Rock Island Armory T1897 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun
In this RIA T1897 12 Gauge Pump Action Review, we’ll closely examine the Rock Island Armory T1897 12 Gauge—a modern iteration of the classic Ithica 37 Pump Shotgun. The Rock Island Armory version has been updated with modern features while retaining the classic look that made the original so popular.
Table of contents
History of the RIA Pump Action 12 Guage
The Rock Island Armory version of the T1897 was first introduced in 2013 by Armscor International Inc., the parent company of Rock Island Armory. It is a modern interpretation of the classic Trench Shotgun but with several updates and modifications to make it more suitable for contemporary settings.
The Rock Island Armory T1897, 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun, features a 20-inch barrel and a six-round capacity magazine tube. It has a heat shield adjustable rear sight. The shotgun is chambered for 2.75-inch shells and has a fixed cylinder choke.
Since its introduction, the Rock Island Armory T1897 has received positive reviews from firearms enthusiasts for its reliable and durable design, affordability, and overall value.
Unboxing
The Rock Island Armory T1897 typically comes in a cardboard box with the Rock Island Armory logo and product information printed on it. Inside the box, the shotgun, although there are not a lot of extras in the packaging, a manual, a cable lock, a sling, and this bad-ass looking 12 Guage.
I guess I’ll find out from the emails and comments whether it’s just me, or do many agree this is just a sharp looking 12 gauge? It reminds me of what was referred to as the “riot gun” when I was a kid and just looks like a 12 gauge that would scream “deterrent.”
Specifications
- Action: Pump action
- Caliber/Gauge: 12 gauge
- Capacity: 6 rounds
- Barrel Length: 20 inches
- Overall Length: 40 inches
- Weight: 7.04 pounds (unloaded)
- Sights: Adjustable rear sight
- Choke: Fixed cylinder
- Stock: Black synthetic stock and forend
- Receiver: Matte black finish
- Chamber: 2.75 inches
- Length of Pull: 14 inches
- Trigger: Single trigger
- Safety: Manual thumb safety
Action
The Rock Island Armory T1897, 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun is a pump-action shotgun. It uses a sliding forend to manually cycle rounds from the magazine tube into the chamber. You must pump the forend stock back and forth to load each round, eject spent shells, and chamber a new round.
Commonly used for hunting, sport shooting, self-defense, and military and law enforcement applications.
The pump action of the T1897 was smooth and easy to operate and would allow for quick follow-up shots and easy loading and unloading of the magazine tube.
The pump release is in front of the right side of the trigger guard.
Barrel and front Stock
The Rock Island Armory T1897 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun, features a 20-inch barrel and a front walnut stock. The barrel is durable steel with a matte black finish, reducing glare and preventing rust and corrosion. Lastly, the walnut stock, fit, and finish are perfect, with the grip just slightly raised over the magazine tube.
The barrel has a heat shield that will dissipate heat and protect your hands. The steel heat shield has a matte black finish that matches the barrel and receiver.
The front walnut stock of the T1897 is comfortable to grip and rack.
Overall, the barrel and front stock of the Rock Island Armory T1897 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun has a durable, comfortable, and workhorse feel. As a side note, although the sling doesn’t appear exceptionally hardy. It looks stylish, but it would be something I would contemplate upgrading.
Capacity, Gauge, Magazines
The Rock Island Armory T1897, 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun has a magazine capacity of 6 rounds. It is chambered for 12 gauge ammunition, a versatile and widely used shotgun round suitable for various shooting applications.
The T1897 uses a tube magazine underneath the barrel and can hold up to 6 rounds.
Overall, the Rock Island Armory T1897 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun has a reliable and convenient magazine system. It allows quick and easy reloading, making it a versatile and practical choice.
Ergonomics
The walnut buttstock on the RIA shotgun is a universal size that should be comfortable for most shooters. It has checkerboard texturing where your shooting hand would lay while firing. This helps provide a non-slip surface, which helps to ensure that the shotgun stays firmly in your hands.
The shotgun also features a rubber recoil pad. It isn’t exactly a primary selling point because cycling a lot of heavy loads with this recoil pad would likely leave the shoulder a bit soar the next day.
The walnut forend on the RIA shotgun is also ergonomic and features a ribbed texture that provides a secure grip. The forend is accessible to cycle, which makes it easy to shoot quickly and accurately.
Overall, the ergonomics of this RIA Pump Action 12 Gauge shotgun are excellent. Intuitive and pretty close to the original Ithica it’s molded after.
Finish
I feel like I’ve already gone on and on about the finish; it does look that good. This shotgun’s beautiful walnut finish adds a touch of class to an otherwise utilitarian firearm. Below is a rundown of how a walnut finish is done. That being said, keep in mind I couldn’t confirm if this is solid walnut or a damn good reproduction. I am no wood expert, but it looked legit to me.
The walnut finish on the Rock Island Armory T1897 shotgun is achieved by staining and sealing the wood. The wood was sanded down to a smooth finish, then stained with a deep, rich walnut color that brings out the natural beauty of the wood.
After the staining process, the wood is sealed with a clear coat of lacquer or varnish. This not only helps to protect the wood from moisture and wear but also gives it a glossy, polished appearance that enhances the overall look of the shotgun.
Safety
The RIA Pump Action 12 Gauge shotgun features a simple and reliable safety on the shotgun’s trigger guard and is easy to access and operate with either hand.
When the safety is engaged, a red indicator is visible on the button, which serves as a
visual reminder to the shooter that it is on. Any time you put your shotgun away, you should adequately clear the firearm before putting it in the case and store it with the safety on. You push the safety forward with your trigger finger to disengage the safety and ready the shotgun for firing.
Sights
The RIA shotgun comes with a white dot front sight that is visible and, although not flashy, gets the job done.
Apologies for the lack of a quality photo; I thought I had taken a good shot of the front sight. We’ll be sure to update it.
Trigger
The trigger pull on the T1897 is generally smooth and consistent. The poundage came in heavy, but it felt lighter than my gauge was showing and had a nice crisp break. Remember that the Lyman trigger gauge I was using doesn’t get a clean trigger surface on the long guns.
Final RIA T1897 12 Gauge Review Thoughts
Let’s be honest; the market has been flooded with cheap 12 gauges. Offering subpar machining, components, and performance to match. Thus, it looks like the RIA T1897 12 Gauge Pump Action is a solid winner. This is a reasonably inexpensive 12 gauge for the quality. The MSRP is $599, but it can be found to be 15% to 20% cheaper in several places. On occasion, 30 plus percent.
Overall, the RIA Pump Action 12 Gauge shotgun is a well-built and reliable shotgun with excellent performance and versatility. We’ll be taking it through some torture tests and will keep this blog and our youtube channel updated.
RIA T1897 12 Gauge Review FAQs
The length of pull on the RIA Pump Action 12 Gauge shotgun is approximately 14 inches.
Yes, the RIA Pump Action 12 Gauge shotgun is designed to be ambidextrous and can be used by both right-handed and left-handed shooters.
Yes, the RIA Pump Action 12 Gauge shotgun is chambered for both 2 3/4-inch and 3-inch shells.
The RIA Pump Action 12 Gauge shotgun has a capacity of 5+1 rounds.
No, the Rock Island Armory (RIA) Pump Action 12 Gauge shotgun is not designed to accept a bayonet. The design and features of the firearm determine bayonet attachment capability. Shotguns that are typically compatible with bayonets have specific attachment points or lugs on the barrel or magazine tube to accommodate the bayonet’s mounting mechanism. However, the RIA Pump Action 12 Gauge shotgun does not have such provisions or accessories from the manufacturer.
