Ithaca 37 deerslayer

[augustino]

I paid $275.00 for a model 37 Deerslayer. As per the serial number it was made in 1984. It has a capacity of 4+1 rounds that I want to up to 7+1.
A gunsmith is willing to make the necessary changes such as remove the stock magazine which involves removing the solder on the barrel, re-bluing the barrel and replacing the mag with the 7 or 8 round mag. He's asking 200 LABOR plus somewhere around 20 bucks in parts, to do this.

IF I decide to have this modification made I would have $275 + $200 + $25 = $500.00 not counting postage to mail it off, invested in a 1984 model 37 Deerslayer. Is it worth the modification?

By the way I contacted Ithaca and they know this gunsmith and endorse his work. So it's not some fly by the seat of your pants kitchen table gunsmith. He's the real deal located in Ithaca, NY.

 

[rswartsell]

What are you going to use it for? If hunting is the primary use for the gun then obviously the answer is no.

 

[augustino]

HD is my primary use but I love to hunt and would use this for hunting as well.

 

[rswartsell]

The price for the work is reasonable and the Ithaca 37 is considered a desirable gun. I can't guarantee that you could immediately recoup your investment by selling it, but would not be surprised if you found someone to bite at that price. It finally comes to whether you would be happy with the resulting gun with a 500.00 investment. Personally I would keep the Ithaca as is and get a used 870 express to extend the mag for HD (you could probably find one with the mag extension already accomplished for less than 500.00) and the Ithaca would be preserved in original condition.

 

[lobo9er]

do it plug it when you hunt extra rounds are always a good idea in my book its an 84 so it not super old collector. in the words of super troopers "Do it"

 

[50caliber123]

A friend of mine just got an Ithaca M37 in 20ga, I started a thread about it a few days ago. Until reading this thread, I didn't think it was possible to add an extension to an M37. One thing I noticed about the four round tube vs. the 870: It is a lot easier and faster to load the tube mag on the ithaca versus say an 870. My advice would be to ge an elastic shell holder on the stock and save that $200. My friend's is a deerslayer also, and while a 8rd tube would be nice, it seems like a lot to have to spend when there are factory ,models out there with the longer magazine.

 

[augustino]

I'm leaning in this direction. Probably leave it as is.
And funny you mention the elastic sheel holder... This one I bought has one of those already in place on the stock!
Excellent advice friend!!

If I save the cash maybe get a brand new Defender Ithaca with the 7+1 capacity.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Leave it as it is.....

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Just picked up a NIB Model 37 8-shot Defence gun for $380 yesterday---seems the cheaper option would just be to buy a new one.

 

[augustino]

Yup!
I'll save enough to get a new 37 Defender but where did you get one for $380??

I like wood and the cheapest I saw one W/Wood was hovering around the $500 mark.

By the way how do you like that Defender?

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I got the plastic stocked one---the wood was going for like $450.

I like everything about it---exept the mag spring seems a little weak--looking into if a Remington or Mossberg spring will work in its place.

I was also considering a Moss 590 but the Ithaca was cheaper--all steel--fit better and seemed a little lighter.

 

[Youngster]

I like everything about it---exept the mag spring seems a little weak--looking into if a Remington or Mossberg spring will work in its place.

'37s have and require less mag spring pressure than most other pumps, unless it's causing problems I'd leave it, it makes loading easier for one thing.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

With 7 00-buck loads in the tube---the spring barely even moves them along--function needs to be a lot crisper in my opinion. This is a HD gun and the shell needs to pop out NOW! not-- when we get around to it--maybe. Make sence?

 

[Youngster]

Yeah that doesn't sound right, but does it keep up to you when you're shooting? These guns were designed to be lightly sprung and a heavier spring might cause problems.

My 4 shot '37 has a wispy little spring that doesn't look that it can do anything but keeps up to the most aggressive slamfire with heavy loads.

 

[chas08]

'37s have and require less mag spring pressure than most other pumps, unless it's causing problems I'd leave it, it makes loading easier for one thing.

It's easier on the magazine shell stop too. Both of my 37's have very light springs compared to my Remingtons or Browning. If it will feed you're highest rate of fire, I'd leave it as is.