Ithaca m51 12 gauge

[Neil09]

Last night I was gifted an old beautiful Ithaca m51 that my father purchased from a local hardware store in 77 (he’s passed away in early 2000s). My uncle who had it said he hadn’t used it much because there was a certain piece that was prone to breaking on it (he isn’t sure what piece, it’s been too long)

After a little google, apparently they don’t like the present hot loads, most people just use them for skeet. Anyone have any info on them? Any insight is appreciated

[Magdump]

My dad bought a pair of Ithaca shotguns in the 70’s when Steinberg’s was the go to gun store. I have the old deer slayer he bought and I believe he still has the M51. I know that it came with a ribbed barrel and a slug barrel and was advertised as a lightweight or ultralight or something to that effect, much like the high back Franchi I have, but looked more like the Remington 1100. He had to replace the slide action parts after many years due to metal fatigue or maybe just being a little too light. I know he never really had any issues until he started using it as a slug gun. I don’t think anything else ever broke on it and that old gun bagged a lot of game over the years. I used to sneak it out to squirrel hunt with when he wasn’t home to tell me no. Sweet shooter compared to my pump stevens.
As I remember back in the day, Browning and Remington were the top tier pretty much, then a bunch of copies from Savage stevens built for Sears and western auto etc, and somewhere a little lower on the totem pole was Ithaca. Then the foreign shotguns that you rarely saw.

[Neil09]

My dad bought a pair of Ithaca shotguns in the 70’s when Steinberg’s was the go to gun store. I have the old deer slayer he bought and I believe he still has the M51. I know that it came with a ribbed barrel and a slug barrel and was advertised as a lightweight or ultralight or something to that effect, much like the high back Franchi I have, but looked more like the Remington 1100. He had to replace the slide action parts after many years due to metal fatigue or maybe just being a little too light. I know he never really had any issues until he started using it as a slug gun. I don’t think anything else ever broke on it and that old gun bagged a lot of game over the years. I used to sneak it out to squirrel hunt with when he wasn’t home to tell me no. Sweet shooter compared to my pump stevens.
As I remember back in the day, Browning and Remington were the top tier pretty much, then a bunch of copies from Savage stevens built for Sears and western auto etc, and somewhere a little lower on the totem pole was Ithaca. Then the foreign shotguns that you rarely saw.

That’s not uncommon from what I’m reading, apparently there’s a couple of places that can weld and repair the actions to make them stronger than factory. Good to know

[Gator 45/70]

Last night I was gifted an old beautiful Ithaca m51 that my father purchased from a local hardware store in 77 (he’s passed away in early 2000s). My uncle who had it said he hadn’t used it much because there was a certain piece that was prone to breaking on it (he isn’t sure what piece, it’s been too long)

After a little google, apparently they don’t like the present hot loads, most people just use them for skeet. Anyone have any info on them? Any insight is appreciated

Isn't that the Tunnel Rat gun? Will it fire if you keep the trigger depressed and just use the slide action?

[Neil09]

Isn't that the Tunnel Rat gun? Will it fire if you keep the trigger depressed and just use the slide action?

That, I don’t know. I haven’t shot it yet. I’ll know this afternoon!

[Jmfox3]

Good reading for you: https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=360561. I always keep a spare action springs in my inventory and my guns much newer. Good luck.

[Magdump]

Isn't that the Tunnel Rat gun? Will it fire if you keep the trigger depressed and just use the slide action?

negative Motor, it’s a semi-auto.
Most people assumed my dad’s was a Remmy 1100 when they saw it.
The old Winchester trench guns are slam fire capable however.

[Neil09]

Just went try it out, shoots the first round fine, ejects and feeds the second, but doesn’t fire. It’ll shoot if I manual cock it, but it’s not *cocking* itself.

[Neil09]

Good reading for you: https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=360561. I always keep a spare action springs in my inventory and my guns much newer. Good luck.

That most definitely is a good read, I found that last night which made me pull it apart first to make sure the slide wasn’t broken before shooting. May just need new springs, it has been sitting for 35 years.

[Gator 45/70]

negative Motor, it’s a semi-auto.
Most people assumed my dad’s was a Remmy 1100 when they saw it.
The old Winchester trench guns are slam fire capable however.

Thanks #1 I seem to have the models mixed up,Carry on !