Does Anyone Know How To Remove The Bolt On An Ithaca/SKB XL900?

Armed_Chicagoan · August 15, 2013, 11:30 PM

Thread title says it all. I've had this 12ga for nearly 30 years, bought it used for $100. It's still in fantastic shape, wood is nearly flawless, one very light scratch on the receiver game bird etchings, no rust whatsoever. I use it to shoot clays, after 200 rounds or so it starts to get dirty and will occasionally stovepipe. Removing the barrel is easy enough, but I have never been able to figure out how to remove the bolt on this thing! So I poke around behind it as best I can, but it would be a lot easier to clean if I could get the bolt out of the way. I'm sure there's nooks and crannies in there I have never been able to get to. The manual at the SKB site only shows how to remove the barrel, not the bolt. Internet searches have proved futile.

It's a gas operated, 2 3/4" only model. Not to be confused with the recoil operated 900 or the 3" version that has the screw adjustment to switch between 3" and 2 3/4" shells. Nor does it have the magazine cut-off system.

I can provide close-up pics if needed, but possibly not until Saturday as I have work tomorrow (not sure how long this job will take) and and plans for tomorrow night. In the mean time here's a pic of the shotgun, hopefully someone here has this exact model and can tell me the secret of bolt removal!

BigD_in_FL · August 16, 2013, 07:31 AM

Here's the owner's manual:

http://www.skbshotguns.com/parts-and...uto-manual.php

HTH

Armed_Chicagoan · August 16, 2013, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigD_in_FL

Here's the owner's manual:

http://www.skbshotguns.com/parts-and...uto-manual.php

HTH

Thanks for the reply, but as I said the manual only tells how to remove the barrel. I'm trying to remove the bolt.

I think the bolt will just slide out with the action bar if I could get the handle off, but I can't figure out how to get it off.

PetahW · August 16, 2013, 08:52 AM

.

A pal bought a Deerslayer version (new), many years ago - so I can only partially remember how it was done.

IIRC, he first drifted out the two trigger group retainer pins (ala Rem 1100) & dropped out the trigger group after removing the forend & bbl.

He then did something with the bolt to remove the handle and then slide it out of the front of the receiver via pulling the operating rod/slide, etc.

Sorry I couldn't be more specific, but it wasn't my gun.

.

Armed_Chicagoan · August 16, 2013, 11:48 AM

Thanks Petah, I saw a post on Shotgun World (my antivirus goes nuts on that site!) about how some versions of this you had to remove the trigger group, and then you can access a hole in the bottom of the bolt. Inserting a punch into this hole releases the bolt handle, does that sound right?

I'm guessing those 2 pins above the trigger are what needs to be drifted out to remove the trigger group? I'll try that tomorrow.

BigD_in_FL · August 16, 2013, 12:16 PM

After all those years, you might also need a new spring. Since you are planning to to a major take-down, you might want to get a new one and install it at the same time.

PetahW · August 16, 2013, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armed Chicagoan

Inserting a punch into this hole releases the bolt handle, does that sound right?

I'm guessing those 2 pins above the trigger are what needs to be drifted out to remove the trigger group?

Yes & Yes.

BTW - Take care not to scratch through that painted-on stock grain/finish.
I can guarantee you won't like what the wood undeneath looks like. (peanut butter)

.

drcook · August 16, 2013, 03:00 PM

see if this helps you out, it is for a 20ga, but it should be the same

http://stevespages.com/pdf/ithaca_300xl.pdf

dc

Armed_Chicagoan · August 17, 2013, 01:15 AM

drcook, that is the holy grail I've been looking for!

I don't know how you found that, but thank you!

Saved to my hard drive.

drcook · August 17, 2013, 07:29 AM

hard drives die, if it was me, I would turn it into a paper copy or put it on some other kind of backup media

Armed_Chicagoan · August 17, 2013, 09:36 PM

As I suspected there was lots of crud in there, all nice and clean now. Action is now as smooth as new, this should cure the stovepipe issue. I think I can shoot this all day now with no issues.

Thanks to all who replied!

