doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Restoring Ithaca NID follow up question

Its me again Gents. As you know from my previous postings I am trying to get an old Ithaca NID restored to shooting condition. Like I posted before it is a 20ga. I assume it takes 2-1/2" shells. I would like to use 2-3/4" shells. I was at a local gunshop today and asked the gunsmith how much he would charge to lengthen to 2-3/4". I was told bluntly "It can not be done". Is this true? If so what can I shoot in the old lady? Thanks again for all the help. Ed

Someone else can probably confirm if your NID has short chambers, but I'd be surprised if it did. In any case, you can buy 2.5" 20ga ammo from a number of places online--RST among them. You'll get opinions on both sides of the fence on whether or not it SHOULD be done, but it absolutely CAN be done.
I've had Mike orlen, in Amherst Mass do this for me on several guns with very good results, I think it costs $45 per barrel.
Many people shoot 2 3/4" lower-pressure reloads in short chambers since the pressure increase is not "off the chart", relying on the already-low pressure ammo to keep them below the pressure the barrel was designed to handle. I'd be interested to hear what more knowlegable people than I have to say about doing this in a 20 vs a 12...is there a difference?

Ithaca lengthened the 20g chambers from 2 1/2" to 2 3/4" about 1927. You might review this thread http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1983
And if it can be done, Orlen can do it and do it right
Michael R. Orlen
Amherst, MA
(413) 256-1630
michael.orlen@verizon.net
http://members.aol.com/sgunbore/brochure.gif

Gents,thanks for the info. Great link. If I am reading it right my NID 20ga should be 2-3/4". My Ser# is 437888. Any way to tell what year it was made? How can I tell if for sure it is 2-3/4"?.I am not going to fire it much. Only going to use low brass bird shot.This board has been very helpful and I thank you all. Ed

UPDATE.I just took a small metal tape measurer and inserted it into the chamber to where I could feel it make contact with the step up in the barrel. I read it to the outside face of the chamber at the end of the barrel assembly. I did this several times on both sides and each time it read a hair over 2-3/4". At this point would you all say its a safe bet that it is chambered for 2-3/4" shell's? Still would like to know what year it was made. Thanks. Ed

That's an early NID, made 1926. Better have a GOOD smith check it, not the one you saw earlier, he knows nothing about NIDs.. MDC

Ed: with clean chambers, you can slowly insert a rolled up 3X5 card until you feel the resistance when it hits the forcing cone. Mark the card and measure and repeat a time or two-works very well.
And here's an Ithaca date of manufacture link
http://www.diamondgunsmithing.com:80/page5/page15/page15.html

Ed,

If you have measured it as you discribe, it is a 2&3/4" chamber. I am not an ithaca expert , but the N.I.D. has a reputation for strength and should handle current ammunition well. I appreciate your ownership of a 20ga version of this Ithaca.

Best to you,
Kurt

Looks like she was made in 1926. Using the card method and a felt pin to mark it measured a hair under 2-7/8". I hope I did that right.You guy's are making me feel better about this.Thanks for the comment about its strength. That too makes me feel better.Ed

Ed: NIDs are great guns with a receiver and action able to handle modern loads, BUT for the good of the 80 year old wood, it would be wise to use 7/8 oz target loads.
I'm sorry if this has been discussed, but the brls should have a choke marking: 4=full, 3=improved modified, 2=modified, and 1=improved cylinder. Since your gun is a 'shooter' and not 'collector', no reason not to make the chokes right for your intended use.