monduconstruct
Member
I considered making a poll on this topic but decided that since most people have the 870, they'll vote for it - and the poll will really end up being more about how many people own one vs. the other.
After a lot of searching over the past few months, I'm getting close to decision time on my first 12 ga. mostly for HD. I was very in love with the FN SLP 18", but realized getting one would be incredibly hard, and they're rather expensive, and I think I want pump for my first 12 ga. So I narrowed my search down to these two models: Ithaca M37 and the 870P. These are both popular pump guns, with plusses and minuses to each. The 870 is obviously a more proven gun, with a huge following of devote shooters. I'm sure either would work fine, I just am hoping someone out there in the forums has experience with both and could weigh in here.
I am not sold on synthetic vs. wood furniture, but both models come in both types, so that is a non-issue. I have no interest in adding gadgets or modifying the weapon in anyway either, so that should also be a non-issue.
ITHACA M37 Defense (New - From New Company) - $520
I've read terrific reviews of the new M37 produced by the new Ithaca Gun Company. (http://www.chuckhawks.com/ithaca_37_defense_gun.htm) Many people here seem to bash these guns simply because it's a new company - people with no real reasons, they just state the new company is bad, with no qualifiers as to why. It comes in a 5-shot (18.5") or 8-shot (20") configurations, all with a brass bead site. I'm probably leaning towards the 8-shot. While it might not be as balanced, I can always opt to just not load those last 3 shots, so it would weigh essentially the same as the 5-shot. From everything I've read on these new Defense models, they shoot and handle wonderfully. I kind of like the idea of having something a little unique that not everyone has - but I also realize that it may be more difficult to get worked on, and clean. Can anyone comment on the cleaning of this gun? Oh and not that it really plays into the decision, but shells eject from the bottom of the gun.
REMINGTON 870P - about $800 in MA
Obviously everyone is familiar with the 870 Police .. it's really just a challenge of finding one to buy. I am probably going to buy a new gun whenever I do, because the used stores around MA are pretty sparse. I've read a lot about the recent 870s (even the Police models) having lots of manufacturing issues, including failure to eject, etc. In my eyes the real benefit here is that they are easy to break down, easy to maintain, and most gunsmiths would be familiar with them if they needed work (especially if they came from the factory messed up). Everyone says that the proven nature of the 870 is a plus, but I've read a LOT of negative comments lately. Another advantage is that there are many different sight options, I'm particularly fond of the rifle sights with tritium bead. This is about $280 more than the Ithaca M37, and would need a 2-shot extension tube to get it to 6+1. From what I've read, a factory extension tube runs about $85, so this gun is really $365 more than the Ithaca all said and done. Lastly, this is obviously a side-ejection shotgun.
Thoughts? Comments? Advice? Testimonials?
After a lot of searching over the past few months, I'm getting close to decision time on my first 12 ga. mostly for HD. I was very in love with the FN SLP 18", but realized getting one would be incredibly hard, and they're rather expensive, and I think I want pump for my first 12 ga. So I narrowed my search down to these two models: Ithaca M37 and the 870P. These are both popular pump guns, with plusses and minuses to each. The 870 is obviously a more proven gun, with a huge following of devote shooters. I'm sure either would work fine, I just am hoping someone out there in the forums has experience with both and could weigh in here.
I am not sold on synthetic vs. wood furniture, but both models come in both types, so that is a non-issue. I have no interest in adding gadgets or modifying the weapon in anyway either, so that should also be a non-issue.
ITHACA M37 Defense (New - From New Company) - $520
I've read terrific reviews of the new M37 produced by the new Ithaca Gun Company. (http://www.chuckhawks.com/ithaca_37_defense_gun.htm) Many people here seem to bash these guns simply because it's a new company - people with no real reasons, they just state the new company is bad, with no qualifiers as to why. It comes in a 5-shot (18.5") or 8-shot (20") configurations, all with a brass bead site. I'm probably leaning towards the 8-shot. While it might not be as balanced, I can always opt to just not load those last 3 shots, so it would weigh essentially the same as the 5-shot. From everything I've read on these new Defense models, they shoot and handle wonderfully. I kind of like the idea of having something a little unique that not everyone has - but I also realize that it may be more difficult to get worked on, and clean. Can anyone comment on the cleaning of this gun? Oh and not that it really plays into the decision, but shells eject from the bottom of the gun.
REMINGTON 870P - about $800 in MA
Obviously everyone is familiar with the 870 Police .. it's really just a challenge of finding one to buy. I am probably going to buy a new gun whenever I do, because the used stores around MA are pretty sparse. I've read a lot about the recent 870s (even the Police models) having lots of manufacturing issues, including failure to eject, etc. In my eyes the real benefit here is that they are easy to break down, easy to maintain, and most gunsmiths would be familiar with them if they needed work (especially if they came from the factory messed up). Everyone says that the proven nature of the 870 is a plus, but I've read a LOT of negative comments lately. Another advantage is that there are many different sight options, I'm particularly fond of the rifle sights with tritium bead. This is about $280 more than the Ithaca M37, and would need a 2-shot extension tube to get it to 6+1. From what I've read, a factory extension tube runs about $85, so this gun is really $365 more than the Ithaca all said and done. Lastly, this is obviously a side-ejection shotgun.
Thoughts? Comments? Advice? Testimonials?