Ithaca 37 pump shotguns - I just bought two

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Min

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Local FFL was selling police trade-ins for $160 each (tax included). Finish is non-existent, but functionality and bore are perfect. I bought two today.

I was thinking about getting them parkerized, and put synthetic stocks on one of them.

These Ithaca 37's are 20" barrel with the "slamfire" feature.

If you guys saw a deal like this, would you buy multiple ones?
 
I know very little about these Ithaca's. I was a Remington 870-only guy, but lately I've become more open-minded.

The folks on ar15.com all say these model 37's are great. Do you all concur?
 
Min, the 37's a classic. A JMB design, it's very durable and reliable, probably the closest thing to the 870 there is out there. Possible exception, the legendary Model 12.

If I hadn't enough shotguns,and these came on sale for that amount,I'da gone for multiples myself.

Downside, these aren't popular on the range because the method of loading one at a time is a little slower than other pumps. Second reason, it's hard for others to see if the actions open with no ejection port on the side.

However, for use under minimal conditions, these are wonderfully fast and sure.

Enjoy....
 
Ithaca M37

I carried one for quite a while when Unlce sent me on an extended trip to the orient. Never encountered a problem as long as it was maintained. Pretty intimidating when used with full length brass 00B.
 
Min,
You got yerself a keeper there.
I'll take a dozen.
I know that there are plenty of 870 and Model 12 guys out there that will dispute my not so humble opinion but the 37 is easily the best pump made. You Mossy guys can turn yours back in adn recycle them into new beer cans.

I have several.
Faaast and smooth.
That "slamfire feature' is just a earlier gun that was not outfitted with a disconnector.

Take a big block of steel, and whittle away everything that don't look like a pump gun, they even left off the hole to pitch the empties through.

Sam
 
One often overlooked feature is that the M37 is very left hand friendly.

If you look hard, they made some of the 18 or 20 inch tubes with Full choke. Great for #1 buck or smaller.

For a finish, I'd go with either Parkerizing or a polymer finish.
 
Thanks for the comments. It's very heartening to know the 37's are good shotguns. I'm new to shotguns, but I am developing a weakness for them.

What do you think I should do with the two I bought (there's only one left out of a lot of 11 originally).

This is what I'm thinking. One has fairly good wood stock. I'd sand that one, refinish the wood, and reblue the steel.

The other has a wood buttstock that is falling apart - I think I will replace those with the Choate polymer stock for the 37. I am also thinking about parkerizing it, and cutting the barrel down to 18.5" from the current 20".

Any other suggestions?
 
I'm guessing you're planning on these being "Serious" shotguns.

If the metal is not dinged and just sans bluing, I'd be tempted to just get it reblued. The Phosphate finishes we generically call Parkerizing are a good alternative, especially if the metal's blemished.

At this point, though, the first things that should be done are those that enable you to direct the shot to the target, and to do so in comfort.

Have a qualified smith work the triggers over to less than 4 lbs, if needed.

Good recoil pads,combined with good form and sensible loads will make the kick easy to take.

Get them fitting you and shoot them until they feel like body parts.

Synthetic stocks are OK, wood ones are easier to modify if called for.

Cutting the barrel to 18.5 from 20" will not sace you much. One of my "Serious" shotguns is a 20" gun, the other is 18" and a skosh. No difference in handling, nor any practical difference in very CQ. IMO, leave it be.

HTH...
 
You Mossy guys can turn yours back in adn recycle them into new beer cans.
Click to expand...


I have examples of every one of the big four, and while I do have an ithaca(which is special to me, as it was my grandfather's gun), it sits in the back of the safe, because I feel it lacks the manual of arms the mossberg has (don't have enough time to learn three manuals of arms just for shotguns alone), and cannot be loaded as quickly as the other members of the big four.


I won't tell you what to do with your ithaca if you don't tell me what to do with my mossberg, okay?
 
Great deal

I have two 37s that I use for bird hunting. An 1960 era 16 gauge and a new Ithaca English Stock 16. I would love to have one of these trade ins you are speaking of.

How can I get in touch with your FFL????
 
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