Currently in development is a new action slide for the Ithaca Model 51 Featherweight shotguns. These are known to break and render the gun useless. Unfortunately, replacements have dried up as Ithaca no longer makes parts for them. Until now, your only two options have been to either weld together your broken action slide, or to find a used one for sale (often for an exorbitant price).
Of course, the problem with either of these choices is that you are only kicking the can down the road. Eventually the failure prone part will inevitably fail beyond repair. I look forward to being able to offer a replacement part that will vastly exceed the life of the OEM part!
The consensus amongst Ithaca 51 owners seems to be that worn action springs and buffers are what lead to premature failure of the action slide. As such, it is prudent to replace them when repairing or replacing the slide. While our action slide is considerably more durable than the original, I still recommend replacing the springs and buffers, as this will still prevent the gun from battering itself to pieces in general.
Of course, the problem with either of these choices is that you are only kicking the can down the road. Eventually the failure prone part will inevitably fail beyond repair. I look forward to being able to offer a replacement part that will vastly exceed the life of the OEM part!
The consensus amongst Ithaca 51 owners seems to be that worn action springs and buffers are what lead to premature failure of the action slide. As such, it is prudent to replace them when repairing or replacing the slide. While our action slide is considerably more durable than the original, I still recommend replacing the springs and buffers, as this will still prevent the gun from battering itself to pieces in general.