Questions on a couple of shotguns

[CBS220]

A friend offered a friend and myself a pair of shotguns, and gave us what seems to be pretty good prices on them.

They are a Franchi 48 AL Deluxe 12 Gauge and an Ithaca 87 Featherweight 20 gauge. My friend is interested in the Franchi, I am partial to the Ithaca.

First, I would like to know if the prices are fair- He wants 275 for the Franchi and 200 for the Ithaca. The Franchi is in Excellent shape, the Ithaca in Good-Very Good condition. The Ithaca has interchangeable choke tubes and what I think is a 25 inch barrel.

There is one problem with the Franchi- It won't eject, or put one into the chamber. The friction rings are aligned correctly, as per the manual. I don't know if this is a common occurence or not. The gun shoots fine, it just doesn't eject or put a new one in. If this is a common and easily fixed problem, then my friend wants the gun... if it is unheard of and the gun sounds to be the victim of some WECSOG mojo then he probably will pass on it.

The Ithaca is in fine shape and I really like the feel of it, but I don't have a Blue Book on hand and can't find the value.

Any assistance you can offer is very much appreciated.

(This was crossposted on ARFCOM for any that read there too.)

 

[Dave McCracken]

Snatch up the Ithaca.

Dunno about the AL 48. Not a smith, nor an owner.

 

[evbutler462]

That 48 can be repaired and last you the rest of your life. It is probably a simple adjustment. Maybe something you overlooked. I'll bet I could have it up and running in less than 10 minutes. I have 2 of these jewels and in over 40 years, neither the 12 or the 20 has ever given me a single problem. A good cleaning

I have tried the Ithaca 37 but got rid of it because it is a PITA to completely strip and assemble again. I prefer a semi to a pump. You might have a preference for pumps. If so, buy the 37 and spend the extra funds on ammo. The 37 has as great a following as the 48. It is a good gun.

Personally, I would pay the extra, buy the 48 and get a gunsmith or a 48 shooter to check it out. They are simple guns to disassemble and reassemble. Put back together right and it will work, unless there is a broken or worn part, which is doubtful.

One other thing! Is the 48 a magnum model. If so, that may be why you have problems using light loads. Look on the barrel and see if it is stamped 3". If not, I'd really prefer the 48 over the 37.

 

[CBS220]

Thanks for the responses!

I would go after the 48 as well as the 87, but I already have a semiauto I favor- an Ithaca XL300 20 gauge. I have a couple of 870s too, but this 87 just feels like a wand in comparison to them... and that Ithaca semi I've been carrying around forever just makes me a big ithaca fan.

The 48 is marked for 2 3/4", but I know a smith or two I will consult.