Ithica model 37 question

[InkJunkie]

long story short
grandfather gives me his old ithica model 37
I move from apartment to house
1 year in new house, find grandpop's 37 in garage (wife thought it belonged there behind the washer)
some surface rust on barrel but all together no disaster, internals were well oiled and everything seems ok.

tried to disassemble to clean internals but i cant get the damn trigger plate screw out, i can get it loose but it wont come completely out, so i say screw it and try to put the screw back in i cant get the bastard to catch the threads on the other side...wtf

is this normal or am i just an idiot? has any one had this prob before?

[BunnySlayer]

Sounds like a trip to the gunsmith is in order. Ithaca 37's are classic guns. It's worth the time and trouble to care for a nice old piece. Sounds like someone needs a gun safe.

[Mickey D]

Oh my, please don't store guns behind the washer/drier, or in the vicinity.Way too much humidity for anything metal.

[john323]

Ithica model 37 question

The screw could be stripped.If you take it completely out you will be able to tell.Once it is loose carefully drift it out holding the trigger group in place. If you are having trouble call me at 323-722-3903 and I'll talk you through it. John johnsgunsmithing@live.com

[cindynles]

The trigger/hammer assembly is out of alignment

I have 2 of these shotguns (a 12ga 28" from 1953, and a 12ga 20" from 2000) and I have experienced exactly what you are describing.

What happens is that the trigger/hammer assembly (which slides out to the rear) has moved slightly and now the screw holes don't line up exactly.

What you need to do is to lightly tap the trigger/hammer assembly to get it to line up. I go through this every time a detail strip one of these shotguns.

If you have trouble getting it back together the schematics are available online.

http://www.ithacagun.com/model37schematic.html