Ithica Century Trap?

[the rifleman]

I have the chance to purchase a very clean Ithica Century Trap. It is a 12ga. single barrel, full choke break action firearm. The overall condition is very nice, and it is still very tight. Price $550.00

  This is my dilema. Should I wait and try and find a good deal on a combo, or perhaps a o/u, that I could use for doubles, and sporting clays. By a good deal I mean $400.00 to 650.00, (I can't afford much more right now) Or should I get the Ithica, for singles now while it's available, and keep my eye open for a good double's, S.C. gun. I think I could get what I paid for the Ithica back if I had to sell it.

  Is this Ithica a decent firearm? It is made in Japan, for Ithica, I think by SKB, whoever they are. I have an old, but pristine Ithica 37 featherlight, that I have had since 1971, which has always proved reliable, but this was made in the U.S.  Were the Japanese barrels a decent quality?

 Any experience with this model, good or bad??

  Thanks :grin:

[stv]

It is very hard to give advice on a used trap gun.  The issues to look at are wear points.  On a break open action,  Where is the operating lever,  is it left of center?  The firing pin hole, is it egg shaped?  How does the action feel,  try twisting the barrel,  does it wobble on the hinge pins?  If all these features are OK,  How does it shoot? Will the person let you shoot it?  I am a sucker for trap guns but a local store has a Win 101 over and under.  The stock fit is just great and the price seems right but the action literaly falls open when touch the lever.   That gun has been shot to death and that is the problem with a lot of competition guns.  If the previous owner really liked it and really got into competition He probably used it up.  Kinda like buying a used taxi.

[the rifleman]

Your advise is all very good. I will look at it a bit closer, although it appears like new. I was more wondering about the model of gun in particular, and if it was a decent quality firearm. I have never owned a firearm made in Japan before. I know they make great optics, but was leary of a firearm.