Friends:
Help!
A buddy and I recently pooled our nickels and bought a very nice 1954 - made Ithaca Model 37R Deluxe 12g skeet gun, SN 570xxx. Excellent condition, but well used - stunning wood and with a factory installed Polychoke (or so it appears). We gave this as a gift to another friend who is getting started in the "casual" skeet game, who absolutely loves it. After fitting and stock shortening, her first round with it she broke 21 birds.
( I realize for you skeet-o-philes that isnt so hot, but it made her VERY happy).
Yesterday , which was the fourth round to shoot with the new gun, on numerous occasions, the gun was VERY hard to pump after firing. Even when handed to me, instead of the expected very easy smooth Ithaca shuck, it took a real yank to clear the empty. There were also several instances of failure to feed, after the ejection. I dont think this is merely "short stroke". This lady has been shooting skeet with a Model 37 20g for 5 years, and knows the manual of arms. In fact, after about 15 shots with the balky 12g, she swapped it for her other Model 37 20g and finished the round, no problem.
I checked the immediate suspects. The magazine tube isnt rusted or dirty, the follower moves freely, and these failures continued regularly even after a quick field strip and cleaning. The bolt appears to be locking properly, the barrel was firmly screwed in, and the magazine cap fully forward, tensioning the barrel. The ammunition used was Rio Top Trap 28, which is really good stuff. I was shooting the same ammo in my Ithaca Model 37 and had not a breath of a problem ( come to think of it, in 30 years I have never had a problem with that gun). I cannot see anything.
Anyone got any ideas?
I dont want to gut the gun myself, as I simply don't have the playtime these days to examine, diagnose and fix ( even if I have the skill - which I might not). Who is a good smith who knows Ithaca Model 37's inside and out and can really diagnose and fix? I dont want to send it to a "parts replacer" who will just swap stuff out in a "hit or miss" fashion. The lady wants the gun back ASAP, and I told her I would do my best to help her out.
As usual, all comments and suggestions welcomed and appreciated.
Regards
GKT
