[Steve Smith]

Fond one that was a police model, looks like its in very good shape, long mag short barrel, funky lightweight plastic stock with wooden pump. On consignment for $300.

I have no idea what the worth is...but I like the gun. Comments?

[M. Jager]

Steve,
One the gun you describe with the mismatched furniture I would personally like to see it a touch cheaper. That said, police models are rather rare around these parts and the price isn't way outa range so if you like it...........
The 87 is just a 37 with a different name, all parts (if you ever need them) will interchange. I took a chance on an 87 at a gun show a couple years ago for 185. Showed light surface rust and some pretty buggered up screwed. But it showed very little actually use wear so I thought what the heck, what can you possibly screw up beyond repair on an Ithaca. Ended up putting in a new shell carrier ($12 from brownells, but I have a conection so I can get parts at cost or very close) a new extractor ($5 from a parts guy at a gun show) as the one in the gun was chipped although still functional, and a new extractor spring ($3??? from Brownells) as the one in the gun was cut way too short.
For around $200 and a bit of tinkering I had an almost new gun in terms of how many shells had been through it.
On a side note, there was an ad in the for sale section for a newer model 37 with slug barrel (non rifled, i.e. good for home defence) and 30 inch vent rib barrel. Price was 325 with both barrels, 225 with one IRC. I still have his email if you are interested. Also, if you are interested and don't want the 30 in barrel I have a 26 vent rib blued barrel I would trade you for it.
HTH....
Matt

[Steve Smith]

I'm really wanting a home defense gun so the barrel/mag setup on this one is exactly right...not wanting a 30" at all. Too bad this is a consignment gun..it would go for less outside the store.

Am I a lunatic for even considering it at $300?

Oh, here's a good Q...since its a police trade in...it might not have the disconnector. How can I tell dry? I know how most "modern" pumps work, but on this one will it just not drop the hammer until I let go of the trigger and squeeze again or something else?

[M. Jager]

Steve,
No you are not a lunatic, if I was in the market for one I would seriously concider it. Like I said earlier, around here there are not all that many of them and they tend to go higher than plain jain models. Personally the extra threee rounds don't warrent the $$$ and inability to use my other barrels on it for my uses.
As for the disconnector. The 87 is a newer model so I am pretty sure it will have a disconnector. To ckeck, pull the trigger and hold it back. Pump the slide, if it fires when you close the bolt and if it fires then it has no disconnector. ASK BEFORE YOU DO THIS ON ANY GUN THAT YOU DO NOT OWN. Some will say go ahead -no prob, some will want you to use snap caps, some will not want you to do it at, it depends on the store/person.

[Steve Smith]

Of course.


Awaiting comments from others?

[Dave McCracken]

Price is a tad high. Some 87s are a little rougher finished than most 37s, but performance is the same.

All 87s have the disconnector,TTBOMK. And that's a good thing...

[Steve Smith]

Hmm...ok...I'm getting the drift here.

So, think I could ask the shop owner to call the guy consigning it and ask if he'll go lower? I think maybe $275 for this would be fair.

[Badger Arms]

Actually, even $300 sounds right for one with the long magazine. It's likely to have the slam-fire parts in it also, but that's not that important to the value of the gun. Depending on the buttstock style, you might just want to get a synthetic fore-grip so it will match. I'm an Ithaca collector. I can steer you in the right direction for your furniture needs.