I have a ithaca 51a 12 ga that won't consistantly load the next round. It is firing, then ejecting the spent case, but will not load the following shell from the mag. It seems to be hanging some type of tab stop. Not sure what it is called. Is this a cleaning issue or a parts issue. Thanks in advance.

I'd strip it down andclean it real good, look for a burr somewhere, or broken/bent partthen try it again.......

Sometimes all it takes is a lil' piece of junk to stop things up.

Had a piece of bore mop come off in the lug recess in a bolt rifle not too long ago, I use a .410 bore mop to clean certain rifle chambers. The bolt wouldn't close all the way and the piece of bore mop couldn't be seen and was a PITA to get out..........

I'd recommend cleaning/inspection too.

My dad had an old pump gun from Sears and Roebuck that wouldn't eject properly (different problem than yours). Turned out there was gunk built up inside the receiver behind the bolt, keeping it from travelling all the way to the rear when the action was cycled. fortunately he let me have a look at it before taking it in. Only cost him dinner.

gobbler - I'm not a smith. But you may want to do the above plus try different ammo. I had a 51 that did the same thing and knew of 2 others. I got so frustrated with it that I traded it in. (Sure hope it wasn't you that got it.)

Bronko, I've had it quite a while. So it is probably not yours. And I do like the way it shoots. I am considering trying to trade it and an 835 and little cash for beretta 390,391,3091.

Most likely it either needs to be cleaned or the shell stop or related parts are worn enough that they are not working properly any more. Clean it first and if it still does not cycle the next shell let a gunsmith look at it.

I tried cleaning without disassembling and switching shells. No change, still won't feed. Guess I'll have to take it apart.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/model.asp?idDept=125