Ithaca Deerslayer II vs Remington Model 870 Express Deer vs Mossberg 500 Slugster

Well I own an 870 express with a smooth bore barrel. But I'd go with the 870 because for deer season you can use the slugster barrel, for dove and quail you can get a smooth bore barrel, and if you want a home defense option you can order an 18.5 inch barrel. I'm not sure if you can do that the others.

That Ithaca is a gorgeous gun. But really, a slug gun may not deserve the extra money.

What the 37 really has going for it is its wonderful balance for upland bird hunting, unless you can afford to pay, and don't mind paying, for the fine fit and finish of the Ithaca to throw slugs with.

The trigger is probably better than an 870 trigger, but a trigger job and a trigger shoe could fix that.

I have Deerslayer (made in 1949) and an 870 Wingmaster (both w/ multiple barrels). I would take the M37 afield due to usual foul weather and bottom eject for the Ithaca minimizing slush & debris in the action.

The Ithaca *is* nicer by far but it's up to you as to whether it worth the extra money. For a cheaper option you could also phone up Ithaca and try asking them to add whatever Deerslayer features you want like rifle sights, sling mounts, scope mount and maybe even a Deerslayer barrel to their 5 shot Defence model.

Brownells has a very nice fiber sight set for the Deerslayer barrel.

The deerslayer also has the fixed barrel that is at least theoretically better and more accurate.

Honestly its a pump gun. And I think it is ridiculous to pay over $350 for one. Ithaca's are over priced and you not getting much bang for your buck. I'd go for a remington or a mossberg they are both excellent guns and are about as accurate as the Ithaca. I perfer mossbergs though bc of their tang safety.

jtheise4 said:

Is the Ithaca worth the additional cost? Thanks for your input.

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yes it will hold it's value.

I've never seen a firearm with more accessories and interchangeable parts (and as high an availability of the aforementioned) than the Mossberg 500. You can get barrels anywhere for good prices.

The ithaca is a gorgeous gun, and the fact that the shells eject from the bottom makes it an easier to use gun with less chance of fouling, in my opinion. It costs more, but it holds its value. Also, I'm not sure which models feature it, but some of them have wonderful engravings on the receiver that I might pay extra for if I had the money just to make it a heirloom and something you are proud to own. But that's just me.

You really need to go to a shop that sells all three and pick them up and see what feels "right". All three guns are classics with millions of happy users, you're not going to go wrong.

"Ithacas are over-priced" ??

I do not think so. They are worth every dollar you pay. They are a top-notch shotgun and a big notch above a Remington or a Mossberg. I have 3 Ithacas and would have nothing else ; for in the field there is no equal IMO. That said, it is what you want,.You pay your money and you get your gun. You will not be disappointed with the Ithaca. My 2 cents- Snooperman

You have a greater barrel selection with the Mossberg. I have a scoped slug barrel, rifle sight barrel, 18" barrel, 24" vented rib bird barrel, 50 cal muzzleloading barrel.

One of the last deerslayers had a srew in barrel like a rifle and was one heck of a rifled slug gun but have not looked if there still avalable.

Well I own an 870 express with a smooth bore barrel. But I'd go with the 870 because for deer season you can use the slugster barrel, for dove and quail you can get a smooth bore barrel, and if you want a home defense option you can order an 18.5 inch barrel. I'm not sure if you can do that the others.
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My mossberg 500 came with a 28" rifled barrel with rail for slugs, a 24" smoothbore barrel and 3 chokes, (mod, full, cyl if I remember right), and a scope. I can get the 18.5 for it as well. Now days, there is little offered from remington that isn't offered by mossberg in the way of barrel selection. Mossberg is the only one offering a muzzle loader barrel that I am aware of though.

OP,
Any of them will serve you fine. The remingtons and the mossbergs will hold up to field use for less money than the ithica, but they won't have the same fit and finish.