[AcceptableUserName]

I want one of these classic guns before the well dries up even more on them. I'm looking for an Ithaca Police, 18-20" barrel, mag capacity unimportant.

What's a fair price to pay for one of these, and how should I make sure it's on the up and up and is a good buy? I can't exactly look into the receiver?


I am not looking to restore the gun. A certain amount of vintage is just fine with me, I just want to make sure it'll hold up as my house gun. NO shell holder, No fancy stocks, just exactly as it would have been inside of a police cruiser is how I think the gun is meant to be and perfect as my house gun.

[Milkmaster]

Depending on condition of course...my guess is $250-$350. Nothing wrong with asking about disassembly before you buy. If that is not practical, at least you can take off the barrel easily and take a good flashlight and look at most of the bolt assembly from the end. Run the bolt back and forth while looking at the receiver grooves and magazine stops. You can tell a great deal that way about the wear and tear. Model 37's are pretty rugged unless they have been abused more than normal. Most I have seen are nasty inside because of the extra disassembly effort it takes to clean them. Few I have seen are actually worn out once you get them cleaned up and inspected.

Take your time and Good Luck!

[AcceptableUserName]

thanks. I was watching L.A. Confidential and I guess the Ithaca 37 bug bit me!!! :D

[W.E.G.]

Get a haircut!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd7/rkba2da/shotguns/easyridershotgun4.jpg

[DRYHUMOR]

If you can, try to shoot it before you buy it. The last one I had about 20 years ago, had a tendancy to drop rounds as they came out the magazine tube, instead of cycling them up into the action/barrel. It was well used when I got it, and the issue started several hundred rounds into my ownership.

[Starter52]

I have four Model 37s. They are the smoothest pump guns I've ever owned. A 12 gauge is ideal, but I shoot my 20 gauge most often because of the M37's light weight. The 12 ga. can be a bit much with heavy loads.

Halfway between would be perfect. I'm looking for a classic 16 gauge to round out my collection. I foolishly passed one up at a gunshow last spring. Dumb.

The Ithaca designed for deer hunting is ideal for an inhouse gun. I prefer a 20" barrel on a house or truck gun. $250 is a good price for a Model 37 in decent condition. Spare barrels can be pricey and hard to find

I've found that this time of year is good for buying used pump shotguns.

[wnycollector]

Here is a sweet Ithaca DS police:) http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=152643485 This is another "interesting" DS police http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=152473551

[Cougfan2]

Good choice. I have a 12 and a 20 M37. I have lost count of the thousands of rounds I have put thru both of them and they just seem to get better with age. You should be able to find what you're looking for at a gun show and the $250-$350 range is about right. I wouldn't pay more than that for a used one unless it was in pristine condition.

[huntsman]

So, I've decided I'm going to get an Ithaca 37...

Why not just get their new SD model? Me I'm still looking for a cheap Deerslayer.

[zhyla]

I just want to make sure it'll hold up as my house gun

Ok, I've just gotta ask. How many dang shotguns do you have? I know you're not in need of a "house gun".

AUN, it's time to just own up to it. You've got no rational reason to buy shotgun X or do X to it... you're just a crack addict looking for the next fix :).

[AcceptableUserName]

Hahaha I agree. I REALLY need a pistol and an ak or few, or even a semi auto, but I guess I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get a 37 all that much longer. I mean they'll be there, buuuut...


As far as why I don't go with their new defense model, mostly because they don't seem as sturdy to me. I'm sure they're fine guns, but as a rule anything old is always better. Plus the old ones had the barrel lug, these new ones don't for some reason. I don't know if the Ithaca will be my very next firearm purchase, but if I come across one for the right price in good shape locally it's that much more likely. When I was in the market for the 500 I turned into my pgo, I considered an Ithaca that the pawn shop had. It was in superb condition (90-95 pct wood and blue) for 279 out the door. Problem was it had the long field barrel and I had a defensive gun in mind. I was afraid it would've been too costly/difficult to convert..

[AndyJ]

AUN,

You will never get a 37 because you can't modify it like a set of legos.

The guns with a serial number lower than 855,000 cannot interchange barrels unless you get a gunsmith involved that knows what he is doing -$200 at least. I checked.

The guns newer than that can interchange barrels - maybe.

A used 37 barrel is beaucoup bucks.

There is no extension available because of the barrel lug. If you want a mag extension, you have to get a new mag tube -- plus a different barrel. See above.

