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Ithaca 51 Jamming

oldad74
Does anyone know what to do with a Ithaca 51 that jams on every shot. I got the gun recently from a guy who shot heavy 3" loads all the time and I have been shooting 2 3/4" 1 1/4oz 3 3/4dram shells.

I have cleaned it thoroughly and the action works fine and is very smooth when manually cycling it. Is the mainspring that goes into the stock weak?[?]
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • bobski
    check the bolt carrier rails. sounds like the fingers are cracked. take off the forearm and see where it engages the bolt and or the gas assy. the bolt and gas assy sits on the rails. follow me?

    former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.
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  • Ronald J. Snow
    The Ithaca Model 51 Magnum is for 3" only; will not function properly with 2&3/4" shells.
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  • bobski
    ah ha! right over my head. missed it totally! thanks for covering my 6, ron!
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    also check the buffer inside the magazine tube, over time and oil they turn into black goo.
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  • oldad74
    Thanks all for the help. I will check the rails tonight. Ron, would heavy (magnum) 2 3/4 loads/reloads work if you are correct? I have others I do use for lighter duty so it is not a problem either way but I have always wanted a 51 for pheasant hunting (too long a story to get into).
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  • Ronald J. Snow
    The only way you will know is to try the 2&3/4 Magnums. I doubt it though.
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  • KX500
    My Ithaca 51 Magnum has never been too picky about non magnum 2 3/4" shells. Shoots whatever I put in there with minimal jams. Am I just lucky?
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  • oldad74
    I checked the rails, slide, magazine tube and everything else I could think of. All appear to be fine. I guess I'll take it out with some heavy reloads and see what happens, if nothing else it will make a fair trade gun as I already have plenty of other good shooters. Thanks to all of you. - Rick
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