Was at a gun show the other day and noticed some Norinco (Chinese) clones of the Ithaca 37 action. These had 18 inch barrels, Parkerized finish, overbarrel heatshield, and ghost ring sights. More of a tactical/home defense weapon than hunting. These are called the IAC 37.

So far I've seen Norinco copies of the Remington 870, Winchester 97 and these Ithacas. I know the cowboy action shooting crowd uses a lot of the Winchester 97 version, and they seem to work OK as far as I know.

These Ithaca versions have a machined steel receiver and steel trigger housing, and seemed prett solid. However I know that Chinese QC has a spotty reputation. Some refuse to buy them on political grounds, but how are they mechanically? Crappy or decent?

If I was picking up a home defense weapon it wouldn't be a Norinco . I have never seen anything they made that I would want to have to depend on .

I OWN A MODEL 98 HAWK IN 12 GUAGE. I PAYED 120.00 AND IT HAS NEVER FAILED ME
ONCE FROM TURKEY LOADS AND BUCKSHOT TO DOVE LOAD.


I HAVE SHOT THE NORINCO WINCHESTER TRENCH GUN COPY.. IT WAS NICE....

FOR THOSE WHO ARE IGNORANT TO NORINCO PRODUCTS.. ASK ANY REPUTIBLE
SHOOTER WHO IS KNOWLODGEABLE ABOUT AK47'S .. THEY WILL TELL YOU
THAT POLYTECH HANDS DOWN MAKES BETTER AK47'S THEN ANYONE ELSE.

POLYTECH IS OWNED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT...

Norinco doesn't build junk. They are a chinese state owned arsenal, and although I cannot stand those communist punks, I have to say that they build rugged, solid weapons. Example: Wilson Combat will only customize a few models of 1911 pistols. Guess which one they WILL customize? You guessed it, Norinco. Norinco's AK's are some of the best in the world. Their SKS's are well made, and very reliable. Their Hawk model 870 clones are very robust, and problem free shotguns. I will say that it's doubtful that Norinco ever made a cosmetically appealing weapon, but that's not what they specialize in. Norinco's claim to fame is down and dirty reliability, and value for the dollar. Nothing more, and nothing less.

I looked at the Trench Gun. . . . . . For about 30 seconds. It is a P.O.S. no offense. The metal work looks like ti was done in someone's dark basement on a MOnday night. I would not trust one of these guns with my life, and would not take the chance with losing game either. Spend the extra few bucks and buy the Ithaca, you will be much happier in the end. The saying is true, you only get what you pay for. I really wanted to like that trench gun but the quality of the work was horrible. The best AK's are/were produced in Austria, Bulgaria, USSR, and East Germany, far better quality than the Chinese. Go to any AK site and see how they are rated. My opinion and that is all it is.