No sidesaddle available.

There are maybe 2 synthetic stock options and 2 manufacturers making replacement stocks. 90% of the vintage Model 37s will have a cracked forearm. Replacement stocks can run more than the original cost of the gun.

No aftermarket barrel shrouds or breacher chokes or anything remotely tacticool.

An actual vintage Police model will run into the several hundred dollars range.

So you can't do diddly with them -- maybe.

My 1951 Model 37 Featherlight
Synthetic furniture
18" barrel
XS Big Dot Tritium Front Sight

http://www.myoldrv.com/images/guns/37-19.JPG

[AcceptableUserName]

theyr're really that esxpensive? I assumed they were 250-300 range...



as far as no upgrades, that's fine and even wanted in this case...


your gun is awesome. not exactly what I'd go for with my Ithaca, but I thought about doing something similar with a Mossberg hahaha

[AndyJ]

I paid $98 for the one in the picture. It was so dirty it would not cycle. The stock was held on with electrical tape and it had no fore-end. The barrel was 28" with a Cutts on it.

One ugly mofo, let me tell ya.

[AcceptableUserName]

how would you say the disassembly is? sounds like I'll need to do one in any event.

[AndyJ]

how would you say the disassembly is? sounds like I'll need to do one in any event.

Taking one down is an event. Do a search. You are a big boy.

[AcceptableUserName]

in any event it would really only need to be done once, hopefully.

[Milkmaster]

I bought a new stock for my 37 (circa 1963)straight from Ithaca no problem. Replacement parts can also be bought from them. All it took was a phone call on my end. Here's mine with a total cost of $400 including the stock. Just got to look and find what you want.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=111968&d=1262137445

[xm21]

"modify it like a set of legos" Now that is funny AndyJ!

[chas08]

I bought an Ithaca 37 20ga. Ultrafeatherlight two seasons ago for $350 at a local gunshop. It's in 95%-98% condition. It has a 26 inch fixed modified barrel and tips the scales at about 6lbs IIRC. It handles like a dream and is well on it's way to becoming my favorite Dove gun. :)

how would you say the disassembly is? sounds like I'll need to do one in any event.

Barrel removal is easy, disassembly of the action is another story. You begin by removing the stock. Buy or download a manual.

[reckless carolinian]

For what its worth, I searched high and low for one before I got mine from my dad. At a gun show, I found one vendor trying to pass off copies as actual 37s. I guess they were the Norincos, but with Ithaca marked stocks. The "model 37s" this person was peddling had none of the proper markings. I know that you are smarter than I was at the time, just be aware that some folks are trying to profit off the regional unavailability of this fine shotgun. Best of luck on finding a beauty.

[Federalist1]

As a point of reference, a new in-the-box Ithaca 37 12 ga w/synthetic stock 20" bbl and7 round tube (7+1) was $429 at Dulles VA gun show in November. Used Ithacas of any sort at the last several shows I've attended were very very few and far between. [I was looking !] You can pay less for an 870 express or a Mossberg but hey, I'm an Ithaca fan. I like putting spent shells on the ground, not in someone's face.

[reckless carolinian]

A.U.N., gunbroker has a bunch of 37s, decent selection, and a ton of 20ga 37s as well. even a few 16s. Worth a look.

[AcceptableUserName]

thanks ill take a look.

[Speedo66]

I bought a new stock for my 37 (circa 1963)straight from Ithaca no problem. Replacement parts can also be bought from them. All it took was a phone call on my end. Here's mine with a total cost of $400 including the stock. Just got to look and find what you want.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=111968&d=1262137445

Now that is one beautiful shotgun! Nice job.

[Milkmaster]

You wouldn't want to be partial would you there Speedo? Seems like this shotgun has seen you before! You like the change I made? Just had to get the stock long enough again for my long arms. I took it out for the first time last weekend. Shoots like a dream no problem. Got to wait for the weather to warm a little before I put a tround of trap through it. Below freezing is not my best trap temp!

[Speedo66]

You wouldn't want to be partial would you there Speedo? Seems like this shotgun has seen you before! You like the change I made? Just had to get the stock long enough again for my long arms. I took it out for the first time last weekend. Shoots like a dream no problem. Got to wait for the weather to warm a little before I put a tround of trap through it. Below freezing is not my best trap temp!

Partial, moi? :rolleyes:

Yes, I've seen it, as like when I owned it, but it never looked that good before!