[Youngster]

I was considering buying a Benelli M2 or M4 semiauto yesterday but left empty handed after I looked them over carefully and decided they just weren't for for me.

I found the M4 a bit too heavy for my tastes and the PG stocks on both guns didn't quite work for me, as neither did the ghost ring sights. The real deal killer however was the high loading effort both guns required, I had thumb troubles with the lifter and I found the magazine spring pressure immense even considering it being a new gun.

Some of this can be chalked up to unfamiliarity, and the M2 at least can be had with other sights and a stock that would probably fit me better, but I think I'd be much happier with the Ithaca 37 custom I was thinking of ordering.

[Milkmaster]

Nothing wrong with the 37! Years of testing are proof of the worthand and durability of the John Browning design.

[chevyforlife21]

doesnt the lifter stay up after you push it up for easy loading?

[reckless carolinian]

Get the 37. Hurry before Ithaca goes out of business(again). Tell about the 37 you have in mind.

[Youngster]

doesnt the lifter stay up after you push it up for easy loading?

It doesn't appear to, and it's quite stiffly sprung even compared to the one on my 870P.

Anyway as alluded to above I'm not an expert on the Benelli manual of arms but even if it does, the mag spring pressure is a deal killer.

Get the 37. Hurry before Ithaca goes out of business(again). Tell about the 37 you have in mind.

Basically a wood stocked 5 shot 20" riot gun, but with a lengthened forcing cone, choke tubes and the stock cut back to a 13" LOP. Now I could go and do all that stuff to a used '37 but by the time I do and probably have to get it refinished I figure I might as well just buy new.

[gfpd707]

can you cut the spring shorter or would this cause feeding problems

[jmortimer]

For the same $$$ I believe you could get a FN SLP.

[Youngster]

can you cut the spring shorter or would this cause feeding problems

Probably not by much, at least if you want to it to be able to keep up with the cycle speed of other than light loads. It would probably soften up a bit with use anyway but

For the same $$$ I believe you could get a FN SLP.

Cheaper than the Benellis but still more than the 37.

[Dave McCracken]

Get the 37....

[DougW]

Get the 37!! Oh, Dave said that.

I really miss my Dad's 37, as we gave it to my son. I would love another 37, but I would have to sell the Benelli M1 Super90 Tactical to get the one I would want. First shotgun I ever hunted quail in South Texas was my Grandaddy's Ithica 37 20ga Featherweight. Really love 'em!

[Youngster]

Get the 37....

Yes sir!

[Justin]

All of your complaints about the Benelli are valid. I've never cared for the pistol-gripped stocks on the Benelli shotguns, either. The more traditional sporting stocks seem to be much more comfortable. Same with the ghost rings. A bead is good, but one of the hi-viz fiber optic replacements works well.

As to the lifter, I had the u-shaped cut in mine welded up by Jeff at C-Rums. (http://www.c-rums.com/) He does great work.

[DBR]

Take a look at the Browning BPS line. I bought a couple of them last year and I am very impressed both by their quality and patterning. These were pump guns but I have been hearing good things about their autos as well.

[chevyforlife21]

on my benelli nova, the shell lifter, stayed up afer you pushed it for loading till you racked the slide which is good it keeps dirt out but no lifter in the way like a 870 to pinch your fingers on. and i like the powerful mag spring it seems like it would make it more reliable.

[batmann]

Second the BPS. I just bought an extended mag (5 round) with syn stock, my second BPS. Very smooth action but heavier than a M37.
The only problem I see with the new Ithaca is, and another poster said it, will they be around long? Hard to drop $400+- on a pump shotgun and not be sure the maker is going to be around if you need them.
That said, they are beautiful shotguns, just not sure if I would take a chance.

[Youngster]

I like the BPS, but it's a heavy beast, one of the reasons I'm looking at a new gun is I'd like something weighing 7 lbs or less as I do a lot of hiking up and down steep slopes and hate lugging my 870P around.

Anyways, I'm not worried about the Ohio incarnation of Ithaca going under, even if it does it's not hard to find parts or people who know how to work on the 37.