Ithaca SxS

[kudu]

I was in the local Gander Mountain store yesterday and came across a well used old Ithaca SxS hammerless 20ga shoty. It had seen better days, but it sure did come up nice when I pulled it off the rack. It had a very tight action on it and the bores were mirror bright with no sign of pitting, but the exterior of the gun had many spots of rust that had been tried to be removed and the stock was well dinged up. About what one would expect of an old double gun that had been hauled around in a truck and drug through thickets after birds. I could not tell what it was choked but I believe it had 28" barrels.

As much as I wanted to I couldn't swing the asking price of $770. Looking at the Blue Book later I see it is about in line with the condition it's in, but my collection is in need of a good old SxS. It's in need of a SxS period. deeep sigh...

 

[Dave McCracken]

Ithaca told me a decade and more ago that all old Ithacas prior to the New Ithaca Double were not recommended as shooters. If this is a NID, and it speaks to you, go for it.

 

[kudu]

Yes Dave, I believe it was the newer one, It said something like 'For smokeless powders' on the barrels. But alas, with Christmas approaching and my property tax bill just having arrived, I wouldn't be able to swing it. Unlike some people that live through credit cards, we have very little debt and virtually no balances riding on cards, but we have enough to live well, if somewhat frugally. With 3 kids 4 and under Christmas gets pretty expensive.

 

[huntsman]

I'm very cautious buying older used doubles, after getting burned. The first thing I check are the screws, if turned or buggered I pass reguardless of overall condition.

I would also check the action with the forend off, the biggest problem with old doubles are off face. If there's any play in the action you should see it with the forend off.

I hunted hard for over 10 years with the same double and can honestly say the finish on the metal changed very little execept for loseing a little blueing at the end of the tubes and the underside of frame from carrying.

If it looks rough outside it's probilbly been abused.

 

[Dave McCracken]

That's tough, Kudu. There will be others further down the road. And it's not like you're shotgunless....