Ithaca M37 Police/MP

[Tilton Hilton]

Hi,
Local shop has a M37 they got from a private collection. Not sure if its a 18 or 20" barrel. But the magazine goes to the end of the barrel. Its parkerized finish and non engraved receiver.Bead front sight. Serial# is 371234303. It was most likely a police gun carried in a car rack, wear on the receiver and beat up buttplate. Buttstock also has lots of dings and chips and the heal was split/cracked and reglued. It's very dirty but seems to function fine. Few of the screews are chewed up were the ,magazine support is at the end of the barrel and looks like pliers were used on the magazine cap at some time.

I have one like this with the 18" barrel and 4+1 magazine(sn 1018205), that was a police trade in which I like . the long tube on this is what caught my eye and interest.

Anyway I can get it for under $150.00. If it would end up having mechanical issues could I swap the barrel and tube to mine?

Thanks for any help, Jim

 

[Youngster]

Nice gun.

It should be a 20" and I believe it was made in 1971 or '72. If it were me I'd just replace the buttstock and other beat up parts and enjoy it as is.

 

[straitnate14]

I would buy it in a heartbeat for $150 I have no idea about swapping the mag tube and but I have yet to see an ithaca that I would not buy for $150

 

[axeman_g]

Please tell us where this is if you do not pick it up. Make sure someone else get s a shot at it.

 

[withdrawn34]

Sounds good. For $150, it shouldn't hurt too much to swap out the stock for a new one.

 

[Black_Talon]

The mag tube's not easily replaceable. It would be easier to use the 20" bbl+long magtube+receiver and transplant all the rest of the parts from your older M37, if you really want a long magtube version.

 

[Tilton Hilton]

Thanks for the replys.
I went back today and it looked much better to me than it did yesturday.
It is a 20" barrel.
I bought it and brought it home. Need to disassemble and give it a good cleaning.
If everything inside is good, I think I may just keep it as is, the been there done that look looks better all the time.

What is the correct Model name for a Model 37 configured this way, Police. M/P ?

Jim

 

[Youngster]

M&P most likely.

A nice buy you've got there, it should be slamfire capable but don't do it with live ammo until you've had it checked out by a gunsmith, as worn parts can result in the firing pin hitting the primer BEFORE the round gets chambered, which is no good at all.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

I picked up one today for $175. it is a police special and has the 5 round tube. Will check the serial number when I get home. The condition is not bad and could not find anything wrong with it but just normal wear and the park is nice.
I already have one that I could not find any indication of it having been fired and now I have one I would not be worried about being shot.

 

[mes227]

Based on the Serial#371234303 it was produced in 1972.

I've had my 16 ga M37 since about 1973. Great gun!

 

[ghitch75]

i gave 300 for this one.....it's a 1970 8 shot...

 

[Tilton Hilton]

Very nice ghitch75,looks as good as new.

Are there any good parts source for used M37 parts?

Jim

 

[ghitch75]

here is what i have found....http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=12440

 

[Tilton Hilton]

ghitch75,
Thanks for the parts link. I checked them before I asked and was kinda surprised, seems used parts bring a good dollar.

I disassembled my recent purchase. Seems it was repaired by whatever police department owned it. The slide as well as the slide stop have been welded. I assume they had material added to build up areas that were peened and worn from lots of use. I can't even imagine how many thosands of rounds were put throgh this to require such a repair.Unless some thing else happened.

I'm a little disappointed to say the least. I guess a police department would only make such a repair if they knew it was safe. I'm pretty sure the weld would be harder metal than the original and the welds look good. I put 24 rounds through it and it runs fine.

So I guess my options are :
1) Keep it as is.
2) Return it.
3) Buy the parts and have $230+ in it.

Jim

 

[Youngster]

What do mean by the slide stop?

 

[Tilton Hilton]

According to the parts list and pics. Its the part in the trigger group that stops the slide from being worked one a round is in the chamber. The bottom part of the slide stop is the serated finger operated bottom( right side of trigger group) you push to release the slide to empty the rounds.

Jim

 

[Youngster]

Thanks, brain fart on my part, anyway I would be inclined to shy away from that gun if i were you. I've got a '37 sitting here that was totally abused by the previous owner, has 75K rounds through it and yet has nothing welded or worn out on it.

I'm thinking something must be badly out of spec on that gun for them to resort to such a odd repair job instead of just getting new parts.

 

[Tilton Hilton]

Youngster,
I agree. Something just doesn't seem right. Who knows it may have been originally disposed of by the Police Dept. as a parts gun, and just went into the guys collection. Then he passes and his widow brings it along with his other firearms into the shop where I bought it.
Jim

 

[bushmaster1313]

I've been looking for an 18" M&P for a long time

 

[Tilton Hilton]

Are 18" harder to find than 20"?