[chevyforlife21]

i got a 1970 ithaca 37 20 gauge,how come the bolt wouldn't lock up? it worked fine i cycled it prbly 30 times, then i tried taking off the barrel but i couldn't cuse the knurled magazine cap was stuck. so i put the mag/barrel clamp back on then the bolt wouldn't lock up. so i took that clamp back off and pushed down on the barrel thinking it wasnt seated right. and that seemed to fix it, but the barrel didnt seem to move at all i tried using a strap wrench around the knurled cap and that didnt even break it loose but im being careful with the gun too so i didnt try to hard. im new to the 37, im familar with most every other pump though. what would make it not lock back up? again i know realy nothing about this design so also some help on taking the barrel off and taking the magazine apart for cleaning would be appreciated

[Milkmaster]

I am not trying to be cute here, but remember that the mag cap works backwards on a 37. You screw it down onto the mag to remove or install the barrel and then "unscrew" it until it gets tight against the barrel after the barrel is in place. Also make sure you move the bolt to the rear when you install the barrel and tighten it. See if this helps.

good luck!

[xm21]

How did you get the yoke(that thing you are calling the mag/bbl clamp)off without removing the magazine nut?

Maybe all that messing around with the yoke has screwed up the alignment of the bbl. when everything is tightened back up.

[reckless carolinian]

Loosen the yoke, move it forward until the action locks up. Remember, the 37 is a whole different creature than a 500, or an 870. There are several things that don't work the way they are "supposed to". You've found the first.

[Milkmaster]

Also remember that the barrel is inserted and rotated a quarter turn for installation.

[mbopp]

I've got a 2.2Mbit PDF file on stripping down the M37. It looks like it was scanned from an original Ithaca manual. PM me if you want it.

[Milkmaster]

Let me show you how the barrel should come off the 37.

Here is a link to the video....

http://home.comcast.net/~milkmaster/ithaca%20take%20down.AVI

[chevyforlife21]

wow thanks alot for that video, i woulda never knew it worked liked that, im gonna try that but my mag cap seems like its all ready over tightened. so how do i take the mag spring and follower out?

[Milkmaster]

If you have the barrel off then just unscrew the mag cap until it comes off. The spring and follower will soon follow :p

[chevyforlife21]

ok cool i gotta thank you guys. i took the barrel off and the mag apart, everything was very clean anyway but thats good to know for next time. you guys are awsome