Oh and drcook, I learned my lesson about hard drive failure long ago. I build all my computers now (I've never bought an assembled computer) with a redundant RAID array, as well as a 3rd hard drive I back up all my documents in. So long as the house doesn't burn down I'll be OK, and if that happens I'll have far worse issues!

drcook · August 18, 2013, 06:50 PM

me also, I probably have 10 machines running here all networked together. i copy my documents, email repositories, favorites, anything I can't stand to be without onto multiple machines

I have a couple SCSI boxes still. even those have issues. I had a couple 15K rpm drives go south on me.

it is about time I do another migration. this helps remind me (talking about it)

glad I could help out with the document

August 15, 2013, 11:30 PM	#1
Armed_Chicagoan Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2013 Location: Albany Park, Chicago Posts: 776	Does Anyone Know How To Remove The Bolt On An Ithaca/SKB XL900? Thread title says it all. I've had this 12ga for nearly 30 years, bought it used for $100. It's still in fantastic shape, wood is nearly flawless, one very light scratch on the receiver game bird etchings, no rust whatsoever. I use it to shoot clays, after 200 rounds or so it starts to get dirty and will occasionally stovepipe. Removing the barrel is easy enough, but I have never been able to figure out how to remove the bolt on this thing! So I poke around behind it as best I can, but it would be a lot easier to clean if I could get the bolt out of the way. I'm sure there's nooks and crannies in there I have never been able to get to. The manual at the SKB site only shows how to remove the barrel, not the bolt. Internet searches have proved futile. It's a gas operated, 2 3/4" only model. Not to be confused with the recoil operated 900 or the 3" version that has the screw adjustment to switch between 3" and 2 3/4" shells. Nor does it have the magazine cut-off system. I can provide close-up pics if needed, but possibly not until Saturday as I have work tomorrow (not sure how long this job will take) and and plans for tomorrow night. In the mean time here's a pic of the shotgun, hopefully someone here has this exact model and can tell me the secret of bolt removal!

August 17, 2013, 07:29 AM	#10
drcook Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2009 Posts: 285	hard drives die, if it was me, I would turn it into a paper copy or put it on some other kind of backup media __________________ dr = david r. not Doctor, but thanks for the compliment, most folks just call me dave

August 18, 2013, 06:50 PM	#12
drcook Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2009 Posts: 285	me also, I probably have 10 machines running here all networked together. i copy my documents, email repositories, favorites, anything I can't stand to be without onto multiple machines I have a couple SCSI boxes still. even those have issues. I had a couple 15K rpm drives go south on me. it is about time I do another migration. this helps remind me (talking about it) glad I could help out with the document __________________ dr = david r. not Doctor, but thanks for the compliment, most folks just call me dave

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August 16, 2013, 07:31 AM	#2
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	Here's the owner's manual: http://www.skbshotguns.com/parts-and...uto-manual.php HTH

August 16, 2013, 08:52 AM	#4
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. A pal bought a Deerslayer version (new), many years ago - so I can only partially remember how it was done. IIRC, he first drifted out the two trigger group retainer pins (ala Rem 1100) & dropped out the trigger group after removing the forend & bbl. He then did something with the bolt to remove the handle and then slide it out of the front of the receiver via pulling the operating rod/slide, etc. Sorry I couldn't be more specific, but it wasn't my gun. .

August 16, 2013, 11:48 AM	#5
Armed_Chicagoan Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2013 Location: Albany Park, Chicago Posts: 776	Thanks Petah, I saw a post on Shotgun World (my antivirus goes nuts on that site!) about how some versions of this you had to remove the trigger group, and then you can access a hole in the bottom of the bolt. Inserting a punch into this hole releases the bolt handle, does that sound right? I'm guessing those 2 pins above the trigger are what needs to be drifted out to remove the trigger group? I'll try that tomorrow.

August 16, 2013, 12:16 PM	#6
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	After all those years, you might also need a new spring. Since you are planning to to a major take-down, you might want to get a new one and install it at the same time.

August 16, 2013, 03:00 PM	#8
drcook Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2009 Posts: 285	see if this helps you out, it is for a 20ga, but it should be the same http://stevespages.com/pdf/ithaca_300xl.pdf dc

August 17, 2013, 01:15 AM	#9
Armed_Chicagoan Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2013 Location: Albany Park, Chicago Posts: 776	drcook, that is the holy grail I've been looking for! I don't know how you found that, but thank you! Saved to my hard drive.

August 17, 2013, 09:36 PM	#11
Armed_Chicagoan Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2013 Location: Albany Park, Chicago Posts: 776	As I suspected there was lots of crud in there, all nice and clean now. Action is now as smooth as new, this should cure the stovepipe issue. I think I can shoot this all day now with no issues. Thanks to all who replied! Oh and drcook, I learned my lesson about hard drive failure long ago. I build all my computers now (I've never bought an assembled computer) with a redundant RAID array, as well as a 3rd hard drive I back up all my documents in. So long as the house doesn't burn down I'll be OK, and if that happens I'll have far worse issues!