Chinese Type 97 Gen 3 : Magazine compatibility - Which ones work?

In this video we test a bunch of different brands of magazine in our Norinco / EMEI T97 Gen 3
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Disclaimer: All shooting (in our videos) is done at a CFO approved range with safety protocols in place. The videos are for educational and entertainment purposes only. Do not attempt anything you see in this video at home. We (including KZbin) will not be held liable for any injury to yourself or damage to your firearms resulting from attempting anything shown in any our videos.
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[@zerofourfiveone]

amazing information, you're doing a great service to a lot of canadians

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Thank you so much. I am very glad you found it useful. Thank you for supporting our channel!

[@useryggfdcc]

Excellent test, thanks. Now to find these mags in Canada.

[@stasiaroycewicz329]

Anyone who is having issues with pmags either gen 2 or gen 3. I may have a fix for you. The middle section of the backs of the mags where the pins are seems to be the reason why the mags either don't fit at all or don't drop free. I filed the sides down on my gen2s and gens3 and now they fit perfectly and also drop free in my rifle. File bit by bit though otherwise you risk them being too loose after and start with one and test it out before doing the others in case this doesn't work for your rifle. You can also file the pin down to make it more flush as I know this also seems to be a noticeable issue. Cheers!

[@subdawg1331]

I came back and the poly mags sucked in mine as well.. switched to original type 97 mags all work , thanks again

[@slayalot1045]

Great info on mags. Great system to have fun with at range. Keep up the good work with your reviews.

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Thanks very much. I am glad you found it useful. Thanks for supporting our channel!

[@chengeorge5751]

Great video, love this t97 series

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Thanks very much. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for supporting our channel!

[@hansvallee9558]

Thanks for the review, it was very helpful. I would be trilled to get your review on the Crusader Arm Templar.

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Would love to do one if I get the opportunity

[@ahodgfp]

Thanks! I have three 10 round LAR mags coming in the mail. Hopefully they'll work in mine too.

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

They are pretty good in most rifles. Fingers crossed. Thanks for you r support!

[@VictoryOTP_]

I have three and all work fine

[@vincentgilson2054]

They Work fine and drop free in mine

[@oscarpaz27]

I was on the fence with this rifle but decided to go for it since I can't use an AR anymore. Manual of arms is quite different but the bang for the buck is there.

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

I agree. It is something to get used to but a very fun rifle to shoot for the price!

[@subdawg1331]

thank you so much awesome comparison

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for supporting our channel!

[@eman2498]

Thank you! Cheers.

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

You are most welcome! Thanks for your support!

[@kutter_ttl6786]

Interesting to see the issues with the Gen 3 PMAGs. I had the T97 Gen 1 and my Gen 3 PMAGs dropped free from it. I wonder if it's due to inconsistent machining or the later T97s just have a tighter mag well?

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Not sure. Could also have been that particular mag since the windowed Pmag Gen3's dropped free fine. Thanks for supporting our channel!

[@improvingmarksman]

Great video! Thank You for sharing information on magazine compatibility for the T97. Wondering if the gen 3 still has the feed ramp issues. You mentioned in your video not to smack it too hard during reloading, perhaps some of the issues with the bullets jamming back into he casings still persist with the feeding ramp?? Thanks!

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Haven’t had any issues like that. Some mags can over insert but then the bolt will not go forward. Thanks for supporting our channel!

[@khattak119]

How does it perform with the STANAG magazines ?

[@keifer217]

Hi just wondering how did you install the flashlight on the side? Do you need to buy a special side mount for it?

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

The olight flashlight I used came with an mlok attachment. Hope that helps.

[@nemu3014]

very informative!

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Glad you found it useful!

[@CommieCrusher87]

Great video. I am a new shooter, I like this channel a lot. Question: How did you mount that flashlight onto the T97? Does it mount onto the side? What are those side rails called? What flashlight is that? I appreciate any help you can provide.

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Glad to welcome you to the shooting community. The flashlight is the Olight Odin Mini (will put a link to our video on it below). The square-ish slots on the side are called M-LOK slots where you can attach all kinds of goodies including the flashlight. The Odin Mini comes with everything you need to mount and use it in the box and is rechargeable. Thanks for supporting our channel! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp6vf4ivbrOqsJo

[@dantankunfiveancestorsfist]

The only issue is the safety located at the butt end.

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Agreed that is a weird design

[@staylor8385]

great vid i know what ones to avoid. i was thinking of getting some steel 5/30s where do you buy yours from?

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Thanks, glad you found it useful. I usually get mags from RDSC, Wolverine supplies, TNA or reliable gun. Hope this helps. Thanks for supporting our channel!

[@Al-sg7kr]

I have an ASC 10/30 and 5/20 that work great in mine and an ASC 5/30 that doesn't. It's just one of the quirks with this rifle.

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Good info thanks!

[@ChrisC61080]

excellent rifle.

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

They are great fun :)

[@k54g]

I have a gen 2 and ZERO regular AR mags work in it. I have tried pmags, aluminum, steel GI style, and other polymer brands my buddy's owned and none work. They fail to seat and can just be pulled right out. Two RWB drum mags i have work fine but nothing else, anyone have any tips or help?

[@georgeyuan9833]

I filed my mag well, all mags are drop free now.

[@georgeyuan9833]

Sorry for the mistake before

[@clee6746]

Did you remove material mostly at the back of the mag well 1/3 from the top ? That's the place I have figured why a lot of mags do not fit the rifle.

[@embracethegospel6873]

Does anyone else have a type 97 gen 2 that ejects brass to the other side of the range? Or is it just mine lol. Plus does anyone know if the gas setting being on 2 is ok. My type 97 won’t stay in setting 1. It’ll pop out of place while shooting so I have to keep it in 2

[@reginaldoswald424]

What's the most accurate NR semi auto that you own that takes AR mags?

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Currently the WS MCR. Used to be the Maccabee SLR

[@reginaldoswald424]

@@BlackBearOutdoors I appreciate the response, I'm considering the MCR, WK, Tavor and T97. I think I'm going to go with the MCR. I appreciate your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

@@reginaldoswald424 Thanks very much. I am sure any of the ones you mentioned will serve you well. Love the Tavor (built like a tank) but I get better groups with the MCR

[@anthonyconway3643]

yeah lancers mag works sweet as a nut

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

They seem to work well in every rifle I have tried them in. Thanks for supporting our channel!

[@anthonyconway3643]

yeah ruger ranch 5.56 will be my next purchase

[@amber388]

What earbuds do you use?

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

These were Howard Leight bought from Amazon if memory serves

[@jordandemarchi1926]

I tried the 10/30 mags for mine. Don't fit either

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Yep seems a bit too tight. :)

[@sc8916]

Neither Pmag Gen2 nor Gen3 works in my T97 Gen 3.

[@WaterMaloneeee]

same i dont know why lol

[@sc8916]

@@WaterMaloneeee But with a little job, you can make both of them work.

[@WaterMaloneeee]

@@sc8916 how do i do it. As i want it to run pmags

[@jamilrehman8663]

When it doesn't work please don't buy it

[@PIFFthePUFF420]

That's the whole point of the video he's testing if they work or not so you don't have to test it...