Ithaca Gun pulling a Remington

R

Romulus

New member
While Remington is once again selling its mag extensions to the general public (Igather that from their parts list, no more restrictions) Ithaca has withdrawn the factory 8-shot mag tube and spring from their online parts store. This is distressing, as it is a fixed tube, not a five-shot tube with add-on extension. That means that if I had to replace the factory extended tube due to damage, I can only replace it with a five-shotter...and that means a new barrel as well, since the yoke is staked on for the corresponding mag tube length.

This really sucks, and it's a stupid move for a company that has gone belly up twice already. I dropped them an e-mail, can't wait for their response - if they deign to do so.
 
Keep us posted, Rom. All gun makers depend on customer satisfaction these days, let's hope Ithaca remembers that...
 
Thank you, Dave, I will
Of course I would be more effective if I could e-mail Ithaca a link to this thread and they see a whole bunch of irate responses expressing contempt for their actions...much like S&W was subjected to - believe me THEY know in what regard they are held after the Cuomo affair
 
Not good when the factory will no longer support a gun that is still otherwise functional and currant.

Sam
 
C.R. Sam, I incorporated your comment in my correspondence with Ithaca. Ithaca has answered...I will share my correspondence with the forum, as I feel you all should know about this distressing turn of events.


My original query to Ithaca Gun, August 3, 2002 (standard terse e-mail):

In the summer of 2001 I attempted to purchase, from your online store, two parts: Mod. 37 8-shot tube and corresponding spring. I have owned an Ithaca Mod. 87(sic) since about 1993. Your website at the time would not process an online purchase - it was "on the fritz." Today I decide to return and get the parts, and they are no longer offered for sale. Does this mean that a Model 37 or 87 owner with the factory extended mag tube cannot service his firearm?

Eagerly awaiting your response


Ithaca's response on August 5, 2002:

Sir, this is correct, we do not sell extened tubes or springs to the
public. It is a company policy. Sorry we could not hlep you more.

Ithaca Gun Co llc
901 RT 34B
King Ferry, N.Y. 13081

1-315-364-7171


My reply, August 5, 2002 (I am now incensed, so it's kind of verbose):

I am with a CURRENT and SERVICEABLE Ithaca firearm and your company refuses to support it. It says something about the way you run your company: when these products were available to the public only a few short months ago, your website would crash upon online order. Now that your website functions, you no longer sell these items to the public. Interestingly enough, Remington, who have never had a website problem, once again are offering the extended mag tube to non-LE people. Incredibly, you are saying that if I damage my current extended magazine tube, I will not only have to replace it with a 5-shot tube, but would also be forced to buy a new barrel to fit tha shorter mag tube. Do you really expect to stay in business with this approach to customer support?

Here's my plan - my next shotgun will NOT be another Ithaca. I will sell my MINT Ithaca M&P at a pretty penny. That's two sales you lose. Also, I will do my damndest, by word of mouth, to tell as many people here in Wisconsin about the wonderful customer support you company now provides. I rub elbows with hundreds of SE Wisconsin hunters, and with the CWD scare in full force,
us deer-hunting folk have plenty time on our hands to chew the fat.

Perhaps some person of integrity and dignity within your firm will realize that Ithaca Gun is now quite the disgrace to your fine tradition, not to mention our nation's 2nd Amendment. And you have the gall to capitalize on 9/11with such things as "the Homeland Defense Model". You are truly contemptible.

Sincerely,

<Romulus>
(Soon to be an Ithaca ex-owner)

A copy of this e-mail will be sent to Ithaca's CEO. I will also inform all
RKBA organizations. All firearms publications. All firearms-related
bulleting boards and forums. All firearms related websites. They WILL know
how you treat your customer base.
 
edited: Never mind, I need to read more carefully. Aholes!

Sent them this, will see if they reply.

My friend recently inquired about availability of 8-shot magazine tubes for your shotguns. He got this response: "we do not sell extened tubes or springs to the
public. It is a company policy."

