Ithaca NID Loose Forend

[firemanstevec34]

Not a Fox but my 1926 Ithaca NID 20 gauge's forend has become a little loose. Is this common and can it be fixed easily? Thank you.

[Researcher]

The forearm latch of the NID was a work in progress. Many of the early guns just have the two opposing hooks of the Deeley latch (yellow). Others have a spring-loaded plunger (red) in the forearm iron that bears against the back of the forearm loop on the barrels.

Finally, when Ithaca revised the NID for 1935, they went to using the Baker J-Spring (green) for the extractor forearms and the Baker J-spring (green) in conjunction with a Parker Style tilting block (blue) actuated by the lever in the forearm for better latch.

[firemanstevec34]

Thank you for the information. Is there any way to to have a gunsmith tighten up the forend or is it just something that I have to get used to? I'm used to my Sterlingworth's being tight.
Thanks again. Steve

[Silvers]

You didn't give any details how your forend is loose - whether the fit of its latch or spring, or the fit of the back end of the forend iron against the frame knuckle - but either/both can be tightened by a competent gunsmith. A careful inspection and evaluation must be done and this work isn't for amateurs. Sorry, I can't provide the name(s) of qualified gunsmiths but maybe one or more of our members will do that. frank

[firemanstevec34]

It is the latch design and is tight from front to back, just a little loose from side to side.