Well I'm still looking for a good HD shotgun and I like the 870 Police but nobody in my area can track one down and I don't want to buy off the internet. I looked at the 590a1 but I read just as many bad things on it as I do good so I just don't know what to believe. So I started looking at the Ithaca 37 defense and so far I like what I've read about them. The only problem with the 37 is that there's not a lot of new ones out there or I should say around where I live and I heard that they are more complicated when it comes to fixing them and just maintaining them. I also heard that the company keeps going out of business. Is the 37 a shotgun I can count on if my life depends on it, and is it something I can count on lasting many years down the road?
Ithaca 37 Quality.
- Thread starter gleaner26
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Youngster
Member
The only Ithacas I'd be mechanically leery of are those made in the '80s and '90s. They're a mixed bag IMO. As in some are great, some are rough. However even those may be better than recent production 870s.
ithaca is ok
IMO the 37 is fine for HD they make a 37 police (i think that is what it is called) holds 7 in tube and one in chamber. they also make a "Border Patrol" same 37 platform but it holds 9+1 i find that the price just keeps going up on the border patrol. i think they only made them for a short time and do not make them anymore
jb
IMO the 37 is fine for HD they make a 37 police (i think that is what it is called) holds 7 in tube and one in chamber. they also make a "Border Patrol" same 37 platform but it holds 9+1 i find that the price just keeps going up on the border patrol. i think they only made them for a short time and do not make them anymore
jb
Deltaboy1984
Member
Find a Old one pre 1980 and they are build like a Tank!
The new Ithacas are great guns, even better than the best of the previous companies productions. Between my father and I we have almost two dozen Ithaca 37s & two 87s, that range in production from 1940 to 2005 or so. One of friends was looking for a new shotgun and we talked him to purchasing a new feather light, now I am seriously considering buying one for myself, they are just that well made. As far as maintience, yes it is more time consuming to take down than an 870, which I also own, but it is not required every time you shoot. I clean the barrel after every shooting, and do a detailed strip and clean every couple thousand rounds, and they usually don't need it. As far as the price versus an 870, they are totally worth it, every thing is milled, no castings os stamping, and if you look at the wing masters with the high polish blueing, and walnut stocks, comparable with what is coming out of Ohio, there really is not that big of a difference. Get an Ithaca you will not be disapointed.
Beaux Nehr
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The rumors of differences in function or quality between the 870s, 590s and 37s are simply the product of the emotions of men who measure their self worth with their posessions.
They all do the same thing; buy what you like the best.
They all do the same thing; buy what you like the best.
Southpaw 02
Member
The quality on the 37 is fine. I tend to avoid the ones made from about 78 thru 85. They are hit or miss. A previous poster mentioned this so I won't go any farther.
I here plenty of good things about the Ohio made Ithaca's. Here is a link for the defense models.http://www.ithacagun.com/defense37s.html
Since the M 37 is also my favorite pump. I have several as well. I will repeat what Stan Rose said. "Get an Ithaca you will not be disappointed."
I here plenty of good things about the Ohio made Ithaca's. Here is a link for the defense models.http://www.ithacagun.com/defense37s.html
Since the M 37 is also my favorite pump. I have several as well. I will repeat what Stan Rose said. "Get an Ithaca you will not be disappointed."
Ithaca 37...
I'm reading the different posts about the model 37 and see some say that those made in the 80's should be steered clear of, why?
I recently bought one made in 1985 and it appears to be a fine shotgun. Only down side is it holds 4 rounds in the mag + 1 in the chamber for a total of 5 rounds. Wish the round capacity was greater but otherwise it's a great feeling, compact SG, based upon the John Browning design.
So whay are so many "DOWN" on a 37 made in 1985?
Thanks.
I'm reading the different posts about the model 37 and see some say that those made in the 80's should be steered clear of, why?
I recently bought one made in 1985 and it appears to be a fine shotgun. Only down side is it holds 4 rounds in the mag + 1 in the chamber for a total of 5 rounds. Wish the round capacity was greater but otherwise it's a great feeling, compact SG, based upon the John Browning design.
So whay are so many "DOWN" on a 37 made in 1985?
Thanks.
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bushmaster1313
Member
Everyone loves my 1956 Ithaca 37 home defense gun
What have you heard bad about 590a1?
Bought a 1956 Ithaca 12 gauge with a polychoke.$250
Barrel cut to 18.5 and beaded.
Bought a checkered grip off the Internet and refinshed it.
Reproduction butt pad from Galazan.
Everyone loves it.
So much fun you do not notice the recoil
What have you heard bad about 590a1?
Bought a 1956 Ithaca 12 gauge with a polychoke.$250
Barrel cut to 18.5 and beaded.
Bought a checkered grip off the Internet and refinshed it.
Reproduction butt pad from Galazan.
Everyone loves it.
So much fun you do not notice the recoil
TreeDoc
Member
Love the 37, have one and is my favorite shotgun for hunting, however during dove season, I occaisionally have shucked out a live shell while shooting fast. I have had this happen more than once and is the only reason I moved the 870 to HD duty. Nothing wrong with a mossberg, have friends that have run them all their lives with no problems, I just can't used to the tang safety on top of the receiver. If I was going to buy any shotgun though, I would buy used and save about 40%-60% on cost. Lots of very good used shotguns out there.
mgkdrgn
Member
It's more of a rarity thing than a quality thing. I'll put my two late 60's early 70's 870 Wingmasters up against any any Mod 37 any day of the week on a quality basis. For that kind of money, you could buy one GOOD used Wingmaster, and a variety of barrels and remchokes to go with it so it could do -any- job you wanted. (and have change left over!)
