How do you release live (un-shot) shells from a pump action shotgun?

Question

The gun is an ithaca 12 gauge bottom loader with a 2 3/4 inch barrel

Answer 1

Most bottom-loaders have a stop catch that keeps the rounds from popping out.  If you look in there and use your middle finger you can push the stop catch toward the outside (squeeze it) and that should release one round.  Do this until the magazine is empty.  Don't forget to open the chamber afterward to ensure that it's empty as well.

Answer 2

Most pump-action shotguns have a stop/release button but if it is old then you will have to pump the shotgun so the unspent loads get ejected. ONLY DO THIS AT A SAFE RANGE

Answer 3

Looks like somebody didn't read the manual. I suggest you do that first.  

Answer 4

Here are a couple tutorials taken from manuals for the 2 different releases found on a pump action shotgun, they included pictures for easier understanding:

If your shotguns release is located inside the receiver cavity:

Page 16:

http://media.browning.com/pdf/om/bps_004...

If your release is located outside of the receiver cavity:

Page 11; figure 10, "Action unlock button":

http://www.eaacorp.com/Manuals/mp133.pdf

Page 14 towards the bottom "To Unload":

http://www.eaacorp.com/Manuals/mp133.pdf

Answer 5

Hold the gun up in the air -

Do NOT PULL THE TRIGGER

and simply PUMP the the action as if you were preparing to shoot but

DO NOT PULL THE TRIGGER

One hand on the Stock and One hand on the Action and pump the shells will eject themselves un harmed

Answer 6

I have an Old timer in this area. An Ithaca 37 made in the early years and love it, there is a button forward of the trigger guard on the right side that when held allows the actino to move, with proficeny and pracitce the gun may even feel like it moves itself, also since want to keep the live shell, slowly open the action and just before it opens all the way catch it with your free hand and work the shell out slowy. You should be able to move the extractors in the receiver by hand and the shell will fall gracefully into your hand.

Answer 7

there should be a little pin type thing on the bottom left of the gun( at the front part of  the trigger guard), just push this pin in and pump the gun untill all the shells are out

Answer 8

Most pumps have a small button near the trigger you can press which lets you cycle without pulling the trigger.

Answer 9

1 - Make sure the safety is set, on the 37 it to the rear of the trigger, if you push it from right to left you should not see a red ring around it, if so then its a right hand safety

2 - Place the but stock in the crook of your hip

3 - place your right index finger on the front of the trigger guard

4 - you will feel a small bump on the right front of the guard, this is the slide release

5 - draw back on the slide release

6 - slowly slide the forestock/foreend (front hand guard) back to your hip.

7 - the shell will extract from the chamber and be dropped to the ground.

8 - slide the slide forward, this will load the next shell

9 - repeat steps until all shells are out of the shotgun

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http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...

Has a picture, look at the middle shotgun.

The safety on this one is in the off position

The slide release is to the right of the trigger guard

Answer 10

There is a small button or lever either at the front of back of the trigger guard usually on the left side

Push that to free the slide ans rack the rounds out

If you turn the gun upside down you can pour the shells out of the ejection port and catch them in your left hand one by one without chambering them

Answer 11

Firstly, keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.

Then, there's a button on the front side of the trigger guard.  NOT the trigger, and not the safety.  It's small, and is probably the same color as the gun (black?).  Press it with your index finger, and pump the action.  They should eject.  

Answer 12

around the trigger guard, in addition to the safety, there is a 'manual override' that when depressed allows you to pump the pump, find it, depress it, and pump the pump until all the shells come out, then pump it all the way back and visually inspect the chamber and magazine to make sure it is really empty

Answer 13

There's a release switch that allows you to operate the pump after it has locked into battery.  I'm not familiar with Ithaca, but on all other pumps I've shot, it has been right around either the trigger group or the loading gate.

Answer 14

Dont know whos givin the thumbs down Alex but everyone who told you to look for the button by the trigger guard, hold it and pump the action are absolutely correct. Every pump I have ever had is designed this way.

Did you mean 2 3/4 inch chamber?