[joehaha]

Greetings,

I'm looking at a old Ithaca M37 Featherweight with I believe a 18.5" barrel. The store is calling it a "police" model. Its serial number is 1010023 and it says made in USA Ithaca NY. Is this a good buy for a home defence shotgun?
How about the price of $399? Or would I be better off just buying a new 870P? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Fred Fuller]

That price sounds a little steep to me for a used Ithaca- you could indeed cover most if not all the price of a brand new 870P for that much money. About half that much and I might be talking to the dealer, but nigh $400 is too much IMHO, especially if you want it for a 'working gun.'

And if it were me and my $$$ I'd go for the new 870P. Ithacas just aren't that rare, they ARE good guns- even GREAT guns- but the company has been in and out of business several times and is still on uncertain ground. I hope they pull through but it'll be tough going. Support from the parent company is a good thing to have with a working gun, and while there are a good many parts etc. around for Model 37s, the company doesn't warranty old-production guns.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=65138171

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=65139097

...and more where those came from.

Your call, good luck with it!

lpl/nc

[brentwal]

Post your question in this thread and yell for Blacktalon, or just wait for him to see this thread, he's THRs Ithaca guru. (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=228896)

[enfield]

I paid $250 at Gander Mountain for my nickel-plated, 20" Model 37 Police Special.

[Mal H]

I've gotta agree with the above. $399 is too much to pay. I paid $220 for mine and it came with 2 barrels.

[joehaha]

Thanks for the help. I guess that a 870P would be the way to go. A gun that I believe is almost 40 years old should be retired or live a happy life in a safe. Especially since I have zero history on it other than the finish is very good. Again thanks in advance for the help. I would of posted this in the other thread, but I didn't see it until after I posted this.