I am a moron!!!!!!

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ugly old guns

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After much looking around and research, both at brick and mortar stores and online, with a touch of library work, and many questions to you fine folks, I selected a used shotgun to purchase in hopes of seeing if this whole tactical shotgun idea was worth going further with. I've had ak's, mosin's, a lot of handguns, and an 870 express I use for hunting occasionally.

So, after reading the opinions MAX100 puts out to all the online sources, and holding a few examples at gunshows, I bought a used Norinco 982 today from a pawnshop for 140.00$ When I checked the chamber in the parking lot before I put it in the trunk, I noticed something very odd. There was no ejection port!! :uhoh: I actually stood there for a minute, trying to remove what must be some kind of recessed receiver cover. Then, I saw that the magazine tube had a funny brace running to the barrel, and that the slide release was on the right side, forward of the trigger. And the model number was ucn-1201. Hmmmm.... :confused:

When I got home, i looked it up, and found out this was not an 870 clone, but an ithaca model 37 clone. Seems solid, and shoulders really well, (I'm 6'5"), and doesn't rattle at all when I shake it. My only concern is that it seems to be an early SN gun (109xx), and the barrel is stamped lead shot only.

So, since I am a moron, and bought the wrong gun, does anyone know anything I don't about this gun? I'm thinking of takinga tactical shotgun class in the new year, and wonder how this thing will hold up. Thanks for the help.
 
ugly old guns

dunno from adam about the norinco copy, but a cousin who had a relatively new ithaca mdl 37 riot got rid of it because it would sometimes drop live rounds at the operator's feet when stroked hard. worse still, closing on an empty chamber one would think was loaded in dark/stressfull moments.

whether this was just his [relatively new] mdl 37 or a design flaw i can't say. i haven't shot any besides his. but it did the same thing when i shot it also.

.....perhaps others can give more input on this.

gunnie
 
The original model 37 was a tremendous gun and the design has been in production for about as long as any pump made. So the design is a good one...the question should be is the clone as good as the real thing.

IMO, any low price clone is subject to the irregularities of cheap materials and construction.

Why anyone would buy a clone when plenty of well cared for used originals are on the market is beyond me.

That being said, put it through it's paces and let it prove itself to you that it is dependable. You may be tickled pink.

I think that is the right thing to do with any gun at any price anyway.

Jeff
 
but a cousin who had a relatively new ithaca mdl 37 riot got rid of it because it would sometimes drop live rounds at the operator's feet when stroked hard. worse still, closing on an empty chamber one would think was loaded in dark/stressfull moments.

whether this was just his [relatively new] mdl 37 or a design flaw i can't say. i haven't shot any besides his. but it did the same thing when i shot it also.

.....perhaps others can give more input on this.
Click to expand...

I'm a fan of the Ithaca 37 (my first shotgun at age 18 in 1961) but the propensity for this gun to drop a shell instead of feeding it is fairly well known. It's a matter of timing (I'm not sure I'd call it a "design flaw", per se)on a rather unforgiving bottom-ejecting action. The Browning BPS bottom ejector, however, seems to be immune to this phenonema.
 
a cousin who had a relatively new ithaca mdl 37 riot got rid of it because it would sometimes drop live rounds at the operator's feet when stroked hard.

I have had this happen with my 37. I think it is a weakness in their shell carrier design. That's why I don't use it as a tactical shotgun. For hunting they are fine and I love both my 12ga and my 20ga.
 
a cousin who had a relatively new ithaca mdl 37 riot got rid of it because it would sometimes drop live rounds at the operator's feet when stroked hard.
Click to expand...
This also happened with one of our 37's back in the late 80's. The problem weapon was taken to the gunsmith to reportedly have the gun fixed. That gun never saw much use anyway. This year I started playing with it, and have not had this happen. However, every once in awhile, when I'm manually taking the rounds out of the tube after a day in the field, the second to last round will sometimes com out with the one before it.
 
I wouldn't worry yourself. Norinco is chinese, but they make good stuff. At least shoot it before you judge it.
 
those norinco shotguns are actually extremely well made. i thought about picking up an 1100 copy if i could find one. i have shot the 870 copy and liked it.
 
If it really is a "clone" of the Model 37 that should make you happy. The Ithaca 37's were largely considered by many to be the best pumps ever made. The only problem is they have no real advantage over 870's and 500's and their recievers were forged (I believe) which was too expensive and they could not compete with the low prices of Remington and Mossberg.
 
Quote:
Norinco is chinese

and
Quote:
the barrel is stamped lead shot only

Is anyone else not surprised???
Click to expand...

That really has no bearing on anything. The finest over/unders in the world will be marked with the same thing. Nobody should want to shoot steel anyways.
 
Here is a picture of the Norinco 37 with factory metal heat shield and GRS. I never had double feeds with the Nor 37 I had. They are a heck of a deal for the money.

NOR372-1-1.jpg



GC
 
Ithaca 37 20 gauge

serial # 686223

Uncle's gun. I'm guessing it's 1950 or earlier. Where do I go to determine year and ballpark value? Thank you.
 
Function is ...ehh?

So I finally got a chance to wring her out today.

25 Shots Winchester AA Target loads. 2 3/4" ,#7 shot. NO problems, fed wonderfully, recoil was OK.

5 Shots Remington 2 3/4, #4 Shot, One failure to feed from magazine into shell lifter. Recoil still...ok, I guess.

15 Shots winchester super x 2 3/4, 00 buckshot. Several rounds stuck in chabers requiring multiple passes of bolt/extractor to get them out. Recoil starting to throw quick shots down as I anticipate it.

3 shots Winchester Super x 3", 00 Buckshot. No feeding issues. Recoil was the reason I only shot 3!

Some questions for the experts.

It seemed like I was pulling back on the forearm as I was firing. More than once, I shot, then found my forend halfway back from the recoil. Am I doing this, or is the gun?


Second, If I pumped HARD, back and forth, the functioning was flawless. If I pumped just hard enough to work the action, it sometimes would fail to take the next shell from the magazine, or fail to extract the spent hull. I had to pry one out with a blade !?

I'm looking for any thoughts on whether to keep this thing, or trade it for a shorter barrel for my 870 Express. I like the compactness of the Norinco, and it Feels like a mack truck. However, my gun locker is getting full,and I can't justify the space if I can't trust it.
 
ugly old guns said:
Some questions for the experts.
Click to expand...
No expert here, but been reading much of their writings both here and on TFL.
ugly old guns said:
It seemed like I was pulling back on the forearm as I was firing. More than once, I shot, then found my forend halfway back from the recoil. Am I doing this, or is the gun?
Click to expand...
Based on what I've read here (mainly in Dave McCracken's instructional threads, along with LL, sm, and some others).

You are supposed to be pulling back on the forearm when firing. Upon shooting, that force should be enough to pump the slide. My question would be, "why are you only pulling it back halfway from the recoil? Seems it should be all the way".

ugly old guns said:
Second, If I pumped HARD, back and forth, the functioning was flawless. If I pumped just hard enough to work the action, it sometimes would fail to take the next shell from the magazine, or fail to extract the spent hull. I had to pry one out with a blade !?
Click to expand...
Sounds like your short stroking it to me. Pump that gun like you mean it, and stop babying it.:D
 
Sounds like your short stroking it to me. Pump that gun like you mean it, and stop babying it.
Click to expand...

poor_richard Is right on.

If some shells are sticking in the chamber you may need to polish the chamber. Some of the newer 870 shotguns, a few Mossberg 500 and other brands also have problems with the Winchester shells sticking in the chamber.

Sounds like you have a nice shotgun.



GC
 
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