Ithaca 37 Defense model

Well, after reading this review, https://www.chuckhawks.com/ithaca_37_defense_gun.htm , it seems it's not totally non-removable; it's fully threaded like the Deerslayer models. The barrel is removable from them, (More like removing a rifle barrel) but it's tedious, and on this model would be complicated by having to detach the magazine from the barrel. You're probably best pulling the stock, holding it with the action over an empty trash can or such, and hose it down with Gun Scrubber/non Chlorinated Brake Cleaner, let it air dry, and lube lightly as best you can.
When I recommended a 37 in your other thread, I meant an older one; I suspect most of us who recommended one did. Regardless, it's still a good gun, enjoy!

WHAT? A new production pump shotgun that you can't change barrels on? Or the stock? What happens when one of those components gets damaged? Who thought this was a good idea? What about those of us who like to keep things simple and use the same shotgun for different things, like shorter barrel with buck for HD, rifled barrel with slugs for big game, longer barrel for wingshooting and clays, shorter barrel with tight pattern for turkey, etc.?

Checked the inter net for any information relative on the take down of the home defense Ithaca 37
Did find an article by Randy Wakeman. Along other things in his article , he states the HD 37, is not a take down model.
Seems like it`s done purposely at the current makers facility. Just throwing that out there.

Take the recoil pad off using a phillips screwdriver oiled up as not to destroy the rubber around the holes. Look inside and see if its a socket head bolt or a flat screw head bolt. Use a long screwdriver or socket with extension to reove the stock bolt and stock.

Perma Guard is their version of nitrocarburizing similar to the Tenifer finish on Glocks and Melonite finish on S&W M&P handguns. It's a thin layer added onto the metal to protect it and is thin enough not to interfere with tolerances. It also has some lubricity in its properties. I think Ithaca coats all components except some parts in the trigger assembly with this so it's protected from the elements inside and out. Same finish used on their Waterfowel and Turkey guns. Seems to be the real deal.

I own an older Ithaca 37 Deer Slayer Police Special. Great gun with buck or slugs, and the best smooth bore slug gun I own.

I tore mine down as far as I could after I bought it. I could not figure out how to get the mag tube off. But man oh man, what an elegant design.

roo_ster said:

I own an older Ithaca 37 Deer Slayer Police Special. Great gun with buck or slugs, and the best smooth bore slug gun I own.

I tore mine down as far as I could after I bought it. I could not figure out how to get the mag tube off. But man oh man, what an elegant design.

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They really are special. A guy could do a lot worse than a dsps for his only long arm.

An “unremovable” barrel on a pump shotgun isn’t a new idea. My son was given a Stevens 820B that has a barrel not designed for removal by a typical owner just for the purpose of cleaning and maintenience. I believe the gun was made in the1950s. As explained by my gunsmith, it’s like a rifle barrel: It can be removed, but special equipment and tools are required to avoid marring the metal while removal and reassembly. The removal should only be done once or twice during the gun’s lifetime only if needed.

To me, it appears obvious that the manufacturer did not believe regular cleaning of the receiver and it’s components was important. I enjoy refurbishing vintage pump shotguns, and the interior of the receivers on some of them do not appear to have been cleaned since manufacture, even though they have removable barrels. Yet, they function smoothly.

I have a 1946 Model 37, so I know what is required to clean the interior of the receiver and it’s components despite the barrel being removable. For whatever it is worth, I have read on other forums that it is not good to remove the components of the receiver very often because you risk wearing out close tolerance parts. So it seems to me that the better plan is to use the suggested spray cleaners on the interior of the receiver periodically (I.e.,not after each use) and remove the receiver’s interior parts even more sparingly.

Instead of the spray cleaners, one of my friends uses lighter fluid to “flush out” tight spots in the receiver. He does this to avoid removing lubricant in the trigger and elsewhere caused by spray cleaners.

To clean the interior of the barrel, it would be best to use the OTIS cleaning system (or one of its competitors) or bore snakes to avoid gunk from going from the barrel into the receiver.

I love old Ithaca's. I've got a 37 from 1967. In 2000 it was completely taken apart, cleaned, inspected and relubricated. I believe internal parts on any firearm should be cleaned and relubricated once in a great while, as gun grease can become quite a hard substance with no lubricating quality over the years. You have to admire the simplistic design of the Ithaca. One of the best pumps out there in my humble opinion.
BTW, the action parts showed no real wear after 23 years.
Good luck with your new purchase. If it's built like the old ones, it should give you a lifetime of trouble free service.

Charliefrank said:

Good luck with your new purchase. If it's built like the old ones, it should give you a lifetime of trouble free service.

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Have not handled a new Ithaca 37, but I have read that the guys who own both old and new think the new manufacture 37s are as good or better than the old manufacture.

IMO the magazine tube removal on ANY Ithaca will require some special tools. I made a block type clamp and a snug fitting plug to fit the ID to remove the mag tube. I have a M 87(37) from which I removed the std. mag tube from and replaced it with the long mag tube and 20" HD barrel. Looks just like the one in slaters post. Magnum action, and barrel has a 3" chamber. You can buy the parts needed right from Ithaca with a warning that it MAY need to be fitted(headspaced).

If you were to consider this swap with the standard receiver and 3" chambered barrel keep in mind you don't want to shoot 3" shells. You will be able to chamber and shoot but not eject the empty.
The std. receiver is not long enough to eject the fired (unfolded) 3" hull.