Ithaca 37 Featherlight from Ohio Plant Review

It seems that the bolt carriers were *not* the problem; comparing my two identical guns showed no real difference.

However, the action release levers *did* look different. It was clear that one was much more worn than the other. So, I swapped the two trigger groups in their entirety and the problem has gone away.

Yesterday, at our practice session, I had not a single FTF or FTEx. *Wonderful*...

Thanks, Dave.

Regards,

Mark.
 
I'm looking forward to walking into a gunshop *crammed* with Ithacas.
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I am in Ohio and I have never seen such a shop :)
I have seen a few guns including new production around here though. They have all been REALLY nice. After my Mossberg flop I looked at them, but they are pricey(I still have the non-functional Mossberg as I just get angry every time I think about sending it back and dealing with their CS again).

If I was going to spend that type of money on a pump I would look very hard at an Ithaca.
 
I am in Ohio and I have never seen such a shop
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Whaaaa? Now you've *really* burst my bubble. :(

Yeah, but, but, but - your pawn shops must be chock-a-block with them, *surely*?

I have seen a few guns including new production around here though. They have all been REALLY nice.
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I wouldn't expect any less of an Ithaca.

If I was going to spend that type of money on a pump I would look very hard at an Ithaca.
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As would I.

Actually, I fanced a Mossberg 590 or something just complete the "set" (WM 870, M37 DSPS, Higgins M20), but I've not bought one so far.

Regards,

Mark.
 
Dave,

I had a bit if trouble spotting the part - I assume that it's the "slide stop", part #27.

I think I'll get my gun-buddy to weld it for me - he does *excellent* work for others.

Here's yet *another* question, Dave: let's assume that I *do* get it "extended", how much free play should we allow when the action is locked. Even when locked and working correctly, there's quite a bit of slack.

Is there an advantage - or *disadvantage* - in building the slide stop up to allow less "sloppiness"?

Thanks, again, for your advice - it felt really *good* having a gun that *always* went "bang!" when I pulled the trigger...

Regards,

Mark.

P.S. I've not addressed the rear-sight problem, yet.
 
Mark,

That I cannot say. However, consider this. The Ithaca 37 design was very well thought out by John Browning and John Pedersen. If you go changing it, then unseen problems can happen.

Ithaca itself had this problem (postulated by Walt Snyder, the author of the definitive books on Ithaca) when they changed the design of the magazine tube to make it easier to manufacture.

I ran into that same issue fitting a new tube to an older receiver. The new design contributed to the problems where Ithacas were dumping shells on the ground.

I had to machine up an insert with a .015 wall thickness to slip into the end of the magazine tube and allow it to correctly hand off the shells to the right and left side shell stops.

If it was me, I would put it back to factory dimensions.

Do you know what a Rockwell hardness tester is ? You should find a shop that has one, test out the part before and after welding. If too soft it is going to wear again, if too hard, it could cause wear on another more expensive part.

Dave
 
Dave,

OK on retaining the dimensions.

Re the hardness, that's *exactly* what I was going to ask next. If *anything* is going to wear, I'd prefer it to be the slide stop and not the slide, of course.

Looking at the worn area, I'm a bit surprised that such as small change has made such a large difference to the functionality. I haven't taken the trigger mechs apart, and so haven't compared the stops side-by-side, but it *appears* that the OAL of the parts are still the same.

Perhaps it's my imagination. I'll have another look when I open the cabinet next time. (Perhaps there are *other* differences between the two guns that I've not, yet, spotted.)

We've a club competition coming up, soon. It'll be interesting to see how I get on... :)

Regards,

Mark.
 
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