MUCH more difficult (as in pretty much impossible) to do that with a 37, just do to the lack of parts and 3rd party ad-ons.
reckless carolinian
Member
As I have mentioned, in my area, 37s are fairly rare, and very cheap. I have seen a full choked non vent rib, with some serious mileage, but far from junk pile condition for $75. Pawn shops near me always have one or three, and they never sell. Folks in this area have a great suspicion and or dislike of a 37(a generalization, for sure)
Youngster
Member
'37s are amazing simple guns, and besides needing the right tools to detail strip I found it as easy {though more time consuming} as any newer design pump. The hardest part by far is removing the recoil pad.
The only thing to really watch out for the right hand shell stop and the TINY spring that lies beneath it, if something's wrong with either you've probably got a gun which will sometimes dump a live shell or much more rarely, release two shells from the magazine over the lifter for an annoying jam.
None of these things come close however to offsetting the '37's good qualities however, especially the smoothness and positivity of the action, the good control layout, the all steel construction, the light weight, the excellent balance and handling, and probably the easiest loading magazines in pump guns, if not in tube mag guns period.
The only thing to really watch out for the right hand shell stop and the TINY spring that lies beneath it, if something's wrong with either you've probably got a gun which will sometimes dump a live shell or much more rarely, release two shells from the magazine over the lifter for an annoying jam.
None of these things come close however to offsetting the '37's good qualities however, especially the smoothness and positivity of the action, the good control layout, the all steel construction, the light weight, the excellent balance and handling, and probably the easiest loading magazines in pump guns, if not in tube mag guns period.
whitecoyote
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- Aug 17, 2008
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- 151
I like the looks of the new Ithaca 37 Defense gun.
http://www.ithacagun.com/defense37s.html
I wonder if the new Ithaca's have a trigger disconnect?
http://www.ithacagun.com/defense37s.html
I wonder if the new Ithaca's have a trigger disconnect?
Virginian
Member
Don't forget, if you shoot the Ithaca empty, you have to load it thru the magazine. That is my biggest gripe against them and the Brownings - I really hate that. I much prefer throwing a shell in the port on an 870. Also, in my experience, with heavy use, a 37 will need to go see the gun doctor way before an 870, or a BPS, will. The reason 37s have all those machined little parts is because they have to have close tolerances to function. The 870 was designed not to need those to work, hence they usually work for a loooong time before needing anything.
The newer 870 Expresses are not up to an older Wingmaster or Police model in materials of construction or finish; they are designed to sell for a cheap price. People bitch and moan about Remington quality because of the Expresses; they still have it but they charge for that just like everyone else does. As in most things, you get what you pay for.
A little trivia; did you know the Ithaca 37 was almost the Ithaca 35 or 36? They had to wait for Remington's patent rights to finish expiring before they could make it. Remington had already moved on to a side ejecting action.
The newer 870 Expresses are not up to an older Wingmaster or Police model in materials of construction or finish; they are designed to sell for a cheap price. People bitch and moan about Remington quality because of the Expresses; they still have it but they charge for that just like everyone else does. As in most things, you get what you pay for.
A little trivia; did you know the Ithaca 37 was almost the Ithaca 35 or 36? They had to wait for Remington's patent rights to finish expiring before they could make it. Remington had already moved on to a side ejecting action.
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Youngster
Member
I'll agree that the '37 needs more mechanical attention than newer designs but I don't see the bottom port as a weakness, it ejects more positively than any side ejector and is extremely easy to load, even under stress.
I find the 870 especially to be very slow and awkward to load in comparison, other than through the ejection port, thanks to the lifter being in the way and having to deal with heavier spring pressure.
Basically the 870 NEEDS the port load because getting rounds into the magazine is bound to be slower and more prone to mistakes, all else being equal.
I find the 870 especially to be very slow and awkward to load in comparison, other than through the ejection port, thanks to the lifter being in the way and having to deal with heavier spring pressure.
Basically the 870 NEEDS the port load because getting rounds into the magazine is bound to be slower and more prone to mistakes, all else being equal.
whitecoyote
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- Aug 17, 2008
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- 151
Went to my local gun shop today. Checked out a few new Ithaca"s. The quality is excellent, fit, and finish was perfect.
I ordered an Ithaca Defender with an 18.5" barrel, and walnut furniture. It should be here in about a week.
Also, I checked out the trigger, there is NO disconnector!
I ordered an Ithaca Defender with an 18.5" barrel, and walnut furniture. It should be here in about a week.
Also, I checked out the trigger, there is NO disconnector!
bushmaster1313
Member
With all due respect--not true.
With the action open, push the pump handle up a bit and you can drop a shell right in the chamber.
This is how you can shoot a Model 37 at the trap line without going through the magazine.
whitecoyote
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Good information.
Thanks.
Virginian
Member
With all due respect back, I do not think turning the gun over and pushing the handle "a little way" is a viable alternative in a hunting or combat situation where time is of the essence. I know what you are talking about, and having to find just the right spot gets real difficult with the adrenaline in overdose mode.
oletymer
Member
They make a defense gun that holds 8 rounds. In a combat or hunting situation if you empty the gun and still need more you need more practice shooting.
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