Ithaca 37 Featherlight barrel questions

[Warners]

I have an Ithaca model 37 Featherlight shotgun (1968 vintage) that has a 20" barrel (basically a Vietnam era trench gun), S/N 10105xx. I would like to use this for hunting, both deer and birds. Is it feasible to get a slug barrel and a longer unrifled barrel for this gun to swap them out? I have hear that the guns made before 1963 had barrels fitted specifically to the gun, but ones after that were interchangeable. I wanted to run that by you experts, and see if anyone has any suggestions for getting the most bang for the buck on any additional barrels.

I also own a JC Higgins (High Standard) Model 60 that's a real nice shotgun with the poly choke and compensator, but I had trouble with it cycling properly. I brought it to the gunsmith who said that he was able to fire rounds fine....but they had to be a specific DRAM number, which I've heard about this particular gun....it is a field gun made to be used with hunting loads, NOT light trap or skeet loads. I haven't had it back to the range since then to test it out, but let's just say my confidence level is rather low in that gun. The Ithaca pump just WORKS. Obviously it's limited to home defense only with that 20" cylinder barrel though.

Suggestions? Thanks!

Warner

 

[Youngster]

While post 1963 barrels are nominally interchangeable, its still a good idea to have these guns checked for headspace by someone who knows what they're doing.

By the time you buy extra barrels and have them checked out it might be worthwhile to buy complete guns in the configuration you want.

 

[Dave McCracken]

If you look around a bit, you may luck into a used Ithaca 37 in the configuration you want ofr about what you'd pay to have another barrel for your old soldier.

Then, practice with your hunting gun equals practice with your HD tool. Same controls, stocks,feel, etc.

 

[stan rose]

I have to agree with Dave. I own several Ithacas from various periods, and with barrels becoming more expensive it almost isn't worth it to have one reciever with two or three barrels. That being said I have acouple that needed to have barrels fitted to them, and if you are going to have any of this work done I suggest you contact Les Hovencamp at Diamond Gunsmithing in Ithaca N.Y.

 

[Warners]

I see a slug barrel on an auction site now....may watch that and see how high it gets. It's at $70 now. Otherwise, I suppose I should try my old JC Higgins out and see if it cycles better after the visit to the gunsmith.....who (I think) didn't do much other than test fire it successfully.....Hmmmm...

Warner

 

[desidog]

Well, i got a good condition late-forties vintage M37 with a 30" bbl for 100 a while back; so i wouldn't spend 70 on just a barrel.

Does your 20" have a 5- or 8-rd tube? It makes finding barrels that much harder... Mine has a 8-rd and V-notch sights, and does fine on deer with rifled slugs inside 100 yds. ...with a wood dowel as a plug, of course.

I'd recommend cruising the adverts and the yard sales; Ithaca M37's are a lot of value at their going rates.

Also, try posting for a trade...Someone might be tempted to trade you a 30" for your 20"

 

[Warners]

Well, i got a good condition late-forties vintage M37 with a 30" bbl for 100 a while back; so i wouldn't spend 70 on just a barrel.

Does your 20" have a 5- or 8-rd tube? It makes finding barrels that much harder... Mine has a 8-rd and V-notch sights, and does fine on deer with rifled slugs inside 100 yds. ...with a wood dowel as a plug, of course.

I'd recommend cruising the adverts and the yard sales; Ithaca M37's are a lot of value at their going rates.

Also, try posting for a trade...Someone might be tempted to trade you a 30" for your 20"

Oh, I don't want to part with the 20"! It's a beautiful gun, and the one that is closest to me while I sleep at night...Hehe. I just thought I could make it multi-functional, but it's starting to sound like not so much. Maybe I just need to find the ammo that works well in my High Standard (JC Higgins) semi auto 12 gauge, which already has a nice long barrel. Thanks guys!

Warner

 

[Sav .250]

If you have an Gun Shows in your area, you might check them out. I`ve seen
more than a few M-37`s.

 

[pikid89]

I had 2 of them
one with a a poly choke, and one with a fixed full choke...i assume for duck hunting, had a duck scene engraved on it

the polychoke was my favorite, but one day something broke inside and it no longer would light off shells
so i figured I would put the polychoke barrel on the fixed choke gun, but it didn't fit at all....you could slide it in, but the quarter turn wasn't happening

 

[Fiv3r]

A friend of mine sold me an old Model 37 DSPS with a 20". I haven't checked the numbers on the age of it, but he bought it back in the mid-90s from a police auction. I have no idea how long the police generally hold onto their guns before selling them off. But I would guess its well over 25 years old.

Anyway, he bought it as a slug gun even with a smooth bore. He took several deer with it. Plenty giving up the ghost where they stood. I can believe it. I'm not a great shot, but that ol' pump will throw a lead slug where you will it. It almost gives me the chills.
Have you tried slugs out of the gun as is? Of the 5 shotguns I have owned, the old DSPS (really just a featherweight) has the tightest bore to the barrel of any 12 gauge.

That's what I really like about the Ithaca's. They took a fantastic hunting tool and pressed it into a martial role. I mean, my Police Special has the duck and dogs scene on the side of it

 

[Dave McCracken]

The old Deerslayer barrels ran about .690" bore diameter, about Full choke but the same all the way from chamber to muzzle. These shot very well with slugs and often did OK with the buck of the time.

 

[Warners]

I went a completely different (and much more fun!) route to solve my problem. I ordered a Mossberg 535 combo that comes with the 28" barrel (with screw in choke and steel shot capability), AND a rifled 24" slug barrel. For $327 delivered to my FFL, I gain a lot of capability. Problem solved!

Thanks again everyone,

Warner

 

[JohnM]

I have a Feather Weight I bought in the mid 70s with a vent rib full choke.
Always kinda wanted a modified barrel to use.
That is till I saw what they cost now.
Finding a nice used 37 makes more sense to me.