[Niekamp]

I just picked up an older Ithaca model 37 featherlight 12 gauge...made around 1960. I know Ithacas are generally well built but....

I am wondering about the durability of this gun, being that it is a little older and a lightweight model. How will it stand up to heavy game loads and buckshot? Will steel shot harm the barrel?

Any comments/experiences are appreciated. Thanks.

[Mike Irwin]

It will probably stand up better than you to heavy loads and buckshot!

My Father has a Mode 37 that I used to use with moderate loads for dove hunting.

2 boxes of shells and it literally felt as if I had been on the wrong end of a bar fight.

[Badger Arms]

Being a 2 3/4" barreled gun, you can shoot any shell of that length in the gun. It is more than durable enough for buckshot and heavy game loads. I wouldn't feed it a steady diet of Steel Shot, but a box or two a year isn't going to harm it a bit. If you intend to feed it a steady diet of heavy loads, you might want to consider some sort of recoil attenuation devices. At a minimum, a good recoil pad. You might also invest in a mercury recoil reducer for the stock and maybe one that fits in the magazine tube as well. Being as light as the 37 is, it will punish you for sins you never committed.

[Coronach]

Yeah. The 'light' bit is great until you drop the hammer. ;)

My wife uses a 16g m37 that is nice and light and handy. And it does kick a little.

Mike

[Dave McCracken]

That 37, if taken care of, will last longer than any of us. They do kick, the penalty for being a bit lighter than the Rule of 96 allows.

Good pad, good form and sensible loads are ways to beat the kick. For using heavies, add some weight. Try the RR buck first.

[Niekamp]

Thanks guys, appreciate it

Your all right about the recoil....being as light as it is.

I tried out some 00 buck yesterday, and yeah I won't be shooting that alot.

I don't intend to use steel shot, or lots of buckshot or anything, I mainly wanted to know if it would stand up to being my go to gun, and it sounds like she'll do just fine.