[Blackbeard]

I recently bought my first shotgun, a used Ithaca 37 Featherlight. From the serial numbers it appears to have been manufactured in '75. I'm such a novice with shotguns so forgive my ignorance, but I want to make sure my assumptions are correct about this gun.

First, I assume it's a fixed choke barrel, since there doesn't appear to be a choke tube in it. On the barrel near the breach are the letters "I. CYL" I presume this means it is a fixed-choke improved cylinder barrel. I further assume that I can fire slugs or shot out of this barrel without damaging it.

Am I right in assuming all of that?

[proud2deviate]

Yep, that sounds right to me. I'd steer clear of 3" shells until somebody told me different, though.

But yes, either slugs or shot through a fixed Imp Cyl choke should be fine.

[Blackbeard]

Yes, it says 2 3/4" shells only on the barrel. That much I'm sure about.

[wrs840]

Just enjoy your shotgun, and yes, you can shoot any 2-3/4 shot or slugs out of it. Improved cylinder is a very moderate choke anyway. The only reason for 3" 12 ga shotshells is to get a little more distance in some hunting situations. In my experience, you pay for that in a noticeably uncomfortable recoil. There's no need to put up with them in the vast majority of shotgun-suitable scenarios.

Les

[Larry Ashcraft]

Choke tubes weren't known much outside of competition circles until the early 1980s, when Browning introduced the Invectors.

My 1983 Citori was among the first of the "interchangeable choke" shotguns available from the factory.

Shortly thereafter almost everybody followed suit (Remchoke, Winchoke, etc.)

[oneounceload]

IC is usually .010 constriction or "choke". That is nice for most upland birds out to about 35 yards or so. Unless you're shooting late season wild pheasant that are flushing out at 50 yards, it should serve you well.

[rcmodel]

My 1983 Citori was among the first of the "interchangeable choke" shotguns available from the factory.Hmmmmm?
How about the Model 1200 & 1400 Winchesters with Winchoke tubes starting in 1967?

Or the Model 59 Winchester Versilite in 1961, which was the first to use choke tubes?

rc

[Fred Fuller]

Well...

Those were "shooting machines" and not "shotguns." :D

I'd forgotten about the Win 59s, a quail hunting buddy of mine used to use one. I could never hit a thing with it, I kept 'throwing it away' over-swinging it because it was so light. There was one on my dealer's used rack the other day. First one I've seen in years.

lpl