Hi,
Nice web site.
If you’ve never racked the slide on a classic Ithaca Model 37 shotgun, you’ve missed one of the smoothest and most innovative pump-action shotguns ever made. Long a favorite of left-handed shooters, John M. Browning’s design feeds and ejects through the bottom of the receiver. The Ithaca name changed hands several times, as the Model. I am considering to buy an Ithaca Model 51 Featherlight 12 Ga. From a friend. I was told they were quite popular in the day but have never heard of them. Has anyone had any experience with this model?
Ithaca Model 37 Featherlight Value
I’ve had a Ithaca model 51 semi auto 12 gauge for a bunch of years. Didn’t use it much. I recently gave it to my son to use for skeet and he’s doing well with it. However a it’s needed repair on 2 occasions in the past few months.
Questions:
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Can you refer me to a source for parts for this gun?
As experts, how do you regard this gun?
Are the low end over-under imports any good for skeet?
Ithaca Model 51 Featherlight Serial Numbers Diagram
Thanks for your help,
Jack
Dear Jack,
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Ithaca Featherlight 20 Gauge Value
It just so happens that I spent a lot of time with an Ithaca 51. A friend and I bought Supreme Skeet 51s new in the mid-70s. We used the Ithacas for International Skeet and started to put some serious rounds through them. The guns had a lifetime guarantee, but Ithaca would only send us one part at a time when something broke. We couldn’t build up an inventory of those fragile action bars and the like. We’d break a part and then would have to wait to get a replacement. That got old fast. I remember the designer Tollinger mentioning that the gun was designed as a field gun, not a target gun. I finally gave up on the gun and sold it.
The 51 was a very soft shooting gun and I liked it a lot while it worked. It was very easy to disassemble. I ended up going to Remington 1100s. They weren’t any more reliable, but I could get parts more easily.
Ithaca Model 51 Featherlight Value
I don’t have a clue where to get parts for the 51. Ithaca has been in and out of business a couple of times in the past 20 years. I think that they are currently back up and running with the Model 37 pump. Track them down in King Ferry, NY and see what they know about Model 51 parts. That’s all I can suggest.
Ithaca Model 51 Featherlight Serial Numbers For Sale
Any low end O/Us good for skeet? That’s pretty subjective. The best deal is probably a used Browning, Beretta or similar. These are not “low end”, but often can be had for a good price. They last forever and parts aren’t an issue. I wouldn’t get a true low end O/U if someone is at all serious about skeet. It will end up being a poor investment in the long run.
If you would reconsider a gas gun, the modestly priced Beretta 3901 (based on the 390 action), is excellent. It’s durable, reliable and ought to be available from a large store for around $600. A used 1100 might also make sense as you can still get all the parts you need. Of course, a used Beretta gas gun would also be a good choice and probably more reliable, but they have a different feel than the 1100s which you may or may not prefer.
Best regards,
Bruce Buck Shotgun Report’s Technoid Comments are closed.
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