On the one hand, it is a pointless policy because Choate and other parts makers will fill the void. On the other hand, it is a self-defeating move because it has just guaranteed that I will not buy any new Ithaca shotguns or even used, as parts availability seems to be subject to irrational whims. Very disappointing.

Sincerely,

Oleg Volk
http://www.a-human-right.com
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Oleg:

I think Ithaca has made it amply clear

"Ithaca's response on August 5, 2002:

Sir, this is correct, we do not sell extened tubes or springs to the
public. It is a company policy. Sorry we could not hlep you more."
 
Sorry to hear it, I know I'll never buy one of their products as long as that policy is in effect. It irks me to no end, all this politically correct "evil firearm" bull****... If it's not against the law then sell me the biggest darn mag/tube that is possible...
 
The iniquitous part is how they profit from this policy...here's the scenario

- Ithaca Mod. 37 extended capacity owner damages shotgun. He now needs to replace dented/bent mag tube...hey, it happens

- Ithaca forces Mod. 37 owner to reduce mag capacity and sells him only a replacement 5-shot tube

- Mod. 37 owner must then buy NEW ithaca barrel with corresponding yoke, as the original 8-shot barrel will not fit the new 5-shot mag tube

The reason this is total bullcrap is that these are not discontinued shotguns, the 37 is in production and they will not support a product that they have marketed and sold...
 
Damn shame, the 37 is one fine pumpgun. The answer is simple, boycott, boycott, boycott, and let them know why....
 
Is this a withdrawal from supplying the parts all together, or is Ithaca only locking out the do-it-yourselfer? Can you get the repairs done by Ithaca or factory supported smiths? Discouraging amateurs is not at all uncommon.
 
Sorry, but that would be even worse...I can't order the parts and have them fitted/installed by a gunsmith of my choice? I have to send my gun to the factory just to replace a mag spring??!!

That would really be profiteering...were not talking headspacing or fitting a bolt here...btw these parts that require qualified skilled labor for fitting/installation are easily oredered through their website.

Again, look at how the respond:

"Sir, this is correct, we do not sell extened tubes or springs to the public. It is a company policy. Sorry we could not hlep you more."


Seems pretty clear that it's not a matter of discouraging home-gunsmithing...these parts were available a few months ago
 
Another fine old company bleating like a freshly castrated lamb as they bow to the herd of uninformed elitists.

Sam
 
I'd like to ask you folks if you know other forums that I could post this on - meaning where it wouldn't be considered out of place due to highly specific topics, etc...I've already posted this on 1911forum.com, Rugerforum.com, and Gunspotforums.com...

I'm also trying to e-mail this info the the American Rifleman, which just had a glowing retro article about Ithaca's role in the Vietnam War, but they don't seem to have a "letters to the editor" link...any body know of one?

Much appreciate your interest
 
Oleg, thanks for the help, just noticed your edit. Much appreciated. BTW, this is not about "getting my parts", that is not the problem...Milwaukee has a machine shop on every street corner, most machinists I know are shootists and deer-hunters and would cut me a new mag tube with absolutely no compunction of heart. This is about a gunmaker abdicating its most basic responsibilities of product- and customer-support with regards to a model they currently produce...I'm not asking them for parts to a 1930s production-end SXS
 
Just got an e-mail from the CEO of Ithaca. Very kind in manner and sincere in tone. He has just taken over the reigns of Ithaca gun and said he will look into the policy regarding 8-shot tubes.

I believe he will, and will wait for the decision patiently.
 
Wow! It is a sad day for Ithaca fans. I guess I won't be buying any Ithacas until this is changed. I will also send them a email now telling them how I feel. As a very large metal I-beam fell on my foot today and fractured it in two places I am not in a real great mood so I probably won't be candy coating anything.........
M Jager
 
At this point, given that Ithaca's CEO has taken an interest, I'll wait and see what's really going on.

It boils down to this: if they are out of those parts, I don't feel I can expect them to manufacture something that may have no market to justify production. If they have them in stock and they're not selling them to civvies, than Ithaca will alienate a core base of owners and potential owners otherwise in love with their product.

Let's hope Ithaca will straighten this out.
 
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