Ithaca 51

[viking499]

Anybody know anything about the model 51 Ithaca? Goods and bads?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Decent shotgun, didn't do well against the 1100.

Numrich carries the parts.

 

[viking499]

Was it made by SKB?

 

[bannockburn]

No, as far as I can tell, the Model 51 was made in the US throughout the 70's and early 80's. SKB had their own model XL900, which somewhat resembled the Model 51, even where they both used Roto-Forged barrels. I believe that the Model 51 had an all steel receiver, while the SKB XL900 used aluminum alloy. As for the good or the bad, I cannot say as I never owned or used one. I did think they were kind of hefty when compared to the Model 37, but anyways, in those days, just about every semi-auto was out of my price range . I ended up getting Remington 870's instead.

 

[mnrivrat]

These were nice guns and functioned well.

The problem these days is finding parts, and particularly the action bar assy. That part was prone to breaking in well used guns.

 

[Jim Watson]

I borrowed a 51 Trap for a while. Great looking gun but I could not hit a thing with it and went back to the 1100.

 

[oletymer]

Best gas system ever. The problem for me is the plate the bolt pins to. I had the part made by a machinist out of steel and there have been no problems. It is sad that they were discontinued. I will never sell mine as I earned over 200 trophies and buckles with that gun. I still have it and shoot it once a year as parts are getting expensive.