Ithaca 37 issue

[Greenhorse six]

So, my old Ithaca 37 that was made in 1969 by the serial number, will on occasion after firing lock up and most times I have to pull the barrel off to unlock it , it does this at random and everything seems to be in good order , nothing appear worn or broken.
Any one else have this problem with a 37 , is there something I've missed ?

 

[guntech]

Is cheap low brass ammo the problem? Sometimes an occasional lock up as described is the ammo.

 

[GRFCal]

From my limited experience with old 37s I would suggest gun tech is most likely correct.

 

[Greenhorse six]

Very possible, I had a mossberg 590 that would choke on Winchester white box ,I'll have to pay more attention to the ammo I'm using to see.
Thank guys .

 

[gwhysow]

I've had a few Ithacas over the years. Only had one bind up on me, and I chalk most of it up to the old barrel spec and brass plated steel shells. I suspect the slightest bit of case expansion would keep the hull from extracting, which was then followed up by the next round. As described, it would gum things up so tight that I'd have to remove the barrel. As an older gun the chamber may be a little roughed up, adding to the issue, though a solid brass case head should resolve the issue.

 

[dogzilla]

Usually polishing the chamber will solve crap shotgun shell issues. Cowboys do it right off the bat with a new gun so shells fly out with a flick of the wrist

 

[derek2007]

Oh yes, cheap ammo is the culprit I'd say. Give her a nice polish in the chamber and it should never happen again

 

[cement head]

Someone told me once the best way to polish the chamber of a shotgun is to wrap 000 steel wool around a shotgun brush put some oil on it and put it in a hand drill .

 

[guntech]

Someone told me once the best way to polish the chamber of a shotgun is to wrap 000 steel wool around a shotgun brush put some oil on it and put it in a hand drill .

That will clean it pretty good but useless for polishing a problem out.

Back and forth making cross hatch marks is better... lightly using 180, then 220 wet/dry paper ...

 

[bunny]

I have honed / polished dozens of shotgun chambers with wet dry paper up to 600 grit and it makes an amazing difference, doing this with better quality ammo will make any pump run like a dream.