Well, I got to try out the Norinco on Saturday. It worked just fine and was a pleasure. Every shot was a slamfire with no misses. Also, during a couple of 15 minute practice sessions beforehand at home, I discovered that the shorter stock makes the weight and balance different enough that I can pick it up more easily with my left hand than before. So on most of the stages I did that and loaded from the right. The technique seems to work okay, I just need to speed it up about 100% ! Here's a video of one of the stages:
Also, the title to this thread said "My 1897's" but I only showed the two Chinese guns. Here is the rest of the stable. I was down to 3 '97's for 48 hours but the Norinco brought me back to four.
Front to back, the "01" Norinco, the "CB" IAC, the takedown from 1911, and the 30" full-choke solid frame from 1911.