Another Levergun for "The Sons of JReed"

Old No7 · Post by **Old No7** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 8:34 pm

Gee, that sounds like a western I'd like to see!

I'll start off by saying I've been blessed in SO many ways, and I especially appreciate the selfless sacrifices made by the men and women who proudly serve our country and put themselves in harm's way -- all the while protecting us, and all of our freedoms. I guess this is one small way I can try to pay that back...

Back in January, our friend "Gunny" posted this info on how I sent a 22 Single-Shot Levergun out to his 2 boys, with an etched plate on it commemorating their father's service (click for old link). Jeremy was kind enough to respond with a posting about his 2 boys, Logan and Evan, enjoying it at their local range.

Well ever since then... I've been looking for another one for the boys... You see, I had 3 brothers growing up, and sure we would all "try to share" one rifle or item, but at the end of the day, 1 divided by 4 just didn't work out all that well... 1 divided by 2 doesn't work either... So after some searching around, I found this one, similar to the first one, but all splattered with tiny dots of white paint on the lower half. It had some some scratches on the paint on the receiver and a few handling marks up front; but overall, it was in great mechanical shape with a good bore and it just needed a little TLC:

Ithaca 22 Levergun (2).jpg

Just like I did on the first one, I carefully cleaned up the stock by lightly chipping off the white paint and then rubbing on some walnut-toned Danish Oil to darken and refinish it:

Ithaca 22 Levergun (1).jpg

And I used the same "Hammered Black" spraypaint for the receiver, as that adheres really well and covers any imperfections in the base metal:

Ithaca 22 Levergun (3).jpg

All in all, I think this one came out pretty well, and the boys will have to flip a coin to see who gets which one.

Best of all, just like on the first one, I added the same brass plate to the side of the stock for the boys to cherish for many decades to come. That won't make up for the long days or months that Gunny was away, but I hope it will always invoke pride in them for their father's contributions and help bring back many cherished memories of them shooting with their Dad:

Ithaca 22 Levergun (4).jpg

It feels really good to "give something back", to "pay it forward", or just commit a "random act of kindness" -- but I am sorta glad that Jeremy and Dee didn't have 4 boys to raise like my Dad did!

Tight groups to Gunny and the boys! Happy New Year!

Semper Fi.

Old No7

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 8:36 pm

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 8:59 pm

Thanks again Daryl. I still haven't told the boys yet. Think I will just leave it as a surprise until we pick it up. It's more fun that way

Merle · Post by **Merle** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 9:48 pm

That was a darn fine thing to do!

hayabusa · Post by **hayabusa** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 9:54 pm

That was a darn fine thing to do!

You bet it was!!!

busa

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 10:09 pm

Old no.7, I have one of those I bought for my first grandson. I have a question for you. This one has a problem ejecting cases. I bought a new ejector when I first got it as it was not catching the case when the ejector popped out. It now catches the rim but wont pop the case out. I'm thinking maybe the spring is weak. Any tips or tricks on these?

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 11:18 pm

Reckon you did a fine thing those boys won't forget.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 11:52 pm

That's . . . just . . . pretty COOL . . . !!!

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 4:24 am

.

Outstanding, Daryl - Good on you !

.

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 5:37 am

Well done!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 8:10 am

Future family heirlooms........

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 8:28 am

Fantastic

Old No7 · Post by **Old No7** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 10:37 am

sore shoulder wrote:Old no.7, I have one of those I bought for my first grandson. I have a question for you. This one has a problem ejecting cases. I bought a new ejector when I first got it as it was not catching the case when the ejector popped out. It now catches the rim but wont pop the case out. I'm thinking maybe the spring is weak. Any tips or tricks on these?

I've got a Stevens version of one of these single-shot levers all apart on my bench right now, waiting on some ejector parts and pins from Numrich. That will be for my grandkids someday... But sorry to say, I have not learned any tricks or tips about the inner workings "yet".

You might want to do a Google search on it, as maybe somebody wrote that one up in one of the "disassembly" books. I find that if you add "pdf" at the end of your search string (letters only, no "quotes") it can help bring up any printable/savable pdf files -- if they exist.

I'll keep this in mind in case I do learn anything about these...

But have you tried Gun Scrubber? Maybe the spring is OK but it's all gunked up...

Tight groups.

Old No7

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 1:25 pm

Super

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 2:18 pm

That's pretty special Old No 7!

