Ithaca model 66

[USAF_Vet]

A friend of mine has an older Ithaca model 66 20 gauge lever action shotgun. She's had it the better part of 30 years, but doesn't know much about it, needs to clean and get some minor repairs to it.
Its an interesting looking gun, I like the concept of a lever action shotgun, even if it is a single.

I haven't found much info about them, and never really been an Ithaca fan. I want to see what she might be facing as far as repairs, and whether or not its worth it, and what they might be worth.

 

[oneounceload]

You might ask over here:

http://www.ithacaowners.com/

 

[mac66]

Low end basic single shot. Receivers are made of alloy (ie. pot metal aka zinc). Made from 1963-1978. The thing I don't like about them is that the lever opens the action instead of cocking the hammer. That's probably why they weren't more popular. They don't have much value, usually less than $100 sometimes a lot less. Parts may be available through these guys... https://www.gunpartscorp.com/

 

[jaguarxk120]

Checking on armslist the Ithaca Model 66 single shot is listed for $150 to $350 range. But note that is the asking prices and not the actual selling prices. There seems to be some sort of following for that model shotgun.

 

[Onmilo]

I had a 12 guage version years ago, it was OK.
Biggest problem with the gun was recoil would ram that lever into the fingers shoved into it and that made the gun pretty painful to shoot many shots in sequence with, it was fine for hunting.

 

[stan rose]

Try contacting Les Hovenkamp at Diamond Gunsmithing. He was the lead gunsmith at Ithaca for a while and specializes in repair and restoration of them. He is very nice and knowledgable, and extremely honest. Good luck.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I got one in 1970 and still have that single shot 410. It has been a good shotgun on the farm.

 

[Tom Held]

Ithaca 66

I bought one for my son when he was 10 years old, 20 gauge, and was with him when he shot his first canada goose. He's 46 now and gave it to his son last year who was 11 and he killed his first goose with it. So I hope it just keeps getting handed down. It's nothing fancy, just a cheap little gun but you can put memories into it and that's all that counts.