New Double SxS

Bob Hannes

Bob Hannes

Member
Well not exactly new, my uncle who did a little hunting over the years asked my dad I would be interested in his guns..... Well of course I told him yes and asked him what he wanted for them. When I saw my dad at the great outdoors festival he brought the guns along, my uncle wanted me to have them if interested. One was a Ithaca Model 100 SxS, needs to be cleaned up a little. Only a 2 3/4 but I will be looking forward to using on some birds this season. I guess I will be looking for deals on the classic double shells like a few others of you.

Does any one know where I can look on the gun to know how it is choked? I did not see it anywhere on the barrels.
 
Bob
It has to be on the barrels somewhere. Break it down and look carefully. Check the note by Joe O on the choke markings on most guns.
wis boz
 
Bob
You can always get the answer from the company if you can't find the markings on the barrels.
wis boz
 
made in japan correct? If so should be steel shot safe so you don't have to worry about expensive shells. I am not overly familar with the guns so I don't know for sure. but take the barrels off and look on the barrel flats or just ahead on the barrels you will either see (*) stars or should be spelled out. My dad has a 20ga and loves it, good solid guns.
 
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You are correct made in Japan, I do not know how old it is will have to do an online search I am sure to find out more. About all I know is that my uncle had it over 30 years ago when i tagged along as the retriever for my Grandpa, Dad and uncles at Horicon and Theresa Marshes during the early days of goose hunting!
 
Bob, your double was made by SKB, and imported by Ithaca, back in the '60's/early '70's. Generally, 26" bbls were IC/Mod, 28" bbls Mod/Full, 30" Full/Full from the pieces I've seen. Often stamped: "*=full", "***= mod", "****=IC". Being fixed chokes, steel shot would not be recommended (varied opinions on that). Many had the single SKB trigger with selector button on the trigger (not on the safety that's common to Browning & Beretta). The Ithaca import era guns are lighter than those imported in later years with the SKB name. SKB changed from a long time family owned business, to an employee owned company when Ithaca folded (being the bulk of their business)...a shock to the work culture in Japan at the time. Congrats, you've got a sound double still popular today.
Tom
 
Far as I know all skb/ithaca guns made in japan dating back to the 60's have chromoly steel barrels and chrome line bores, so perfectly steel shot safe. Although a full choke isn't going to give you the best pattern.
 
SKB's website tells what serial number prefix's are steel shot rated. and an example, the serial number on my O/U starts with an "NS" which they say is good to go for steel. There is a place on their site to email with questions and I have been very happy calling them for stuff.
 
Tom Johnson....
Does this guy know anything about doubles?


Just kidding Tom, good to see a post with your name on it.
 
I've got 3 of the Ithaca / SKB guns and they are solid. I have a 12 gauge and 20 gauge over and under, and a straight stock 20 gauge SXS. The SXS is cherry ... still has the frost like finish on the gun. My son shoots the 12 ga O/U almost every week at the clay range and loves it, so far no problems what so ever.
 
My gunsmith has a little spring loaded caliper that measures inside diameter and reaches about four inches into the barrels, as you pull it out you can read the constriction. Based on that difference between to larger diameter and the ID at the bore he deducts choke. I can't remember off the top of my head, but it is something like .010 for Imp Cyl, .020 for modified and .030 for full. My old Lefever was .020 and .035. Maybe you have a gunsmith near you with a similar tool.
 
I've got a Ithica/SKB Mdl 500 (12ga O/U)that I got in 1972. It is choked Imp/Mod and has had steel shot thruogh it since the first steel was available. I've never had a problem of any kind. It's a great gun!!
John
 
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