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 4:02 pm

Old No7 wrote:
sore shoulder wrote:Old no.7, I have one of those I bought for my first grandson. I have a question for you. This one has a problem ejecting cases. I bought a new ejector when I first got it as it was not catching the case when the ejector popped out. It now catches the rim but wont pop the case out. I'm thinking maybe the spring is weak. Any tips or tricks on these?
I've got a Stevens version of one of these single-shot levers all apart on my bench right now, waiting on some ejector parts and pins from Numrich. That will be for my grandkids someday... But sorry to say, I have not learned any tricks or tips about the inner workings "yet".

You might want to do a Google search on it, as maybe somebody wrote that one up in one of the "disassembly" books. I find that if you add "pdf" at the end of your search string (letters only, no "quotes") it can help bring up any printable/savable pdf files -- if they exist.

I'll keep this in mind in case I do learn anything about these...

But have you tried Gun Scrubber? Maybe the spring is OK but it's all gunked up...

Tight groups.

Old No7

When I disassembled it to replace the ejector I got from Numrich I thoroughly disassembled and cleaned the entire receiver and parts. I've scrubbed the chamber as well. I think I will order a new spring if i can find one. and make this a winter project.

Thanks for the reply and may I also say you did an exquisite job on the receiver and I may copy that myself. Was it the rattle can hammerite paint like they sell at Home Depot?

Old No7 · Post by **Old No7** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 4:07 pm

sore shoulder wrote:Thanks for the reply and may I also say you did an exquisite job on the receiver and I may copy that myself. Was it the rattle can hammerite paint like they sell at Home Depot?

Thanks for the positive feedback. Yes, that's what I used. Previously I had used their "Sand Finish" paint on a project for my bride, and that came out really well -- from a spray can, no less. So I took a shot (pun intended) on the "Hammered Black" finish and it covered really well. For the Zamak receivers of those 22s that won't take real blueing, I think it worked out super.

Good luck with the reassembly and fixin' it! Tight groups.

Happy New Year to all!

Old No7

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 4:41 pm

Excellent!

I got a soft spot for helping kids out with shooting.
What you did was really great.

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 4:47 pm

That's a fantastic idea for the boys! Makes me proud that you did that for someone else's kids! My hat is off to you sir!
Those old Ithaca's were fun guns. I can remember shooting lots of tree rats with that same gun a buddy of mine has.

Sore shoulder, you could have a rough chamber, roll up some emery paper then spin it inside the chamber, might polish out easily. Other thing that comes to mind is it possibly has a dent from firing pin striking( if it has been dry fired a lot), or just from lots of use. You could also take the extractor/ejector spring out and stretch it some...that will show if it's weak.

Now, if I remember, that Ithaca was an extractor only... ?

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 4:53 pm

Gunny you may be right, its been a few years since I had it apart. You may be on to something with the firing pin dent, I bet that would show on a fired case. I need to go dig it out of the safe thanks for the advice.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 4:56 pm

Very cool!

jb

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 7:02 pm

Very kewl

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sat Dec 31, 2016 5:16 pm

Simply AWESOME!!!

1894c · Post by **1894c** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 3:00 pm

this is why I hang out on this forum...really good people... :)

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 11:45 am

Way to go 7 !

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Sat Jan 07, 2017 10:26 am

That is so awesome.

Another (of many) reasons why this group of people here are the best on any forum hands down.

geobru · Post by **geobru** » Sat Jan 07, 2017 10:41 am

AJMD429 wrote:That's . . . just . . . pretty COOL . . . !!!

+1 through watery eyes.

Gunny, thank you for your service from that place in my heart that loves this country.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 10:38 pm

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Well update on this.

Finally got the rifle out of CA gun jail today and brought it home before the boys got out of school. They were very excited to open the box and see what it was (I kept them in the dark this whole time). After they both had a chance to handle it it was time to decide which one got which rifle so we settled it in the time old fashion of rock paper scissors best 2 out of 3 as you can see Logan (the oldest) won, but since Daryl had already sent a twin to this one previously Evan (the one with the mop on his head) didn't really lose

Daryl the boys both send you a big thank you.

P.S. Yes Logan is wearing a Soviet shirt, No he is not a Communist. He wears this shirt every Friday as an on going joke with his Government teacher.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Sat Jan 28, 2017 10:20 am

GunnyMack wrote:
Sore shoulder, you could have a rough chamber, roll up some emery paper then spin it inside the chamber, might polish out easily.

They are "boy's rifles", and we all know that kids (and some adults) can occasionally (or often) mishandle a firearm.

FWIW, I've found that 98% of extraction/ejection issues with this design result from dry-firing displacing a bit of the chamber wall into the chamber, binding the fired/expanded cases from moving freely to the rear/out.

The cure is NOT to do away with the displaced material via reaming/polishing/etc.

The best practice cure would be to iron the displaced metal back into the chamber wall, using a "chamber ironing tool" ($22 @ Brownell's).

.

