I started this past summer. I started with a 97, but later added a double barrel to my cart. I learned the hard way, that 97 can be a bit difficult to keep running. If you can shoot the 97 before you buy and make sure it is it extract and ejects properly, you can save yourself some money. After all most of em are about 100 years old. That said, once I got the 97 running right, it is my favorite. There are times I will take the dbl gun off the cart, depending on the stage, but not very often.
As far as the barrel, Have it cut down. I had my cut to 20 inches and had a large bead put on it. You will get some discussion on this, but most guys cut em down a bit.