michaelkih Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 I ended up finding an Ithaca M3A1 for the right price in just a couple days, and went ahead and bought. I was holding out for a Guide Lamp, but this gun was the right price, and I like that it has a worn finish, but has NOT been refinished. Anyways, two questions 1. What is the best factory ammo to run in this gun? I want to run what others do with good luck, and it's always a good time to stock up. I do not reload, and just want to buy what is recommended. I was told by the seller that hot ammo with hard primers is good. Typical of older open bolt subguns I've noticed. 2. What springs should I put in the gun? I keep hearing people talk about springs with these guns, so I want to be sure to put in a nice new spring, and also grab some spares. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted March 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 and what are good parts to stock up on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got Uzi Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 Any 45acp ammunition should work. I have shot the full gambit in my Guide Lamp M3. Recoil springs can sometimes be hard to find but there was someone at Knob Creek last year who came into a pile of them. I'll be down there in April, I can keep an eye out. Spare bolt assembly (bolt, guide rods, front plate, clip, and recoil springs) sear, barrel, magazines, and really that's about it as far as general parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifthmdec Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 Here is a list of parts that are subject to greater wear or breakage... Frank Iannamicos Grease Gun book... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted March 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 The seller told me no soft primers. I know my Uzi had a problem with that too. I now just run IMI NATO and Winchester NATO in it. Zero malfunctions in 5000ish rounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Iannamico Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 I have had my M3A1 since 1993, I don't shoot it all that much, but I broke 1 extractor. Of course, that was after I shot the SVD Thompson...everything I shot broke after that, even my dishwasher : - ) As far as ammo it will eat just about anything, be aware that WWII surplus is corrosive. Make sure when removing the barrel you hold the locking spring down, or it will wear out pretty fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkhunter Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 My Ithaca just came in as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted March 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 Thank you everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted March 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 Here's pictures of the gun. It is a pre may which is exactly what i wanted. The seller sold it and a pre May MP40 on gun broker, but unfortunately the buyer backed out. The seller and I talked, and he dropped the price to a very fair amount for both guns as a package, so I took it. Very happy. Both guns have used looking finishes, but I hate hate hate refinished guns, and have always thought a worn finish in a gun that runs really well is super cool. Also, then I can just lay it around and enjoy using it. Anyways, here she is! Thanks for the advice and always looking for more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taeelec Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 (edited) Very nice! I'm with you. I'll take a well worn original finish gun over a mint looking refinished gun any day. The worn original finish is part of the gun's history/ story. Todd in Oregon Edited March 19, 2018 by taeelec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifthmdec Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 Michael... Fantastic!!! Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJX Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 Looks great, congrats. Mine works fine with any ammo I have tried, but I have had several well-dented Magtech rounds fail to fire. Each bad round was given a second chance in a different gun and still failed to fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Henley Posted March 26, 2018 Report Share Posted March 26, 2018 Here's pictures of the gun. It is a pre may which is exactly what i wanted. The seller sold it and a pre May MP40 on gun broker, but unfortunately the buyer backed out. The seller and I talked, and he dropped the price to a very fair amount for both guns as a package, so I took it. Very happy. Both guns have used looking finishes, but I hate hate hate refinished guns, and have always thought a worn finish in a gun that runs really well is super cool. Also, then I can just lay it around and enjoy using it. Anyways, here she is! Thanks for the advice and always looking for more! Looks good. One of your videos shooting them would be nice to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smkummer Posted April 16, 2018 Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 My M3 eats any ammo. The grease gun doesn't have a feed ramp so it even fires SWC but I still run 230 grain lead mostly for cost reasons and I can't imagine wearing out a barrel shooting lead. I have never broken a thing on a grease gun. There is a special tool for the grease to remove the extractor for cleaning. I do this once a year as it can get fouled up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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