just as nice if not nicer than the "plain" one like yours and the one I seen earlier. Needless to say I wanted that one too.

As for IAC, I read on the SASS forums that they are still importing them, but right now their factory is temporarily closed. They said it is supposed to re-open soon. I know they make other shotguns because I have been looking at one, the 982 Hawk, which is a Remington 870 copy that sells for about $175. If you go to Gunbroker and type 982 in the search you'll see a few.

I really hope IAC isn't stopping cause I want one. I am pretty sure they aren't gonna make the TRENCH version anymore, which is sad. Do you know if it is possible to take a regular 97 and buy the necessary parts and make it into the TRENCH version?

I also have had the idea of putting choke tubes into the 97 when I get one. I would be using it for fun on the range and home defense and I just think it would be better with choke tubes. How did it go with yours once you got them installed?

Nala

[fowler]

I don,t know if you noticed ,but the one in the picture is a 1893-97.Its a beefed up 93 rec. with improved 97 internal parts,( the last model 7th generation). And yes skilled 97 American experts went over to the factory to improve them to the point where there better and stronger than the old Winchesters. I understand the factory burned down. Check out a google search for coyote cap gunworks he is a 1897 guru and tuner for cowboy shooters.

[USMC03Grunt]

My 1897 Trench gun is from Coyote Cap. That is a fun gun to use and when I was farming, I put a metric ton of shells through it blasting blackbirds in the sunflower fields. The open cylinder gave me more dispersion and the looser pattern made for more wounded birds than dead (wounded birds in distress tend to keep the healthy ones away) so that was a great feature. The one I got is I think what was refered to as the 4th generation series where they had most of the bugs worked out of them and the wood was pretty decent too. The only problem I had was the heat shield slipping from recoil. A little rosin on the barrel and that problem went away. Great guns, especially for the money!

[fowler]

Yes the trenchguns 4th gen. was the turning point in Q-control. Most heatshields will shift from recoil and need retorgue. I don,t need the shield . But for the 97 ww1 trench its correct.

[DFin]

How much do they weigh? I held an original and I recall that it felt heavy.

[fowler]

7.5 lbs

[cocked@locked]

Who still makes them, im currently looking in too picking one up,

[fowler]

interstatearms,sog ohio