Best version of Ithaca 37

[rs525]

If you own an Ithaca 37 or want to own one, which variant would you think work best in terms of capacity and weight? The 4+1 with 18 inch barrel or the 7+1 with 20 inch barrel and would you prefer it with a bead or rifle sights? For reference, I have a Remington 870 with an 18 inch barrel and a 6+1 mag capacity and it is a tad heavy.

 

[e rex]

My 37 is for pheasant hunting so no extension to the magazine, in fact I seldom shove more than 2 in the tube because weight is more important to me than capacity. Bead sight for wing shooting, no sight at all for wing shooting works fine also but it doesn't sound like you want it for wing shooting.

 

[rs525]

My 37 is for pheasant hunting so no extension to the magazine, in fact I seldom shove more than 2 in the tube because weight is more important to me than capacity. Bead sight for wing shooting, no sight at all for wing shooting works fine also but it doesn't sound like you want it for wing shooting.

No I don't.

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, mine is 4 shot bead, which I consider adequate for home defense, but what I have at the ready now is the 1100 auto I shot a little three gun with. With magazine extension and rifle sights it is definitely heavy but I am not carrying it far.

These days, I would be shopping a Beretta 1301 automatic, not much heavier than an Ithaca and not requiring me to train to pump. I once looked at a Beretta 1200 but its light weight and inertial action made it a hard kicker.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have a 16ga feather weight from 1938. It has a fiber optic front sight.

 

[e rex]

CoalCracker, I like that shotgun of yours!

 

[trackskippy]

I have a 20 ga 37 Featherlight Ive had since a kid, it was my first shotgun. I cut that barrel down to 18" long ago and still haven't got around to putting a front sight on it. Even without it, its still killed a lot of rabbits, squirrels, and a few other things. My SKB took its place as my main hunting shotgun long ago too.

I also have an old 12ga 37 Featherlight that has the extended mag and 20" barrel and brass bead front sight.



I also have a Remington 1100 with a 20" barrel, extended mag and rifle sights, and an old Mossberg 500 with the same. I think if you're going to use slugs, and shoot anything beyond buckshot ranges, the rifle sights are the way to go.

Personally, and even though they are a bit fragile, I like the old Ithaca "Raybar" front sights the best.

The Remingtons and Mossbergs. etc, are definitely heavier, and you know you're shooting the Ithaca's when you're shooting heavier loads, but they are a lot nicer for day long carrying around, and just in general.

Of all of them, I always like the way the Ithacas were set up, and handled. Not having a disconnector was great fun too, but you tend to grow out of that. Well, maybe.

 

[bannockburn]

rs525

I cut my teeth on an old borrowed Ithaca Model 37 20 gauge with a plain 26" barrel. That gun had the slickest pump action I have ever encountered in all of the shotguns I have ever used. Me and a few of my friends use to hunt upland game, walking the clear cut where the gas pipelines had been put in. I sure appreciated that lightweight Model 37 with all the walking we did!

 

[rs525]

For reference, here is what the poll is representing.

 

[SixteenGauge]

The 16 gauge one . In all seriousness if I was going with a "tactical" model 37 I'd go with a 20" 7+1 model like the DS police special.

 

[Rubone]

None of the above. a real Ithaca built gun or none at all.....

 

[Milkmaster]

If the short version of the Ithaca is what I really need then the shortest in 18" would be my choice in your poll.

 

[FL-NC]

Mine is a deerslayer with rifle sights. It is ready for use in the house, but the only real use it ever sees is when I happen to shoot some doves in fall with the 26" modified barrel.

 

[I6turbo]

My configuration preferences are ribbed barrels of about 19" +/-, with screw-in chokes and bead sights. I haven't had one with an extended magazine but don't really think I need that.

My preferences for generations are:
1. 1955 models and earlier
2. 1966 models and earlier
3. Nothing "wrong" with later models and the Ohio guns, but the earlier ones have more soul, IMO.

Top to bottom, the 37s are:
1952 model, 19.75" barrel, weighs 6 pounds 7.5 oz.
1966 model with 1952 model stock and forend, 20.25" barrel, weighs 6 pounds 8.5 oz.
1950 model shown with 30" solid rib barrel, but I've since refinished the wood similar to the other two, and the barrel is now at 18.25" (same as on the Auto 5).