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Sat Jan 28, 2017 11:03 am

Pete44ru wrote:
GunnyMack wrote:
Sore shoulder, you could have a rough chamber, roll up some emery paper then spin it inside the chamber, might polish out easily.

They are "boy's rifles", and we all know that fids (and some adults) can occasionally (or often) mishandle a firearm.

FWIW, I've found that 98% of extraction/ejection issues with this design result from dry-firing displacing a bit of the chamber wall into the chamber, binding the fired/expanded cases from moving freely to the rear/out.

The cure is NOT to do away with the displaced material via reaming/polishing/etc.

The best practice cure would be to iron the displaced metal back into the chamber wall, using a "chamber ironing tool" ($22 @ Brownell's).

.

^^^ +1 ^^^ on the Brownells tool !

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Sat Jan 28, 2017 12:39 pm

What happened Jeremy!!!! In the last picture of your boys that I remember seeing, they were only as tall as the table in the background. They grow fast don't they?

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Sat Jan 28, 2017 7:18 pm

That they sure do. The oldest is headed to MCRD San Diego this July.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Jan 28, 2017 7:28 pm

WHAT!!!? He didn't join the Navy? Thought you'd have taught him better'n that!!!

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 12:29 pm

Griff wrote:WHAT!!!? He didn't join the Navy? Thought you'd have taught him better'n that!!!

His decision, originally he was set on Air Force but changed his mind after talking with a few of their recruiters.

Old No7 · Post by **Old No7** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 7:48 pm

Great pix Gunny -- thanks for sharing!

Wow -- the two boys (i.e. young men) are LOTS bigger than the last time I saw them...

Maybe I should have sent 45-70s and not 22s ! ? ! ? ! ?

Enjoy the times shooting with them!!! Tell the guys I said hello, and Dee too.

Tight groups.

Old No7

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 12:05 am

Old No7 wrote:Great pix Gunny -- thanks for sharing!

Wow -- the two boys (i.e. young men) are LOTS bigger than the last time I saw them...

Maybe I should have sent 45-70s and not 22s ! ? ! ? ! ?

Enjoy the times shooting with them!!! Tell the guys I said hello, and Dee too.

Tight groups.

Old No7

22's are fine

I have enough trouble keeping the one 45-70 we have fed.

rodeo kid · Post by **rodeo kid** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 10:40 pm

I can only say that you are a good man #7. And I know you are loved. God Bless.

Steelbanger · Post by **Steelbanger** » Tue Feb 07, 2017 4:34 am

Old No. 7,

If you ever have another project Ithaca 49 and it needs a butt plate, that I have one here and it's yours for the asking. It is from my sons first 22 which he shot until it was quite worn, changing to a Remington 581 LH. He has several left hand 22's now but the only one I ever see is the Remington.

All I need is your address.

Frank

Old No7 · Post by **Old No7** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 10:55 am

Steelbanger wrote:Old No. 7,
If you ever have another project Ithaca 49 and it needs a butt plate, that I have one here and it's yours for the asking...

Wow, Frank. I don't have a need for one right now -- but thanks for the generous offer.

Tight groups.

Old No7

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 5:36 pm

JReed wrote:[/URL]
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Well update on this.

Finally got the rifle out of CA gun jail today and brought it home before the boys got out of school. They were very excited to open the box and see what it was (I kept them in the dark this whole time). After they both had a chance to handle it it was time to decide which one got which rifle so we settled it in the time old fashion of rock paper scissors best 2 out of 3 as you can see Logan (the oldest) won, but since Daryl had already sent a twin to this one previously Evan (the one with the mop on his head) didn't really lose Daryl the boys both send you a big thank you.

P.S. Yes Logan is wearing a Soviet shirt, No he is not a Communist. He wears this shirt every Friday as an on going joke with his Government teacher.

WHAT the heck are you feeding them?!? Man, have they grown!!!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 5:37 pm

JReed wrote:[/URL]
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Well update on this.

Finally got the rifle out of CA gun jail today and brought it home before the boys got out of school. They were very excited to open the box and see what it was (I kept them in the dark this whole time). After they both had a chance to handle it it was time to decide which one got which rifle so we settled it in the time old fashion of rock paper scissors best 2 out of 3 as you can see Logan (the oldest) won, but since Daryl had already sent a twin to this one previously Evan (the one with the mop on his head) didn't really lose Daryl the boys both send you a big thank you.

P.S. Yes Logan is wearing a Soviet shirt, No he is not a Communist. He wears this shirt every Friday as an on going joke with his Government teacher.

WHAT the heck are you feeding them?!? Man, have they grown!!!

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 8:29 pm

That's what happens when they turn in to High Schoolers