$149 Ithaca 12 gauge?

http://www.horstauction.com/guns.html Check auction prices.

The early ones had no disconnector. Just hold trigger back and pump and fire. Had them in 12 and 16 ga. The 12 didnt like reloads, would stick in the magazine tube.

The 16 ga would drop the 2nd shell on the ground if not pumped fast enough, and load the 3, last shell.

There was a change in barrels, so the new may not fit the old?? Again if i remember correctly?


A high primer on a reload has been know to set off a shell as it flies out of the magazine and makes contact with the frame.

The 37 was originally a Remington design ?? Remington Model 17 If i remember correctly ??

I hunted ducks and pheasant with a 12 ga. mod 37 for years without any problems. Purchased a 16 ga. at a bargain price and find it to be a good gun. Generally a well built gun that last and works well for a long time.
The price is not bad, depends on what you want or need.

1KPerDay said:

Don't really need it. I already have too many shotguns and rarely shoot them other than my 3 gun 12 gauge. I've never been taught how to shoot clays properly and only hunt upland game every 3-4 years when invited. I just have a soft spot for old character-filled pumps with wood furniture. I've never shot an Ithaca.

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I've been researching those lately, too, and have another thread just next door. From what people have said, and what I've read, the dumping of the loaded shells was caused by an out-of-adjustment shell stop. It wasn't specific to a particular gauge. As I understand it, the pre 1970's models that were NOT police department guns will slam fire. (The modern guns made in Ohio will not.) And yes, it was originally a Remington design. Seems like left handed shooters would like them as they eject straight down.

Buy it!

At worst, you have a loaner or beater. At best, you fall in love with a classic shotgun that's lighter, smoother, and more ergonomic than the 870.

The early ones had no disconnector. Just hold trigger back and pump and fire. Had them in 12 and 16 ga. The 12 didnt like reloads, would stick in the magazine tube.

The 16 ga would drop the 2nd shell on the ground if not pumped fast enough, and load the 3, last shell.

There was a change in barrels, so the new may not fit the old?? Again if i remember correctly?


A high primer on a reload has been know to set off a shell as it flies out of the magazine and makes contact with the frame.

The 37 was originally a Remington design ?? Remington Model 17 If i remember correctly ??

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My 12 has no issue with reloads. I love the slamfiring. It's a lot of fun, if impractical. However, it's potentially dangerous if you have sloppy gun handling.

Shell dropping can be fixed by bending or replacing parts, and isn't that common anyways. Mine has never dropped a shell.

Shotguns before serial 855000 don't accept interchangeable barrels.

The Ithaca is based on the Remington Model 17, just scaled up to 12 gauge from 20 gauge. Classic Browning/Pedersen design.

The first shotgun I ever used was an Ithaca 37; 20 gauge with a plain 26' barrel. Action was slicker than any other shotgun I have tried since and was a great choice for small game hunting in the backwoods.

I have never had a Ithaca model 37 but a few of my friends did. I shot a couple of them and I like the gun a lot. My friends did have some problems with the bottom eject. It is by far one of the better pump shot guns. I have priced new ones and they are very high priced. Where I live in PA. people are asking $120 dollars for a single shot. I think $150.00 for any pump shotgun is a good price.

I've been in the hunt for a 37 and would probably give $150 for one in the condition you describe. I passed on one at gun show. Had a bulge in the barrel about 6" from the muzzle. I would have cut it down into a defense shotgun, but I hung around for a hour and the guy never came back to his table. It was gone the next day. While the extended mag tubes are tacticool, I would be happy with five rounds in a home protection gun.

Not sure I could have walked out of that Cabela's empty handed............

-kBob

I'd buy it. I already have one I bought for around that, and had to stock and do some clean-up on. (It was an evidence gun.) It's now my HD shotgun.

Ithaca makes a very good gun...very robust. You can't go wrong at that price, even if the barrel is crap you could always buy another one. It would make an excellent fixer upper, especially at that price.

Mr. T said:

Ithaca makes a very good gun...very robust. You can't go wrong at that price, even if the barrel is crap you could always buy another one. It would make an excellent fixer upper, especially at that price.

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Depends when it was made. As previous post mentioned, the barrels were not interchangeable on the earlier guns, new barrels had to be factory fitted.

Prolly well worth the money. Might need work but even the ugly ones I've shot have been butter smooth.

If you buy it and don't like it let me know! I've shot a few different ones and all were light, smooth, and quick on target! The stock on the Ithaca fits me well, if I were you I'd drive over and pick it up. Btw, which cabelas? I may try to get it if you pass.

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As I a previous post, I would not have an Ithaca model 37 if you gave it to me. I fired a 12 and 16 gauge when I was in high school in the 60's and they did not fit and kicked hard. Something about the shape or drop in the but stock I guess. At the time I was shooting a rem model 31 in 20 gauge. Then later a 870 12 ga., and now the 870 and 1100 in 12 and 20 ga.

I love my 37. Best bird gun I own.

My Dad was a lefty and always liked the Ithaca 37 because of the bottom eject. I shot it but was more impressed with his Win Model 12 field grade 16 gauge.

He only had the 37 for a few years and sold it. I don't know the reason. To me the stock was too short and the drop at the heel was too much to obtain a good cheek weld while seeing the top of the barrel. I was a teenaged skeet shooter at the time and my gun of choice was a Rem 870 with a 2 1/4" drop at the heel which allowed the vent rib to be fully viewed with both eyes.

Jim

I own an Ithaca M37 DSPS 12ga. Used to have three shotguns set up for HD/SD duty, but the Ithaca is the only one remaining in "social" configuration.

The 37 is a light, trim design and more pointable than most contemporary shotguns. As with most John Browning designs, it is elegant and worth your while to tear down and re-assemble at least once.

Would love to have a M37 with an old-school Poly-choke. Saw a 20ga version a couple years back with such and by the time I had the disposable cash in hand, some lucky SOB had snatched it up.

1KPerDay said:

Local Cabelas has a beat up Ithaca 37 (I think; I don't know much about them) on the used rack. Looks intact and reasonably unmolested other than a peep sight mount screwed to te left side of the receiver. Bluing maybe 50%. Stocks aren't cracked. Didn't look down the barrel. If it were a police model with longer magazine I'd have bought it immediately. There was a rough model 12 police next to it for $560. Want that one too but I'm not paying that. LOL

Thoughts on the Ithaca?

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Lots of police used 4+1 Ithacas, some probably to this day. Same thing with Remington 870s.