At 6.5 pounds they'll thump you a bit if you're shooting heavy loads, quite noticeably worse than the Auto 5 with the same ammo.

 

[entropy]

I'm a little biased, because I have a 4+1/bead 37 for my HD;

 

[Random 8]

I have a 1950s 12Ga "corncob" field gun with english stock. It came with a full choke barrel which I had shortened and re-choked to IC. I had them land the barrel at aprox 21", and I believe I have created the perfect all purpose field gun. I think 18 is too short and whippy. The extra 3" gives it better control while swinging and better recovery from recoil, yet is still short and handy in close quarters. Mine has the standard 4+1 capacity. Extensions are available, and were I to use it in a tactical role I might use one and consider a pistol grip stock as some of the ones pictured above. I do love the corncob forend, and wouldn't trade it in any circumstance. I wish modern shotguns had them.

The gunsmithing to shorten and re-choke the OEM barrel was not cheap, but not overly expensive. Few smiths are set up for this and have the knowledge. There is enough metal there to install a Beretta choke tube system, but I opted for a fixed IC with a long profile in deference to their ability to accurately throw foster slugs vs tubes. The price of either was comparable. It does this very well, in addition to it's normal use of 1 1/8 of #6 in the grouse woods, 1 1/4 of 5s for pheasants or 1 oz of 8s for woodcock. This choke also throws steel 2, 3 and 4 very well at decoy/jump ranges, and I assume it would do well with buckshot at close range.

 

[film495]

I have an Ithaca 37 20 gauge and I think the barrel with the bead sight is more than 18". I prefer the bead, it is faster to pick up a target, and I was able to hit the center of an 8" gong several times at 50 yards with it. I think it is just a better sighting mechanism for 50 yards and in, quicker easier, that is why they always used that set up, it works.

 

[e rex]

I have a mid-70s Ithaca 12 gauge with two non-vent rib barrels. Going on 80, I'd love to swap for a Ithaca 16 or 20 gauge. Lite guns for old men. I've got more 16 gauge shells than most sporting goods stores around here so that gauge doesn't worry me. If I want to keep the bad guy out of the house I just have my wife holler at them.

 

[I6turbo]

I have a mid-70s Ithaca 12 gauge with two non-vent rib barrels. Going on 80, I'd love to swap for a Ithaca 16 or 20 gauge. Lite guns for old men. I've got more 16 gauge shells than most sporting goods stores around here so that gauge doesn't worry me. If I want to keep the bad guy out of the house I just have my wife holler at them.

Your mid-70s 12 gauge 37 probably weighs about 6 lb. 13 oz. if you have a 28" barrel on it. If you move down to a 16 gauge, you'll save about a quarter pound, generally speaking. The only gun that weighs significantly less is one of the Ultrafeatherlite or Ultralite 20 gauge guns, which can get you down in the 5 pound range, or just slightly less. I'd bet dropping into the 5-pound range would be very noticeable when carrying the gun, but the minimal reduction in weight for the 16 gauge wouldn't be.

 

[army_eod]

Just ordered a 1947 vintage Ithaca 37. This one is 16 ga. My father owned one. Cannot wait to get it. Cost me about 450 from GB.

 

[I6turbo]

Just ordered a 1947 vintage Ithaca 37. This one is 16 ga. My father owned one. Cannot wait to get it. Cost me about 450 from GB.

That's a good vintage, IMO. Post a photo if you can once you get it home.
Edit: I see it on GB now -- looks great, nice condition with a little honest patina - my favorite. And the best factory barrel length.

 

[rperyam]

I have a 1959 20 gauge with the fiber optic sight. My grandson considers it his and we like it just the way it came.

 

[entropy]

My LGS has a circa '40's 37T with some rack wear and patina, but I put the SKB 600 that it came in with on layway. Perhaps if the 37T is still there in a few months....

The SKB:

 

[Milkmaster]

My Ithaca 37 from 1964

 

[Milkmaster]

At 6.5 pounds they'll thump you a bit if you're shooting heavy loads, quite noticeably worse than the Auto 5 with the same ammo.

It all depends on how many times you might expect to shoot during the hunt. I would rather endure the shooting a few times compared to the weight of carrying the heavy A5 for a few hours. On the other hand sitting in a dove field with many shots would make me prefer the heavier A5. Nothing beats variety and a choice before you load up the truck