Ithaca for HD?

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clipse

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Any reason not to get an Ithaca M37(over an 870 or Mossberg) for home defense?

I'm kinda taken by them. :) I'm especially lusting over this one.

ithacahd.jpg

Link to website. Tactical with a touch of class. :D

clipse
 
No reason at all.

Ithaca makes fine shotguns.

Ithaca has recently reopened here in Ohio as Ithaca Guns USA (IIRC). Haven't seen any of the new product, but it should be very nice.

website is:

www.IthacaGunsUsa.com
 
Ithaca model 37 makes a great choice for a reliable HD shotgun. They worked well enough for SEALS in Vietnam...
 
Many a police crusier featured an Ithica over a Remington well into the 80's.

Does that Ithica lack a disconnector?

IE pull the trigger and hold it back and work the pump boomboomboomboom?

Not that it's (spray and pray hip shooting) 'effective' for anything other than trench clearing.. it's fun to do.
 
The Ithaca has a disconnector -- as I recall, of the three major pumps (Winchester Model 12, Remington 870 and the Ithaca 37) only the Winnie could be fired by holding the trigger back and working the pump.
 
Great Gun!

I have used them in both business and home settings. My vehicle gun at times was a 37. Riot guns make nice close cover bird guns.

I sure hope Ithaca continues to stay in business, I really really do.

I had 5 of these put back, sure do miss them. I did not want the disconnect on mine. I do not spray and pray, one can shoot a pump faster than a semi.
 
I called to get prices so I could start convincing my wife. $510 for the LE model and $640 for the one in the pic on my first post. More than I was expecting. I still like them though. :)

clipse
 
Correction!

I know the Ithaca has a disconnector. But I thought I'd just check.

Apparently I don't know as much as I though I did -- I've never tried it before, but this time I did. The Ithaca does not have a disconnector!!

You can hold the trigger back and keep shucking and she'll fire every cycle.

Sorry 'bout that.:eek:
 
However, if you need to stuff an extra round in during an unfortunate situation wouldn't you need to feed it in to the mag tube prior to chambering it when you could just drop it an the ejection port and rack forward with side eject guns.
 
Did not see the specs (old or new) from link above.

If someone finds it, please post in regard to receiver, machined parts ...etc.

Some may not be familar with this classic and proven shotgun - be nice to have this information posted for future searches.


-Vern, you have spilled more powder than some will ever shoot. Your forgetter is supposed to overide memory at times...you earned this option. :)

Steve
 
The Ithaca (mine at least) is all steel, all milled parts.

-Vern, you have spilled more powder than some will ever shoot. Your forgetter is supposed to overide memory at times...you earned this option.
Click to expand...

An Irishman orders a Bushmills and knocks it back.

"Gimme anither" And he knocks that back, too.

"You're drinking them a little fast, ain'tcha?" says the bartender.

"Can't help it," says the Irishman. "I always drink this way since the accident."

"Sure, it must have been a terrible accident!"

"Indeed it was -- I put me drink on the bar, turned to say something to someone, and knocked me glass over wid' me elbow.":p
 
Prices aren't at all out of line, clipse.

Mossberg 590 and Remington 870 LE prices are a LOT higher than the 500 and Express you'll find in chain stores.
 
Vern,

I didn't know Ithicas lacked a disconnector until I saw the 'shotgun' episode of Tales of the Gun. Though I knew about the Winchester 1897's lack of one.
 
Early 37s lacked the disconnector, they can be fan fired. The 87s and those 37s made after that do not.

IMO, it's not a technique for the real world. I've yet to see someone get real world hits by fanfiring except for a few folks like Herb Parsons.

Re the original question, an Ithaca 37 is a great defensive shotgun. I'd have no qualms about using one to defend self, family and community....
 
All M-37's were disconnector-less until 1975.

Oh, and back on topic, they're great guns too. They're all steel, no cheap aluminum and plastic like other guns. They're simple and reliable, and FWIW, their receivers are about 1.25" shorter than an 870 or Mossy 500, which means that the overall length of the gun is also that much shorter, given the same barrel length.

Only things I've ever heard folks complain about is the bottom ejection ("possibility of a jam if shooting over a barricade" :rolleyes:) and the single action bar ("weak", but I've never seen or heard of one actually breaking/binding).

I have 2 that have never given me anything but perfect service.

Gratuitous M-37 pr0n:
Ithaca_M37_800.jpg
 
:D

Black_Talon - thanks for the pic!

Botton Eject: Left handed folks appreciate them, so do Right handed folks shooting weak shoulder. Kinda nice in a duck blind too.

Machined steel is what I like, I just wanted to verify the newer ones would still be.

I know we have been speaking of 12 gauge version...

Tip: Do not pick up, handle or shoot a 20 ga. M37.

Caveat same as I give for 28 ga shotguns - period.

Browning BPS is a 37 basically btw.
 
My 12 ga. 37 was made back in '49 and looks every bit its age but it's still my go-to pheasant gun and has ALWAYS functioned like it was made yesterday.

If they're making them in Sandusky the same way they used to in NY, then that or an 870 is, IMO, as good as she gets.
 
Never owned a 37 but thought they were pretty darned nice shotguns. The bottom ejection seemed like a real plus for anyone who uses one in bad weather. Glad to hear they are around and in production. I guess I think they are a classic and you hate to see classics go by the wayside.
 
I own a M-87 and an old SxS Ithaca. I love this brand and was turned on to them by my father that owns several models. I am very pleased that someone was able to start that company back up. You will not be disappointed with them, I strongly urge you to purchase the gun.
J;)
 
Hi All-

This home defense shotgun should absolutely be welcomed by the gun-buying marketplace. Ithaca has a long and proud history and I would love to be able to earmark a few bucks to purchase this model. I'm sure it would be really sweet after letting Hans Vang and his team play around with it for a bit. The bottom ejection is sweet!

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Lets hope the new Ithaca Gun Company doesn't price themselves a bit to high. Almost $700 for a home defense shotgun (for a new up starting company) is not for the average Joe when you can buy a lock stock M870 or M500 for around $300 and only need an extended mag tube. Don't misunderstand me, I love my older Ithaca's and choose those over the rest in the gun safe even for even HD. I will say the one shown in the start of this thread is a beauty and I wish the company well.
 
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